Your day starts with the transfer from Tirana to Dajti National Park through the longest cable way in Balkan in its category with 2 stations. Mount Dajt is a mountain in central Albania, to the east of Tirana. Its highest peak is at 1,613m.
During winter, the mountain is often covered with snow, and it is a popular retreat to the local population of Tirana that rarely sees snow falls. Its slopes have forests of pines, oak and beech. Dajti Mountain was declared a National Park in 1966, and has since 2006 an expanded area of about 29,384ha and is considered the 'Natural Balcony of Tirana'.
Once you have finished the exploration of the mountain, you will have some free time before being transferred back through the same way to Tirana for the end of the journey.
After meeting with the guide you will be transferred in Durres. Durres is the largest port of Albania. It also has the status of one of the oldest settlements in Albania being founded in 7th
century BC from Greek colonists. Being in such favorable position in the Adriatic Sea, Durres (named Epidamnum from Greeksand Dyrrachium from Romans) has always been envied and was a very influential city under the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires as an important connection point. It’s importance still lives today as being one of the most influential cities in
the country’s economy.
Arriving in Durres, the exploration of the city starts with a visit of the Roman Amphitheatre of Durres, the largest in the Balkans built since 2nd century BC. Roman influence here continues with the Trajan’s Baths and the Roman Forum. The famous road of Roman Empire, Via Egnatia, started from Durres as the gateway to the Balkans and hence the Romans fortified the stronghold in Durres which was later reconstructed again by Byzantine Empire and the Venetians, from which Durres inherited the Venetian Tower standing at the beginning of the boulevard.
Next follows a relaxing stroll along the boulevard alongside the shore of the sea. Colorful buildings on one side and the sea on the other offer a special pleasure. On the boulevard there are monuments like the Unknown Soldier, a tribute to the lost soldiers of the liberation army of WW2, etc. After the visit in Durres, you will be transferred to Scanderbeg winery for a visit and wine tasting.
The Skenderbeu Winery was founded in 1929 by an Italian family with note able experience in the growth and development of premium wine. Their combined experience in enology, viticulture and wine marketing brought a unique background to the Winery.
They also invested in the vineyard in the Sukth hills, were there were cultivated the first varieties, Barbera/Sangiovese and Riesling.
They used the latest technology of the time for the wine production; the winery capacity was 1300HL. As time went by, the system changes in our country leadership were reflected in the winery management. In 1960 the vineyard surface grew to 1500ha, and was located in all the Durres county area, it was enriched with different varieties like: Merlot, Kabërnet, Riesling, Shesh i Bardhë, Shesh i Zi, Muskat kanellë, Muskat Hamburg, Pamid, Zarsin, Shiroka Mellnishka, Dimiat etc.
After the delicious time at the winery you will be transferred back to Tirana for the end of your journey.
Morning departure to visit Pogradec - on the Roman via Egnatia route to the east Drive through Elbasan (ancient Scampa). Arrive at Lake Ohrid - one of the deepest freshwater lakes in Europe - it is the home to a number of fish and birds found nowhere else in the world. Enjoy the lunch at local restaurant in Drilon (nice spot not far from Ohrid Lake which has been a preferred holiday place for the ex-dictator Hoxha) – decorated with willow trees, and streams flowing down to the lake. (Optional) Drive back to Tirana.
After meeting with the guide, you will be transferred for 60 minutes towards Kruja.
As members of a prominent Albanian aristocratic family, the young George Kastrioti and his three brothers were taken hostage and brought up in the Sultan’s court where Scanderbeg attended military school and later fought in the Ottoman army. When the Ottomans were defeated by a multinational Christian army in the Battle of Nis in 1443, Skanderbeg and his troops defected and retuned to Albania where they re-took the Kastriotis’ family’s fortress at Kruje. In the following years, Scanderbeg successfully united the Albanian ruling families against the common enemy and managed to fight off the Ottoman armies until his death in 1468 thus effectively halting their invasion further into Western Europe.
Kruje was the center of the Albanian resistance against the Ottomans led by Skanderbeg. Driving along the winding mountain road, you will reach the town’s main square marked by the equestrian statue of Skanderbeg wielding his sword. Continuing uphill and above the town, you will reach the historic fortress and citadel which successfully withstood three Ottoman sieges led by Sultan Murat and later by his son Sultan Mehmed II – the conqueror of Constantinople (now Istanbul).
It was only after Skanderbeg’s death that the fortress finally fell and the Albanian resistance was suppressed. One you are in Kruja you will visit the castle and Ottoman-style covered bazaar. After the short visit of Kruja you will be transferred to city market to buy some fresh vegetables and some local products and than head to Restaurant Panorama.
After arrival, you will be welcomed inside the restaurant Panorama, meet the Chief learn about traditional Albanian cooking and food. Help the the chief inside the kitchen to prepare your tasteful lunch. Once finished lunch you will be transferred back at the meeting poing in Tirana for the end of your jorney.
After meeting with your guide you will drive towards Ulcinj (Montenegro) for approximately 90 minutes. Ulcinj is an ancient seaport. The wider area of Ulcinj has been inhabited since the Bronze Age, based on dating of Illyrian tombs found in the village of Zogaj, in the vicinity of Ulcinj. The town is believed to have been founded in the 5th century BC by colonists from Colchis, as mentioned in the 3rd century BC poem by Apollonius of Rhodes.
Illyrians lived in the region at the time as there are traces of immense Cyclopean walls still visible in the old citadel. In 1867, Ulcinj became a kaza of the Iskodra sanjak of Rumeli veyalet. After the Congress of Berlin in 1878, borders between Montenegro and the Ottoman Empire were redrawn, with Ulcinj becoming part of Montenegro.
Although prepared to cede Plav, Gusinje and the Albanian villages of Grude, Hoti and Kastrati, Turkey still wanted to retain Ulqinj. Ultimately Montenegro, supported by Gladstone and others from western Europe, resisted and on 30 November 1880 the town became de jure part of the Montenegro which achieved recognition, but de facto only in 1880 after Great Powers occupation.
Once arrived in Ulcinj you will visit the old town, the castle and the city center. Finished in Ulcinj you will be transferred in Ada Bojana Park where you will admire the beautiful nature, excellent food and sea view panorama.
After lunch you will be transferred back to Shkodra for the end of your journey.
After meeting with the guide you will be transferred in Apollonia. Apollonia is one of the ancient colonies of the Greeks, dedicated to God Apollo. Founded in the turn of the 6th century BC by Greek colonist from Corinth and Corfu, Apollonia soon became one of the most important city-states in the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea.
In antiquity it has been famous for the production of tasty wines, olive oil and for its philosophy school, where Emperor Augustus studied. There have been found objects from both Greek and Roman influence and today, in the remains of the mighty city that once stood, you can see many of the parts of the ancient Apollonia depicting both periods. It was so important that the Romans built a branch connection Via Egnatia to Apollonia, especially for Apollonia.
The city started losing its importance in 3rd century AD because of a destructive earthquake. Once you have visited the park and the museum of Apollonia you will have a traditional lunch in a restaurant inside the park.
After the lunch you will be transferred in Tirana for the end of your journey.
After meeting with the guide and embarking on the jeeps, you will be transferred first to Tirana for about 1 hour drive, for then continuing towards Shengjergj village which is located behind the Dajti Mountain. In Shengjergj you will make a short stop to stretch your legs before continuing towards Elbasan for 3.5 hours of off road drive.
This exciting off-road excursion in search of adventure, will allow you to cover parts of southern Albania and appreciate sights that most visitors never get to discover. We’ll drive on dirt roads off the beaten track, through rivers and old plantations from the Ionian coast into the heart of the central Albania. You will see a variety of birds, old rural villages and typical Albanian houses and families. Learn the real life of the rural part of the small but charming country of Albania.
Once arrived in Elbasan, you will have lunch in a very special restaurant located inside the old castle of Elbasan. After lunch you will drive towards Durres for 1.5 hours of time.
After meeting with the guide you will be transferred in Berat. Berat, with an ancient history from 2400 years ago, is located along the stream of river Osum and in the middle of the great mountains of Tomorr and Shpirag. It is located on the side of a rocky hill and in the same place was settled the ancient town from the Illyrian tribes. It has been conquered many times but its castle has always been famous of being very difficult to invade.
Today it has the name of the city of a thousand and one windows, coming from the panoramic view of the houses on the hill. It is a part of UNESCO World Heritage List with the well preserved houses of original Ottoman architecture. The trip in the city of one thousand and one windows starts in the old quarter which will send you back in time to the Middle Ages from the cobbled streets and the houses built in a special architecture and fanatically well preserved till the modern days.
From what you see Berat has gained it’s status as one of the cities of UNESCO World Heritage List. Next visit for you will be The fortress, located on the hill top, is the most special attraction there, offering an amazing panoramic view of everything surrounding Berat. And there you understand the reason why it was such an important stronghold. After the visit of the wonderful city of Berat you will have some cooking lessons with a local family and prepare your tasteful lunch in a restaurant inside the castle.
Finished the lunch you will be transferred back in Vlora for 2 hours drive for the end of your jorney.
Vlore, the independency city is picturesquely located on the Bay of Vlore. Vlore has a long history as it, not unlike other ancient towns along the coast, was first founded by Greek colonists in the 6th century BC. Later, it was an important port of the Roman and the Byzantine Empires. Changing hands several times over the centuries, Vlore finally fell to the Ottomans in 1417.
It was in Vlore that five centuries later - in 1912, during the First Balkan War, Albania declared its independence from the Ottomans, only to be occupied by the Italians a couple of years later. History speaks for itself in Vlore while visiting the city. In the centre is the Flag Square, where the people gathered to celebrate the raise of the flag. And in front of the square is the building where the flag was raised and the Declaration of Independency was signed.
More from history that you will visit in Vlore is the Muradie Mosque, one of the oldest mosques in the whole country which survived the communist suppression. Also you will walk towards Kuzum Baba hill where you can visit the Bektashi teke located in the top of the hill and enjoy the wonderful panorama Once finished all your visits, you will be walking back to your ship for the end of your journey.
After meeting with the guide and driver you will be transferred in Ohrid, Macedonia Ohrid, the so called Jerusalem of the Balkans, is a city in the Republic of Macedonia located in the Easter shores of Lake Ohrid. It has had a continuous inhabitation since its first settlements in 4th century BC from the Illyrian tribes of Enchelai and Dassaretae, mentioned as the city of Lychnidos. Since the first centuries of Christianity, here the faith set roots so much that once is has been noted that had 365 churches, one of each day of the year. The city and the area were colonized by the Slavs but the city continued its prosper under many Empires.
Due to the cultural inheritance from the centuries and being well preserved, Ohrid and the lake in 1978 were included in UNESCO World Heritage List. Today Ohrid is the jewel of Macedonia and the pearl of Lake Ohrid. Your visit will start to the old quarter of Ohrid. The traditional houses, build close to each other have created some cobbled narrow streets like a labyrinth. They will lead you to the churches of Ohrid where the most important and the most special one is St. Sophia Church, coming from 9th-10th century from Bulgarian Empire, housing important medieval art of paintings, icons and frescoes. Other special religious attractions are the churches of St. Bogorodica Perivlepta from 13th century, the St. Jovan Kaneo from 13th century, St. Pantelejmon Plaosnik Monastery from 10th century, etc. On the way up you will also see the Roman amphitheatre, a one of a kind in Macedonia coming since almost 2000 years ago. Up in the Saint Klement Pantelejmon Church, named after the saint patron of Ohrid, is one of the most beautiful mosaics of the Balkans, a Christian one, on the floor of the church.
Being in Ohrid, the best place to have lunch is, of course, by the lake. And before continuing the itinerary back to Tirana, you will have lunch in a fancy restaurant by the shores of Lake Ohrid. After lunch you will be transferred back to Tirana for the end of your jorney.