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Albania & North Macedonia -

hidden Gem in Southern Europe

Isolated for many years, Albania is now emerging as . and come the summer months it seems like half Tirana
a sought-after destination for European cultural tours. Day 4 | Berat – Vlore (B/-/D) relocates here to enjoy the busy beach and busier night-
Morning drive to Berat “The City of a Thousand Win- life along its crowd-filled seaside promenade. What was
Day 1 | Arrival in Tirana (-/-/D) dows” which is one of the oldest continuously inha- once a sleepy fishing village is now a thriving city, and
Upon arrival your tour escort and driver will await bited regions in the world. Geographically beautiful, while Saranda has lost much of its charm in the past
you at the airport Tirana. Check in at your 4 hotel Berat was built around a precipitous river gorge, two decades, it has retained much of its charisma.
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in Albanias capital. Remainder of the day at leisure, leading up to pine forests. Its UNESCO-listed historic
dinner at the hotel. centre reveals cobbled streets, ancient churches and Day 7 | Gijrokastra – Vlore (B/-D)
mosques, a fascinating ethnographic museum and After breakfast at the hotel in Sarande you approach
Day 2 | Tirana (B/-/D) very pretty white, Ottoman buildings tumbling down Gijrokastra Gjirokastra where we take a walking tour
After breakfast you meet a local guide for a 3 hour steep slopes. In the afternoon you continue to Vlore, through the cobbled streets of its UNESCO listed
city tour. Tirana is a mix of new and old. Whilst in located at the so called Albanian Riviera. Vlore is a historic centre and visit Gjirokastra Castle. The cast-
Albania you’ll have the opportunity to sample the de- Greek city founded in the 6 century BCE. The Albani- le sits at a height of 336 metres and is one of the
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licious cuisine, which is a real mix of Turkish, Greek an Declaration of Independence was proclaimed here most magnificent structures in the city with views
and Italian influences, like Byrek - a spinach and feta in 1912. Dinner and overnight. over the hilly countryside, river valley and city. The-
stuffed filo pie, and in the more rural mountainous re have been extensive renovations to the building
areas barbequed lamb and ‚earthy’ vegetables such Day 5 | Butrint – Saranda (B/-/D) since it was constructed in the 12 century and it
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as griddled aubergines and mushrooms are particu- Wow – you should look forward to the ride you can now possesses five towers, a church, a cistern, and
larly popular. Afternoon free to discover the colourful expect today. You take the coastal road from Vlore to houses the Weapons Museum. The museum exhibits
city at your own pace. Dinner and overnight. Butrint which provides stunning views. This afternoon captured artillery and memorabilia of the Communist
you visit UNESCO listed Butrint, which is one of the resistance against German occupation. Continuation
Day 3 | Ohrid lake – St. Naum monastery – great archaeological sites in the Balkans. With a long to Vlore where you stay for the overnight.
Ohrid (B/-/D) and colourful history dating back to the early Neolithic
This morning you drive to Pogradec at the shores of fa- age, Butrint has been occupied and fought over until Day 8 | Apollonia – Tirana (B/-/D)
mous lake Ohrid with clear water and mountain views. the Ottoman period when it lay abandoned. More re- Morning ride to Apollonia. Founded in 585 BC and de-
After crossing the North Macedonian border you will cently, excavations have taken place and all periods dicated to the god Apollo, the city achieved fame and
visit St. Naum monastery, a refuge of tranquility at the of Butrint’s history have been revealed including its wealth before being incorporated into the Roman Em-
very southwestern corner of the North Macedonian Roman theatre, Roman house and thermal baths as pire to become Caesar’s stronghold during the civil war
Republic. The monastic complex and church of St. well as a fine baptistery with fabulous mosaic floors. with Pompey. The most impressive feature of the site is
Naum were built originally at the turn of the 10 cen- The setting is idyllic with the ruins nestling in the bend the bouleuterion, a facade with six Corinthian columns,
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tury by the monk that beared the same name; North of the Vivari River. After spending time exploring this which are thought to date back to the 2 century. Conti-
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Macedonians believe you can still hear the saint’s he- fascinating site, you continue to the shores of the Me- nuation to Tirana where you stay for the night.
artbeat by pressing an ear to his stone coffin inside the diterranean and Saranda for the night.
church. Continuation to Ohrid, a picturesque village in Day 9 | Departure (B/-/-)
the north of the lake. Dinner and overnight. Optional: Day 6 | Free day in Saranda (B/-/D) Transfer to the airport Tirana according to your sche-
Boat ride at Ohrid lake Saranda is the unofficial capital of the Albanian Riviera, dule.
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