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Albania's Scenic Trails:

A Journey through Nature and History

Day 1 | Arrival in Tirana - Durrës/Golem (-/-/D) present, so insect repellent spray is recommended. Day 6 | Apollonia - Ardenica monastery - Vlorë
Welcome at the airport and transfer to the hotel in Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay. (B/-/D)
the Durrës/Golem region. Dinner and overnight stay. Guided tour of Apollonia. Founded by the Greeks
Day 4 | Berat (B/-/D) around 600 BC, this ancient city is one of the largest
Day 2 | Durrës (B/-/D) Departure for the guided tour of Berat, a UNESCO archaeological sites in Albania and stretches around
Guided tour of the seaside town of Durrës, Albania's World Heritage site. Dominated by the hill whe- two hills. Entrance to the Ardenica monastery, the
second-largest city and the country's main port. More re the castle sits, the town stretches out on either only Orthodox monastery still in Albania. It was in this
than 3,000 years old, it is packed with historic buildings, side of the river Osum. The historic centre of Berat exceptional setting, overlooking the Myzeqa plain,
starting with its Venetian tower. Entrance to the Roman features a number of white stone houses with large that national hero Skanderberg was married in 1451.
amphitheatre. Built in the 2 century during the reign of wooden windows on the hillside, hence its nickname Continue for a guided tour of Vlorë, a small seaside
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the emperor Trajan, is the largest amphitheatre in the of ‘city of a thousand windows’. Entrance to the paradise at the crossroads of the Ionian and Adriatic
Balkans seating15,000 to 20,000 spectators. Then, off fortress. The castle, most of which dates from the Seas. It was here that Albania's independence was
to the Vila Shehi vineyards, a vast estate of around 20 13th century, is home to several Byzantine churches proclaimed here in 1912. Lunch during the excursion.
hectares in the peaceful Vlore region. This vineyard was and Ottoman mosques. Afterwards, visit the Berat Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.
founded in 1994 by the Shehi family, who warmly welco- Ethnographic Museum, which presents the daily life
me visitors with passionate and fascinating explanati- of the region's inhabitants. Tasting of Turkish coffee Day 7 | Hike to Mount Dajti - Tirana (B/L/D)
ons about the production process of the local vintages. and a traditional cake with an Albanian family. Lunch Hiking Details: easy level - distance: 12 km - duration:
Tasting of wines, raki and cognac, accompanied by typi- during the excursion. Return to the hotel. Dinner and 4h30 to 5h30 depending on the trail
cal amuse bouche. Lunch during the excursion. Return overnight stay. Drive to Tirana and take the cable car up to Mount
to the hotel. Dinner and overnight. Dajti, overlooking the capital from a height of 1613
Day 5 | Hiking in the Krujë region (B/L/D) m, with the Adriatic Sea in the background. Disco-
Day 3 | Hiking in Karavasta National Park Hiking Details: easy level - distance: 9 km ver the natural Mount Dajti Park on a hike whose
(B/L/D) duration: 3h30 to 4h30 depending on the trail duration and difficulty can be adapted to suit your
Hiking Details: easy level - distance: 10/16 km Drive to the town of Krujë. Departure for a cultural physical abilities. Packed lunch. Return to Tirana by
duration: 3h30/5h walk on the theme of Bektachism, a branch of Islam cable car and free time to explore the Albanian capi-
Drive to Divjake for a memorable hike in the Karavasta that is widespread in Albania. This esoteric religious tal. Surrounded by mountains, the city is a cultural
lagoon park, a unique natural site in Albania. This ve- order, which originated in Turkey in the 13 century and industrial hub for the country. Tirana is centred
th
ritable bird reserve is the main nesting and breeding has around 7 million followers worldwide. Visit to the around Skanderbeg Square, named after the national
site for the Dalmatian pelican in Albania (especially holy place (‘tekke’) of Sari Salltik, nestling in a cave hero and bordered by the opera house, the Et'hem
between January and June). You can also observe on the mountainside. Packed lunch. Then free time Bey Mosque and the clock tower. Return to the hotel.
migratory birds in their natural habitat, as well as the in Krujë. Set against the cliffs, the town is nicknamed Dinner and overnight stay.
famous pink flamingo. The lagoon, separated from the ‘the balcony of the Adriatic’. Krujë is also the birthpla-
Adriatic Sea by a wide strip of sand, is dotted with pine ce of the national hero Skanderbeg, who made it the Day 8 | Departure from Tirana (B/-/-)
trees and forests. The length and difficulty of the walk capital of the country during his reign in the 15 cen- Transfer to Tirana airport depending on flight times,
th
can be adapted according to your physical abilities. tury. Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay. assistance with formalities and departure.
Packed lunch. Please note that Mosquitoes may be
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