ALBANIAN TRADITIONAL LIFESTYLES

ALBANIAN TRADITIONAL LIFESTYLES

11 Days program

DAY-1 APT –SHKODER

DAY-2 SHKODER –TIRANE

DAY-3 TIRANE-BERAT

DAY-4 BERAT  –VLORE

DAY-5 VLORE  –SARANDE

DAY-6 SARANDE  –BUTRINT –GJIROKASTER

DAY-7 GJIROKASTER –PERMET

DAY-8 PERMET  –KORCE

DAY-9 KORCE

DAY-10 KORCE  –DURRES

DAY-11 DURRES  -OUT

DAY 1.  SHKODER

Meet and assistance in arrival.

Please advise flight details in advance

Transfer by private coach to the ancient city of Shkodra.In the evening walking tour to the heritage center of the city where you can see the Watch Tower,steam-bath.

 

We drive directly to Shkoder , we will continue our journey towards Shkodra, the most important city in northern Albania.

Upon Arrival depening on time in disposal check in Hotel

After continue with Shkodra city tour

Shkodër its, Albania’s fifth-largest city, it’s called as well Caiptal of North Albania. According to the Lonely Planet, Shkodër is “one of the oldest cities in Europe.” As you explore formidable fortifications and even twentieth-century sites of important significance with us, we are certain you’ll feel that history.

Tour Highlights

Rozafa Castle – Set on a rocky hill approximately 130 meters above sea level, this imposing fortress has beautiful views of Shkodër and its surrounding areas. It was built by the Illyrians and is more than 1,000 years old.

Mesi Bridge – Built in the 18th century by Kara Mahmud Bushati, the local Ottoman pasha, this bridge is often referred to as the ‘Lord of the Rings Bridge.’ It is one of the longest Ottoman bridges in the area and spans the Kir River.

Cathedral of the city.

The Cathedral of Shkodra is called the Great Church because, at the time of construction, was one of the largest churches in Balkan. Then we will visit the Mosque in Shkodra. The New Mosque, EbuBekr, is the largest in Albania and among the largest in Balkan.

After Tour turn back to Hotel

Accommodations and Dinner in HOTEL

Accommodation in hotel

HOTEL COLOSSEO or TRADITA  HOTEL

(Traditional hotel)

DAY 2. SHKODER- TIRANE

After the breakfast, transfer to Zogaj village which is known as the “carpet village” and is situated in the south coast of Shkodra lake.  This village is noted for hand made tradition of the carpets. There you’ll visit the parlor of the hand made carpets and will know some of their articles.

Lunch in a restaurant water-front of the lake where it is served fresh fish baked on a tile, cooked after the traditional style.

After lunch transfer to the capital of Albania, Tirana ,a well known city for the  tradition of median Albania.

Tirana –   “The Albanians” – a mosaic on the face 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: 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, The monument to Mother Albania, 12 metres high,  was inaugurated in the Dëshmoret e Kombit cemetery in 1971. The Academy  of Sciences building , The Gallery of Figurative , The International Cultural  Centre, Popularly referred to as ‘the Pyramid’.T he Palace of Congress, and  President Resident, all this wonderful buildings, extended, along the Bulevard  Deshmoret e Kombit,

VISIT : Entres

• THE NATIONAL HISTORIK MUSEUM

After tour, check in hotel and overnight

Accommodation in Tirana

Accommodation HOTEL TIRANA INTERNTIONAL

Or HOTEL MONDIAL  

DAY 3. TIRANE-BERAT

In the morning we’ll travel to Berat city 2400 years of civilization.

 

It is known as the “city of 1000 windows”. The history begins 2400 years ago, testimony of which is the fortress of the city build on the highest hill of the city. Inside the fortress you’ll see a lot of touristic objects such as: Onufer Museum, Saint Trinity Church,etc.  After a coffee in water front of Osum River the visit proceed to the museal quarters of Mangalem and Gorica and to the Leaden mosque.

Upon arrival start the tour of  Beratunesco heritage, where we will accommodate in a hotel near the city
Berat is the best-preserved historic town of Albania. Illyrian, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman and Socialist buildings accumulated over 2400 years, showing the importance and the rich history of Berat.
We will walk in the characteristics neighborhood “Mangalemi” to visit the Ethnographic museum. Then we will hike up to visit the citadel district of Berat, its splendid orthodox churches and the Onufri Icons museum – named after the famous 16th century master painter of icons and murals. The building where the museum is housed shows the important architectonic values of Berat’sbuildings.

After tour possibility to visit Cobo winery

The Çobo family has a long tradition of producing wine, dating back to the early 1900’s. When th e communist regime took power in 1945, the Çobo family tradition, along with many other traditions throughout Albania, were forced to stop. Private enterprises were not allowed, therefore ending Çobo’s winery.

Accommodation in hotel

Dinner and overnight in Berati.

Accommodation HOTEL GRAND WHITE CITY

 or MANGALEM HOTEL

DAY 4.  BERAT-VLORE

After breakfast

In the morning we’ll proceed to Narta village,a well-known zone for the production of the  wine.

During this visit you can have the possibility to know the secret of the production and elaboration of the wine.Hunting  and fishing is another tradition of the zone.

During the lunch you can taste fresh fish or wildfowl meat and the famous wine of Narta.

After lunch you’ll move to Zverneci island to visit the Saint Mary church and the Monastery build in the XVI century.

Zvërnec Island is an island within the Narta Lagoon in southern Albania.

The island is nearly all covered with tall pine trees and is just east of a much smaller island. It is 430m in length and has a maximum width of 300m. Zvërnec Island is connected to the mainland by a 270m long wooden bridge.

The island is a tourist attraction because it contains the well preserved 13th-14th century Byzantine Zvërnec Monastery. Near the island lies the village that bears the same name. The island has an area about 9 hectares.

After tour , transfer to Vlora city.

After dinner divertissement or walk to the touristic zone of the city,Skele-Cold water.

Accommodation HOTEL PARTNER 4*

 or VLORA INTERNATIONAL 5*

 DAY 5: VLORE- SARANDE

 After the breakfast to the hotel the tour will proceed along the Albanian Riviera.

In front of you will appear a wonderful view of  jonian sea coast line.A short brake to Llogara park 1027m high.

Visit to Himara where you can visit the fortress which is mentioned for the first time in the II century BC with the name of Karsia. Later a stop to Porto Palermo to visit the castle of Ali Pasha Tepelena build in 1804 on a picturesque island.

Along the way you’ll see the villages that spread to the jonian Riviera such as:Qeparo,Borsh,Lukova,etc which are well known for cultivation and elaboration of olives.

In the evening arrival to Saranda,

Accommodation in hotel.

Dinner and overnight in Saranda.

Accommodation HOTEL BRILANT 4*

 DAY 6.  SARANDE –BUTRINT-GJIROKASTRA

In the morning tour to the ancient city of Butrint, part of world heritage protected by UNESCO which dates since the VIII century BC. During the tour you’ll visit:

Acropolis of VIII century BC,The Temple dedicated to Asklep (the healing god)of IV century BC,The Gate of the Lake Iv century BC,Roman Theatre of III century BC,Agoraja the main trading center of the city,Gjymnasium,a holy pagan place,the Grand patristic of the VI century AC,a Roman house,a fountain of the II century AC,the Castle and the Venetian tower of the XIV-XVI century AC.

In afternoon we’’ll trip to Gjirokastra. Along the way stopover to “Blue Eye”source where you can have a coffe during the time that you learn about the legend of this amazing place. In the evening arrival to stone like city of Gjirokastra,a uncial city for it’s typical architecture where show up the stone buildings.

Roads and houses are made of stones, that is why this city is known as the stone like city a nd is part of world heritage protected by UNESCO.

Accommodation in hotel Cajupi 3 stars.

Dinner and overnight in Gjirokastra.

Accommodation HOTEL CAJUPI 3*

 DAY 7.  GJIROKASTER-PERMET

In the morning the tour will proceed to Lunxheria region which is known for bee’s cultivation.

Here you’ll prove the honey and it’s incomparable taste and learns about the handicraft mode of its laboration.

This zone is also known for ethnical-folk songs as “Lunxheria Dance” and it’s beautiful uncial folk costumes. Another old tradition of this zone is the collection and the elaboration of medical plants.

The tour proceeds along Vjosa River where you’ll see the wonderful canyons of Kelcyra outfall.

During the lunch you’ll taste all the traditional specialty of this zone such as: baked lamb in spit, turndown cheese, harapash etc.

In the course of the visit you can hear live the songs of lab polyphony, which are part of world heritage culture of UNESCO.

Dinner and overnight in Permet.

Dinner in local restaurant, with traditional dishes

 Accommodation HOTEL ALVERO 4*

DAY 8. PERMET – KORCA

In the morning it will be served Gliko (a kind of jam) which is traditional of this zone. During the tour to Permet region you’ll be introduced with the old traditions of the zone such as: fabrication of grapes brandy.

Tradition of Permet cuisine is even the chicken filled with nuts.

You can prove its dainty flavor during the lunch. Part of this tour is the visit to Leusa church build in 1614 and to Permet city which is known as the “Flowers city”.

Along the way to Korca you can enjoy amazing views of nature,the National park of Hotova.a natural complex where are different kinds of wild animals  bears, wolves foxes etc.

KORCA – It is the largest city in the South – Eastern part of Albania. It is situated at the foot of Morava Mountain.  It became an important trading and handicraft center in the 18th century due to the development of trade with neighboring regions. The museum of Medieval Art is in Korca. It presents the material culture of the Albanian people. Interesting is also the first Albanian school, opened in 1878, houses this museum.

VISIT :

• THE MUSEUM OF MEDIEVAL ARTS

 After tour check in hotel and Overnight

Dinner and overnight in Korca.

Accommodation HOTEL GRAND PALACE

DAY 9.   KORCE

After breakfast, In the morning transfer to Mborje village, visit to the ancient church of Ristozi build in 1389.

After Mborja village we’ll stop to Drenova which is known for cultivation of the black mulberry from which is done a special brandy, tradition of this zone.

Later we’ll proceed to Dardha village a touristic place 18 km dista  nce from Korca city and 1350 m high from sea level. During the tour you can learn about the traditional lifestyle and the popular traditions of Korca region. The traditional costumes are part of national heritage.

After we travel to Voskopja ,

This tour starts from the ancient village of Voskopoja.  Located west of Korca, Voskopoja sits 1,200 meters above sea-level and is a perfect place for hiking and walking. Rich in history, during the 1700s it has been said that over 30,000 people resided in the village, as it was an epicenter for trade, culture, education and religion. In the past, Voskopoja had over twenty Orthodox churches; however now only seven are still standing – complete with 18th frescos, both inside and out—they are worth checking out.

There you can visit 24 small churches with great historical quality.

In lunch time you can taste the traditional cuisine with wild animals or another traditional specialty of the zone such as kernacka(croquette)and pickles of cucumber.

In the evening return to  serenades city to pass the night in the hotel.

Dinner and overnight in Korca.

Accommodation HOTEL GRAND PALACE

 

DAY 10. KORCE-POGRADEC – ELBASAN – DURRES

In the morning transfer to Pogradec city which is one of the most beautiful touristic places of Albania for it’s position water front of Ohri lake.

Pogradec, lies on the southwestern shore of Lake Ohrid; a large lake bordering Albania and Macedonia fed by underground waters from nearby Lake Prespa.

Historians believe the shores of Pogradec were inhabited as early as 6000 – 2000 BCE by Illyrian tribes, the Encheleans.

These tribes were influenced by Macedonian life and throughout centuries further influenced by occupations; Roman, Bulgarian, Serbian, Albanian, Ottoman, and Western European nations.

More modern historical notes of Pogradec entail the city buildng the second Albanian language school and being a favorite summer location for communist government officials, especially dictator Enver Hoxha. (Communist party members sealed their private residences from the general public.)

Particular tourism highlights of Pogradec are its natural settings, fresh fish, near by village “Lini” (architectural beauty), and relaxed Albanian families strolling boardwalks, swimming, playing cards, and enjoying live music.

A short stop to Elbasan city to visit the ancient fortress of Skampa.

Transfer to Durres city.

Accommodation in hotel.

Dinner and overnight in Durres.

Accommodation HOTEL ARVI or NAIS BEACH 

DAY 11. DEPARTURE FROM ALBANIA

After the breakfast we’ll move to know about the 3000 years of history of this ancient city. We’ll visit the fortress of the city build in the IV-V century BC.It has 120 hectares and 44 km circumference of surface.

The tour proceed with visits to the Roman Amphitheatre with a capacity of 20.000 spectatresss and the Venetian Tower.

In afternoon transfer to”Mother Teresa” airport or Durres harbor to depart from Albania.