Albania: between East and West

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  International flight - Tirana

  

  Welcome and transfer to your hotel.

• day 2

  Tirana

  

  The car will be delivered to you in the morning. Then, guided tour of Tirana. A city of vibrant colors and nightlife, Tirana is the nerve center of the country. Visiting the national museum provides a synthesis of the history and of your trip to Albania. A walk in Tirana to visit places of worship — mosque, Orthodox and Catholic cathedrals — will teach you more about the religious harmony that prevails in Albania.

• day 3

  TIRANA - TUSHEMISHT

  

  Today, you will discover the city of Pogradec on the shore of Lake Ohrid. This lake is the deepest and one of the oldest lakes in Europe (280 meters). It has a great variety of fauna and flora species, and it is also a UNESCO protected site. During your trip to Pogradec, you will discover the fishing village called Lin. In Lin, you can visit the mosaic that belongs to the Early Christian period. Then, head towards the village of Tushemisht, where you will spend the night.

• day 4

  TUSHEMISHT

  

  Today, discovery of the village where one of the most famous Albanian films, "Zonja nga qyteti", was shot, with its main character, "Ollga", after whom one of the guest rooms in Tushemisht is now named. Day dedicated to relaxation by the lake. You can have your lunch in one of the lakeside restaurants, which offers fish from the region.

• day 5

  TUSHEMISHT - OHRID

  

  The city of Ohrid is located along Lake Ohrid, which is protected by UNESCO. Ohrid is one of those Balkan cities where modernity blends with the past. Here, you can take a boat ride to admire the site of "Saint John Kaneo," which overlooks the vastness of the lake. You can also visit the ancient theater and the Byzantine cathedral called "Saint Sophia," with its magnificent 11th-century frescoes. In the late afternoon, return to the village of Tushemisht.

• day 6

  TUSHEMISHT - VOSKOPOJA - REHOVA

  Day dedicated to discovering the village of Voskopoja. This village, which in the 18th century was one of the most developed cities in Albania, will open the doors of its beautiful Orthodox churches to you. Upon arriving in Voskopoja, you will begin your walk towards the church of "Saint Prodhom." Then, you can visit the village and its other churches. At the end of the afternoon, you will head towards the village of Rehova, where you will spend the night with a local family.

• day 7

  REHOVA

  

  Renowned for its culinary know-how, its stone houses, and its charming church. Lunchtime is reserved for exchanges with the locals and for visiting the village. In Rehova, you will experience the warmth and hospitality of the Southern Albanians, who will come to meet you to share food and conversation. You can also go on a 3-hour hike in the Gramoz mountain.

• day 8

  REHOVA - ALLOWS

  

  Route to the city of Përmet. During your journey, you can stop at Farma Sotira. Imagine beautiful landscapes surrounded by mountains, inhabited by many species of birds. A fountain where fresh and clear water flows through the rocks from the top of the mountain, as well as secret passages through the forests. Here, you can peacefully enjoy local food, cooked in the traditional way (in a wood-fired oven and on the barbecue), while tasting a small glass of local wine or raki. You can also take a Horseback or walking ride in the surroundings. In the afternoon, you will arrive in Përmet and settle into the hotel.

• day 9

  Përmet - Langarica Canyon - Përmet

  Early departure towards the Langarica canyon. The road leading to Langarica offers us very beautiful natural landscapes. A beautiful valley, high mountains, and one of the few rivers in Europe still preserved in its pure state, the Vjosa, will be on the program for the first part of this day. You will then discover the magnificent Langarica canyon. For two hours, you will get your feet wet in the water and enjoy the superb natural scenery of this canyon. The thermal waters of Bënja and the old Ottoman bridge are the jewels of this discovery.

• day 10

  PËRMET

  

  In Përmet, go visit the church "Saint Mary of Leusa," a monument belonging to the country's cultural heritage. This church was built in the 18th century, but the first building dates back to the time of Emperor Justinian, in the 6th century. Përmet is also known as the flower city, a true agrotourism stop in the country. The landscape that accompanies you during this day is fabulous. You will also have the opportunity to discover up close the know-how of the region's artisans and their local products, such as jams, wine, raki, embroidery, etc.

• day 11

  PERMET - GJIROKÄSTER

  

  From Permet, head towards Gjirokastra. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005, Gjirokastra is the birthplace of the great Albanian writer Ismail Kadare and, on less literary notes, the hometown of the former communist dictator Enver Hoxha. This city is full of typical neighborhoods and shaded terraces, but above all it is home to the ethnographic museum and its fortress, witnesses to a large part of Albania's history. Gjirokastra has managed to preserve its picturesque architecture, typical of old Albanian houses.

• day 12

  Gjirokastër - Ksamil

  

  On your way to Ksamil, you can stop to visit the Blue Eye, a water spring shaped like an eye, then Saranda, the seaside town that offers a very beautiful promenade. These days will be dedicated to relaxing on the beach. Ksamil is the only sandy beach on the Albanian Riviera. This small village is famous for its turquoise water and its four islands facing the Greek island of Corfu.

• day 13

  KSAMIL

  

  Free day. Very close to Ksamil is also the Butrint National Park, which you can visit on one of these days. Butrint is an ancient city listed by UNESCO, built in an exceptional natural environment. It is a city that Julius Caesar transformed into a residential city for his war generals and into an aristocratic cultural center. Butrint was also a true inspiration for various Greek authors and philosophers, who described it as the garden of democracy 2000 years ago. OPTIONAL – During these days at the beach, you can rent boats to explore the sea and the islands, and there are many opportunities to experience water sports.

• day 14

  KSAMIL

  

  Free day

• day 15

  KSAMIL

  

  Free day

• day 16

  KSAMIL - QEPARO

  

  Early departure towards the magnificent Albanian Riviera. Throughout your journey, you will be accompanied by the Ionian Sea and an impressive panorama. Today, you will have the opportunity to discover and explore the small villages of Borsh and Qeparo, the fortress of Ali Pasha on the edge of the splendid bay of Palermo, as well as the town of Himara with its lively and joyful evenings. You can also visit the famous bays of the Riviera, such as Gjipe, Jala, Livadh, and Dhërmi, where you can stop to enjoy the beach and swim in the turquoise water of the Riviera.

• day 17

  QEPARO

  

  Free day

• day 18

  QEPARO - LLOGARA NATIONAL PARK

  

  Route to Llogara National Park. Once in the park, you will be surrounded by incredible landscapes, among different species of trees and plants. You can go hiking at various levels, but above all admire the Ionian coast, which will surely whet your appetite.

• day 19

  LLOGARA NATIONAL PARK BERAT

  

  You will set out to discover the city of Berat, a city listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. "The city of a thousand windows," known and recognized for its facades and adjoining houses, is the best-preserved city in the country. The small alleys of the "Kala" district and the museum of the famous 16th-century painter, Onufri, will leave you with unforgettable memories.

• day 20

  BERAT

  

  Free day

• day 21

  BERAT - TIRANA

  

  Once you arrive in the capital, you can spend your evening in the old Bllok district, a neighborhood once reserved for the communist government, where you can still see the villa of the dictator Enver Hoxha. You can also visit "Pazari i Ri," that is to say, the New Bazaar. These two places are really lively and full of restaurants and bars. The car will be picked up at the hotel in Tirana.

• day 22

  International flight

  Transfer from the hotel to the airport.