Tirana – Religious Tolerance in Shkodra – Pilgrimage site at the Monastery of Saint Anthony – Tirana
After breakfast in the hotel we drive to Shkodra, the old capital of Illyria and now the most important city in Northern Albania. In Shkodra we take a tour and visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral, a Catholic church that was built (very slowly) between 1856 and 1898. At the time it was the largest of its kind in the Balkans. After 1967 it was destroyed and then converted into a sports hall. Concrete stands sloped up on either side for people to see basketball and volleyball. In 1991 the building was restored by Italian specialists and inaugurated by Mother Teresa during her visit to Albania.
We visit as well the old town of Shkodra, with its pedestrian area and the venetian influence in the architecture.
On the return way to Tirana we visit the Monastery of Saint Anthony with its Catholic church from the 13th century, which is dedicated to Saint Mary. The monastery is considered the most important Christian pilgrimage site in the country.
Afternoon return to Tirana for dinner and overnight.

Tirana – Lake Ohrid – Korca
This morning we go to the Catholic Cathedral for the morning mass and then leave Tirana to go to Korça. The road that we follow runs through the ancient Via Egnatia, the famous trade route along the Shkumbin River that connects the two capitals of the Roman Empire. After a stopover in Pogradec on Lake Ohrid, we drive to Korça. Here we will also visit the National Museum of Medieval Art, the highlight of Korça, the city of serenades, beer and carnival. The museum has an inventory of 7,500 Orthodox icons from the 9th to 20th centuries. Overnight in Korça.

Korca – Churches in Voksopoja Village – Antiquity in Berat *UNESCO
After breakfast in the hotel, we drive about 40 minutes to the village of Voskopoja, located at an altitude of 1200 meters,
It was once one of the most important cities of the Ottoman Empire, unique because of the Christian population living there. Here we will walk the streets of the village and also visit the Saint Nicholas Church. Twenty-six churches were built between 1630 and 1780 at Voskopojë, situated along the trade route from Venice to Constantinople in southeastern Albania. Only 5 churches can still be visited.
Four of the five remaining Orthodox churches are domed basilicas designed in the post-Byzantine style typical of the Balkans. The ceiling and walls of all five are covered with frescoes depicting religious and biblical scenes in vibrant color, covering 43,000 square feet (4,000 square meters) of painted surfaces.

After visiting Voskopoja, we continue to Berat, the pride of Albanian antiquity and architecture. Upon arrival in Berat, we go up to the fortress, which offers beautiful views of the region, and there we can better understand the typical architecture of Berat. In the fortress we will also visit the Onufri Icon Museum. Then the day continues with a walk through the alleys of the old town and with a visit to the old town parts, Mangalem and Gorica on the banks of the Osum River, which together with the fortress are also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dinner with traditional menu in a local restaurant in the old town and overnight in Berat.

Berat – Gjirokastra *UNESCO – Coastal town of Saranda
After breakfast at the hotel, we will drive to Gjirokastra, another UNESCO city in Albania. The stone city is also the hometown of many important personalities of Albanian history such as the communist dictator Enver Hoxha and the world famous writer Ismail Kadare. A walk through the picturesque bazaar is a must, so one can understand the characteristic houses of Gjirokastra and their architectural style. Further we continue to Saranda, the city on the Ionian coast across from Corfu. Free evening in Saranda.

Saranda – Butrint Archeological Site – Llogara National Park – Vlora
This morning we visit the ancient city of Butrint, an UNESCO world heritage site.
The city was first settled by Greek colonists and was continuously inhabited for centuries forming archaeological layers of different civilizations, making it an important discovery in the Mediterranean, rich in ancient sites. It is situated in a beautiful peninsula among dense vegetation, offering visitors more than just old ruins.
Further we drive on the spectacular Albanian Riviera looking down at the Ionian Sea, passing through the small coastal villages of Dhermi and Himara. Breathtaking sceneries await us at the Llogara pass – 1000 m above sea level, where we stop to enjoy the views of the white sandy beaches from above.
Afternoon arrival in the coastal city of Vlora, where we enjoy evening by the seaside promenade. Overnight in Vlora.

Vlora – Apollonia Archeological Park – Monastery of Ardenica – Tirana
Today we travel to Apollonia, one of the most well-known archeological sites in the country and recently a national archaeological park. We visit the ruins of Apollonia, including the Odeon and see some monuments like the Encircling Wall, the Bouleterion, the Mosaics House and the Nymphaioum.
After the visits transfer to Tirana. Along the way, stop to visit Monastery of Ardenica, an Eastern Orthodox monastery. Here we can see the fantastic interiors of the 18th century Church of St Mary: the iconostasis dominates the nave, but equally impressive is the golden pulpit, which positively heaves with adornments, not to mention the frescoes of the Zografi brothers that can be seen on display upstairs.
Afternoon arrival in Tirana, free time in the city and overnight.

Tirana – Historical town of Kruja – Tirana International Airport
This morning we visit the historical city which lays on a panoramic view on the top of a hill, 600 km above sea level. With a combination of nature, history, archeology, traditional food and lifestyle, Kruja is one of the most beautiful tourist spots in Albania. Kruja is notable from its stony streets and traditional buildings. The tour begins with the visit in the Castle, the citadel of the National hero, Gjergj Kastriot Skanderbeg. It is build 548 m above sea level and gives a spectacular view of the surroundings. After the visits it’s time to get closer to Albanian traditions and lifestyle, by visiting the bazaar. It is a one street of shops, with wooden buildings and a mixture of cafés and small souvenir and antique shops.
Transfer to the airport for the return flight.