Visiting: Tirana, Pogradec, Orid Lake, Korca, Voskopoja, Elbasan, Berat UNESCO City.
A journey that will leave you hungry for more :)
On this tour you'll have a chance to get in a roller coaster of time, flying back and forth thousands of years through Albania's history and culture. Its amazing to see how Albania has coexisted and triumphed in tragedy in the shadows of Titans of the time like the Roman Empire, Byzantines and Ottomans.
Itinerary
Day 1
Tour of Tirana (Albanian Capital) 2 hours
Visit of City Center Skanderbeg Square that is surrounded by the most important city landmarks, National Museum of History to get a preview of how Albania came to be, and the days ahead, Ethem Bay Mosque, National Heroes Boulevard, Ex-Block, Orthodox Cathedral and House of Leafs Spy Museum, followed by a visit at BunkArt, a real anti bombing bunker in the city center built to protect the communist elite up to 1991.
Transfer to Pogradec 20 minutes
Visit of lake Ohrid (the deepest lake in Balkans) in Pogradec City, short walk to Pogradec promenade, and Drilon, famous for its reference in movies during communist propaganda of agriculture.
Transfer to Korca City. Staying overnight
After arrival in Korca City, hotel check in. Free evening to stroll through the old district to taste local hot wine, and coffee, or choose one of many traditional restaurants available famous for their local recipes of (kerrnacka) meat balls, (sac byrek) caster filled with cheese and or vegetables and meat, and pickled stuffed peppers and green tomatoes. You'll have your choice of accommodation in traditional guest house or hotel depending on availability.
Day 2
After breakfast City tour of Korca. Visits of Korca Old Bazaar, Korca promenade, Korcha Orthodox Cathedral, Korca museum of Archeology, and dhe ABC museum.
Transfer to Voskopoja 90 minutes
Visit of Voskopoja, one of the oldest town in Korca region, left in ruins after it was burned from local religious feuds. Visit of one of the most famous churches turned to museum, with wall frescos, and icon painting since 17 century. Lunch option in a traditional restaurant in Voskopoja.
Transfer to Elbasan City, visit of Elbasan Castle. 30 minutes
After lunch we’ll drive to Korca City. On the way to Korca we’ll stop in Elbasan City for a short tour of the only castle in Albania that is built in flat land and is fully inhabited. Elbasan castle is a 15th-century fortress in the city center of Elbasan. The castle was initially composed of 26 towers of equal distance at 9-metre high. This castle was part of Via Egnatia and a very important attraction for trade caravans that would pass from East to West.
Transfer to Berat (UNESCO city) Staying overnight
After Elbasan visit we'll transfer Berat City, 1.5 hours drive. After checking in the hotel, we advise you visit the city’s main boulevard alongside Osumi riverbank. It’s a main attraction for local residents during evening hours, for walking with friends, hang out on coffee shops, and dine in traditional restaurants.
Visit of Berat Castle and Mangalemi district. 4 hours
Your morning city tour begins from marvelous city of Berat - known as “the city of thousand windows”. Visit the lovely painted Mosque of the Bachelors and the Tekke of the Helvetis with its beautiful portico. We’ll fly back on time to Ottoman era by visiting a Traditional House Museum in Mangalemi district, beautifully restored down the smallest details. From there we’ll continue our journey on a rollercoaster ride of time that will take us back 2400 years. Berat Castle, seats on top of a hill above Managalemi world heritage district. The castle walls have fallen and rebuilt many time through its glorious and tragic history. Inside the castle local residents are very keen to preserving the beauty and mystique that the castle offers to them and visitors with its history, many churches, mosques, and museum of one of the greatest icons painters of all time in Albania, Onouphri. Hideden in the narrow stone streets we’ll find Onouphri Icon Museum of early 20th century, which contains some of the finest examples of Onuphri's work as well as other outstanding Albanian artists. Take advantage of the low-cost hand-crafted souvenirs, stop for lunch at a traditional restaurant specialized in local dish recipes inside the Castle where you will enjoy a rustic lunch and a wine tasting of Berat cellar. (Optional)
After the tour of Berat, for the afternoon are 2 options:
Option 1: Transfer to a local Vineyard, for wine tasting, Some of the wines made locally are from rare grapes, found only in this region of Albania, like Bedine, Vlosh, Shesh, Kallmet.
Option 2: Transfer to Durres City. Visit of Durres Castle and amphitheater, ending with a free time to stroll on the beach front promenade enjoying a cool drink or coffee.
Transfer back to your hotel in Tirana or Durres region.
Important information
Inclusions
- Guide and Driver
- All transfers with Air-conditioned vehicle
- Hotel accommodation 2 nights +3* or 4*
- Breakfast
- Hotel accommodation and per diem for the Guide/Driver
- All Fees and Taxes
Exclusions
- Entry fees in museums and parks
- Meals
- Drinks
Departure details
- Traveler pickup is offered.
- Guests must provide correct address or location for pick up.
Duration
3 days
Return details
- Returns to original departure point
Additional information
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Infants must sit on laps