Buy Twelve Memories in the Bazaar of Kruja

DAY 1 - Shkoder

A diamond-shaped city wedged between the Rozafa Citadel, the magnificent Albanian Alps, deep blue Lake Shkodra, a 30-kilometre sand beach and the serene Buna river delta reservation. Shkodra is a diamond in the rough with plenty of potential. Shkodra was once the largest and most flourishing town in the country. Even today it remains the cradle of northern Albanian culture. Its mighty fortress, Rozafa, still rises proudly over the Drini and Buna Rivers as a symbol of Shkoder's will to survive. Our guide will wait you at the airport. We’ll drive from Tirana to Shkodra and arrive there in about two hours. Introduction to Shkodra’s old history as one of the oldest cities of Balkan and the capital of Illyrian Empire.City tour of Shkodra, Old Bazaar, Centrum, cathedral and mosque and the photo Gallery “Marubian “. Visit to Vila e Zogut (ex king of Albania). Visit to the Castle of Rosafa and the museum inside the castle. from where spectacular views all around can be admired and the feel of supremacy the Illyrians would have had over their enemies standing in such an imposing castle. Dinner at Shiroka with a nice view of Shkodra’s Lake. 
Overnight in Shkodra.

DAY 2 - Kruje

After breakfast drive towards Kruja, the historical city which lays on a panoramic view on the top of a hill, 600 km above sea level, centre of Albanian resistance against the Ottomans under our National Hero Scanderbeg. He kept the Ottoman armies from crossing into Western Europe for 25 years.With a combination of nature, history, archeology, traditional food and lifestyle, Kruja is one of the most beautiful tourist spots in Albania.We will arrive there in about two hours. We will visit the Kruja Castle . Kruja Castle - was built during the 5th and 6th centuries and has an elliptical shape with a total area of 2,25 hectars. The surrounding walls are reinforced by nine towers, which served as an observation and signaling post during times of war. Within the walls of the castle there can still be found the remains of a few houses. Then we’ll see the Skanderbeg Museum and a rich Ethnographic Museum with almost all items being original from the end of the 19th century. Designed by Enver Hoxha's daughter and son-in-law, this museum opened in 1982, and its spacious seven-level interior displays replicas of armour and paintings depicting Skanderbeg's struggle against the Ottomans. The museum is something of a secular shrine, and takes itself very seriously indeed, with giant statues and dramatic battle murals. Then we make our way through Kruja’s famous Bazaar, on the way to the castle, a medieval - type bazaar with traditional handicrafts such as filigree, alabaster, silver, copper, wooden made objects, wool carpets, etc. Its main pecularities are that all the shops are made of wood. And after shopping we go to Durres. 
Overnight in Kruje.

DAY 3 - Durres

 Today tour is going to be all about Durres. Durrës( Durrachium) is the second largest city of Albania and is central on the coast, about 33 km (21 mi) west of the capital Tirana.It is one of the most ancient and economically significant cities of Albania.Founded in the 7th century BC by Greek colonists from Corinth and Corcyra under the name Epidamnos, it has been continuously inhabited for 2,700 years and is one of the oldest cities in Albania. Durrës served as Albania's national capital from 7 March 1914 until 11 February 1920 during the reign of William of Albania in Principality of Albania. The most important object is the amphitheatre. Durrës is an important link to Western Europe due to its port and its proximity to the Italian port cities, notably Bari, to which daily ferries run. We will start the tour with a visit some of the most important landmarks in Durres such as the Byzantine Forum, Venetian Tower (small castle open as a bar). From the Venetian Tower the roads leave to ancient amphitheater , is a large Roman amphitheatre in the city of Durrës. Built in the 2nd century AD during Roman Emperor Trajan's rule, it is located in the centre of the city and is only half unearthed. The Durrës Amphitheatre is one of the largest amphitheatres in the Balkan peninsula,once having a capacity of 20,000 people. Then we’ll visit the archaeological Musem and War memorabilia room (Mausoleum).And of course you can’t leave Durres without tasting it’s delicious cuisine based on sea products, since it’s a coastal city. So you’ll be able to enjoy lunch beside the beautiful sea, like a real royalty, like the residents here say “near the sea, near the king J “. Free evening. 
Overnight in Durres.

DAY 4 - Berat

After breakfast we’ll start driving to Berat, our guide will meet you at the hotel lobi. Going to this city it’s like traveling back in time. Being more than 2400 year old, the town it is one of the most attractive towns in Albania. Berat, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is known as the "Museum City of Albania". Berat lies on the sides on the Osum River with a backdrop of Mount Tomorr, elevation. Additionally a 2,500 year old castle overlooks the city with numerous, high architectural and historical stone neighborhoods below. Our visit will start in the characteristics neighborhood Mangalemi, near the old bazaar, where we will visit the Ethnographic museum. Our next stop will be at the fortress located on the top of the hill overlooking the Osumi river and the Gorica neighborhood. The castle is the only one in Albania that still has houses and inhabitants within its walls, going about their daily life in exactly the same place their predecessors did centuries ago. We will visit the Castle, St Marys Church turned Onufri Museum which houses an amazingly diverse collection of Icons. We will be able to see also The Red Mosque , The Church of Saint Mehilli, (Michael) , The Church of Saint Triadha (Trinity) and lots of other monuments. We’ll have a little breake while we enjoy lunch. After this we will walk towards the old bridge of Gorica. The bridge's primary purpose is to connect the neighborhood of Gorica, over the Osum River, with the beautiful Mangalemi quarter and adjacent neighborhoods. The architecture of Gorica Bridge holds 7 stone arches, has a length of 129.3 meters, width of 5.3 meters, and height (average) of 3.5 meters. 
Overnight in Berat.

DAY 5 - Vlore

Wake up at eight and go down for breakfast, when our guide will meet you and show you the itinerary. After breakfast we drive to Vlora. Valona is one of the largest, most populous cities in Albania,is the second largest port city of Albania, after Durrës.Vlora is rich with history and antiquity which dates back to the 6th century B.C., when it was known as Aulona. Exactly at the Valona Bay was the official border of the Roman provinces of Epirus – the Epirus Nova and Epirus Vetus, while later, in the 9th century it used to be the border of the Bulgarian Kingdon of Tsar Simeun and the Byzantine Empire. This city has a great historical importance as it was here that in 1912 the Assembly was convened to proclaim Albania as an independent state and to set up the first National Government headed by Ismail Qemali. Thus Vlore became the first capital city in independent Albania. One of the best costal cities in Albania. Continue the drive to coastal Vlora, we see the Independence Square, The museum of Indipendence and the Muradie Mosque. We visit the Flag Square, House of Indipendence then we continue with Albanian Riviera with a great view and we can enjoy the trip along Ioanian Sea. Then we visit: Mesopotamian Monastery, Saint Nichola Church which belongs to Byzantine Period. Lunch break, and after lunch we go to visit Zverneci. Will visit the Monastery of Zvernec After this we go to Lepenica village. Pictures found in this cave represent post-Paleolithic art, which is known as the oldest in all of Europe. Haxhi Ali Cave in Karaburun is situated on the peninsula. Located in a cliff, it is the biggest cave in Albania Then we go back to the city of Vlora for dinner.  
Overnight in Vlora.

DAY 6 - Sarande

Wake up at eight o’clock and have lunch. After this we departure to Saranda city. Saranda is located in southern Albania. It is one of the most important tourist attractions of the Albanian Riviera. Saranda's current name derives from the name of the Byzantine monastery of the Agioi. Saranda, meaning the "Forty Saints" and honoring the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste. We will go to see Butrinti which is situated 15 km away from the city of Saranda, reachable through whatever way. It is a world's archeological richness of UNESCO declared as such after the 90`. The most precious pieces that were found here were: the statue of Apollo, the Goddess of Butrinti, some heads of marble of Zeus, it was also found a portray of Agrippa, and some Latin and Greek writings. In the V century part of the city was rebuilt. After that we visit the Blue eye. It is the greatest fountain and the most interesting one from the 18 fountains coming from the edge of the wide mountain. It is a natural monument. The way in which the water bubbles up to the surface helps create the illusion of an eye, with the dark-colored center as the pupil, and the surrounding blue water appearing as the iris. Lunch Break.After that we go back to Saranda and visit the Castle of Lekuresi from the 14th century Byzantine period. The castle is situated in the meddle of the ruins of the Lekures village on the top of a high hill rising over the city of Saranda. A very special strategical position allows the contemplation of the city and the street that goes to Butrint, and a rare view of the islands of Ksamil. In the evening will enjoy a walk through the coastal line of Saranda. 
Overnight in Saranda.

DAY 7 - Gjirokaster

Today we walk through history, and what better way then to traverse Gjirokastra. The history of Gjirokaster is one of Albania's three UNESCO sites. Gjirokastër can be divided into roughly two halves, the old town up on the hill, and the new town in the valley below. One of the most important cities of southern Albania has been declared a “Museum City”. It is built on the slope of a mountain and is known for its characteristic and narrow stone paved streets. Known as the City of Stone, it comprises hundreds of Ottoman-style tower houses with distinctive stone roofs, wooden balconies and whitewashed stone walls. Just outside Gjirokastra we visit the ruins of ancient Hadrianopolis at Sofratike. It was built in the middle of a field without protective walls, at the time of emperor Hadrian whose name it took, at a time known as Pax Romana which translates as Roman Peace, hence surrounded by vast Roman territories the city had no need for fortifications.Then, after entering in Gjirokastra we will visit the castle, the Zekate House, the old bazaar and the ethnographic museum (which is the birth house of the Albanian dictator). There are several 18th-century mosques and churches and an old citadel (rebuilt in the 19th cent.) in the town. What strikes the visitors most in Gjirokastra are its typical and characteristic houses which resemble little fortresses, clustered one above the other. Once Gjirokastra has been called the "city of one thousand steps" or "the stone city". Then we will be headed to the Seven Fountains, Mechite Mosque Remains, and the Hamams. The fountains and the exterior of the Hamams have been recently restored. One can observe the dedicatory inscriptions on the fountains and the cone shaped traditional roofs of the Hamams. After this we will be headed to the village of Saraqanisht where we can see The archaeological site of Antigonea. We will close the day by visiting the Lake cave under Skotinise which is located 200 meters deep cave Skotinise in Vanistër of Gjirokastra. 
Overnight in Gjirokastra.

DAY 8 - Permet

After breakfast we drive towards Permeti. Nicknamed “The City of Roses,” Pёrmet is located in the Vjosa River Valley, approximately 30 kilometers from the Greek border. The city is known for its clean environment and tradition of wine and raki making. Old Permet is worth a look.Permet is a Town in Albania known for its hospitability, good food, and the beautiful nature surrounding it. Our drive through the mountains today is truly spectacular as we enjoy sweeping views across the Gramos and Nemercka Mountains. Along the winding route, we enjoy a short stop in Ersekë which at 1050m is the highest town in Albania. This 17th century town is surrounded by beautiful green pastures of the Gramos Mountains. Continuing onwards, we make a quick stop-off at the old bridge of Benje village en route to beautiful Permet. After we arrive into Permet, situated in the heart of the white mountains on the Vjosë River. A short walk (about half an hour) will familiarise us with this traditional village and we stop to see the nearby St. Mary's Church of Leusa, one of the best preserved in the country with wonderful frescoes. This evening you're sure to be in for a treat as Permet is famous for its food and wines, including 'gliko' sweets and raki. 
Overnight in Permet.

DAY 9 - Korce

After breakfast we drive to Korca one of the most important towns of South East Albania and a well known culinary town. The path takes us through spectacular landscapes with spectacular nature with gorges, mountains and river valleys offering a truly fulfilling experience. Lunch in the traditional family restaurant in Boboshtica just before reaching Korca. Arrival in Korca and visit of the National Museum of Medieval Arts, which holds some of greatest iconographic works in Europe and further. The first Albanian language school, opened in 1887 and today it houses the National Education Museum.Spend the day exploring the Korca region including a visit to the village of Voskopoja - one of the most important towns in the European part of the Ottoman Empire during the beginning of the 18th century. It is here that the first printing house in the Balkans was established in 1720. There are also some outstanding examples of Orthodox Christian Churches, which escaped the destruction of the communist regime. 
Overnight in Korca.

DAY 10 - Pogradec

After breakfast, we visit one of the most beautiful cities in Albania, Pogradec. Pogradec is one of the finest tourist sites in Albania, because of its location near Lake Ohrid, famous for its crystal clear water, natural habitat of the Koran fish, similar to trout. Beyond the beautiful beach, a holiday in Pogradec is made more interesting by trips to Drilon (5km east), with crystal fountains that fill the beautiful canals surrounded by trees and ornamental plants, or to the beautiful villages of Tushemist and Lin, with lovely beaches and clear water, where wine production and agriculture are the traditions of each house. The city of Pogradec and its surrounding area, as one of the Albanian beauty pearls, provides much to discover for its visitors. The region dominated by the fantastic Ohrid Lake, surrounded by fields nestled before picturesque mountains, will be your panorama throughout your holidays in Pogradec. The harmony of nature, and the friendliness of the inhabitants, will bring you back again and again. We can enjoy our walk through 1 May Bulevard, with the amazing view by the Ohrid lake. Than we can visit the castle, the museum and churche of Pogradec. After this we will be headed to Drilon, near the border 5km east of Pogradec, Drilon is a lush and delightful park set around the ponds where crystal-clear water originating from Lake Prespa bubbles up from the side of Mali i Thate ('dry') mountain at an amazing 7 cubic metres per second. You can feed the ducks and swans and rent a boat for a quiet paddle around. Then we'l go to the small village of Tushemist, a few hundred metres east of the park, is worth a visit for its 6th century St. Pantaleon church with its original floor mosaic, and then we'll go to see the Monastery of saint Naum which is situated in the border betwen Albania and Macedonia. Enjoy dinner here. 
Overnight in Pogradec.

DAY 11 - Tirane

After breakfast will drive towards Tirana. Today Tirana is not only the most populated city in Albania, but also the biggest political and economic centre in the country. We will start our tour in Albania exploring Tirana the capital of Albania, starting with a visit to Et’HemBej Mosque, built in 1789 (one of the most beautiful in the Balkans).We'll walk to the main sites, stopping to visit the impressive National History Museum, the facade of which is adorned with a gigantic mosaic known as, 'The Albanians'. During this we can admire other buildings to like: The Clock Tower next to the Et'hemBey Mosque government buildings: at the south end of Skenderbeg Square. The Tabakëve and Terzive bridges, The Palace of Culture, where the Theatre of Opera and Ballet and the National Library. Popularly referred to as ‘the Pyramid’, it was designed by a group of architects. After we visit the city center we can move to Pertrela Castle which is located at south of Tirana on the right side of national road linking capital with the city of Elbasan.The Castle is perched on a rocky hill, above the village with the same name. It has a triangular shape with two observation towers. The castle offers spectacular views of the Erzen valley, the hills, olive groves, and surrounding mountains. Welcome dinner in one of the traditional restaurants in Tirana. 
Overnight in Tirana.

DAY 12 - Departure

 Breakfast, morning coffee, and then free time to prepare for airport.