Kosovo, Albania & Macedonia - Hidden Europe

Welcome to Albania, departure to Shkodra, 1.5 hours by car. Albania! If you think you know Albania, think again. In the rugged north, the Alps are so harsh that they are considered "cursed", while the south enjoys one of Europe's most beautiful coasts. Shkodra / Skadar is the center of Roman Catholicism in Albania and a city with long historical roots, and the only mentioned capital of the Illyrian Kingdom. Visit the promenade area with Italian influences and the Castle that is thought to have existed since Illyrian times. Visiting the famous Rosafa castle enjoying the views from Skadar lake and the whole region. Accommodation in a 4 * hotel.

Very early in the morning we will go to Koman where we will take the ferry which passes through the spectacular canyon of the river Drin, transfer to Koman, where our ferry journey begins (it is important to note that ferry travel depends on the water level of the lake). The ferry ride along Lake Koman lets you see some spectacular scenery, not unlike a Norwegian fjord winding between high cliffs and high peaks. From the ferry we will leave for Fierza, from where the journey will continue to cross the border with Kosovo and we will travel to the city of Prizren, probably the most attractive city in Kosovo. Little Kosovo is the youngest (official) country in Europe: a handful of landlocked mountains, poppy meadows and oak forests hitting the noise in the middle of the Balkans. We visit the castle which is one of the oldest in the Balkans (almost 3 millennia), built to protect the city from attacks, the ornate Bajrakli Mosque and the old Turkish Hammam among other sights. Prizren (views of the old town, the fountain square), The visit continues to the Monastery of Visoki Deçan, Located on the road between Prizren and Peja in the west of the country, the Monastery of Visoki Deçan built in 1327 is one of the most controversial places of Although Kosovo does not officially have a religion, the majority of the population considers themselves Muslims, yet the monastery is part of the Serbian Orthodox Church and the house / administration of monks from the Diocese (region) of Raska and Prizren, one of the most dioceses. antiquities in the Serbian Orthodox Church. The monastery of Visoki Deçan is in fact listed by UNESCO. (This monastery is guarded by KFOR and administered by the Serbian Orthodox Church Accommodation in a 4 * hotel. During the night in Prizren.

In the morning, continue to Peja, walk and visit the beautifully restored bazaar of Peja, dating from Ottoman times, and Bajrakli Mosque, visit the Patriarchate Monastery in Peja, Continue to Pristina, the capital of Kosovo, visit (national theater , Carshi, clock tower, Skanderberg monument, the monument to the newborn, which was unveiled on the day Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia (February 17, 2008) Accommodation in a 3 * hotel .The evening is free to explore the vibrant city .Dinner and a night in Prishtina

In the morning, when you arrive, leave the city towards Fushe Kosova (Fusha e Zogjve i Zi), which the place is named after. This flat area outside the capital is the site of the 1389 battle of Kosovo, a clash that led to the final takeover of the Ottoman Empire over this area of ​​the Balkans, and a battle that some argue is one of the reasons for the problems still affecting the region. Here is a memorial commemorating this important historical event. Also nearby is the tomb of Sultan Murat, leader of the Ottoman Empire in the 14th century. To continue to the Gracanica Monastery, the monastery was declared a Cultural Monument of Extraordinary Importance in 1990, and on 13 July 2006 was placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Traveling to Skopje, the capital of Macedonia, dating back to Roman times, Skopje was captured by the Serbs in 1282 and was the scene (1346) of Stefan Dusan's coronation as tsar of Serbia. It fell to the Turks in 1392 and until the fall of Constantinople (1453) was considered the second city of Turkey. walk of the sights of Skopje and its most important monuments, places and the city center (Old Bazaar, Kale Castle, church of St. Savior, memorial house of Mother Teresa ...) After the visit continue in Ohrid, hotel accommodation with 3 *. Dinner and one night in Ohrid

This day may be optional. Free stay in Ohrid and Lake Ohrid, after breakfast at the hotel, the whole group in the hotel lobby, departure for a full day tour in Ohrid Ohrid - In the resort by Lake Ohrid, classified as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. The morning visit includes the church of St. Sophia (11th century), the most prominent medieval monument in Macedonia with magnificent Byzantine fresco paintings, and the church of St. Clement with the icon of the Annunciation. Afternoon by car for a visit to the Monastery of St. Naum built on the shores of Lake Ohrid in 900 AD. The monastery is dedicated to the Slavic missionary and educator St. Naum of Ohrid. Return to the hotel. PM / Free walk in the city. Dinner and accommodation at your hotel / Ohrid

In the morning, after breakfast meet the group in the hotel lobby for the trip. Leaving Ohrid and continuing driving towards the border with Albania - Qafe said. After the border procedures continue to Elbasan. Short stop with optional lunch in town. After lunch we leave for Berat, one of the most visited and most characteristic cities in Albania under the protection of UNESCO as a patronage of humanity for its architectural uniqueness. Berat is also known for its close ties to religious practice as two of the world's oldest Bibles have been found here. One dates from the 6th century AD and the other from the 9th century AD and are internationally known for their theological significance. Visit the Lead Mosque, the King Mosque, the Bachelor Mosque and the Alveti Tekke by completing a tour of the religious tolerance of this city. Overnight in Berat in the old quarter of Mangalem in beautiful old houses turned into hotels. Dinner at the hotel.

After breakfast visit Onufri Castle and Museum. Berat Castle is of particular interest as people still live within its walls in their traditional homes, as their ancestors did for centuries. The castle once had over 40 churches, of which 7 still remain including the church of St. Mary turned into the Onufri Museum. Onufri was a famous Albanian icon painter of the 16th century who painted many Orthodox churches in Albania and Greece, using a special red color. After the visit to the Castle, we leave for the city of Durrës to visit (Venetian tower, amphitheater, archeological museum, distillery Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu with cognac tasting) We continue in Tirana. accommodation in Tirana 3 * hotel, dinner at the hotel Afternoon, walk in the center of Tirana. It is the capital of Albania and its largest city, but it is still small and compact, with architectural influences from Italy and Turkey. Visit the Skanderbeg Monument, which are all located in Skanderbeg Square (Skanderbeg is the national hero of Albania). The main view in Tirana is the Et'hem Bey Mosque, which sits right in the main square of the city.

After breakfast at the hotel, free time until departure. Depending on the flight schedule, we will depart for Mother Teresa Airport.