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BALKAN, THE HIDDEN TREASURES OF EUROPE

Beach Town

DISCOVER BALKAN, HIDDEN TREASURES OF EUROPE

DAY 1

Depending on your arrival time the group will have a private or a group transfer to Durres beach where everyone will have opportunity to relax on the golden sandy beach or to use others hotel facilities.

Dinner included

Accommodation in Premium Beach Resort - Durres

DAY 2

 

Today we will drive to the city of Kruja an old medieval town the centre of the Albanian resistance against the ottoman invasion. In Kruja we will have the opportunity to visit the old medieval castle, the ethnographic museum and the museum of Albanian national hero Gjergj Kastrioti Skenderbeu. After the visits the Old Bazar is a very good place for walking and shopping. Tranfer to Durres.

Dinner included

Accommodation in Premium Beach Resort - Durres

DAY 3

 

Today will drive towards Gjirokaster with a stop in Apolonia. This beautiful ancient city dedicated to the God of Sun and Light Apollo host a magnificent past and present history with the ruins of the old city and the monastery of St. Mary inside of it. After the visit will drive to Gjirokaster a Unesco World Heritage town with its characteristic stoned streets, houses and castle.

Accommodation  Fantasy Hotel - Gjirokaster

DAY 4

 

Inhabited since prehistoric times, Butrint has been the site of a Greek colony, a Roman city and a bishopric. Following a period of prosperity under Byzantine administration the present archaeological site is a repository of ruins representing each period in the city’s development. After the visit will stop on the clear waters of Ksamil for a quick swim and free time for lunch. After lunch we drive to Saranda for a visit at the old Synagone ruins and the marble promenade. Return to Gjirokaster.

Accommodation Fantasy Hotel - Gjirokaster

DAY 5

 

Today we will have a unique rural experience on Dhoksat Village nerby Gjirokaster. According to the season the visits may varies between visiting a sheep farm and making cheese to grape harvesting and making wine or visiting bee haves. One thing doesn’t change! The delicious meal at the farm house. After the visit at the village we return again to Gjirokaster.

Lunch included

Accommodation in Fantasy Hotel – Gjirokaster

DAY 6

 

As today we will drive through the beautiful valley of Vjosa considered as the last wild river of Europe we reach Berat the city of “Thousand Windows” another authentic medieval town that will surprise with its elegance and beauty.  In Berat we visit the 2400 year old castle who host inside the Onufri museum dedicated to the famous iconographer considered like “Albanian Michelangelo ”. After Berat we drive towards Tirana the Albanian capital.

Lunch included

Accommodation in Hotel Opera – Tirana

DAY 7

 

Lively, colorful and atmospheric, Tirana is where our tiny nation hopes and dreams coalesce into a vibrant whirl of traffic, brash consumerism and unfettered fun.  Having undergone transformation of extraordinary proportion since awaking from its communist slumber in the early 1990s. At the Skanderbeg Square well visit National Museum and Et’hem Beu mosque and the Orthodox cathedral. After the visits we get the buss to reach the Dajti Cablecar for a beautiful experience and a tasty meal at the mountains. On the return we stop at the Bunk Art 1 the atomic nuclear shelter build during Cold War from the Albanian Communist Bureau.

Accommodation Hotel Opera - Tirana

DAY 8

 

Another new country to be discovered, Montenegro known for its beauty and diverse landscape. First we stop in Fishta Village to visit a handcraft pottery production. There we can have not only a demonstration of forming clay into shapes but we can make also our hands dirty. Close by, the “Mrizi Zanave – Agrotourism” will welcome us with its delicious food and service. After lunch we drive towards Montenegro to our destination Hercegnovi. According to archeological sources, Hercegnovi ( New Castle)is one of the new urban centers in the Adriatic.

Lunch Includet

Accommodation Hotel Park Carine – Hercegnovi

DAY 9

 

Will get to our boat tour to discover the bay of Kotor known as the Kotor fiords. On the boat we will have time to relax and enjoy the stunning views of small cities and villages along the bay small islands and the city of Kotor anchor between the gray mountains and the sea, veiled its life behind ramparts. It seems to have been eternally growing rock tendrils along the hill up to the old fortress that overlooks the town where the present life in the maze of medieval churches, cathedrals, Venetian Palaces and pillars made up the contrast – the old squares with modern coffèes. 

Accommodation Hotel Park Carine – Hercegnovi

DAY 10

Cetinje is a treasure of Montenegrin cultural and historical heritage. It scents with the architecture from 18th and 19th century that comes with rich greenery of this small city. Cetinje is the Old Royal Capital of Montenegro and during King Nikolas reign many embassies were build that give it today’s specific look. After the visit and refreshment we pass through Podgorica the actual capital of Montenegro called Titograd during Yugoslavian times. After a short panoramic drive we stop for lunch by a restaurant called Niagara Falls. After the border we stop in Shkodra for refreshment. Drive to Tirana.

Accommodation Airport Tirana

DAY 11

 

Breakfast - Departure according your flights.

Included: Hotels from day one to the day 10 with breakfast included, five meals per trip (may varies lunch or dinner). Professional English speaking guide along the trip, entrance fees and transportation

Not included: Drinks, extra meals not mentioned and nothing that is not at the included

 

 

Climate

Albania has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and cold winters (ranging from 9 - 11 hours of sunshine a day in Tirana). Temperatures can reach up to 40°C in July. October to April is much cooler and can be wet. Albania is a mountainous country and the high peaks are snow-capped all year with seasonal weather patterns in the mountains that can be unpredictable.

 

Budgeting and packing

Clothing

Weather is changeable in the mountains and it can be cool, especially at night, so bring a warmer jacket or fleece. A raincoat is essential at all times of year in case of the odd shower. For departures in early spring and autumn it can be colder in the mountains, so bring a warm jacket and pack layers.
You should dress with respect in the rural villages so bring some long trousers and ensure your shoulders are covered when entering churches. Don't forget your swimming costume and a towel for taking a dip in the sea or hot springs.

Footwear

There are a number of included walks on this trip, so we recommend taking lightweight walking or trail boots and comfortable shoes or sandals for visiting the sites and towns.

Luggage

Suggested a standard suitcase 20kg aproxx

Luggage: On tour

One main piece of baggage and a daypack. Remember you are expected to carry your own luggage so don't overload yourself. Please bear in mind there are lots of stairs in Albania and porterage isn't normally available in the hotels.

Tipping

Tipping isn't compulsory, and we work hard to ensure that our leaders all receive a fair wage. You may however, want to recognize a leader that's done a great job or really added to your trip by giving them a tip. We're often asked about the recommended amount. It's a tricky one, and down to personal preference, but we'd recommend 3$ to 5$ for the driver driver and 8$ to 10 $ for the guide per person per day as a guideline.

 

Food and drink

The costs for meals may vary depending upon location, type of restaurant and number of courses eaten and so the prices given are an average guide. Local restaurants located off the beaten track may be less expensive, whereas an up market restaurant located in the centre of a major city may charge more.

 

Meal price $13.00    Beer price $2      Water price $0.50

Why book this trip ?

Discover the emerging nation of Albania and its wealth of secrets. From the colorful capital of Tirana to the stunning Kotor, archaeological sites to beautiful national parks and mountains, this trip unveils some of the treats whilst experiencing natural beauty and rural life.

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BOOK YOUR VACATION NOW

Address: Ali Pashe Gucia, Tirana, Albania (Near Vila Gold)
e-mail: info@insightalbania.com
Telephone: 355 69 554 2538
Availability: 09:00 AM – 18:00 PM
Please feel free to call us on (telephone) or (email) anytime

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