Arrival in Corfu APT.

Meet with our Spanish speaking local guide and driver and transfer by bus at the

hotel

Accommodation and overnight in CORFU

Transfer by bus to the Achillion Palace

The Achillion Palace is ideally located in the picturesque village of Gastouri. This

magnificent Palace was built in 1890 exclusively for Elizabeth (Sissy), the former

Empress of Austria. The palace used to serve as the summer retreat of the Empress.

Lunch will be organised at a local restaurant

Old Town of Corfu

The Old Town of Corfu, on the Island of Corfu off the western coasts of Albania

and Greece, is located in a strategic position at the entrance of the Adriatic Sea,

and has its roots in the 8th century BC.

The three forts of the town, designed by renowned Venetian engineers, were used

for four centuries to defend the maritime trading interests of the Republic of

Venice against the Ottoman Empire. In the course of time, the forts were repaired

and partly rebuilt several times, more recently under British rule in the 19th

century. The mainly neoclassical housing stock of the Old Town is partly from the

Venetian period, partly of later construction, notably the 19th century. As a

fortified Mediterranean port, Corfu’s urban and port ensemble is notable for its

high level of integrity and authenticity.

Free time on your own

Accommodation and overnight in CORFU

09.00 Arrival in Saranda

09.30 – 11.00 Visit Butrinti National Park

This impressive walking tour will stir your imagination about the ancient word

during the peak of the Roman power and the classical Greek mythology. Inhabited

since prehistoric times, Butrint has been the site of a Greek colony, a Roman city

and a bishopric. Following a period of prosperity under Byzantine administration,

then a brief occupation by the Venetians, the city was abandoned in the late Middle

Ages after marshes formed in the area. The present archaeological site is a

repository of ruins representing each period in the city’s development. Butrint

National Park was inscribed on the National Heritage List of Protected Monuments

in 1948.

11.30 – 13.00 Drive to Gjirokastra

13.00 – 14.00 Lunch at a local restaurant in Gjirokastra

14.00 – 16.00 Start the city tour of Gjirokastra. Known for its unique architecture,

this Unesco World Heritage Site will offer something interesting for everyone. The

highlights of the Old Town, include the castle, its weapons museum and

breathtaking views, the bazaar area, the ethnographic museum.

16.00 – 19.00 Drive towards Berat

Accomodation at the hotel and prepare for dinner

08.00 – 09.00 Breakfast in the hotel and start with the visit of the fortress 09.00 –

11.30 Walking tour of Berat Fortress

Berat, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is known as the "Museum City of

Albania". Berat lies on the sides on the Osum River with a backdrop of Mount

Tomorr. Additionally a 2,500 year old castle overlooks the city with numerous,

high architectural and historical stone neighborhoods below.

12.00 – 13.30 Time for optional lunch

13.30 – 17.00 Drive towards Ohrid – Macedonia, with stop en route for

refreshments (border procedures included)

Accommodation and overnight in OHRID

07.30 – 08.30 Breakfast and check out of the hotel

08.30 – 11.00 OHRID - At the lake side resort of Ohrid, classified as a UNESCO`s

World Cultural Heritage site. Thanks to the activity of St. Clement and St Naum of

Ohrid, the first Pan-Slavic University in Europe - the famous Ohrid Literary

School was founded here. Morning sightseeing tour includes the church of St Sofia

(11th century), the most eminent medieval monument in Macedonia with

magnificent Byzantine fresco paintings, and St Clement`s Church with its icon of

Annunciation.

11.00 – 12.30 Transfer by bus to Bitola

12.30 – 13.30 Lunch at a local restaurant

13.30 – 14.30 Free time in the main boulevard of Bitola, Sirok Sokak

14.30 – 15.30 Visit Heraklea (description tour) – Famous for its dazzling mosaics,

ancient theater and Roman baths, Heraclea is the most vividly preserved city from

the Ancient Macedonian empire surviving in the country. Founded in the 4th

century B.C.E. and conquered by the Romans two centuries later, it was built on

the Via Egnatia and became one of the key stations on this trading route. From the

4th-6th centuries C.E. Heraclea also had an Episcopal seat. Beautiful Roman baths,

the Episcopal church and baptistery, a Jewish temple, portico and a Roman theater

now used for summer concerts and theater shows all survive in excellent condition.

15.30 – 18.00 Bus transfer to Skopje

Accommodation and overnight in SKOPJE

07.00 – 08.00 After breakfast in hotel, check out and start with city tour of Skopje.

08.00 – 10.00 Panoramic City tour of Skopje.

SKOPJE – It is a city in the west where you can find the signs of East as it was

under the rule of Ottoman Empire for a long time. We spend some time in the old

town visiting the Daud Pasha baths once the largest baths in Balkans now the City

Art Galery, the imposing Mustafa Pasha Mosque or the bustling old market area.

10.00 – 11.00 Bus transfer to Tetovo

11.00 – 11.30 Visit the famous Sarena Dzamija. The Šarena Džamija was

originally built in 1438. The architect behind the Šarena Džamija was Isak Bey.

Most mosques of the time had sultans, beys or pashas’ financing their

constructions, but the Šarena Džamija was financed by two sisters from Tetovo.

11.30 – 12.00 Bus transfer to Mavrovo National Park where we can enjoy not only

the beautiful panorama, but we can visit one of the important religious Monastery

of St. John Forerunner Bigorski .

12.00 – 13.00 St. Jovan Bigorski is a 19th century monastery standing on the

slopes of Debar’s Mt. Bistra, above the banks of the River Radika, surrounded by

dense woods and rocky hills. While relatively new, St. Jovan was constructed over

the remains of an older church dating from 1021. Since the monastery is dedicated

to St. Jovan the Baptist, worshippers believe that icons with his image are blessed

with a miraculous healing power.

13.00 – 14.30 Time for lunch at Etno Restaurant in Janche

14.30 – 18.30 Continue driving to Tirana with stop n route to Elbasan for

refreshment (Border procedures included).

Accommodation and overnight in TIRANA (2 nights)

07.00 – 08.00 Breakfast at the hotel and depart for Durres

08.00 – 09.00 Transfer by bus to Durres

09.00 – 11.30 Explore the ruins of town forum, roman baths, city centre, town hall,

Roman Amphitheater, byzantine walls, Venetian tower and archaeological

museum, a panoramic display of discoveries and urban planning of this once

important city.

11.30 – 12.30 Transfer by bus to Kruja

12.30 – 14.00 Lunch at a local restaurant in Kruja

KRUJA (description tour) – Kruja is considered one of the principal old town and

is' one of the most glorious cities in Albania. The walking tour takes you through

the Ottoman bazaar, wooden shops and displays various gifts and antique items for

the home. Visit the castle walls, Historical Museum dedicated Skanderbeg, and an

old house converted into an ethnographic museum, invites you to a special cultural

aspect of life in northern Albania

16.00 – 17.00 Drive back to Tirana

City Tour of Tirana. We shall explore the capital city of Albania, including some

of the historical highlights, as city centre, Skenderbeg Statue, Et’hem bey mosque,

Clock tower, Italian buildings and Martyrs of the Nation Boulevard. Visit the ex-

communist buildings, painted with vibrant colors and the expansion of city.

Prepare for dinner

Accommodation and overnight in TIRANA (2 nights)