"Experience the Best of Both Worlds: Albania and North Macedonia in One Tour"

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Overview

Discover the authentic essence of Albania and North Macedonia with our 8-day tour, designed for travelers who crave a genuine cultural experience. Immerse yourself in the local lifestyle by exploring off-the-beaten-path neighborhoods, savoring traditional cuisine at local restaurants, and visiting iconic landmarks. From the ancient ruins of Albania to the picturesque city of Ohrid in North Macedonia, our itinerary takes you on a journey through time, allowing you to gain a deeper understanding of these fascinating countries.

But that’s not all – our tour also offers ample free time for you to wander and explore on your own. Meet locals, shop at markets, and discover unique customs and traditions. Our experienced guides will share insider tips and local insights, making this trip an unforgettable adventure.

Included/Excluded

  • All breakfasts / 4 Dinners / 4 Lunches
  • Tickets / Entry fee to 11 museums / entry sites through the itinerary
  • Throughout local Guide
  • All transfers as mentioned on the itinerary
  • All transfers as mentioned on the itinerary
  • Wine tasting at Cobo Winery
  • Polyphonic music group experience
  • Tickets / Entry fee to museums / entry sites not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Beverages during meals (except water which is included)
  • Flight tickets
  • Extra private transfers
  • Single room supplement (extra charge upon request)

Tour Plan

1 Arrival Tirana Airport

After arrival at Tirana Airport, you will meet with the local throughout guide and driver. Once embarked on the bus you’ll be transferred towards city center of Tirana, for dinner and overnight in. After a long day traveling, enjoy a typical Albanian dinner with local dishes and get to know each other more.

2 Tirana – Elbasan – Pogradec - Ohrid

Morning  transfer to Elbasan. Elbasan’s first name was Skampis, two centuries later it was mentioned by the name of Skampa, a city living off the cereal and leather trade. First sight in Elbasan will be the Castle right on the city center. The castle walls built on the ruins of the Roman and Byzantine fortifications by the sovereign Ottoman Mehmet II. In the old quarter “Kala” we will visit ruins of the Basilica, St. Mary Church, King Mosque. After the visit we will have lunch at Restaurant Real Scampis, inside of the ancient castle. Afternoon we will continue driving toward Pogradec and we will have a short stop for a coffee on the lake, then we will continue towards Ohrid, North Macedonia, and have free time for leisure and dinner. Overnight in Ohrid.

3 Ohrid all Day

After the breakfast, we will meet the local Guidein Ohrid . Ohrid and the lake in 1978 were included in UNESCO World Heritage List. The visit today starts to the old quarter of Ohrid. The traditional houses, build close to each other have created some cobbled narrow streets like a labyrinth. They will lead you to the churches of Ohrid where the most important and the most special one is St. Sophia Church, coming from 9th-10th century from Bulgarian Empire, housing important medieval art of paintings, icons and frescoes. On the way up you will also see the Roman amphitheatre, a one of a kind in Macedonia coming since almost 2000 years ago. Up in the Saint Klement Pantelejmon Church, named after the saint patron of Ohrid, is one of the most beautiful mosaics of the Balkans, a Christian one, on the floor of the church.  The labyrinth of the old town will also lead you to the Samuil’s Fortress, built during the First Bulgarian Empire when Ohrid was capital, by Tsar Samuil. There are theories that this castle was built on the ruins of another castle, possibly from the Illyrian tribes or from Philip II of Macedon. From inside the fortress you can feel the medieval times and from up the walls you can have a stunning view of the whole city, old town and the lake. After the tasteful lunch you will depart to the next popular destination of the area of Ohrid, the Monastery of Saint Naum. Located about 30 kilometers from Ohrid, the Monastery of Saint Naum is built in 905 by the saint himself. Saint Naum was buried in this monastery. It has been one of the most visited religious buildings since Middle Ages for the amazing spiritual atmosphere and in the modern days it has attracted numerous tourists. Leaving the legendary Monastery of Saint Naum, you will go on the road to Elshani village. It is located close to the city of Ohrid and near the shores of the lake. Elshani village and especially its people are very famous about their special traditions of hospitality. After enjoying Elshani village and everything it will offer to you, you will return back to Ohrid where you will spend the night.

4 Ohrid – Belesh – Berat

Morning transfer to Belesh for a short coffe stop and then towards to the Old town of Berat. After arrival we will visit the City. Berat’s most striking feature is the collection of white Ottoman houses climbing up the hill to its castle, earning it the title of 'city of a thousand windows' by joining the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites, in 2008. The city is cascading steeply to the banks of the Osum River, this Ottoman-era town is a veritable labyrinth of timeworn, white-washed streets, uneven cobblestones and of course the captivating mosaic of window frames that stare out from every wall. It is divided into three large neighborhoods, capturing Berat’s 3 parts, Gorica, Mangalem and Castle, in an eternal, unblinking staring match across the water, those of Mangalem and Gorica, split by Osum River, and the medieval castle, still inhabited. After visiting the city of a thousand windows' we will have free time in the antique neighborhoods of Berat. Next transfer to Cobo winery for wine tasting. You will taste some of the best wine in Albania including white and red wines and of course the local spirit Raki. After this wonderful natural experience, we will transfer to the old town of Berat for dinner and overnight.

5 Berat - Gjirokaster - Sarande

After Breakfast we will transfer to UNESCO Heritage City, Gjirokaster. In Gjirokastra we will see Defined by its castle, roads paved with chunky limestone and shale, imposing slate-roofed houses and views out to the Drino Valley, Gjirokastra is a magical hillside town described beautifully by Albania's most famous author, Ismail Kadare, 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. The former dictator Enver Hoxha, who was born here and ensured the town was relatively well preserved under his rule, though he is not memorialized in any way here today. This beautiful city is part of UNESCO World Heritage site. After visiting the legendary castle and the unique bazaar of Gjirokastra, we will enjoy free time for lunch and shopping. Transfer toward Saranda with a stop in the natural spring of the blue eye for some relaxing moments.  After the visit of Butrint you will be transferred back to Saranda for free time for lunch. Dinner organized in the Lekursi castle where also the Polyphonic Group of Saranda invited for your pleasure to sing and dance Albanian folk music. After this wonderful experience return at your hotel for overnight in Saranda

6 Saranda – South Riviera – Vlore

Morning transfer to Butrint, Archeological Park declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Which is in-between the beautiful lake of the same name and Ionian Sea. Aside from archaeological values, Butrint offers a wide natural complex and a special ecosystem. The ancient city is „placed‟ beautifully in a middle of a greenery land, near the lake that holds the same name, only 3 km away from the sea, which is connected by the canal of Vivari. After the visit of Butrint you will be transferred to Llogara National Park for lunch while admiring the scenery of Ionian Sea shore from the top. After lunch in Llogara we will continue towards Vlora, the city of independence. The city carries historical importance to Albania as it hosted the First National Assembly, on which Albania declared the country’s independence from

Ottoman rule on November 28th, 1912. It is the starting point of the Albanian Riviera and is one of the most frequented areas of Albanian “Sun and Sea” tourism. Dinner and overnight in Vlore.

7 Vlore – Apolloni – Durres - Tirane

Morning we will transfer to Apollonian archeological site for a visit of the ancient ruins of one of the most known roman Universities in the Balkans where many roman emperors used to study. Next transfer to Durres ,  Albania’s first capital just for a short period of time. Where we will explore the amazing monuments of classical antiquity in a depth and learn how the city was considered the “Tavern of the Adriatic”. We will visit the Roman Amphitheater from the 2nd century AD, built during the reign of the emperor Trajan as one of the biggest amphitheaters in Balkans. The Roman Amphitheater and the city of Durrës are unusual for their extraordinary degree of preservation, particularly for its large stretches of undisturbed stratigraphy. Our last visit is the Archeological Museum with artifacts as old as the 7th century B.C. After lunch we will continue towards Tirana. Tirana is beautiful to be visited by both day and night, with its clubs, bars, cafes, and taverns.  Overnight in Tirana.

8 Tirane – Kruje - Tirana Airport

After Breakfast we will visit the Capital of Albania. Tirana is known for its colorful Soviet-era architecture. Pastel buildings surround the city's focal point, Skanderbeg Square, which is named for its equestrian statue of a national hero. On the square's north end is the modernist National History Museum, covering prehistoric times through Communist rule and the anti-Communist uprisings of the 1990s. After the visit of Tirana and its city center, we will drive towards Uka farm for lunch where we will enjoy some traditional Albanian dishes. After lunch transfer to Kruja.

You will have free time in Kruja and especially to the famous bazaar which is one of the oldest in Albania. Whether you need a traditionally crafted rug, or masterfully made copper products from the renowned craftsmen who work here, you can find every object of interest you might need. Other items in the fascinating bazaar include genuine handcrafted items, and silver jewelry that is known to last a lifetime. After the bazaar we will visit the castle of Kruja, Albanian’s National hero Scanderbeg Museum as well as the ethnographic museum where you will learn how people used to live and work during the 18th century. Late afternoon transfer to the Airport for your onward flight.

Map

Essential Information

• Traveling to Albania
• Weather in Albania
• Currency in Albania
• Eating / drinking in Albania

Accommodation

Throughout this tour you will stay in standard 4-star accommodation units with private shower and good conditions.

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