Transport

-Transport provided by the company

Others

-Hotel pick up in Tirana -Hotel drop off in Tirana -Entry tickets for the ‘’will be visited’’ sites -Tourist taxes -Road taxes -International car insurance -Petrol

Guide

-Professional tour leader

Accommodation

-BB (Accommodation and Breakfast) for all overnights; 3 star hotels depending on availability.

Not included:

Optional

* On request this tour may also depart from other cities of Albania or neighbouring countries such as Kosovo, Montenegro or Macedonia. Please contact us for more information on the extra costs.

Others

-Lunches, Dinners, Drinks & Snacks -Souvenirs -Personal spending -Everything that is not mentioned in the included * Tips are not a must in Albania or the Balkans, however, our recommendation is to tip the tour leader/driver as an international practice to tip good service.

Meals

Lunches, Dinners, Drinks & Snacks not included

Flights

Insurance

- All participants are responsible for having their own health/travel insurance.

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Day 1 Tirana (Albania) – Kruja – Shkodra
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Tirana (Albania) – Kruja – Shkodra

Our tour leader will come and pick you up at your hotel in Tirana in the morning. Our first destination for today is Kruja, a historical city symbol of the Albanian resistance against the expansion of the Ottoman Empire during the XV century. Kruja is situated in central Albania on a rocky mountainous terrain about 560 meters above sea level, on the slopes of Sarisalltik Mountain. Walking through the narrow streets and the wooden houses of Kruja’s Medieval Old Bazaar (one of the biggest and oldest in Balkans) gives you a sense of a passage through the history. This is the best place to shop for souvenir in Albania, from typical to more unique and handmade souvenirs such as carpets, jewelleries etc. The castle of Kruja (built during the 5th century A.D.) is strategically placed on the top of a rocky hill, making it difficult for the enemies to attack. The tour leader will take you through some hidden paths, used by the locals to leave the castle without being noticed during periods when the enemies surrounded the castle. You will have some free time to enjoy a tasty traditional lunch, do some souvenir shopping or admire the city. Later we will drive towards Shkodra. Overnight in Shkoder.
Day 2 Shkodra – Decan (Kosovo) – Prizren
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Shkodra – Decan (Kosovo) – Prizren

Shkodra city is situated in the north-western part of Albania, giving its name to the biggest lake in the Balkans. It is one of the oldest cities in Albania, with a history of a thousand years of habitation. The oldest wall of the Shkodra castle dates from the 1st millennium BCE. The Roman historian Livy cited the town as the capital of the Illyrian king Gent, who fought the Romans in 168 B.C. We will visit Rozafa castle offering tremendous scenery of the lake and the three rivers melting all together in the Adriatic Sea. The city’s architecture is highly influenced by the Venetian style and if you are lucky enough to join the tour of Shkodra in February you might experience the carnival festival. Most of the guests are surprised to learn that most of the Venetian masks are handmade and produced in Shkodra. The city’s favourable geographic position has always been an important trading mark through the centuries, making it possible for different civilisations to encounter. Later we will cross border towards Kosovo, where we will visit the Monastery of Decan. This one stands out for its white colour, but even more remarkable is the fact that Orthodox monks still inhabit the monastery and make fresh organic food there, such as cheeses. The monastery became part of UNESCO in 2004 because of its frescoes. Overnight in Prizren.
Day 3 Tour Of Prizren
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Tour Of Prizren

Prizren is considered as the cultural capital of Kosovo, mixing its rich history, incredible nature, religious tolerance and gastronomic delights. Prizren has played an important role in the region as an Illyrian settlement and a crossroad for the Byzantine and Ottoman empires, contributing to the unique architecture of the city. The river flows through the heart of the old town and under the many bridges that crisscross the city. If you are looking to experience a lively international experience you should visit Prizren during August when the medieval city becomes home to one of the most famous short film festivals in the world named Dokufest. The best way to explore the town is by wandering through the streets passing by elegant medieval houses that fight for your attention. Filigree artisanal techniques for precious metals are Prizren’s joy and pride. Don’t miss the unique experience of shopping in one of the many filigree shops of the town, where you are welcomed to also see the metalsmithing magic happen. If you have to choose just one mosque to visit then visit the Sinan Pasha Mosque, rich in arabesque colour and pattern. The view from the fortress on the hill above the town offers a great panorama of this astonishing town. Overnight in Prizren
Day 4 Prizren - Pristine - Skopje (N. Macedonia)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Prizren - Pristine - Skopje (N. Macedonia)

Before heading towards N. Macedonia, we will visit the capital of Kosovo, Pristina. We will visit the Newborn monument, symbol of the independence and being a young new country. We will walk towards the main boulevard in the capital. Sheshi Nena Tereza is a nice street to stroll through and enjoy a coffee at one of the bars. Here we will also pass the Skanderberg square with the statue of Skanderberg himself, the national Albanian hero.

Our tour continues towards Skopje, the capital of Macedonia. The city has European, Ottoman and even Asian influences. The Stone Bridge connects the new part to the old part of the city. Impossible to miss in Skopje is the Alexander the Great Statue in the center. Another bridge that stands out is the Art Bridge that leads to the Archaeological Museum. The bridge is lined with flamboyant street lanterns and statues of Macedonian artists and musicians. We will wander through the Old Bazaar of Skopje, the biggest one in the Balkans, that combines the modern way of living with centuries of history. The cross on top of the mountain can be seen kilometers away from Skopje and has become a symbol of the city. Overnight in Skopje.
Day 5 Skopje - Matka Canyon - Ohrid
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Skopje - Matka Canyon - Ohrid

Our first destination for today will be Matka near Skopje. It is impressive how this beautiful nature paradise is located so close to the bustling capital. Besides the fun boat trip through the canyon, Matka has much more to offer, such as caves, medieval castles, spectacular hiking routes and the option to go swimming in the turquoise waters. From Matka we will drive towards Ohrid, one of the most seductive destinations in N. Macedonia, indicated as one of the oldest human settlements in all of Europe. Ohrid city and Ohrid Lake are part of UNESCO World Heritage since 1980. Ohrid Lake and its surroundings where inhabited by the Illyrian Tribe of Enkeleys. The Lake was named by the Romans as “Lyhnidas” (the Light Lake). Our tour continues to the city of Ohrid (UNESCO world heritage) an important centre of Orthodoxy. We will continue our tour and visit the famous view point of church of St. John, the church of St. Nicolas and the mosque Halveti Hayati Tekke. Ohrid became an important centre for the Orthodox believers during the Byzantine Empire and is famous for its 365 Orthodox churches, said to have one church for each day of the year. During the Ottoman Empire the city grew on the hills and surrounding areas by the lake. Today the city is famous for its architecture, the churches, the castle on top of the city, the amphitheatre, the beautiful view of the lake surrounded by mountains and the pearls from the lake. Overnight in Ohrid
Day 6 Ohrid - St Naum - Tushemisht (Albania)- Drilon National Park – Berat
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Ohrid - St Naum - Tushemisht (Albania)- Drilon National Park – Berat

We will continue our tour to St Naum near the Albanian border and one of the most beautiful locations in N. Macedonia. On our way there, we will have to go through the Galichitsa National Park, located between the Albanian border, Ohrid Lake and Prespa Lake, with again stunning nature and impressive mountains. The monastery of St. Naum carries the name of a holy place. It is situated right at the source of River Crni Drim, which flows through Lake Ohrid. This monastery complex is part of the National Park Galicica and belongs to one of the strictly protected areas. Crystal clear, spring water reflects both the surrounding greenery and the mountain peaks in the background.

We will cross border towards Albania. Our next destination will be the national park of Drilon and Tushemisht. Drilon waters form a small lake, surrounded by beautiful greenery that makes the area and the nearby village of Tushemisht a unique oasis of beauty and tranquillity. The area is also famous for its culinary wonders, such as the traditional fish dishes, especially the baked speckled trout (Koran in Albanian) as well as the famous pickles. After visiting the National Park, we will drive towards Berat. Overnight in Berat.
Day 7 Berat – Tirane
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Berat – Tirane

Berat is known as the town of 1001 windows, part of UNESCO world heritage. Walking through the narrowed stone streets offers a fantastic view of the medieval old houses, with windows that seem to stand on top of each other. The city’s life began in the 6th-5th century B.C. as an Illyrian settlement. Later, in the 3rd century B.C., it was turned into a castle city known as Antipatrea. Uniquely today, residents still live inside of the castle walls. Berat has it all; a beautiful medieval castle, ancient churches and mosques, a lively lower town consisting of grand old houses draped on steep hillsides, an old stone bridge, great museums and remains from the communist era in Albania. Berat is also known as the birthplace of Onufri, the famous painter of churches all-over the Balkans, distinguished for creating a specific reddish colour still difficult to imitate. We will continue our tour and visit the Gorica Neighbourhood. We will drive back to Tirana after the city tour. Overnight in Tirana.
Day 8 Tour Of Tirana
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Tour Of Tirana

Today we will discover Tirana, the capital of Albania. Meet with your local companion, and enjoy a unique experience in the city while learning more about the city’s culinary treasures.

Our first stop will be at a small local place that only locals know how to find. Here we will have the opportunity to try Byrek and have breakfast like a local. The famous traditional Albanian food is dough with all kinds of filling such as cheese, meat or spinach. The journey then leads towards Çam bazaar, founded by the Albanian Çam community, who originally came from an area called Çameria in today’s North-Western Greece. Here you can buy all kinds of goods from clothes to kitchen equipment and bargain with the sellers for a cheaper price. With your local companion by your side, you’ll skip past the tourist traps and discover the city’s culinary highlights in some of our favorite local neighborhoods, where you’ll have the opportunity to savor a traditional dessert at an authentic pastry. We will have an insight into the hidden alleyways and bustling street markets of Tirana, where dozens of street hawkers sell fresh vegetables and fruits. After walking through the busy streets, we’ll introduce you to the country’s rich coffee culture. We will join locals at a cozy café and taste traditional "Albanian coffee". The tour will continue through the charming neighborhoods of Tirana; observe the daily lives of the city’s residents, admire colorful buildings, and get a feel for the authentic atmosphere. We will visit the so-called Bicycle bazaar, where you can find everything, from second hand clothes to second hand furniture. The next stop of our local adventure takes us to the New Bazaar, where an array of culinary delights awaits us. We will try the traditional Albanian lunch – "Qofte" (meatballs) grilled to perfection and paired with freshly baked bread. Vegetarians can enjoy freshly baked bread with Albanian Gjize (cottage cheese).

To wash it all down, we will also taste some Albanian Raki. As we Albanians say, there is nothing that Raki can’t fix!

Our last stop will be BUNKART, one of the most interesting museums in Tirana. Initially designed as a nuclear bunker offering shelter to the Albanian communist supreme leader Enver Hoxha and his close party members during the cold war. The bunker was hidden to the general public until 2014, when the Albanian government decided to initiate an interesting project that converted the nuclear bunker into a museum. BUNKART is video museum exhibition dedicated to the history of the Albanian communist army and to the daily lives of Albanians during the regime. This marks the end of this remarkable adventure through history and culture.

8 days tour

Gems Of Albania, Kosovo & N. Macedonia In Eight Days

This tour includes:

Not included:

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Itinerary of your trip Gems Of Albania, Kosovo & N. Macedonia In Eight Days

Tirana (Albania) – Kruja – Shkodra

Shkodra – Decan (Kosovo) – Prizren

Tour Of Prizren

Prizren - Pristine - Skopje (N. Macedonia)

Skopje - Matka Canyon - Ohrid

Ohrid - St Naum - Tushemisht (Albania)- Drilon National Park – Berat

Berat – Tirane

Tour Of Tirana

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