Classic Albania Tour

Day 1
ITALY/TIRAN
Departure by scheduled flight and arrival in Tirana. Transfer by coach to the city, where we will visit the capital, which has been the political and cultural heart of Albania since 1920. The city is built around the majestic Skanderbeg Square, dominated by the imposing profile of Mount Dajti. Visit to the Archaeological Museum, the Etem bey mosque, the boulevards. Afterwards, dinner and overnight stay in a hotel.

Day 2
TIRANA/ARDENICA/APOLLONIA/VALONA
After breakfast, depart for Ardenica and visit the Orthodox monastery where the national hero Skanderbeg married. Continue to Apollonia, founded by the Corinthians in the 7th century BC. The archaeological site of Apollonia is famous for magnificent remains of the bouleuterion, the ancient seat of city government, whose columns stand out majestically against the blue sky. Nearby is an ancient Byzantine monastery, decorated with frescoes, where the Archaeological Museum has been set up. En route, stop for lunch in a local restaurant. In the evening, arrival in Vlora, accommodation in a hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

Day 3
VALONA/PORT PALERMO/BUTRINT/SARANDA
After breakfast, depart for Saranda. The journey begins with an ascent to the Llogara Pass (1,000 m above sea level), from where you will enjoy breathtaking views as you descend to sea level, passing through the picturesque village of Himara. Continuing along the beautiful Ionian coast, stop to visit the Ali Pasha Castle, an imposing fortress located on the island in the bay of Porto Palermo.After lunch in a restaurant, continue on to Butrint, one of Albania's most important archaeological sites, located 18 km south of Saranda. Founded by the Greeks in the 6th century BC, on a pre-existing Illyrian settlement, the city of Butrint was described by Virgil as being founded by Trojans. Once a fortified trading town, Butrintus still preserves
numerous significant remains, including the acropolis, the theatre from the 3rd century BC, also used by the Romans, the public baths decorated with geometric mosaics and, in the heart of the forest, a 6th century baptistery with mosaics depicting animals and birds. Above the site, a triangular fortress, built by Ali Pasha Tepelena in the early 19th century, dominates the entire area.Arrival in Saranda in the evening, dinner and overnight stay in a hotel.

Day 4
SARANDA/MESOPOTAM/GIROKASTER
After breakfast, departure for Mesopotam. Visit the monastery with the Church of St Nicholas, which is completely frescoed with images of the saint and other magnificent paintings. Lunch in a restaurant. In the afternoon, drive to Girokaster, the 'museum city', famous for its scenic location and beautiful 19th-century houses. The town is dominated by the majestic fortified citadel, which offers a spectacular view of the Drino River. The house-museum of Enver Hoxha, the communist leader who led Albania for 41 years, is an interesting example of traditional 19th-century architecture.At the end of the visit, accommodation in a hotel, dinner and overnight.

Day 5
GIROKASTER/BYLLIS/BERAT
After breakfast, departure for Byllis, where you will visit the remains of the ancient city, founded by the Greeks and of great strategic importance during the Albanian-Turkish wars. En route, lunch in a restaurant.Arrival in Berat in the afternoon, one of the cities most fascinating of Albania, famous for its well-preserved Ottoman architecture. Accommodation in a hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

Day 6
BERAT
After breakfast, visit Berat, known as 'the city of a thousand windows'. This charming town is built on a slope, dominated by its 14th-century citadel.
Inside the citadel, you can admire numerous Byzantine churches and an exceptional museum dedicated to Onufri, Albania's greatest icon painter.Lunch in a restaurant.
In the afternoon, visit the Lower Town, famous for its many historic mosques. Free time to explore. In the evening, dinner at a typical restaurant and overnight at the hotel.

Day 7
BERAT/DURAZ/KRUJA
After breakfast, departure for Durres. On arrival, visit this ancient city, the second largest in Albania, which preserves evidence of different eras, including impressive Roman ruins and Byzantine fortifications. Of particular interest are the remains of a bathhouse and the imposing Roman amphitheatre, one of the largest in the Balkans. Continue to Kruja, the town of Skanderbeg, Albania's national hero. Visit to the medieval centre, dominated by the impressive castle, built by the Venetians and enriched by a characteristic Ottoman bazaar. Inside the castle is the Historical Museum, which tells the story of Skanderbeg and the battles that marked the history of Albania.At the end of the visit, dinner and overnight stay in a hotel.

Day 8
KRUJA/AIRPORT/ITALY
Breakfast and transfer to the airport. Return by scheduled flight. End of our services.

NOTE: the order in which the visits are carried out may be modified for operational requirements without altering the content and development of the trip

THE FEE INCLUDES:
- Scheduled ITA flights including checked baggage
- Coach and guide service for the duration of the trip
- Accommodation in a 4-star hotel in twin-bedded rooms with private facilities
- FULL BOARD treatment from lunch on 1st day to breakfast on 8th day as per programme
- Museum admissions
- Medical Baggage Insurance

DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Airport taxes (currently € 75)
- Mmance, drinks
- Extras in general and everything not expressly indicated in "The Price Includes".

MINIMUM 10 PARTICIPANTS -

Departures: 21/6 - 10/08 - 20/09