We offer authentic in-depth custom private travel services and small group cultural tours to Eastern and Central Europe, Asia, India, Africa and the Middle East.
Small Group & Custom Private Tours
for individuals, businesses and organizations.Albania Cultural Tour
June 12-22 & September 15-25, 2009
Sep tour precedes Czech Countryside tours; follows Balkans TourGuaranteed Departures Minimum 2 Travelers
The following air carriers fly regularly to Tirana: Alitalia, Malev, Austrian Air, Olympic Airways, Albanian Airlines, Turkish Airlines. British Air has a direct flight from Gatwick.
June 12-22 (Follows Romania Tour) &
September 15-25, 2009 (Precedes Czech Countryside TourDetailed Itinerary :
Day 1 Arrival in Tirana. Transfer to hotel in the heart of the city to freshen up. Afterwards an overview of the major sites of Tirana by car. At leisure in the afternoon to explore the city center. Overnight in Tirana.
Day 2 Tirana Morning half day tour of the capital, including Ethem Bey Mosque, the Clock Tower and the National Historic Museum. We visit two old houses where two master artists live. The Buneci house, built in the 17th century, is the house of a master cooper craftsman and there are displays of his life’s work in the living room. The house of Albanian master painter Sali Shijaku, built in the 15th century, displays his paintings as well. A free afternoon for more exploration on your own.
Day 3 Tirana - Kruja - Durres After breakfast, travel to Kruja, a small town perched high on the face of a hill, center of the Albanian resistance against the Ottoman Turks under the leadership of Albania's national hero Scanderbeg. Visit the fortress of Kruja, the Scanderbeg Museum, Ethnographic Museum, and the old bazaar full of local handicrafts. Traditional Albanian Lunch in Kruja. A fterwards depart for Durres. We arrive in Durres in the early afternoon in time to visit the Amphitheatre and Archeological Museum. Overnight in Durres.
Day 4 Durres - Elbasan - Pogradec-Tushemisht Morning departure for Elbasan, visit Elbasan Castle ( interesting as it is the only castle in the country givento a private entity which has proved very successful in preserving and restoring this monument). Along the way we stop for refreshments. Continue on to Pogradec on the shores of Lake Ohrid for lunch. Lunch at Villa Art, which used to be the old fishing villa of the dictator. After lunch we proceed to the small village of Tushemisht to explore traditional village life in this picturesque area of the country. Overnight in Tushemisht.
Day 5 Pogradec - Korca - Voskopoja - Korca After breakfast depart for Korca where we visit the Museum of Medieval Arts and the Mosque of Mirahori one of the oldest in the country built in 1469. Afterwards we depart for Voskopoja one of the most important towns in the European part of the Ottoman empire during the beginning of the 18th century. Testament to this are the first printing house in the Balkans in 1720, the Academia of Voskopoja founded in 1744, the famous Basilicas, the painted house walls by the famous Albanian painters including David Selenica and the Zeografi brothers. We visit a number of monuments and churches with frescoes that have been restored. Lunch in Voskopoja. Afterwards we return to Korca where you are left at leisure to explore this important town of south Albania. Of particular interest is the old Korca bazaar opposite our hotel. Overnight in Korca.
Day 6 Korca - Gjirokastra Today after an early breakfast we depart to Gjirokastra, museum city and UNESCO heritage site. We drive through breathtaking scenery of the mountainous area of Leskovik and Kolonja, stopping in Permet for an early lunch. Gjirokastra is the birthplace of former iron-fisted dictator of Albania, Enver Hoxha. Visit in the pre-Ottoman citadel with a weapons museum and ex- political prison. Afterwards free to stroll around town, where many of the buildings retain their original wood and stone work. Overnight will be in one of the characteristic Gjirokastra houses restored to a small family run guest house.
Day 7 Gjirokastra - Saranda - Butrint - Saranda After breakfast we drive to Saranda. On the way a quick visit to the Blue Eye, a fresh water spring in the shape of an eye, amongst dense vegetation. A beautiful and relaxing natural site. We stop at the Mesopotam Church where carvings of mythological creatures can be admired. Afterwards proceed to Saranda for lunch stop. Afternoon visit to the World Heritage site of Butrint, Albania's most important archaeological site and one of the most important in the Mediterranean as it provides proof of continuous inhabitation for thousands of years forming layers of civilizations. We have dinner at the Lekursi castle from where the Island of Corfu and the Bay of Saranda with its dazzling lights can be admired.
Day 8 Saranda A free day in Saranda to relax on the beautiful Ksamil beach, take a boat trip or independently take a day trip to Corfu. Overnight in Saranda.
Day 9 Saranda - Vlora A morning departure takes us north along the Albanian Riviera towards the coastal town of Vlora, where important events in the struggles for freedom and independence have taken place. A drink and rest break at the coastal town of Himara and several small coastal villages. We will probably stop to visit a village house or possibly a school at the village of Bosh. Stop for lunch at the beautiful mountain gorge of Llogara before arriving in Vlora. In Vlora we visit the Independence Museum, situated in the original house that was the seed of the first independent Albanian government. Overnight in Vlora.
Day 10 Vlora - Apollonia- Berat We depart early from Vlora towards the ancient city of Apollonia, founded in 558 BC by settlers from Corfu and Corinth. After a tour of the Roman site's library and beautiful Odeon and a visit to the Old Monastery nearby serving as an open Archaeological Museum. Next we proceed to the beautiful museum town of Berat, sometimes called "the city of a thousand windows." It is one of the most attractive Albanian towns and must see for anyone. Lunch in Berat. After lunch, sightseeing in Berat: the Fortress, Onufri Museum (an old Orthodox church which displays many of the icon paintings by Onufri and his followers) and several churches and mosques. In the downtown we visit the Leaden Mosque, the King's Mosque, the Bachelor's Mosque and the Alveti Tekke. Visit an Albanian Winery to taste one of the best local Albanian wines. Dinner and Overnight in a traditional Berat House turned hotel.
Day 11 Berat - Tirana Morning drive 2 hrs to Tirana. Transfer to airport for flight home.
Our Guide: (pending availability) Ylber is an historian; a former director of the Archaeological Museum in Durres for many years. He is approx 50 years old and therefore can give an insightful perspective on the communist years as well. Ylber has 12 years guiding experience, speaks perfect clear English and has a great sense of humor. We know you will enjoy him immensely.
Price: 1303 Euro (approx $2044). per person, based on min 6 people, single room supplement 192 E (approx $300)
Includes: accommodations, daily breakfast and dinners, land transport, accompanying escort, monument fees
Does Not Include: international flt, visa fees, insurance, tips, personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls, drinks
NOTE: Shkodra - the northern city of Shkodra is visited as part of Module One of the Balkans tour enroute to Tirana from Budva. If you are not joining Module One of the Balkans tour you may arrive one day early or stay one day later if you wish to visit Shkodra. Shkodra isthe most important town of north Albania and the Illyrian capital, in the 3rd century BC. Visit Rozafa Castle from where spectacular views all around can be admired and the feel of supremacy the Illyrians would have felt against enemies standing in such an imposing fortress. Lunch in Shkodra by the lake of Shkodra the largest in the Balkans. Afterwards we visit the Marubi Museum (master photographer of the end of 19th century). It has an exposition of old prints starting with the oldest photograph in the Balkans in 1856. Experience authentic life and people from 150 years ago through the print exposition. Afterwards visit to the Mesi Bridge an old bridge built in the mid 18th century with beautiful mountain scenery as backdrop.
Hotels (based on availability):
Tirane, Hotel Theranda (the ancient name of Tirana)is a new boutique hotel located in the city center walking distance to restaurants and sites. The hotel has 11 rooms and three suites, wireless internet access, garden restaurant for breakfast..
Durres, Ani Hotel: A nice, quiet atmosphere in this small newly built hotel. You can enjoy the panoramic view of the Adriatic Sea. Guests can either enjoy a walk along the seaside or visit the historical sites like Amphitheatre and Archaeology museum. There are 12 rooms in the hotel, from which 6 are double, 3 twins and 3 suites. Facilities include air conditioning, tv, phone.
Pogradec, Hotel Perla is situated in the center of town alongside the main boulevard that runs parallel to the biggest park in town that in turn, runs parallel to the lakeshore. It has small balconies decorated with colorful flowers, a modern interior design with Italian influences and a nice veranda with a panoramic view of the lake. The rooms are very tastefully decorated and offer modern comforts.
Korca , Regency : Located in the center of Korca distinguished by its local architecture and beautiful rooms, furnishings, and exceptional service.
Saranda, Kaonia Hotel: strategic position in the center of the city, close to the sea for the people who want to enjoy both the sea and the lively life of the city.
Vlore, Hotel Pavarsia: newly build hotel located close to the city center and the sea. The rooms are spacious and very comfortable
Berat, Mangalemi: Mangalemi Hotel was the first hotel in Berat opened after the fall of dictatorship regime in Albania 1991. The restaurant gained high reputation for its traditional dishes. Locals know the hotel as "Tomi's. It is a characteristic place to revive the traditions of Berat, a town with a 2400 year old history.
Our Tours are Designed as Modules:
You can combine the following itineraries to
use as private pre or post extensions, you can use each module by itself,
or you can select one of our group tour module combinations.
Area Information
(888) 367-6147 - Intl (415) 381-5861
P.O. Box 446 Mill Valley, CA 94942all text & photos © 1997-08, Barbara Sansone
