Day 1: Germany - Tirana - Kruja
You fly from Germany to Tirana. After being picked up by the tour guide, transfer to Kruja. There you will visit the Skanderbeg Museum, which is very important for Albanians and bears testimonies of successful defence against the Ottomans. Afterwards you stroll through the streets of the bazaar with typical 19th century buildings.
Day 2: Kruja - Durrës - Tirana
After breakfast you drive to Durrës. The city with its ancient roots is home of the only amphitheatre in Albania that has been discovered so far and which could have seats for up to 20,000 visitors. After a visit to the archaeological museum and the possibility of an optional lunch, you will continue to the capital Tirana. The city is the cultural centre of Albania and shows its colourful and cheerful appearance, which you will discover during a city tour. In the National Museum you will learn interesting facts about Albanian history. Afterwards you will be taken to the hotel. After dinner you have the opportunity to enjoy Tirana at night.
Day 3: Tirana - Elbasan - Struga - Ohrid
After breakfast we go to neighbouring country Macedonia. During the trip, you will stop in Elbasan to visit the castle. A short visit to Struga on Lake Ohrid is also planned. Arrived in Ohrid, you will get a first impression of the city's beauty, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1980.
Day 4: Ohrid - Berat
After your breakfast you will explore Ohrid with its magnificent monuments and religious houses a little more intensively. In the churches of St. Sophia and St. Kliment there are important Byzantine mural paintings, which are well preserved. You can also see the church of St. John of Kaneo, built on a promontory overlooking the lake and offering spectacular panoramic views of the lake. After a detailed tour of the city, the trip goes back to Albania to the hotel in Berat.
Day 5: Berat - Apollonia - Vlora
In the "City of 1,000 Windows" you will visit the castle complex and the Onufri Museum with its beautiful icons after breakfast. Enjoy the unique atmosphere of this officially so called museum city with its wonderfully preserved Ottoman architecture and infrastructure. In one of the typical houses in the fortress you have the possibility to have lunch (factual, payable on the spot). On your further route you stop at the ruins of Apollonia.
Day 6: Vlora - Saranda - Butrint - Saranda
After an early breakfast, you will enjoy a trip to Saranda along the Albanian Riviera with fantastic views of the coast and the sea. Passing the Albanian Riviera and the Llogara National Park, your way leads to the ancient city of Butrint. The city was mentioned in ancient documents. Numerous myths surround its foundation. The most important buildings are the theatre, various temples, the Baptistery and the early Christian basilica. Return journey to Saranda to the hotel
Day 7: Saranda - Gjirokastra
You have breakfast at the hotel and then you drive by bus in the direction of Gjirokastra. The city, one of the oldest in the country and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is known as the "City of Stones". Many houses resemble small fortresses and make up the unique cityscape. You will visit the castle and the Ethnographic Museum. On your way to the hotel you make a short stopover with refreshment break at the source of "Syri i Kalter" also called "Blue Eye".
Day 8: Gjirokastra - Tirana - Lezha - Shkodra
After breakfast, you will have a coffee break in a castle near the international airport of Tirana. After visiting the castle of Preza, we continue our journey to the north of Albania. On the way we stop in Lezha, a nice city which is very important for the Albanians. The great importance of this city for the Albanians is due to the fact that the mausoleum of the national hero Skanderbeg is located here. Continue to Shkodra.
Day 9: Shkodra - Budva - Kotor
Your breakfast is followed by a beautiful city walk and a visit to the legendary Rozafa Castle. After visiting the capital of Northern Albania, we will continue our trip to the neighbouring country of Montenegro. We visit the Montenegrin coast and of course the city of Budva. City walk in the Stari Grad (Old Town) and then we continue to our present main destination - Kotor. Boca Kotorska or in Italian (Boca Di Cattaro) is often described as the southernmost fjord of Europe. We visit the old town of Kotor in the afternoon. We will also spend the night there.
Day 10: Kotor - Cetinje - Podgorica - Kolashin
You will wake up in one of the most beautiful places along the Adriatic and enjoy your breakfast. Then we drive to Cetinje. Cetinje used to be the capital city where the royal family lived. You will also see the old consulate buildings in this city. Continuation to Podgorica. Podgorica was the capital of Yugoslavia and was called Titograd in honour of Tito. City tour and lunch in the city. Afterwards the journey continues on an exciting road. On the way you will see the two deepest gorges in the world (after the Grand Canyon). We will stay overnight in the small town of Kolashin and relax from the travelling stress. Kolashin is located within a nature reserve and has the largest winter sports area in Montenegro.
Day 11: Kolashin - Rozhaje - Peja - Decani - Peja
After the delicious breakfast we will take a short walk. We continue to Rozhaje. In this small town we will have a tea break. The road leads us to Peja in Kosovo. In Peja we will visit the Patriarchal Monastery of the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Decani Monastery. Both sites are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You should not forget to taste the best beer of Kosovo in Peja.
Day 12: Peja - Raovec - Prishtine
After breakfast we will visit a wine region and a winemaker in the morning. The ancient Romans have already cultivated wine in this area. In Rahovec we will taste different types of wine and enjoy a tasty meal. After our wine tasting we will drive to the capital and make a very interesting city tour. Kosovo is the newest country in Europe. It declared independence in 2008. Pristina is very cosmopolitan and young. Overnight stay in Prishtina.
Day 13: Prishtine - Skopje - Prizren
After breakfast we will visit the capital of Macedonia. The completely changed city centre is special scenery for photo enthusiasts. There are a lot of statues. The city is divided into two parts by the famous Vardar river that flows into the sea in Greece. After our time in Macedonia we will go back to Kosovo, but this time to another city. For many people, Prizren is considered the most beautiful city in Kosovo. We will explore the city completely. Let yourself be surprised by the history and the different rustic buildings. Overnight stay in Prizren.
Day 14: Prizren - Tirane
After breakfast we will visit the Castle of Prizren. The view from above is wonderful. You can see the whole valley. After our morning tour we will spend another evening in Tirana to do our last shopping or to relax. Overnight stay in Tirana.
Day 15: Tirane - Mother Tereza Airport
After breakfast transfer to Tirana airport and flight back to Germany.