EXPERIENCE
ALBANIA & MACEDONIA in 9 days
Welcome to ALBANIA! One of Europe’s last unspoiled landscapes and shores. After 50 years of Communism, Albania has opened its borders for the world to explore. Rich in history, culture and tradition. Visit the ancient City of Butrint founded after the downfall of Troy. The influence the Venetians, Greeks and Ottomans have left behind. Visit today a former Communist Country and how in the past 23 years they have raced to catch up to the rest of the world. The last European state to go through such turmoil and transition. At the crossroad of Europe and Orientalism, you will find Albania.
Welcome to MACEDONIA! The pearl of the Balkan Peninsula. A country with idyllic natural beauties, and a somewhat less idyllic history: Alexander the Great, the Romans, Byzantines, the Ottomans, Nazis, and the Communists have all been here and left a mark on the land and its people, leaving behind rich historical attractions and influence on their traditions. You will visit ancient Megalithic remains, Roman mosaics, Byzantine frescoes; you will walk through untouched natural arias, mountain villages and historic towns, you will be staying in 4* hotels. The food will be authentically Macedonian and EXCELLENT!
YOUR ITINERARY:
DAY 1: Arrival Tirana International Airport transfer to Hotel after check in - Walking City tour of the Capital Tirana, visit to National Gallery of Arts, where we’ll see the collection of Social Realism, famous Blloku area and National Historic Museum. Overnight stay in hotel in Tirana. (D)
Tirana Airport
The Capital Tirana
Day 2: Drive along the Coastline heading South (5 hours). Stop along the way: Durres - Visit the Amphitheater 3rd largest in the Balkans. Lunch in the beautiful Llogora National park - Travel along the coastline - short visit to Porto Palermo Castle - Travel to Butrint National park. Overnight stay in hotel in the park (B,L,D)
Porto Palermo Castle
Albania Coastline
Day 3: After early morning breakfast visit the Ancient City of Butrint. Horse Ride in the National park. Lunch . Start Drive towards Gjirokastra and stop at the Bektashi Teke of Melan. After the visit continue to Gjirokastra a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overnight stay Gjirokastra. (B,L,D)
Butrint Baptistery
Gjirokastra Old Town
Day 4: After Breakfast we make a walking tour of Gjirokastra and head towards Berat another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lunch on our way to Berat. Check in at our hotel and in late afternoon we visit local vinery for wine tasting experience and probably dine there or head back to Berat for dinner. Overnight in hotel in the old part of Berat. (B,L,D)
Berat: houses inside Castle walls
Cobo Kantina
DAY 5: After Breakfast we make a Berat walking city tour and head towards the Macedonia border. Lunch on our way to the border. Afternoon visit of the cave churches carved up in the rocks above Lake Ohrid. Continue to Kalishta. Accommodation, tour of the monastery complex in Kalishta, dinner & overnight in the hotel by Ohrid Lake. (B,L,D)
Struga lakeside
Cave church near Ohrid
DAY 6: Morning guided tour of Ohrid old town, drive to a restaurant in a fishermen village by the lake for Ohrid trout lunch, afternoon sightseeing of St Naum and drive over Galicica to a nice hotel by Prespa Lake for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
St Jovan Kaneo - Ohrid
DAY 7: Visit of Golem Grad island by boat commuting to (archeological ruins, byzantine church, unique flora the island on the island – it is uninhabited), and back for lunch in a restored fishermen sight (cormorant fishing) on the beach – now a restaurant. Afternoon visit of ethno museum, church of Kurbinovo, and drive to Bitola to catch the evening promenade on the main street. Dinner in restaurant and overnight in hotel in National Park Pelister. (B,L,D)
Prespa Lake
Dalmatian pelicans
DAY 8: Morning trekking in NP Pelister, and down to the foothills to a typical rural household for traditional cooking classes. Lunch. Afternoon visit of Heraclea Lyncestis (city of Philip II  – father of Alexander the Great) and continue to the wine area. Visit of wine museum, winetasting and overnight in a winery hotel (B,L, D with wine-tasting)
Heraclea mosaics
Pelister pine woods
winetasting with a view
DAY 9: After the breakfast departure to Skopje Airport for flight back home. Depending on flight time, we can still visit the colorful bazaar in Old Skopje under the medieval city walls (B) END OF PROGRAM
Mother Teresa Memorial House
Macedonian Ruby
Old Bazaar in Skopje
Included in price: Accommodation: 6 x 3* hotels, 1 x 4* hotel, 1 x winery hotel All meals included: 8 x breakfast, 7 x lunch, 8 x dinner Transport with air-conditioned van / minibus / bus Horse Riding, Wine tasting, cooking classes, entrance tickets to museums, parks and all sites by the program, Full escort by professional tour guide Organization & logistic of 'Macedonia Travel' – Macedonia and ‘Our Own Expeditions’ – Albania Not included in price: Drinks during the meals and any personal expenses Travel insurance (obliatory)