Albania Tour Packages – Opulent Routes

Explore Albania

Opulent Routes — Mon, 09 Nov 2020 11:53:11 +0000

Albania, on Southeastern Europe’s Balkan Peninsula, is a small country with Adriatic and Ionian coastlines and an interior crossed by the Albanian Alps. The country has many castles and archaeological sites. Capital Tirana centers on sprawling Skanderbeg Square, site of the National History Museum, with exhibits spanning antiquity to post-communism, and frescoed Et’hem Bey Mosque.

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Tirana
Arrive Tirana Meet and assist and Transfer to Hotel.
Overnight in Tirana.

Day 2 Tirana – Kruja – Tirana (By Road) (42 kms / 1hrs 20 min – One Way)
Morning tour of the town of Kruja and the Skanderbeg Museum. Afternoon tour of the Albanian capital, including visits to the National Museum, Gallery of Arts, the main square and its clock tower. Overnight in Tirana.

Day 3 Tirana – Lake Ohrid
Travel east to Elbasan, stopping en route at the remains of a Turkish fort. Continue into Macedonia and the town of Ohrid, situated on the east shore of Lake Ohrid. This Unesco world heritage site is known as the ‘Macedonian Jerusalem’ due to its large number of churches. Afternoon tour including St Sophia Cathedral, the oldest cathedral in Macedonia; the Church of St Clement at Plaosnik, where the first university in Europe was founded; and the Gallery of Icons, which has the largest collection of icons in the world. Overnight in Lake Ohrid.

Day 4 Lake Ohrid – Korca
Morning visit to the Monastery of St Naum. Its position on a rocky overhang provides excellent views across the lake. Cross the border back into Albania and continue south to Korca, historically an important trade town. Visit the Museum of Medieval Arts, which displays more than 150 icons, and the Mirahor mosque, which is the oldest mosque in Albania.
Overnight in Korca.

Day 5 Korca – Gjirokastër
See the Tumulus of Kamenica, the largest ancient burial mound to be excavated in the Balkans. Continue to Gjirokastër, the birthplace of Enver Hoxha, the former leader of Albania. Visit his house museum and also view the city’s fortress. Perched high above the town, it is one of the largest castles in the Balkans and formerly a political prison.
Overnight in Gjirokaster

Day 6 Gjirokastër – Saranda – Butrin – Saranda (By Road) (85 km/ 3 hrs )
Drive through scenic mountains to the coastal resort of Saranda, via the monastery of Mesopotam. Late morning tour of the Unesco world heritage site of Butrint. Explore the extensive ruins of this Graeco-Roman town and view the third century BC theatre, bath houses and baptistery. Overnight in Butrin.

Day 7 Saranda – Vlora (By Road) (181 Kms / 03 hrs appx)
Travel to Vlora, a seaport and the gateway to Italy. En route, visit the Ali Pasha castle at Porto Palermo.
Overnight in Vlora.

Day 8 Vlora – Apollonia – Berat (By Road) (75 kms / 1 hrs 25 min appx)
Morning tour of the Greek and Roman ruins at Apollonia, an important trading port for the Roman empire until the third century AD. Drive to Berat and visit the Onufri Museum of Icons, the King’s Mosque and the castle, which has the remains of 42 churches within its walls. Overnight in Berat.

Day 9 Berat – Ardrencia – Durres-Tirana (162 km/ 3 hrs) / Dep. Tirana
Morning drive to view the Ardenica monastery with its exquisite frescoes. Continue to Durrës to explore the largest amphitheatre in the Balkans and the accompanying Archaeological Museum. Return to Tirana to tour the Bektashi World Centre and the art gallery in the prime minister’s office. Remainder of the day is at leisure. Later Transfer to the airport for onward destination.

*****************TOUR ENDS*************

Hotels

Place	Nights	Hotels
Tirana	02	Tirana International Hotel
Lake Ohrid	01	Royal View Hotel
Korce	01	Hotel Regency
Gjirokaster	01	Hotel Cajupi
Sarande	01	Hotel Brilant.
Valore	01	Hotel Vlora international
Berat	01	Hotel Mangalemi

Includes

Accommodation as per the program
Meal Plan – Breakfast basis
Entrance fees.
Local English speaking guide.
All transfers, sightseeing, excursions.
All taxes.

Excludes

Personal Expenses.
Camera / Video Camera Fees.
Medical Aid.
Tips.
Travel Insurance
Visa (If any)

Important

– Accommodation in good hotels.

– Check-in / out time is 12 noon at most of the hotels.

– Extension to other places is also possible with a minimal extra cost. – Additional nights are available at each place with minimal supplement.

– A visa is required and must be obtained prior to your departure from your Country.

– If quoted hotel is not available, we will provide one of a similar category and standard.

– Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, road conditions, flight schedules and room availability.

– In case the government changes presently applicable taxes, increase in airlines prices, fuel surcharge our rates will need to be adjusted accordingly.

– In Asia, there is no relevance between the distance and time of travelling, as it depends upon the condition of the roads and congestion of the traffic.

– While every effort will be made to maintain the itinerary, in view of local strikes etc that are beyond our control all schedule and itineraries are subject to last moment changes.

– Clients must be fully insured, as the company cannot accept liability for loss or damage to client’s property, medical emergencies or any other loss suffered by them whilst on tour.

– In Case of issuing Domestic or International air tickets, SGV is not responsible for any refund if the flight is delayed or cancelled, as it is the responsibility of airline.

Albania – Ancient Cultures and Civilizations

Opulent Routes — Sat, 07 Nov 2020 11:30:46 +0000

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Tirane / Tirane – Shkoder (By Road) (94 kms / 1 hrs 40 min)
Meet and assistance in arrival. Transfer to the ancient city of Shkodra, which has been the capital city of Illyrians state of Ardians. In the evening walking tour to the heritage city center where you can see, the Watch Tower, steam-bath, Grand Church, Grand Mosque etc. Overnight in Shkoder

Day 2 Shkodra – Lezha – Kruja – Durres (By Road) (128 kms / 2 hrs 30 min)
Visit to Rozafa Castle and its museum to learn about the legend of the woman who was buried alive. The castle has been built in the II century BC. The tour will proceed to Lezha city, known since the IV century BC with the name of Lissus.

Visit in “Skenderbey Memorial” which is found into Saint Nicolas Cathedral, and Lezha’s castle which is testimony of Illyrian civilization. In afternoon transfer to Kruja city where you’ll visit The Medieval castle and the museum of our National Hero Gjergj Kastrioti Skenderbey, a stop to the old bazaar where you can have handmade souvenirs shopping.

The tour proceeds to the coastal city of Durres which is known since the year 627 BC with the name of Epidamnus, later the name of the city was Dyrrah. In the evening you’ll visit the fortress of the city build in the IV-V century BC. Roman amphitheater with the capacity of 20.000 spectators and the Venetian tower. Overnight in Durres,

Day 3 Durres – Apollonia – Valona (By Road) (124 kms / 2 hrs 15 mins appx.)
The tour will proceed to the coastal city of Vlora. Visit to medieval monastery of Ardenica, proceed to archaeological park Apollonia, achieved its zenith in the 4th – 3rd centuries B.C. In the first century B.C., Octavian Augustus studied philosophy there until he heard news of Caesar’s murder in the Senate and went on to become the next Roman emperor.

In afternoon arrival to Vlora which is known since IV century BC with the name of Aulona. Visit to Muradie’s Mosque build in 1542 by architect Mimar Sinani who is even the architect of Sulejmanie mosque in Istanbul. Overnight in Valona,

Day 4 Valona – Himara – Saranda (By Road) (274 kms / 5 hrs 40 mins appx.)
The trip proceeds along the Ionian seashore or as known Albanian Riviera is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and unspoiled regions in Albania. Short visit to Oricum, which was established in the 7th – 6th century B.C. Julius Caesar, stationed his troops in camps there for several months, until they were taken by Pompey (Pompeius Magnus).

Stopover to Dhermi, a large and beautiful village with about 30 old churches picturesquely placed on the rough mountainside. Lunch in ancient city of Himara. After lunch continue to Saranda , short visit to Porto Palermo bay, the castle of Ali Pasha Afternoon arrival to Saranda,

Here you’ll learn about the ancient history of this city known since the III century BC with the name of Onhezmi. In the evening visit to Lekursi castle from where you’ll enjoy a charming view of Saranda bay and the island of Corfu, 9 km away from Saranda. Overnight in Sarande,

Day 5 Sarande – Butrint – Gjirokastra (By Road) (114 kms / 3 hrs appx.)
Proceed to the ancient city of Butrint UNESCO World heritage, visit to the Acropolis which belongs to the VIII century BC, the Asclepius Temple (the god of healing) of IV century BC, the Gate of the Lake of IV century BC, the Roman theatre of III century BC, Agoraja the main trading center of the city, the gymnasium, a holy pagan place. Continue to Gjirokastra.

Stop to visit the Mesopotamian Monastery, Saint Nicolas church which belongs to Byzantine period, and the old residual of the ancient city of Foinica. In afternoon arrival to stony city of Gjirokastra, UNESCO’s world heritage. Visit at the fortress, built in IV century, the National museum of Weapons, the church in the old Bazaar, the characteristic shops of Gjirokastra. Overnight in Gjirokastra,

Day 6 Gjirokastra – Permet – Korca (By Road) (227 kms / 5 hrs 39 mins appx.)
We’ll know the history of Gjirokaster, proceeding to the Historic Museum of Weapons, the Church in the old bazaar and its characteristic shops. Later the tour proceeds along Vjosa River where you’ll see the beautiful canyons of Kelcyra outfall.

Lunch in Permet where you’ll taste all the traditional specialties such as: baked lamb on a spit, Chicken filled with nuts, turndown cheese etc accompanied by different drinks wine, brandy etc.

In afternoon visit to Permet city known as “Flowers City”. You’ll see Leuses Church build in 1614. Stop the national park of Hotova, a natural complex where are found different kinds of wild animals such as bears, wolves etc. Overnight in Korce,

Day 7 Korca – Pogradec – Elbasan – Berat (By Road) (247 kms / 4 hrs 39 mins)
Sightseeing city tour, visit at the museum of Medieval Art (National Museum), which presents the material culture of the Albanian people. Proceed to Pogradec in a panoramic tour and visit Pogradec city, which is one of the most charming tourist resorts in Albania because of its position on Lake Ohrid which is distinguished itself for clear water and mountain views, and the alcoran fish, unique specific of this lake in the world. Pogradec which is known since the V century BC.

Here you’ll see what has remain from the Illyrians buildings, the old patristic of V century BC and 4 monumental graves which dates since the III century BC. These monuments are found in Selca village that has been the residency of Illyrian king Klit. Stopover to Elbasan, visit “Skampa” ancient Castle which belongs to 15th century Continue to in the ancient city of Berat, part of UNESCO world heritage, which is known as “the city of one thousand windows” to make known the 2400 years of history. Overnight in Berat,

Day 8 Berat – Tirane (By Road) ( 128 kms / 2 hrs 09 mins appx.)
Visit to the castle build on the hills of the city, Onufer Museum, Saint Trinity Church, Saint Nicolas Cathedral and museum quarters of Mangalemi and Gorica. Transfer to Tirana, accommodation in 3 stars hotel. Sightseeing tour in Tirana where you can visit the E’them Bey Mosque, Watch Tower situated to the main center of the city. You’ll also see the main boulevard called ”Martyrs of the nation” and it’s characteristic buildings in Italian style. Overnight in Tirana,
National Historical Museum Closed on Monday

Day 9 Depart Tirane
Departure transfer to onward destination.

***********TOUR ENDS*********

Hotels

Place	Nights	Hotels
Shkoder	01	Hotel G.H. Europa
Durres	01	Adriatik Hotel
Valore	01	Hotel Vlora international
Sarande	01	Hotel Butrinti
Gjirokaster	01	Hotel Cajupi
Korce	01	Grand Hotel Palace
Berat	01	Hotel Mangalemi
Tirana	01	Sun City Hotel

Includes

Accommodation as per the program
Meal Plan – Half Board basis (i.e. breakfast & dinner).
Entrance fees.
Local English speaking guide.
All transfers, sightseeing, excursions.
All taxes.

Excludes

Personal Expenses.
Camera / Video Camera Fees.
Medical Aid.
Tips.
Travel Insurance
Visa (If any)