Albanians Castles

Korce, Pogradec

Overview
Itinerary
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Overview

Embark on an 9-days and 8 nights Albanian adventure, exploring iconic castles like Krujë, Rozafa, Berat, Gjirokastër, and Porto Palermo. Witness ancient wonders at Butrint and Apollonia, where Greek, Roman, and Byzantine echoes linger amidst their timeless ruins. Each offers unique architecture, stunning views, and whispers of Albania's rich past. Beyond castles, discover charming towns, savor local cuisine, and immerse yourself in the warm Albanian spirit. This unforgettable journey awaits!

Itinerary

Itinerary Expand All

Day 1
Mother Teresa Airport – Tirane
Tirana Airport – Tirana, 35 min
Arrival at Mother Theresa Airport in Tirana; reception and accompaniment to the hotel.
Depending on the arrival time you can start with visits to the capital.

Overnight in Tirana. 3* hotel
Day 2
Tirane-Kruje - Shkoder
Tirane- Kruje, 40 km- 1 h 00 min

Departure for the town of Krujë located on the heights near the Albanian capital.

In the 15th century, this city was the scene of numerous battles between the Ottomans and the Albanians. The Albanians resisted the Ottomans for 25 years under the command of Skanderbeg who was later the national hero of the Albanians. You will learn more about this character, one of the best known in Europe of this time, by visiting this city. The old bazaar is worth a nice visit.

Kruje – Shkoder, 100 km -1 h 45min

Today, departure for the town of Shkodra, "where the Drin goes", if we are to believe the etymology of the name of this city, inhabited since prehistoric times and today a symbol of a

profound harmony between religious faiths, since this city is home to places of worship from varied backgrounds (Muslim, Catholic and Orthodox). Visit to Lake Shkodra. Afterwards, a visit

to the Marubi Photo Library will allow us to explore the Balkans as they were from the end of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century. The King's Mosque and the Catholic

Cathedral (the largest in the Balkans) will also be part of our route.

Overnight in Shkoder. 3* hotel
Day 3
Shkoder-Durres-Berat
Shkoder- Durres = 1h 30min

Embark on a captivating journey from Shkodra to Berat, beginning with an exploration of Durres and its captivating Greek, Roman, and Byzantine heritage. Marvel at the grandeur of the Roman amphitheater, a majestic relic dating back to the 2nd century B.C., featuring a rare Christian crypt adorned with intricate mosaics. Delight your senses with a delectable seaside lunch at a local restaurant, accompanied by stunning coastal vistas.

Durres - Berat = 1h 30min

Continue your adventure to Berat, renowned as the "city of a thousand windows," where you'll relish a leisurely lunch within the ancient Castle's charming confines. Immerse yourself in Berat's rich history as you navigate its "upper town," home to 14th-century Byzantine churches, and its bustling "low town," adorned with ancient mosques. Explore iconic districts like the Castle, Mangalemi, and Gorica, each offering a unique glimpse into Berat's storied past.

Indulge in a sumptuous dinner at a luxurious 4-star hotel nestled in the heart of Berat, where comfort and opulence await. Reflect on the day's adventures amidst Berat's timeless beauty, a testament to Albania's enduring legacy. Retire to your elegant accommodations for a restful overnight stay, reminiscing about a day filled with history, culture, and culinary delights.
Day 4
Elbasan – Pogradec - Korce
Berat- Elbasan = 1h 30min
Today we will stop in the town of Elbasan to visit one of the rare citadels in the Balkans to have
been built on the plain..
Then departure to Lake Ohrid. Stopover in the village of Lin. This small village attracts visitors
for its mosaics and the small church it houses. Let's take the time to walk there.

Elbasan – Korce = 1h50min
Departure for the town of Korçe, renowned throughout the country for its historical
attachment to France and the French-speaking world, since this town hosted a French high
school from 1917 to 1939, for Albanian students. The national medieval museum, the cemetery
of French soldiers from the First World War, and the Orthodox cathedral represent the key
monuments to discover and visit in this city.

Overnight in Korce. 3* hotel
Day 5
Korce- Benje – Gjirokaster
Rehove – Benje = 3h45 min
On your route today, you will cross a region rich in magnificent landscapes and can even make a
detour to the thermal waters of Benja, renowned for treating various ailments but just as
pleasant for the magnificent walks that this natural site offers along its canyon.

Benje – Gjirokaster = 1h 30min

Your path will continue towards the town of Gjirokastra, or “the stone town”. Listed as a
UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005, Gjirokastra is the birthplace of the great Albanian writer
“Ismail Kadare” and on less literary notes, the hometown of the former communist dictator
Enver Hoxha. This city is full of typical neighborhoods and its shaded terraces, but above all it is
home to the ethnographic museum and its fortress, witnesses to a large part of Albania's
history. Gjirokastra has managed to preserve its picturesque and typical architecture of ancient
Albanian residences.

Overnight in Gjirokastra. 3*+ hotel
Day 6
Butrint – Sarande
Gjirokaster – Butrint = 1h 30min
It is for the town of Butrint and on the road to the Albanian Riviera that we will then head. The
archaeological site of Butrint has been listed as a UNESCO heritage site since 1992 and offers an
ancient open-air city declining from several centuries of human occupation. Did you know that
Racine refers to this place in his work Andromaque?
The Lion Gate is well hidden, but still standing.

Butrint – Sarande = 15min
Departure for Sarandë, a seaside town opposite the island of Corfu. Sarandë is fortunate to be
located in one of the most beautiful regions of Albania, the Albanian Riviera. This city was
known in antiquity as Onhezmi and its small port was a communication bridge between Corfu
and the Epirote tribes.
Visit of the city, walk by the sea, and the numerous terraces located by the sea.

Overnight in Saranda. 3* hotel
Day 7
Llogora – Vlora
Himare – Llogora = 1h
This day will be dedicated to visiting the Llogara National Park with its unforgettable landscapes
along the Riviera, between sea and mountains.
This hike in the Llogara National Park will allow us to discover the crest of a mountain with its
plunging views of the turquoise water of the Ionian Sea and the Karaburun peninsula.

Parc national de Llogora= Vlora ,1h00
Then drive to Vlora, a coastal town, known to be one of the most important ports in the
country. It is also an important place for the Albanian nation, because it was in Vlorë that the
country's independence was proclaimed on November 28, 1912 by Ismaïl Qemal. The Bay of
Vlora has always been a strategic point of great importance. Italy is located just opposite Vlora.
The beautiful, recently restored seaside promenade offers a magnificent view of the treasures
of this bay.

Overnight in Vlora. 3* hotel
Day 8
Apollonia – Tirane
Vlore– Apollonia = 40min
Our next stop is the archaeological site of the town of Apollonia, in the Fier region. Inhabited by
Illyrian tribes, the city was colonized in the 4th century BC. BC by Greek settlers from Corinth
and Corfu, Apollonia was also a very important city during the Roman era. The Agora, the
Theater and its Museum, very rich in objects, bear witness to the importance of this
archaeological site.
It is notably in this city that the Roman emperor Octavian Augustus carried out his studies.

Apollonia  Divjake ,1h 10min
Then direction the Divjakë-Karavasta national park. Here, we may have the chance to see
different migratory birds, which make their nests during the warm season. Among these birds,
we find a rare species, present only in fine weather: the Dalmatian pelican. One of them found
refuge at the park house. The Karavasta lagoon nature reserve is also home to many endemic
plant species, as well as salt marshes.
A 1h30min walk around the park will give us the opportunity to observe all its riches and we will
be able to taste fresh fish caught that morning.

Divjake  Tirane ,1h 50min
Late afternoon return to Tirana to spend the night and visit the city the next day.
Overnight in Tirana. 3* hotel
Day 9
Départ
Tirana  Aéroport de Tirana, 25 min
Departure for Tirana airport.
Return flight.

Cost Info

Price includes

9 nights included in 3*, 3*+ hotels (two double rooms)
Guide fees (meals + accommodation)
Ferry ticket to Koman Lake + car on the ferry
Transfers from/to the airport
Assistance when needed

Price excludes

The flights
Meals not mentioned + drinks
All visiting sites mentioned in the program
Personal expenses
Anything not mentioned in the “included” section

Map

Gallery

from €1,350.00

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Itinerary

Cost Info

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