Highlight of historical Albania with escape in North Macedonia

Arrival at Tirana airport and introduction with the group. After meeting with the guide we depart for the 2400-year-old city of Berat, also known as the city of one above another window, and recognized as part of UNESCO world heritage. Arrival in Berat, accommodation at the hotel and visit of the two historical neighborhoods of the city. In the evening we can enjoy a glass of wine under the majestic shadow of the city castle.

After the traditional breakfast at the hotel, we head towards the enormous city castle which is one of the few castles still inhabited in Europe. A walk through the 2400 year old history of the city as well as a visit to the iconographic museum situated inside a medieval church to admire the medieval church paintings. After the visit to the city castle,  it will take us a 60 minute drive to the archaeological park of Apollonia where the ancient Illyrians, Greeks, Romans and Byzantines have left their traces. A short visit at the church of Saint Mary founded on the foundations of a prehistoric church of the fourth century AD. The journey continues with a stop in the coastal city of Vlora on the promenade along the Adriatic coastline. Our route continues towards the Albanian Riviera passing over the Llogara pass. A pass at 1100 meters above sea level over the Karaburun peninsula which is also the dividing line between the Adriatic and the Ionian. From this height we can admire the magnificent view over the entire Ionian coast with Corfu island opposite. The road along the riviera goes through olive plantations. Along the way a stop at the elegant castle of Porto Palermo, and the history it carries. The journey will end in the coastal city of Saranda which is also a beloved destination for all tourists during the summer.

The day begins with a visit to the ancient city of Butrint, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992, located opposite Corfu and in a national park with dense vegetation between the lake of the same name and the Ionian Sea. After the visit, a stop on the shores of Ksamil beach and we head towards the karst spring of the Blue Eye. A natural spring of 7 springs which with their blueness renders the idea of ​​a blue eye. Departure towards the stone city of Gjirokastra. Visit to the imposing Castle of the city and free time to visit the old town. Together with Berat, Gjirokastra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005 with a unique medieval architecture.

The journey from Gjirokastra to Korca takes us through Vjosa River Valley, nicknamed the blue heart of Europe due to the biodiversity it offers, as well as one of the last rivers that flows uninterrupted to the shores of the Adriatic Sea. Vjosa is one of the few rivers that is also a natural park throughout its 280-kilometer course. The journey continues along the border with Greece, through the mountains of southern Albania, Gramoz mountain ranges, Nemecka, as well as through Germenji National Park. The 173-km journey ends in the city of Korca, which is also distinguished as the city of serenades. The evening at the city's Bazaar offers us a relaxing dinner at the end of this day.

From Korca we head towards North Macedonia where the first stop is at the 13th century Orthodox monastery of Saint Naum which is also a place of pilgrimage for many Orthodox believers located on the shores of Lake Ohrid. After the monastery we head straight to the city of Ohrid which is also called the Jerusalem of the Balkans, and part of the UNESCO world heritage since 1979. Together with its lake, the oldest lake in Europe, it is also protected by UNESCO we learn more about the history and life in this pearl of the Balkans.

From Ohrid we travel to Tirana, the journey takes us through the Shkumbin River Valley, marking the trace of the ancient Egnazia Road which connected the two capitals of the Roman Empire. A stop in the city of Elbasan visiting a 500 year old mosque as well as the medieval church of Saint Mary will teach us more about religious harmony in Albania. The journey continues towards Tirana, the vibrant capital of Albania. Tirana city tour will give us a clear view of the vitality of the capital city of Albania where we can see the traces of history from the ancient Justinian, Ottoman, Vemetian walls and to today's modernism. At dinner a glass of wine in Blloku area also known as the former residence of the Albanian government during the years of communism and which today is the main entertainment spot for youth.

From Tirana we head back towards the Adriatic coast, visiting the 3000 year old city of Durres and the city's Roman theater. Then we head towards the historical capital of Albania, Kruja. The visit to the medieval bazaar and the castle are symbols of the Albanian resistance to the Ottoman Empire led by our national hero Skanderbeg, the pride of all Albanians. Return to Tirana and at the end a joint dinner in a restaurant with traditional Albanian cuisine.