Hoteleri Turizem Albania: Albania Classic tour offers 8 days in the most attractive archeological, medieval and UNESCO heritage sites in Albania

22 maggio 2012

Albania Classic tour offers 8 days in the most attractive archeological, medieval and UNESCO heritage sites in Albania

Classic Tour to Albania

Departure date: 20 June, 2012
Days: 8 Days
Price: 899 Euro / Person

Description

Albania Classic tour offers the most attractive archeological, medieval and UNESCO heritage sites in Albania. The mix of ancient Greek and Roman civilizations, blended together with the byzantine culture, orthodox churches, medieval castles, rich history and traditions of the local population, with their struggle for independence and national identity, will make this tour a great value for the group visitors. Our deluxe AC coaches, professional drivers and experienced guides in several language offer superb experience for any traveler.

Itinerary

1
MOTHER TERESA AIRPORT - DURRES

Arrival in Mother Theresa Airport Please send in advance all the flight details Passport information are required min 72 hours in case to faster procedures check in Meet with Albanian local guide and program starts. Durres - One of Albania's oldest cities, the country's main sea port, the second largest industrial center after Tirana. Durres lies on a small peninsula on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. The city was colonized by the Greeks in 627 B.C. Named Epidamnos, which later became Dyrrachium. From the Venetian Tower at the harbor the Medieval Town Wall leads to the amphitheater (capacity 15,000 spectators) dating back to the 2nd century AD. and containing an early Christian Crypt with a rare wall mosaic. Between the 1st and 3rd centuries AD, Durres was an important port and trading center on the Via Egnatia trading route between Rome and Byzantium (Istanbul). After a great number of earthquakes, the main part of old town sank into the sea or collapsed and was subsequently built over. Today the city is well known for the nearby beach resort of Durres Plazh, its wonderful sand and warm sea water. WHAT TO VISIT THE AMPHITEATER THE ARCHEOLOGICAL MUSEUM Dinner included in hotel restaurant or local restaurant Accommodation and overnight in Durres

2
DURRES – APOLLONI - VLORE

Breakfast in the hotel After breakfast in the hotel meet the group and depart to Apollonia Apollonia, situated 12 km from the city of Fier and 1 hour and 15 min far from Vlora city. The city of Apollonia was found at the beginning of the 7th century BC by the Greek colonists coming from Corinth and Corcyra, on the top of the ancient dwelling site of Illyrian Glaukos. Apollonian was in Roman times, a large and flourishing city near Aos river (today Vjosa). Of great interest to be visited are; The Encircling Wall, the monuments of Agonothetes, the Library, the Odeon, the Portico, the house with mosaics, The Museum of Apollonia, the Church of St. Mary. Unfortunately, some of the statues and object were appropriated before 1946 by other countries. Those remaining are displayed in the museum, which is housed in the monastery. The monastery courtyard enclosed a Byzantine church dating back to the 14th century. WHAT TO VISIT THE MUSEUM OF APOLLONIA THE EXCAVATION AND THE MONUMENTS OF APOLLONIA After the tour lunch in a local restaurant in Fier and depart to Vlora city. Arrival in Vlora and check in the hotel. Afternoon city tour in Vlora Vlora is a coastal city. As an ancient dwelling place it is known by the IV century B.C. as AULONA. It is the only of the major sea-ports, but also of great historical importance as it was there in 1912 the Assembly was convened to proclaim Albanian as an independent state and to set up the first National Government headed by Ismail Qemali. On a hill above the city you can enjoy the religious places of Bektashi sect “KUS BABA” From there you can see the beaches and the view of the whole city. Vlora is blessed with warm climate, rocky and sandy beaches. It is the gateway to Albanian Riviera. WHAT TO VISIT THE MOSQUE OF MURADIE THE BRONZE MONUMENT OF INDEPENDENCE After the tour return back in the hotel for dinner and overnight

3
VLORA - SARANDA

After breakfast in the hotel, meet the group and depart to Saranda, passing through Albanian Riviera Radhima bay is one of the most fantastic area of Vlore bay. The evergreen hills, the golden beaches, the crystal water and clear air are the treasury of our country. Orikumi, home to ruins of an ancient city dating back to 600 BC. A large proportion of Arikum is buried underground, the amphitheatre, and sacrificial altar are still largely intact. The only functioning Yacht port in South Albania positioned in this part of Albanian Riviera. Continue driving along the high mountain and fascinated view of Albanian beauty and arriving to LLogara national park Llogora is located 42 km south of Vlore. The park is covered by colored intense pine forest. He is rich in wildlife like roe deer, squirrels, foxes, wolves, and wild boars This park offers a fine and attractive landscape and characteristic areas with dominant points. It has great potential for the development of eco-tourism, air sports, excursions and trekking. For the air sports fans this park offers accommodation possibilities. Leave Llogara and continue our trip, where the guest will be faced with other traditional Villages like, Dhermi, Himara, stop for lunch in a local restaurant by the sea, Borsh, which mostly are known for the citrus growth and olive trees. Of interest to be Mentined is Porto Palermo, where the Ali Pasha Castle stands like a barrier in front of the blue rocky sea as a protection for the country. Upon arrival in Saranda, check in your hotel. Enjoy a stroll along the sea side promenade and prepare for dinner. Overnight in Saranda

4
SARANDA – BUTRINTI - SARANDA

After breakfast in the hotel, meet the group and depart to Butrinti National park full day tour BUTRINTI with its archaeological artifacts prove that during the 7th and the 6th centuries BC Butrint was a proto-urban centre, but it was only during the 5th century BC that it turned into a full developed city. By the end of the 4th century the agora, the boulevard, a small temple and the theatre holding 1500 seats were built up, the latter one fortunately being preserved till our days. The complex of the theatre and other buildings like Asklep’s temple, portico, romkan baths form the most magnificent part of the ancient city. During late antiquity and early Middle Ages, Butrinti flourished. The construction of the baptistery, which is the most important monument of the early Christian period, dates from this time. The baptistery, which has a round shape with a diameter of 13.50 m, is laid with multicolored geometric and animal mosaic motifs and bears special artistic values. The hall has two rows of granite colonnades upon which the roof rests. Lunch after the tour. WHAT TO VISIT THE RUINS THE ANCIENT CITY OF BUTRINTI THE TAMPLE OF AESCULAPIUS THE BAPTISERY THE NYMPHEUM THE GATE WITH TOWERS Drive back to Saranda and check in the hotel Dinner included in local restaurant Lekursi Castle, overlooking Saranda town and Corfu island

5
SARANDA – GJIROKASTRA - BERAT

After breakfast in the hotel meet the fellow travelers and depart to Gjirokastra, with optional visists en route to: Mesopotamia Ancient Byzantine Church Blue eye water spring, natural attraction for centuries Upon arrival in Gjirokastra, start a city tour Many houses in Gjirokastër, old town, have a distinctive local style that has earned the city the nickname "Town of the Stones", because most of the old houses have roofs covered with stones. Of a great importance and interesting to be visit, are The Museum of Weapons (inside the castle)The Ethnographic Museum or known as the Enver Hoxha house, The Castle of Gjirokastra, The characteristic house of Zekate, an important family in Gjirokastra. WHAT TO VISIT THE CASTLE THE WEAPON MUSEUM THE ENVER HOXHA BIRTH HOUSE After city tour in Gjirokastra, enjoy lunch in a local restaurant in the city and depart for Berat city. Upon arrival in Berat, check in your hotel and prepare for dinner after a stroll in the city center. Overnight in Berat

6
BERAT - TIRANE

After breakfast, check out and meet the group in hotel lobby. Start Berat city tour. Berat, known as the “City of one thousand windows” and declared a Museum City, part of UNESCO heritage site, Berat, overshadowed to the east by Tomorr Mountain 2415 m, it is an ancient Illyrian settlement founded in the 4th & 5th centuries B.C. on the territory of the Illyrian tribe of Desarettes. The town is composed of 3 parts; Gorica, situated on the far side of the river; Mangalem, situated on the fortress side of the river and the Residenial quarter within the fortress known as KALAJA. The old part of the city has some religious buildings like mosque and Byzantine churches. The old name of the city was ANTIPATREA. WHAT TO VISIT THE FORTRES THE ONUFRI’s MUSEUM After the city tour stop for lunch, traditional food, in Berat. depart to Tirana in the afternoon. Upon arrival in Tirana, check in your hotel. Spend time in the afternoon for shopping or meet locals. Dinner and overnight in your hotel.

7
TIRANA – KRUJA - TIRANA

Breakfast in the hotel, depart for Tirana city tour "The Albanians" - a mosaic in front of the entrance of the National Historical Museum, Statue of Skanderbeg in Skanderbeg Square, Et'hem Bey Mosque at the south east corner of Skanderbeg Square, The Clock Tower next to the Et'hem Bey Mosque, Government buildings: at the south end of Skenderbeg Square. Roman Catholic Church of Saint Paul: completed in 2001, the largest church in Tirana. Orthodox Church of St Prokop was built in 1780. The Tabakëve and Terzive bridges (respectively in front of the Parliament building and on Elbasani Street) date from the beginning of the 20th century. The Palace of Culture (Pallati I Kulturës), where the Theatre of Opera and Ballet and the National Library stand, was completed in 1963 on the site of the former Trade of Tirana building, with the first brick being placed by Soviet president Nikita Khruschev in 1959. The monument to Mother Albania, 12 meters high, was inaugurated in the Dëshmoret e Kombit cemetery in 1971. The Academy of Sciences building, The Gallery of Figurative, The International Cultural Centre, formerly the Enver Hoxha Museum, was inaugurated in 1988. Popularly referred to as ‘the Pyramid’, it was designed by a group of architects under the direction of the dictator’s daughter, Pranvera Hoxha, and her husband Klement Kolaneci. The Palac of Congres, and President Resident, all this wonderful buildings, extended, along the Bulevard Deshmoret e Kombit, The Bulevard of Albanian History. All this wonderful things you could get to our Capital along to panorama tour in Tirana. WHAT TO VISIT THE NATIONAL HISTORIK MUSEUM ARCHEOLOGICAL MUSEAUM THE STATUE OF GJERGJ KASTRIOTI SKANDERBEG THE CENTER OF DEVELOPMENT OF CULTURE AND BUSSINES THE PALACE OF CULTURE THE MOSQUES OF HAXHI ET’HEM BEY THE CLOCK TOWER Leave Tirana and drive to Kruja city. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch start Kruja tour. Kruja is situated north – East of Tirana, 560m above sea level on the slopes of Sari – Salltiku Mountain. Kruja has been inhabited since the 3rd century B.C. It was mentioned for the firs time as a Christian religious center in the year 879. The famous English painter, Edward Lear, who visited Kruje in 1848, wrote: “Kruje, a charming little town all up in the sky”. WHAT TO VISIT THE FORTRESS MUSEUM OF GJERGJ KASTRIOT SCANDERBEG THE ETHNOGRAPHIC MUSEUM OLD BAZAAR. Return back to Tirana. dinner and overnight in Tirana

8
TIRANA - OUT

After breakfast in the hotel, check out and prepare for airport transfers, (please provide flight details in advance) End of Service

Included