Are You Interested?
Contact UsWelcome in the new millennium in a less traversed corner of Europe, the Balkan Peninsula. Come visit Albania and see what few people have seen: an untouched coastline, hidden valleys, and rugged mountains. Visit Albania and receive one of the warmest receptions in all of Europe. The people of this tiny country are known for warmth and hospitality. From the mountains in the north to the archaeological sites in the south, from the growing city of Tirana and the port of Durres to the rural villages throughout the country, there is surprising diversity for travelers in Albania to discover.
Meal: Breakfast
Morning departure from Dubrovnik. Drive to Skadar (Shkoder) – Albania. Stop for a walking tour of town and continue with a visit Kruje – must-visit spot for anyone heading to Albania for the first time. Kruje is home to the national Ethnographic museum, but it is best known for Skanderbeg museum. Located in the Kruje castle, with staggering views of the Adriatic Sea, this museum is one of Albania’s most important and popular tourist attractions. Free time at ancient Kruje Bazaar; set in mountains with colorful red roofs and delightful tunneled cobble streets. Continue to Tirana. Check in hotel “Rogner” (4 *). The rest of the day free.
Meal: Breakfast
Your guided walking city tour begins at Skanderbeg Square, named for the National Hero whose dramatic equestrian statue holds center stage. Nearby is the impressive Clock Tower and the unique Et‘hem Beu Mosque, with its beautiful frescoes of trees, waterfalls, and bridges – rare in Islamic art. We will visit the National Historic Museum and the National Arts Gallery, and after visits, stop at the Tabak Bridge – a famous stone footbridge dating from the 18th century. Return to hotel. The rest of the day free. Overnight at Hotel Rogner 4*
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
On our way to 2000-year-old Berat, we will visit the ancient sites of Ardenica and Apollonia. The Eastern Orthodox Monastery in Ardenica, built in 1282, was home to a library of 32,000 historically significant texts that were all burned in 1932. The main frescoes remain depicting detailed Biblical scenes. Apollonia was a thriving Greek city where students of the philosopher Aristotle flocked. A 3rd century earthquake destroyed the city. Remnants of its former grandeur have been excavated by archeologists. We continue to Berat En route visit to Çobo Winery settled scenically at the base of Mount Tomorri, in the rolling hills that surround the city of Berat for a traditional Albanian wine tasting (with food). Check in hotel. Free time to walk around this unique city. Overnight at hotel “Rezidenca Desaret”
Meal: Breakfast
This morning you will a have a guided walking city tour. You will explore Berat – the Town if Thousand Windows” – a wonderful town and UNESCO site. Visit the Castle (Citadel) for a panoramic view of the city and old Christian quarter across the river. We will visit ancient Dimal, the Holly Trinity Church, Gorica quarter and Bridge Onufri Museum – Onufri was an Albanian master painter of the 16th century who had a preference for a particular red color he used so much that it is known today as the Onufrian Red. Many of his wonderfully painted Icons still remain in the museum while others can be found in churches in Albania and Greece where he worked. After visit of Berat we continue via Elbasan (stop), Podgradec. After the walking tour of Podgradec and free time for Lunch on your own. Continue drive to visit St. Naum Monastery (Macedonia) and after the monastery tour will continue to nearby Ohrid. The rest of the day free. Dinner at a local restaurant . Overnight at hotel “Royal View”(4*)
Meal: Breakfast
After breakfast we will take a tour of this lovele old city – a UNESCO World Heritage Site whuch had 365 churches – one for ech day of the year. We will see the Church of St. Sophia with architecture and arts (frescoes & icons) from the Middle Ages. Enjoy a wonderfull view of the city from Tzar Samuil’s Fortress – a historic monument built in the early Middle Age. Will also visit the early Christian Basilica on Pleasnik, the Amphitheater etc. After the walking tour will drive to Struga – “the City of Poetry”. Walking tour through this lovely city, stroll through Old Bazaar and visit Halveti Tekke – a wonderful example of the Ottoman Turks architecture. Continue via Elbasan (stop) to Tirana. Check in hotel Rogner. Free time. Farewell dinner at local restaurant.
After breakfast transfer to AP Tirana (TIA) for your flight home
Francoise is the president and founder of Celestial Voyagers. She graduated with a tourism degree at Nice University in France and has worked as a tour director and operations manager in France, Australia and Mexico. Settling in New York City, she founded Celestial Voyagers with the aim of creating uniquely curated group travel for adults and Academia.