Balkan Mosaics

Day 1: Arrival Tirana (20 km)
Arrival at Mother Theresa Airport and transfer to Tirana for overnight at 4* hotels (Rogner, Tirana International or Grand Hotels). Dinner at hotel or local restaurant. (D)

Day 2: Tirana – Kruja – Durres – Tirana (120 km)
After breakfast sightseeing in Tirana includes the Skenderbeg Square, the National History Museum, the Ethem Bey Mosque and BunkArt2. Drive to Kruja, home of Albania’s National hero, Scanderbeg, who in the 15^th century successfully fought off the Turks for over 25 years. Visit the Old Castle, the impressive Scanderbeg Museum, the ethnographic museum and the Turkish-style bazaar. Afternoon depart for Durres, one of the oldest Roman cities in the Mediterranean and the largest seaport in Albania where you will visit the Amphitheater and the Archaeological Museum. Late afternoon return back to Tirana for overnight at your hotel. (B)

Day 3: Tirana – Apolonia – Berat (190 km)
Today you will depart for Pojan village (Fieri region) to visit the Apollonia Archaeological site. (This ancient site was an important port along the route between Rome and Byzantium. Emperor Augustus studied there, and Aristotle mentioned the town in his books on politics). Proceed to Berat, the oldest settlement in Albania. Its castles and fort date back more than 2400 years. Visit the Old Quarter and the icon museum of Onufri, Albania’s master iconographer. En-route visit a local winery. Overnight at  hotel Mangalemi (or similar hotel) in Berat. (B)

Day 4: Berat – Elbasan – Pogradec (190 km)
At morning drive to Elbasan to visit the ruins of the ottoman fortress in the city center and the St.Mary Orthodox Church. Continue on to Pogradec traveling alongside the banks of Shkumbini river and through the Domosdova plateau, site of Skanderbeg’s first victory over the Turks in 1444. En-routeshort stop over in Lin where you will visit the mosaics and the archaeological center. Lunch at a local restaurant with Koran fish.  Free afternoon and overnight at hotel “Enkelana” in Pogradec  ( or hotel “Millenium” in Tushemisht village. (B,L)

Day 5: Pogradec – Ohrid  (60 km)

After crossing the border into Macedonia, visit the Monastery of St. Naum and the springs of the lake. Then you drive towards Ohrid town on the opposite shores of this beautiful lake.

Afternoon sightseeing and visits of Ohrid highlights. The tour includes visits to the ethnological exhibition housed at Robev’s home, the cathedral church of St. Sofia (Holy Wisdom, 11th century), the Ancient Theater (2nd century BC), the gallery of Icons and the church of the Holy Mother of God Beautiful (St. Mary Perivleptos, 13th century), the Samuil Fortress and the church of St. Pantelejmon followed by the visit of the church of St. Jovan Kaneo. Overnight at hotel Tino. (B)

Day 6: Ohrid, Debar, Tetova, Skopje (230 km)

Early morning drive to Skopje through Struga, Debar, Gostivar (visit the Monastery of Jovan Bigorski) and Tetova. En route visit the Monastery of Jovan Bigorski, the Arabati Baba Tekke and Motley Mosque. In afternoon visit the Skopje Museum, the Stone bridge, the St. Spas Church, Mustafa Pasha Mosque and The largest Turkish bath in the Balkans which is now an art museum. Overnight at hotel Duvet or similar. (B)

Day 7: Skopje, Prishtina, Prizren (200 km)

After breakfast drive to Prishtina, the capital of the new Republic of Kosova as of February 2008. En route visit Gadima Cave, a tourist exotic point and the site of the Battle of Kosova that sealed the fate of Serbia and the entire Balkan region for 500 years on June 28, 1389. It will be followed by the visit of the Bazaar Mosque, the Clock Tower and the Mosque of Sultan Mehmet Fatih. You will have a stroll along main the street of Prishtina where are government buildings and Skanderbeg’s monument. Afternoon depart for Prizren considered the jewel in the crown of Kosova. Visit the Prizren League house and Sinan Pasha’s mosque. Dinner at local restaurant and overnight at hotel Theranda (or similar) in Prizren. (B,D)

Day 8: Prizren – Kukes – Shkodra (200 km)

Today you will depart for Shkodra passing through Kukes and Lezha where you will visit the Memorial of Scanderbeg. In the Northern city of Shkodra you will visit the Rozafa fortress, the Museum of the city and the Marubi Phototheque. Dinner at local a restaurant and overnight at hotel Colosseo (or hotel Rozafa). (B,D)

Day 9: Shkodra – Podgorica – Budva (140 km)

This morning leave for the capital city of Montenegro, Podgorica formerly known as Titograd. After a short stop, we shall continue our drive to Cetinje. There you will have the unique opportunity to visit the Kings Court Museum and the famous Monastery of St. Petar Cetinjski, where are two of the most famous Christian relics: the right hand of St. John the Baptist and particles of the Holy Cross. In afternoon visit the old town of Budva. Overnight at Hotel Mediteran (or hotel Sajo or hotel Blue Star. (B)

Day 10: Budva – Kotor – Airport Dubrovnik (100 km)
After breakfast drive to Kotor to visit the old town then leaving for Dubrovnik airport through Scenic Kotorr bay, HercegNovi and Montenegrin-Croatian crossing border. The only fjord in the Mediterranean lies just on the coastal road to Croatia. (B)