The very old history of the Skipetars and Illyrians as well as the preserved remains of their overabundant culture are still present in Albania.
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Tour number: |
AL 0103 |
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Travel time: |
May till October |
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Minimum participants: |
4 |
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Maximum participants: |
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Difficulty level: |
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Description:
Albania is a country with very ancient civilization. Not only the local one, but also other civilizations, such as Greek, Roman, Byzantine, have left their traces on its territory. Albania has a millenary-long culture and history. You will have an opportunity to see their traces in the ancient and relatively new monuments of culture all over Albania belonging to all periods .
Highlights:
Apollonia * Vlora * Amantia * Saranda * Butrint Ruins * Gjirokaster * Antigonea * Bylis * Berat * Kruja * Albanopolis * Tirana
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Albania Day 2: Apollonia and the Bay of Vlora We will start driving southwards and stop for refreshment at the Monastery of Ardenica; it has a panoramic location above the Myzeqeja Plain, as well as frescoes painted by the Zografi brothers. Day 3: A visit to Amantia Today we will leave Vlora and drive eastwards through the Laberia region (the highlands of Vlora) to visit the archaeological site of Amantia, the surrounding walls, oval stadium, etc. We will have a pick-nick by the ruins of what once was one of the most organized and prosperous cities of the Illyrians. Day 4: The Albanian Riviera Today we will drive along the spectacular stretch of coast known as the Albanian Riviera. We will drive through beautiful pine forests up to Llogora pass at 1000m above sea level, and lunch in a mountain restaurant, enjoying one of the most dramatic mountain and sea panoramas of the Mediterranean. Day 5: Saranda and Butrinti Ruins The day will start with a visit at the Butrinti Ruins. Listed at the UNESCO World Heritage List, Butrint marvels its visitors with its monuments of different periods like the Theatre, the Baptistery, the Basilica, etc; surrounded by dense vegetation that provides a heaven for birdlife. After visiting the Museum of Archaeology we will have lunch in a restaurant nearby and have the opportunity to taste fresh delicious Butrinti mussels. In the afternoon the group can spend some free time in town and then have dinner at the Lekuresi Castle - great panoramic location. Day 6: Gjirokaster: the city of stone We will start the day with a visit of the interesting medieval church of Mesopotam. Afterwards we will stop for refreshment at the karst spring known as Syri i Kaltër - The Blue Eye. Day 7: The ruins of Antigonea Antigonea is located just one hour drive from Gjirokaster. Antigonea is situated on a hill about 600 meters above sea level and the wall circuit is estimated to have had a length of ca. four kilometres, covering 35 hectares. The Agora of the city has been excavated and a Stoa, 59 meters long and 9 m wide has been brought to light. Day 8: The site of Bylis The group will leave Gjirokaster and head towards Berat. After two hours of driving we will arrive in the archaeological site of Bylis. Day 9: The charming city of Berat Situated over a gorge next to the Osumi River and shadowed by Mount Tomori (2412m), Berat's white buildings sprawl up the hillside towards the fortress. New construction is strictly regulated in order to guard the city's character. Exploring on foot this morning, we head up to the fortress and see the superb painted icons and frescoes in the church of St. Mary (The Onufri Icons Museum), one of the seven churches within the citadel's walls. We will have a traditional lunch within the walls of the citadel. The afternoon will be left free to explore the town - perhaps visit one of the town's museums or the city park. Day 10: Tirana, a day in the capital We tour the city in the morning and leave the afternoon free to explore at your own pace. Into our walking tour we include a visit to the Archaeological Museum, Skanderbeg square, Et'hem Beg Mosque and the Dervish Hatixhe (a sacred Turkish style villa). The art gallery in the centre of town is worth visiting during free time. As well as the mosques, there are a number of orthodox and catholic churches and an interesting main market 'The New Bazaar' selling fruit, vegetables, herbs, etc. Day 11: Kruja and Albanopolis The group will leave the capital in the morning for the city of Kruja. At the foot hills of Kruja, we will take a walking tour in the ruins of Zgerdhesh, known as Albanopolis. The Austrian Consul and traveller Von Hahn, describes this place during his 19'th century journey and associates its location with the city of Albanopolis in the map of the 2'd century A.D geographer, Ptolemy. The ruins are very interesting and the location is beautiful, so near to the road and not visited by the main stream tourists. We will then have lunch in Kruja in a panoramic restaurant and then visit the citadel, from where Albania's greatest hero Skanderbeg, led the resistance against the Ottoman domination in the 15'Th century. It is also possible to visit the Museum of Skanderbeg and the Ethnographic museum, located both within the fortress. Evening and overnight in Tirana. Day 12: Leaving Albania After breakfast the group can visit the National Historic Museum or have free time and shop for souvenirs and send postcards, before leaving for the airport. Included in price: Not included in price: 1st till 6th Day
Before getting to Vlora, we will stop to visit the ruins of Apollonia, founded by Corinthian colons around 600BC, this city sided with Julius Caesar during the Civil War with Pompey in the Illyricum and Octavian studied here before becoming Emperor Augustus.
We will have lunch in Apollonia and in the afternoon a short drive will bring us to the coastal town of Vlora.
Dinner in a restaurant and overnight in Hotel by the sea.
In the afternoon we will visit the Fortress of Kanina that dominates the bay of Vlora, giving splendid views on the surrounding landscape.
Dinner in a restaurant and overnight in Hotel by the sea.
Later a succession of picturesque small villages, olive and citrus groves and white gravel beaches will lead us to the town of Saranda located in front of the Corfu Island. Dinner in restaurant and overnight in hotel by the sea.
We will lunch at the village of Labova near the famous Labova e Kryqit church. After lunch we will end our drive to Gjirokaster.
Gjirokastër is one of the most beautiful Albanian historic towns. The "city of stone" spread downhill from the castle in the 13'Th century. From the walls of the castle one can admire the view of its districts and the surrounding valley of river Drinos. Walks along the stone paved streets will bring the traveller at the discovery of the charming Albanian traditional architecture. It was in these grey coloured streets that grew up two of its well known sons: Enver Hoxha and Ismail Kadare.
Overnight and dinner in town.7th till 12th Day
We will return to Gjirokaster to relax and have free time to explore the city at own pace. Overnight and dinner in town.
'Bylis is a vast archaeological site spread on a hill top overlooking the flow of river Vjosa. The ancient walls which surround the site were built in the second quarter of the 4'Th century BC and within them are the remains of Illyrian private houses. Roman public buildings including an impressive theatre and Byzantine basilicas paved with outstanding mosaics. It is easy to linger for hours in the haunting atmosphere of this remote hilltop, surrounded by the ruins of buildings which are two and a half millennia old. We will have lunch after the visit and then end the last leg of drive in the historic town of Berat. Dinner in restaurant and accommodation in the centre of the town.
Also interesting the 'Blloku' district, once forbidden district of the communist nomenclature, today business and entertainment core of the city. Dinner in one of the best restaurants in town, overnight in a hotel in the centre.Services
Things to know