ALBANIA & OHRID 8 Days program Day Start Tour Sleep Distance Driving Hrs. Day 01 Airport Mother Theresa - Kruja Kruja 26 km 30 minutes Day 02 Kruja Kruja Durres Berat - Vlora Vlora 256 km 4.5 hours Day 03 Vlora Vlora Butrinti - Saranda Saranda 194 km 4 hours Day 04 Saranda Messapotam - Gjirokastra Gjirokastra 78 km 2 hours Day 05 Gjirokastra Korca Ohrid 275 km 7 hours Day 06 Ohrid Ohrid Ohrid 10 km 15 minutes Day 07 Ohrid Ohrid - Elbasan Tirana Tirana 168 km 3 hours Day 08 Tirana Tirana Out APT 19 km 25 minutes
DAY 01:APT - Kruja Welcome and greet by our ENGLISH speaking local guide, after border formalities. Bus transfer to Kruja. 12.00-13.30 LUNCH 14.00-17.00 Tour of Kruja Discussion with the family serving the TEKE of bektashi (western tower of the castle) The walking tour of Kruja will take you through the cobble stone pathway of Ottoman bazaar, with wooden shops and displays of various gifts and antique household items. Visit within the walls of the castle will include the historic museum dedicated to Scanderbeg and his resistance against the Ottoman invasion. An old house turned to an ethnographic museum will invite you to a unique cultural aspect of life in northern Albania. THE FORTRESS MUSEUM OF GJERGJ KASTRIOT SCANDERBEG, ETHNOGRAPHIC MUSEUM, OTTOMAN BAZAAR Possibility FOLK TRADITIONAL GROUP Extra PAYMENT 275 euro Optional ( group 12 people singer /dance group with traditional equipment ) Accommodation and overnight in Kruja
DAY 02: Kruja Durres Berat - Vlora 08:00 Breakfast in the hotel. Check out the hotel and depart for Durres 09.30 11.00 City tour of Durres Durres (description tour) - One of Albania's oldest cities, the country's main sea port, the second largest industrial center after Tirana. Durres lies on a small peninsula on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. The city was colonized by the Greeks in 627 B.C. It was named Epidamnos, which later became Dyrrachium. From the Venetian Tower at the harbor the Medieval Town Wall leads to the amphitheater (capacity 15,000 spectators) dating back to the 2nd century AD. and containing an early Christian Crypt with a rare wall mosaic. Visit the APHITHEATER 12.45 14.00 Time for lunch in Berat 14.00 17.00 Walking tour of Berat Fortress Berat (description tour) - Known as the City of one thousand windows and is declared a Museum City. Berat, overshadowed to the east by Tomorr Mountain 2415 m, and is an ancient Illyrian settlement founded in the 4th & 5th centuries B.C. on the territory of the Illyrian tribe of Desarettes. The town is composed of 3 parts; Gorica, situated on the far side of the river; Mangalem, situated on the fortress side of the river and the Residenial quarter within the fortress known as KALAJA. The old part of the city has some religious buildings like mosque and Byzantine churches. The old name of the city was ANTIPATREA.... THE FORTRES THE ONUFRI s MUSEUM 18.30 19.00 - A short walking tour of Vlora city center, at Independence square 19.10 - Check in the hotel and prepare for dinner Accommodation and overnight in Vlora
DAY 03: Vlora Butrinti - Saranda 08.00 Breakfast in the hotel 09.00 After breakfast in the hotel meet the group and depart along the Albanian Riviera Continue driving along the high mountain and fascinated view of Albanian beauty and arriving to LLogara national park, stop for refreshments and continue southward to Albanian Riviera, passing by villages of Dhermi, Himara, and Porto Palermo bay, with its long history buffs, from the Mediterranean pirates to the stronghold of Ali Pasha. 13.30 Upon arrival in Saranda, continue to Butrinti National Park. This impressive walking tour will stir your imagination about the ancient word during the peak of the Roman power and the classical Greek mythology. Start with the Asclepius temple, theatre, Roman portico and baths, early Christian baptistery, byzantine basilica, defensive walls and their impressive gates. THE RUINS; THE ANCIENT CITY OF BUTRINTI; THE TAMPLE OF AESCULAPIUS; THE BAPTISERY; THE NYMPHEUM THE GATE WITH TOWERS 15.30 16.00 Bus transfer to a local farm in Xare. 16.00 18.30 XARE FARM CITRUS PLANTATIONS ( OPTIONAL ) 15 EURO PAX Visit the local farm growing citrus fruits. Mr. Dhimiter Kote, a senior farming specialist and the head of the local commune of Xare, who is going to inform you about the current trend of farming in this area, new business developments, marketing and distribution of the produce all over the country and also export to neighboring countries. Transfer to Saranda. 19.00 - Dinner suggested in Lekuresi Castle HOTEL OR LOCAL RESTAURANT Accommodation and overnight in Saranda
DAY 04: Saranda Gjirokastra 08.00 Breakfast in the hotel. Check out and depart for Gjirokastra. 08.45 10.00 Stop en route to visit Mesapotam The church of St. Nicolas was being built on the top of the ruins of a pagan temple, it has a distinguished byzantine architecture. The ruins of surrounding walls of the Monastery and the square towers are older than the church itself. This is considered to be one of the oldest and largest churches of the Byzantine period and has great religious and architectural values. The decorations and mosaics within the church conceal animal motifs, while the outside walls are decorated with red bricks. The mural ornaments are in various sizes and shapes and worth mentioning are one eagle, two dragoons, one lion and on the opposite side a mythological animal. Mesopotam Paleo - Christian Byzantine Church - 1 euro / pp 12.00 15.00 Share cooking experience - SHOP COOK AND SHARE TRADITIONAL FOOD (depending on the season the experience can take place either in DHOKSAT village or in GJIROKASTER old town) After a bus transfer to Gjirokaster area, we arrive in a small town. After a brief welcome, our host will lead us to purchase, pick up the ingredients for a traditional cooking of the area. Everything from fresh garden salad, soup and main course of chicken or veal will be an unforgettable experience. Enjoy the lunch and after this local interaction, we head toward the Old town of Gjirokaster. 15.45 18.00 Walking tour of Gjirokaster Gjirokaster (description tour) - Many houses in Gjirokaster have a distinctive local style that has earned the city the nickname "Town of the Stones", because most of the old houses have roofs covered with stones. Of a great importance and interesting to be visit, are The Museum of Weapons (inside the castle)the Ethnographic Museum or known as the Enver Hoxha house, The Castle of Gjirokaster, The characteristic house of Zekate, an important family in Gjirokaster. THE CASTLE ETHNOGRAPHIC MUSEUM - THE ENVER HOXHA BIRTH HOUSE 17.30 Check in the hotel and prepare for dinner at a Local restaurant Accommodation and overnight in Gjirokastra
DAY 05: Gjirokastra Korca - Ohrid 07:30 Meet the group and depart to OHRID city Way to Kelcyra Permet Erseka to POGRADEC city - It s a long ride through river valleys and mountain passes. Great scenic natural ride. Many stop meeting with local people.share experience with small enterprise local company 13:00 Visit POGRADEC lake city 15:00 Leave POGRADEC and continue to Ohrid city way to St. Naum Monastery This journey will take you to a monastic complex, known for its rich history of orthodox religion, some of the painting achievements and wood carving, displayed within the church of St. Naum, a priest and scholar with a famous legacy. Tucked away in a middle of a natural wonder of water spring, this site is a must for any traveller. 19:00 - Arrival in Ohrid / Check in hotel, enjoy the dinner and overnight Accommodation and overnight in Ohrid for 2 nights
DAY 06: Ohrid 08:00 Breakfast at the hotel 09:00 City tour of Ohrid The highlight of the Ohrid tour include Church of St. Sophia, St.BogorodicaPerivlepta, St.JovanKaneo, St.Pantelejmon Plaosnik, Old Bazaar, Mesokastro Settlement, Kaneo Settlement, Ohrid Fortifications, King Samoil Fortress, Antique Theatre, Ohrid Traditional Architecture, Icon museum ICON MUSEUM KANEO SETTLEMENT ST. SOPHIA CHURCH 12:30 13:00 Time for lunch in the old town of Ohrid 14:00 Discover Ohrid lake BOAT RIDE IN THE LAKE (Optional) Afternoon at leisure in Ohrid
DAY 07: Ohrid Elbasan Tirana 08.00 Breakfast at the hotel 09.00 Transfer to the border with Albania and passing through Elbasan city to Tirana. 10:30-12:00 Sightseeing of Elbasan includes the Ottoman castle, its main gate, city center and clock tower. 12.00 13.00 Drive to Tirana 13:00 14:30 Lunch in one of the local restaurants in Tirana 14:30 16:00 check in hotel and prepare for Tirana Sight seeing tour 16.00 18.00 City tour of Tirana Explore the capital city of Albania, including some of the historical highlights, as city centre, Skenderbeg Statue, Et hembey mosque, Clock tower, Italian buildings and Martyr s of the Nation Boulevard. Visit the ex-communist buildings, painted with vibrant colours and the expansion of city. THE NATIONAL HISTORIC MUSEUM THE STATUE OF GJERGJ KASTRIOTI SKANDERBEG; THE CENTER OF DEVELOPMENT OF CULTURE AND BUSSINES THE PALACE OF CULTURE; THE MOSQUES OF HAXHI ET HEM BEY; THE CLOCK TOWER 16.30 18.30 FREE AFTERNOON. Accommodation and overnight in Tirana
DAY 08: Tirana - Apt 08.00 Breakfast in the hotel 09:00 - check out and start the morning tour 09:00-10:00 Visit Mosaic of Tirana 10:00 11:30 Visit national Historic Museum THE NATIONAL HISTORIC MUSEUM After visit museum option to make some shopping that can be on shopping malls (modern) or some traditional place that we call bazar 12:30 drive to apt End of service
OUR BEST QUOTATION 3*** / 4**** accommodation No / Pax Price per person DBL / Euro SGL supplement / Euro 18 Pax 20 Pax 584 559 95 Hotels: 1) HOTEL PANORAMA 3*** or similar - KRUJA 2) HOTEL PARTNER 4**** or PANVARESIA ***similar - VLORA 3) HOTEL BRILANT 4**** or INTERNACIONAL or GRAND **** similar - SARANDA 4) HOTEL TIRANA INTERNACIOANAL or DORO 4**** **** similar TIRANA 5) HOTEL MILENIUM 4**** or DONCO or BELVEDERE **** ( OHRID City ) Including: Hotel Accommodation BB including continental breakfast Professional English speaking guide throughout the tour Meal service FULL Board, 7 / 7 LUNCH including s plus 1 bottle water Deluxe coach A/C for the duration of the tour All ENTER-S AS PROGRAM Not Including: Portage Luggage handling Gratuities or personal expenses FOLK show -KRUJA city 250 euro for group HOTEL LOCATIONS AND ADDRESSES:
1. Hotel PANORAMA, is located in 400 meters from the city center (Post Office & city hall), at the entrance of the Old Bazaar, in front of the Castle of Kruja.. Hotel Panorama, Kruje, Albania. e-mail: hotelpanoramakruje@hotmail.com Tel: 00355 511 2 3092 Mob: 00355 69 20 98 528, 00355 69 20 34 533 2. Hotel PARTNER, is located 1 km from the city center, on the main boulevard only 200 meters from the Port Address: Rr. Pelivan Leskaj,Vlorë - Albania Tel: +355 33408282 Fax: +355 33408788 Mobile: +355 694078108 e-mail: reservation@hotelpartner.al 3. Hotel BRILANT, is located 100 meters from the end of the city promenade, close to the beach front, opposite the Port terminal. Address: L.1, St. Saranda-Butrint, Saranda, Albania Tel/fax: +35585226262; E-mail: info@brilanthotel.com 4. Hotel DORO, is located 1.5 km from the city center. The hotel is between 2 of the most important junctions of the ring road, before entering city center, from the north ( Durres & International Airport) Hotel Address: "Muhamet Gjollesha" Street, Md.38 H.1., Njesia Bashkiake nr 7, PO 1023, Tirane Albania Tel: ++355 42 232 206 Mob: ++355 67 20 18 541 Fax: ++355 42 247 070 Web: www.hoteldorocity.com e-mail: info@hoteldorocity.com 5. Hotel MILLENIUM, is located on the southern end of lake promenade of the city, right on the water front. Street: Kej Marshal Tito b.b. 6000 Ohrid, Macedonia Tel: +389 46 263 361 Fax: +389 46 267 010 E-mail: millenium_palace@t-home.mk Hotellit ovat varmistuneet seuraaviksi, huom. http://hotelpanoramakruje.com/site/ http://www.hotelpartner.al/template.php?pag=35899 http://www.albania-hotel.com/albania/saranda/hotels/saranda-international-hotel http://www.cajupi.com/ http://milleniumpalace.com.mk/en http://www.hoteldorocity.com/