THE MOST ESSENTIAL OF ALBANIA & NORTHERN MACEDONIA

When we say “The Highlights” you are thinking of the best of this destination. In this journey you will have some glimpses of these two little-explored countries, Albania and Northern Macedonia. Archaeological sites, old orthodox churches, wonderful landscapes and traditional dishes of each country give real value to this trip. The last word on these “Highlights” is yours!

Whatsapp: +355674993544 THE MOST ESSENTIAL OF ALBANIA & NORTHERN MACEDONIA

Group

4 to 10 participants

Flight

Regular or charter depending on departures.

Displacement

Minibus, on foot, by bike, on donkey, cart and felucca.

Accommodation

Homestay and bivouac on feluccas.

Picture of Writen by Armand Pasho

Writen by Armand Pasho

Tour Guide in Albania

Itinerary

Day 1

Tirana

As arriving at the airport, someone from our agency will meet and accompany you to your hotel in the city center of the capital.A thrilling and colorful capital, Tirana has many assets to offer you.Discover its cultural and historical places such as the magnificent Et’hem Bey mosque dating from the 19th century and having survived the atheist dictatorship of the Communist years, the Orthodox Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, the 3rd largest Orthodox cathedral in the Balkans , the National Museum.

Contemplate the piece of the Berlin Wall that celebrates its fall, get lost in the picturesque and teeming market of Gabi and finally, finish this introduction to Albania in style with an evening at the Blok.Previously accessible exclusively to the communist elite, this resuscitated district is today the heart of the nightlife where all the youth of the Albanian capital meet.

Between themed restaurants and bars, let yourself be carried away by the feeling of freedom that now floats there.

The planned visits:

– National Museum

– Et’hem Mosque

– Orthodox Cathedral.

Overnight in 3 * Hotel in Tirana

Airport – Tirana, 30min

Day 2

Ohrid

Morning in Ohrid, the perl of the Balkans classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for the beauty of the lake and for the architectural heritage of the city. Ohrid is a town in southwest Macedonia located on the shore of the lake with the same name. The old town is dominated by the imposing fortress of Samuel, of which only the High Gate still remains today. Ohrid has a rich religious heritage as evidenced by the many churches and monasteries present in the city.The lower town, made up of narrow and winding paths, remains well preserved. The National Museum in Ohrid, located in Robev House, is one of the oldest museums in the world. Founded in 1516, it brings together a large number of objects found around Ohrid.

The planned visits:

– Saint Sophia Cathedral

– Sveti Naum Monastery

Accommodation in 3 * hotel in Ohrid.

Tirana – Ohrid, 2h 15min

Day 3

Bitola – Heraclea - Korca

Visit of the town of Bitola. It has been known since the 19th century as the “city of counselors” because many European countries maintained consulates there. It also has a rich architectural heritage, mainly Ottoman, and its city center is known for its typical architecture of Central Europe, dating from the second half of the 19th century.

Then in the direction of Heraclea located northwest of the ancient kingdom of Macedonia.

You will continue your way towards the town of Korca. Also called ‘’ le petit Paris ’’, this city is renowned for its attachment to French culture. The Lycée Français, the city hospital and other buildings constructed by French troops during the First World War bear witness to this.

Planned visits:

-The archeological museum

Accommodation in 3* Hotel in Korca

Ohrid – Bitola, 1h 10min

Bitola – Heraclea, 10 min

Heraclea – Korca, 1h 45min

Day 4

Leskovik - Permet

Today you will travel towards the village of Leskovik. You will have a tasting of local wine. The flowery town of Përmet is a real agritourism stopover in the country. You will have the opportunity to get a closer look at the artisans of the region’s artisans and to taste their local products such as jams, wine, raki, embroidery, etc. Gliko tasting (traditional candied fruit from the town of Permet).

Accommodation in 3* Hotel in Permet

Korce –Leskovik 2h

Leskovik –Permet 1h 10min

Day 5

Gjirokastra - Butrint - Saranda

Listed at UNESCO since 2005, Gjirokastra has managed to preserve its picturesque architecture, typical of old Albanian mansions. You will immerse yourself in the authentic Albania as you wander and we will also be able to visit its citadel and the Ethnographic Museum which will reveal a little more about the complex and turbulent history of Albania.

If you feel like it you can also, on your way, make a stop at the famous archaeological site of Butrint, classified by UNESCO since 1992. This ancient city will take you on a journey to the 5th century BC. JC. Then at the end of the day, return to city life by joining the city of Saranda.

Planned visits:

-The Castle.

-The Masion of Skendulaj

– The archeological site of Butrint

Accommodation in 3* Hotel in Saranda.

Permet – Gjirokastra, 1h 45min

Gjirokastra – Butrint, 50min

Butrint –Saranda, 45 min

Day 6

Porto Palermo - Vlora

Visit of Ali Pasha Castle at Porto Palermo Bay.

Overlooking the meeting between the Ionian and Adriatic seas, the second largest port in Albania after Durrës… Vlora is also the place where Albanian Independence was declared in 1912 and where the first National Government led by Ismail Qemali was installed . You can learn more about this part of Albanian history by visiting the Independence Museum.After a visit to the city, we will leave for a scuba diving session to discover the Albanian seabed!

Planned visits:

-The castle of Ali Pasha

-The Museum of Independence

Accommodation in 3* Hotel in Vlora

Saranda – Porto palermo, 2h

Porto Palermo – Vlora,1h 15min

Day 7

Apollonia - Berat

Today, you will head to the ancient ruins of Apollonia, its Byzantine monastery and, if you like, you may visit the archeology museum founded in 588 BC by the Greeks of Corinth, the city quickly increased to 50,000 inhabitants in the second century BC. Apollonia later became a free Roman city after taking sides with Julius Caesar during the war against Pompey. It developed into a cultural center until the 3rd century AD when an earthquake rerouted a river and led to the city’s decline.

The city of a thousand windows Berat, meanwhile listed as World Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2008, its architectural style typical of the Ottoman period, its white houses and steep alleys will certainly charm you! During our walk, we will be able to see the Kalaja castle as well as many mosques…

Planned visits :

Archeological site of Apollonia
The castle
Museum of Onufri

Accommodation in 3* Hotel in Berat

Vlora – Apollonia, 45min

Apollonia – Berat, 1h

Day 8

Durres - Kruja

Departure towards Durres, Albania’s second largest city that has not neglected its historical and cultural heritage, which incidentally dates back to antiquity. What was once called the “Adriatic Tavern” was the starting point of the via Egnatia, a caravan route that once connected great Rome to Constantinople. You will have the opportunity to visit the Roman amphitheater, which was once the largest in the Balkans, as well as a museum that traces the history of this ancient trading city.

Then towards the town of Kruja. Former capital of the Kingdom of Albania, Kruja was, in the 15th century, a bastion of the Ottoman Empire until Skanderbeg, the National Hero, led the resistance which liberated it in the 15th and then at the declaration of independence in 1912. We can also visit a museum dedicated to this Hero, as well as visit the fortress of Kruja.

The planned visits:

– Archaeological Museum and Amphitheater

– Skanderbeg Museum

– Ethnographic Museum

Accommodation in 3* Hotel in Kruja.

Berat – Durres, 1h 30min

Durres – Kruja, 2h 15min

Day 9

Shkodra - Tirana

Today, your journey begins with a visit to Shkoder, closer to the Albanian Alps. The city of Shkodra, “where the Drin goes”, inhabited since Prehistory, is today the symbol of a deep harmony between the religious times, since it shelters places of worship of varied horizons (Muslim, Catholic and Orthodox). A visit to the Marubi Photo Library will allow you to discover the Balkans as they were from the end of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century. The King’s Mosque and the Catholic Cathedral (the largest in the Balkans) can also be part of your journey.

Return to the capital where you will find the hotel of your arrival. For this last day you will be free to soak up the atmosphere of Tirana as you wish and as you wish… We recommend that you go for a drink at the Sky Tower bar which offers a 360 ° panorama in the heart of the city !

The planned visits:

– Castle of Rozafa

– Historical Museum

Accommodation in 3 * hotel in Tirana.

Kruja – Shkodra, 2h

Shkodra – Tirana, 2h 30min

Day 10

The end of your journey

You will be accompanied to the airport to take the flight to your destination

Book this Tour

Duration

10 Days

Level

Very easy

Style / Type of Trip

Adventure

Activities

Trekking / hiking

Themes

Gastronomy

Trip

Accompanied

Activity Time

5 half-days of walking, 3 half-days of navigation, 1 half-day of cycling