Visiting: Apollonia archaeological park, museum, and Karavasta Lagoon.
Enjoy a day full of fun and adventure. Visit Apollonia Archaeological park and travel in time 2400 years, when Albanians started to build their cities along side with Rome and Greece. Follow with a visit in Ardenica Monastery placed on top of a beautiful hill, decorated with wall frescos and icons of saints and biblical events. Explore the National Park of Karavasta lagoon in Divjake. One of the few natural parks left untouched by modern development, ideal for soft hiking inside its pine forest, and boat rides on the lagoon for bird watching.
Itinerary This is a typical itinerary for this tour
Stop At: Apollonia Archaeological Park, Pojan Albania
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. In antiquity it has been famous for the production of tasty wines, olive oil and for its philosophy school, where Roman 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.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Ardenica Monastery, Ardenice Albania
Built by Byzantine Emperor, Andronikos II Palaiologos in 1282 after the victory against the Angevins in the Siege of Berat, the monastery is famous as the place where, in 1451, was celebrated the marriage of Skanderbeg, the national hero of Albania, with Andronika Arianiti. In 1780 the Monastery started a theological school to prepare clerics in Greek Orthodoxy. It had an important library with 32,000 volumes that got completely burned by a fire in 1932. The Church of Saint Mary within the monastery is decorated with wall frescos, and icons from brothers Kostandin and Athanas Zografi, notably one of Saint John Kukuzelis, born in Durrës, Albania.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Parku Kombetar Divjake-Karavasta, Rruga e Divjakes, Lushnje Albania
A beautiful afternoon in the National Park of Divjake and Karavasta lagoon. Here you'll enjoy a boat ride in to the lagoon through the marches on to a watch tower to view the pelicans' island. The lagoon hosts 5% of global population of Dalmatian Pelicans, or like the locals call it, Curly Pelican. Beside the pelicans the park hosts hundreds of birds and amphibious species. After the boat ride we'll take a short walk on a 950 meters wooded bridge that runs in parallel with the main road, to enjoy the nature. Following a visit to the 360 degree watch tower that rises above the tree line 36 meters (118 foot) high. Its a fantastic place for photography, and in clear days you may get lucky to see as far as Bari Italy.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Included in Price
Driver/Guide in English (for groups up to 7 people will be a driver/guide)
Air-conditioned vehicle
Entry fees in Apollonia Archaeological Park and Museum
Private transportation
Fuel & taxes
Not Included in Price
Boat Ride to Karavasta Lagoon
Entry Fees in 360 degrees POV tower Divjaka Park
No meals included
No Drinks included
Gratuities
Alcoholic beverages
Departure details
Correct address or location must be provided for pick up If unable to provide correct address must contact service provider before arrival to arrange pick up.
