Embark on an unforgettable journey through Albania and Montenegro, two vibrant regions brimming with positive energy and a forward-thinking spirit. Immerse yourself in the rich history of ancient civilizations as you explore their remains, and marvel at the breathtaking panoramas from wild mountains and national parks. Meet friendly locals, embrace their art communities and farming practices, and learn about their strong sense of community spirit. With a variety of activities to engage in, enjoy this trip by fully immersing yourself in the experience.
After your arrival, you will be greeted by your driver and guide before being transferred to the Ardenica Monastery. This renowned monastery is steeped in legend, with tales suggesting that our national hero Scanderbeg once celebrated his marriage here. The church's interior boasts breathtaking paintings that will leave you in awe. Following your visit to the monastery, we will continue towards Vlora. We will pause for lunch and take some time to explore the city center before returning to the hotel for dinner and overnight accommodations.
Begin your day with a delicious breakfast at the hotel, before embarking on a transfer towards Porto Palermo via Llogara National Park, where you can soak in the stunning panoramic views of Albania. Our first stop will be at a famous balcony that offers excellent photo opportunities, with sweeping views of the South coast. If you're lucky, you may even witness some paragliding activity on some days. Next, we'll continue our journey through the zig-zagging roads, passing by several charming villages such as Palase, Dhermi, and Himara. Palase, once a humble village, has now transformed into a luxurious resort. Interestingly, Julius Caesar and his army once fought Pompeii here.
At Porto Palermo, we'll visit the castle of Ali Pasha, where legend has it that he hid his treasure. We'll also stop by Borshi waterfall, an enchanting natural attraction along the way. Afterward, we'll pause for lunch before proceeding to Butrint, the most significant archaeological park in Albania and a UNESCO World Heritage site. With almost two hours dedicated to exploring Butrint, be sure to wear comfortable shoes. Our journey will end in Saranda, where we'll have dinner and spend the night.
After breakfast you will be transfer to Blue Eye Spring. Visit of the source (The Blue Eye Spring is a magical place: a hypnotic pool of deep blue water surrounded by electric-blue edges like the iris of an eye. It's further enveloped in thick woods and is some 22km east of Saranda on the road to Gjirokastra. Swimming is forbidden!) and then transfer to Gjirokaster. Defined by its castle, roads paved with chunky limestone and shale, imposing slate-roofed houses and views out to the Drina Valley, Gjirokastra is a magical hillside town described beautifully by Albania's most famous author, Ismail Kadare (b 1936), in Chronicle in Stone. There has been a settlement here for 2500 years, though these days it's the 600 'monumental' Ottoman-era houses in town that attract visitors. Gjirokastra Sightseeing. Visit of the Castle "Argjiro" of Gjirokastra, traditional old houses and old quarters, old bazaar with craftsmen shops. Entrance at Gjirokaster castle of Argjiro, museum of weapons and Ethnographic Museum. Traditional lunch in the middle and then transfer to Fier for dinner and overnight.
After breakfast you will be transfer to Apollonia. The evocative ruins of the ancient Illyrian city of Apollonia sit on a windswept hilltop some 12km west of the city of Fier. While a large part of the ruins remains buried under the ground, what has been excavated within the 4km of city walls is pure poetry. The highlights include the theatre and the elegant pillars of the restored façade of the city's 2nd-century-AD administrative Centre. Visit the Archaeological site and also the church and the museum and then transfer to Berat. Berat weaves its own very special magic and is easily a highlight of visiting Albania. Its most striking feature is the collection of white Ottoman houses climbing up the hill to its castle, earning it the title of 'town of a thousand windows'. Berat Sightseeing. Visit of the Castle of Berat, Mangalemi quarter, Gorica bridge, stubbled stone streets, many byzantine churches, viewpoint. Also entrance at Onufri museum. Final transfer to Durres for dinner and overnight.
After breakfast you will start Durres sightseeing. Durres was once – albeit briefly – Albania’s capital. It’s now virtually an extension of Tirana, joined to the capital by a ceaseless urban corridor full of hypermarkets and car dealerships. Blessed with a reasonable 10km stretch of beach. Durres sightseeing will start with the visit of the Venetian tower, byzantine walls, city center, ruins of the roman forum and roman baths. Visit of the Roman Amphitheatre and then transfer to Kruja. Kruja's once important castle is these days just an impressive ruin. Within its crumbling walls are Albanian flag sellers, pizza restaurants and an array of mildly interesting sights, though few are actually castle-related. It's a fun place to poke about and plenty of locals make their way up to the castle to catch the sunset. Visit of Kruja Old Bazaar and Kruja Castle. Entrance at Scanderbeg and Ethnographic Museum. Lunch time and ahead in direction of Lezha for visit of St. George church and monumental tomb of Scanderbeg. Final transfer to Podgorica for dinner and overnight.
After breakfast you will start with a panoramic tour of Podgorica. Given it’s undergone five name changes, passed through the hands of everyone from the Romans to the Turks to the Austro-Hungarians, and twice been wiped off the map entirely, it’s little wonder that Podgorica seems permanently gripped by an identity crisis. Its streets are a hotchpotch of Ottoman oddments, Austrian shopfronts, brutalist blocks and shiny new malls, and it has a fraction of the big-smoke buzz other European capitals can claim. But with some excellent galleries, plenty of parks and a vibrant cafe culture, pint-sized Podgorica is worth a look. Then transfer to Ostrog monastery. Local minivans will help you reach the spot. After the famous monastery back on road in direction of Budva. Lunch time and visit of the old town. Free afternoon on the shore of Adriatic Sea. Dinner and overnight.
After breakfast you will be transfer to Perast. Boat tour at Lady of Rock Island and church. Then transfer on the Bay of Kotor. Wedged between brooding mountains and a moody corner of the bay, achingly atmospheric Kotor is perfectly at one with its setting. Hemmed in by staunch walls snaking improbably up the surrounding slopes, the town is a medieval maze of museums, churches, café-strewn squares, and Venetian palaces and pillories. It’s a dramatic and delightful place where the past coexists with the present; its cobblestones ring with the sound of children racing to school in centuries-old buildings, lines of laundry flutter from wrought-iron balconies, and hundreds of cats – the descendants of seafaring felines – loll in marble laneways. Visit of the old town of Kotor, city walls, clock tower, Serbian church. Entrance at St Tryphon Cathedral and serpent road to Cetinje. Enjoy the breathtaking panoramas. Visit of King Nikola Museum at the Royal Capital and final transfer to Podgorica for dinner and overnight.
After breakfast you will be transfer to Virpazar. Enjoy the unique experience at the Skadar lake! Boat trip and then transfer again in Albania. Visit of the Northern city of Shkoder. Shkodra, the traditional Centre of the Gheg cultural region, is one of the oldest cities in Europe and arguably the most attractive urban center in Albania. Visit of the city center, Ebu Bekr Mosque, Catholic and Franciscan Churches and castle of Rozafa in Shkoder. Farewell dinner at a fantastic farm before reaching the capital. Overnight in Tirana
After breakfast you will start with the sightseeing of the capital. Lively, colorful Tirana is where this tiny nation's hopes and dreams coalesce into a vibrant whirl of traffic, brash consumerism and unfettered fun. Having undergone a transformation of extraordinary proportions since awaking from its communist slumber in the early 1990s, Tirana's Centre is now unrecognizable from those grey days, with buildings painted in primary colors, and public squares and pedestrianized streets that are a pleasure to wander. Tirana sightseeing will start with the visit of the main boulevard, Scanderbeg square, main administrative buildings, presidency, pyramid, Et'hem Bey Mosque. Lunch time and transfer to the airport for your onward Flight
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