Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia Tour

Day 1 – Arrival in Tirana
Arrival at Rinas Airport and transfer to Tirana. After checking in to your accommodation, you will take a short city tour of Tirana starting from the Skanderbeg Square. Visit the National History Museum, E`them Bey Mosque and Clock Tower. We will then continue to the main boulevard where you will find the Academy of Fine Arts and the main University.
Overnight in Tirana.

Day 2 – Korca
After enjoying our breakfast, we'll embark on a journey to Korca. Along the way, we'll make a brief stop at the historic Elbasan Castle to admire its grandeur. Upon reaching Korca, we'll check into our hotel and get settled in. Once we're all set, we'll dive into the city's rich history and culture by visiting the Museum of Medieval Art, brimming with fascinating artifacts. Next, we'll head to the Mirahori Mosque, one of Albania's oldest and most revered places of worship. Our exploration continues with a visit to the reconstructed Old Bazaar, where you can immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of traditional Albanian commerce. As a final stop, we'll visit the Church at Mborje, dating back to the 14th century and standing as a testament to Albania's enduring heritage.After a day filled with cultural immersion, we'll rest up for the next adventure, spending the night in Korca.

Day 3 – Pogradec, Sveti Naum and Ohrid
The day begins with a brief sightseeing tour of the town. Next, we depart for Pogradec, a charming city on the shores of Lake Ohrid. Upon arrival, we explore Driloni Park, a tranquil oasis, and Villa Art, a former fishing villa of the dictator. Our journey continues to the Sveti Naum Monastery, a captivating religious complex nestled amidst breathtaking scenery. After immersing ourselves in the monastery's rich history and architecture, we return to Ohrid, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its cultural significance.

The afternoon unfolds with a series of visits. We view the Church of St. Sophia, a magnificent structure dating back to the 11th century, before venturing to St. Clement's Church, a masterpiece of Byzantine and Italian Renaissance art that dominates the Old Town. At Plaoshnik, we step back in time to the 9th century, where St. Clement of Ohrid established Europe's first university, educating an impressive 3,500 students. We then ascend to St. John at Kaneo, a picturesque church perched on a promontory overlooking the lake and mountains, offering panoramic vistas that will leave you speechless. Finally, we visit Samuil Fortress, a testament to the region's rich history, before concluding our day with an overnight stay in Ohrid.

Day 4 – Struga and Skopje
After enjoying breakfast, we will travel to Struga, a town renowned for its impressive waterfall, where the Black Drin River emerges from Lake Ohrid and embarks on its journey towards the Adriatic Sea. In August, Struga hosts the renowned international poetry festival on the bridge spanning the Black Drin River. Following a brief visit, we will continue our journey to Skopje, the capital of Macedonia, where we will embark on a guided tour of the city's most significant landmarks. We will spend the night in Skopje.

Day 5 – Prizren and Kruje
In the morning, we will drive north for two hours to Prizren, crossing the border into Kosovo. Prizren is a beautiful town nestled amidst the Sharr Mountains and along the Bistrica River. It is a true open-air museum, with well-preserved architecture that showcases its rich history. Prizren is renowned for its skilled craftsmen, who produce exquisite gold and silver jewelry, intricate embroidery, traditional Prizren cloth, handcrafted knives, and other folk handicrafts. After exploring Prizren, we will continue our journey to Kruja, a town that played a pivotal role in Albanian resistance against the Ottoman Turks under the leadership of national hero Scanderbeg. Here, we will visit the Kruja Fortress, the Scanderbeg Museum, and the old bazaar, which is brimming with souvenirs, including handmade items. We will spend the night in Kruja.

Day 6 – Apollonia and Vlora
After breakfast, we'll embark on a journey to the ancient city of Apollonia, nestled along the renowned Via Egnatia, a significant Roman-era road. This esteemed city once hosted Roman Emperor Augustus Octavian during his studies. Upon arrival, we'll explore the ruins of Apollonia and delve into its rich history. We'll also visit an Orthodox monastery, now transformed into an archaeological museum, preserving the site's fascinating past. Lunch will taken in Apollonia, allowing us to immerse ourselves in the city's ambiance. Following lunch, we'll set off towards Vlora, the birthplace of Albanian independence. In Vlora, we'll step into the Independence Museum, housed in the very building that served as the cradle of Albania's first independent government. Our day will conclude with an overnight stay in Vlora.

Day 7 – Butrint, Saranda and Gjirokastra
Embark on a scenic drive along the Albanian Riviera, enjoying the breathtaking beauty of the Ionian Sea. As we ascend the Llogara Pass, reaching an elevation of 1,000 meters above sea level, we will be captivated by panoramic vistas. We will then make our way to Butrint, where we'll have the option to have lunch. Afterward, we will delve into the rich history of Butrint, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Founded by Greek colonists, this ancient city has been continuously inhabited for centuries, leaving behind an intriguing tapestry of archaeological layers that reflect the passage of civilizations. The city's captivating setting amidst lush vegetation adds to its allure. Our journey then takes us to Gjirokastra, the birthplace of Albania's former iron-fisted dictator, Enver Hoxha. We will explore the pre-Ottoman citadel, housing a weapons museum and a former political prison. Afterward, you will have free time to wander through the charming town, where many buildings retain their original wood and stone craftsmanship. Our overnight stay will be in Gjirokastra.

Day 8 – Berat and Durres
Our journey continues to Berat, Albania's second museum town, often referred to as the "city of a thousand windows" and one of Albania's most captivating destinations. We'll explore the Fortress, the Onufri Museum, and a selection of churches and mosques. In the heart of the city, we'll visit the Leaden Mosque, the King Mosque, the Bachelor Mosque, and the Alveti Tekke. Later, we'll depart for Durres, where we'll embark on a sightseeing tour of the Amphitheatre, nestled amidst the modern city's bustling neighbourhoods, and the Archaeological Museum, brimming with artifacts unearthed from the city and its surrounding areas. Our overnight stay will be in Durres.

Day 9 – Kotor
Kotor is a top tourist spot in Montenegro. It has one of the best-preserved medieval old towns in the Adriatic and is protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. There are many other attractions to see, including the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon in the old town (built in 1166) and ancient walls that run for 4.5 kilometres directly above the city. We'll have lunch in Kotor and then head to Budva for the night.

Day 10 – Budva and Tirana
In the morning sightseeing of Budva old town. Afterwards return to Tirana via Shkoder where if time permitting we stop for a quick visit. Overnight in Tirana.

Day 11 – Departure from Albania
You time is a leisure until we transfer to the airport where we say goodbye.
End of our service.