Kutrubes Travel: Tour of Albania, Kosova, and Macedonia

The Balkans

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Tours to The Balkans

Albania, Kosova, and Macedonia Experience the culture, the people and the character of these rapidly evolving European States! 11 days/10 nights 2010 Tour Dates: April 19 May 17 September 6, 27 Welcome in the new millennium in a less traversed corner of Europe, the Balkan Peninsula. Come visit Albania and see what few people have seen: an untouched coastline, hidden valleys, and rugged mountains. Visit Albania and receive one of the warmest receptions in all of Europe. The people of this tiny country are known for warmth and hospitality. From the mountains in the north to the archaeological sites in the south, from the growing city of Tirana and the port of Durres to the rural villages throughout the country, there is surprising diversity for travelers in Albania to discover.
Macedonia, which lies to the east of Albania, is also eager to welcome travelers to its "land of contrasts." Skopje, the capital is an ultra modern city with an ancient bazaar where Turkish influences can still be seen and felt. Numerous Orthodox monasteries located in the western part of the country stand alongside many mosques, making the region an alluring mixture of Eastern Christianity and Islamic cultures. Kosova was once part of Yugoslavia and since June 1999 it has been administered as a UN-NATO protectorate. The region has rebounded and life has returned to normal and is thriving. In addition to these countries, for the adventurous traveler, we have people ready to show you Montenegro, Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, and Bosnia. See for yourself what is happening in this part of the world. Why Kutrubes travel? NO TOUR OPERATOR CAN BETTER SERVE THE NEEDS OF THE TRAVELER IN THIS PART OF THE WORLD THAN KUTRUBES! We speak the language, have lived and worked in the region, and know the people, the culture, and the land. Kutrubes Travel is the only American tour operator with the infrastructure in place to offer tours to Albania, Kosova and Macedonia in 2010! Come see for yourself how these regions are changing. In 2000, the Albanian Ministry of tourism gave Kutrubes Travel the exclusivity to promote tourism to Albania. We are proud to have received this accolade for all our hard work from the Albanian Government.
Day 1 Arrival at Mother Theresa Airport and transfer to Tirana for dinner and overnight at hotel "Tafaj." (D) Day 2 Half day tour of Tirana and excursion to mount Dajti by cable car. In afternoon departure for Kruja, home of Albania's most important hero, Scanderbeg, who in the 15th century successfully fought off the Turks for over thirty years. Sightseeing at his castle and the impressive Scanderbeg Museum. Shopping in old bazaar. Return back to Tirana for overnight. (B, L, D) Day 3 After breakfast drive to Durres. This busy port city has one of the largest Roman amphitheaters in the Balkans. Durres is one of the oldest Roman cities in the Mediterranean and the largest seaport in Albania. After lunch we drive to Berat. Its castles and fort date back 2400 years. Afternoon visits to Onufri Museum, the Ethnographic Museum, Bachelors Mosque and the King's Mosque. Overnight at hotel "Tomori" in Berat. (B, L, D) Day 4 Morning departure for Fieri to visit the archaeological site of Apolonia. Then drive to the coastal city of Vlora. Vlora is legendary in Albanian history as the city where Albanian independence from Turks was proclaimed on November 28, 1912. Drive southward from Vlora to Saranda enjoying the spectacular views of mountains and the Albanian Riviera. Stop over in seaside villages of Dhermi, Himara and Borsh. Overnight at hotel "Grand" in Saranda. (B, L, D) Day 5 Morning visits to the Greek and Roman ruins of Butrint, Albania's most important archaeological site. After a leisurely exploration, we will lunch in Ksamil overlooking the Ionian. In afternoon departure for the Museum city of Gjirokastra to visit its fortress, the armaments museum and the ethnographic museum. Overnight at hotel "Kalemi" in Gjirokastra. (B, L, D) Day 6 Leave Gjirokastra for Korca via Permet known for its production of traditional raki and wine. Arrival Korca, the commercial and cultural capital of Southern Albania. Overnight at hotel "Regency." (B, L, D) Day 7 Early morning visits to the Medieval Arts Museum, Birra Korca Brewery and the first school teaching the Albanian language established in Albania in 1887. The first girls' school in the country was established in Korca in 1891. Departure from Korca, for a short journey to Pogradec, on the shores of Lake Ohrid. Cross the border into the Macedonian countryside. Short stop over in St. Naum Monastery and then drive to Ohrid for dinner and overnight at hotel "Riviera." It is in this region that the Early Christian Orthodox Bishops created the Cyrillic alphabet in about 900 AD. (B, L, D) Day 8 Morning Departure from Ohrid to Prishtina, capital city of Kosova. Visit the Prishtina Museum, the Bazaar Mosque, the Clock Tower and the Mosque of Sultan Mehmet Fatih, followed by a stoll along the main street of Prishtina. Overnight at hotel "Prishtina." (B, L, D) Day 9 Drive to Kosova Field, where the battle between Christian forces and ottoman invaders took place on 1389. Visit the Tomb of Sultan Murat II and the Cave of Gadima. Proceed to today's thriving modern city of Skopje to visit the Stone Bridge, the Mustafa Pasha Mosque and the Church of St.Pantelejmon. Overnight in Skpoje at hotel "Ambasador." (B, L, D) Day 10 Morning departure for Tirana. En route stop over in Elbasan to visit the ruins of the Ottoman fortress at the city center and the Petrela castle. Overnight in Tirana at hotel "Tafaj." (B, L, D) Day 11 Transfer to airport for your flight home. TOUR PRICE: Land Cost Per Person: (double occupancy) 9 - 10 travelers: $2548.00 6 - 8 travelers: $2786.00 3 - 5 travelers: $3135.00 2 travelers: $3443.00 Single supplement: $392.00 Tours guaranteed to depart with a minimum of two people. Maximum tour size is 10. Kutrubes Travel has SPECIAL AIRFARES - Contact us for details. Price Includes: Hotel and breakfast (tourist class and better hotels) Other meals (where indicated) Services of driver and guide throughout Entrance fees Airport transfer Price Does Not Include: Airfare (unless otherwise arranged) Departure and custom fees Gratuities and individual daily expenses Additional beverages Travel insurance Trip cancellation Medical and luggage insurance are recommended for coverage against all unforeseen circumstances Payment and Refund Policies If you have any questions or you'd like to book this trip, please contact us. Custom itineraries available to this or any of the destinations we travel to. <-- back to list of Tours to The Balkans
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