Albania and Macedonia – The Unesco Heritage Tour

Depart to the area of Lake Ohrid. Firt of all as an Optional experience we can take 4x4 rides to visit the Shebenik-Jablanice national Park UNESCO, take a small hike in the national park, also some very beautiful pictures of the Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests. Extra Price

Drive to St Naum for a visit of the beautiful ancient monastery (9th century). 

Visit the Old Town of Ohrid (UNESCO Heritage City and Lake), church St, Sofia, church t. Klement, ancient Theater etc. Take an Optional boat tour in the Lake (Lake is a UNESCO site being one of the 4 oldest lakes in the World). Overnight in Ohrid in a coastal hotel close to the Old Town.

Experience Macedonia’s rich culture and impressive natural environment on this excursion. After a breakfast, we drive to explore the picturesque mountain peaks and pine forests of the country’s largest national park, Mavrovo, with an informative local guide. Then tour the historic St. Jovan Bigorski Monastery and enjoy a delicious, optional meal at a traditional “slow food” restaurant. 

Bulqize is a mining city in the Dibër region of Albania, known for its rich deposits of chromium ore. It is also home to a unique cultural heritage of the Albanians, who live in traditional stone houses called Kulla. 

The mining industry is the most important place for jobs for this region. Chromium is the number one export of Albania. We start our guided tour of the chromium mines, where you can learn about the extraction process and the working conditions of the miners. You can also visit the Mining Museum, which displays various tools, equipment, and minerals related to the mining activity.

After our visits, we drive to Belsh small town on the shore of a beautiful lake. We take a short walk in the promenade and have the opportunity to drink some famous Albanian coffee. 

Transfer to Berat, another UNESCO World Heritage town. Check into a local hotel located in a picturesque part of town with architecture dating to the Byzantine and Ottoman periods. Visit the traditional neighborhoods of Mangalemi and Gorica, (which gave Berat the nickname “Town of a 1001 Windows’’) Unique traditional dinner in town (On your own). Overnight in Berat.

Breakfast and tour of the Castle of Berat with its chapels, typical houses, the ancient walls of Antipatrea and the Orthodox Cathedral with its art collection from 16th century iconography Master Painter Onufri. Transfer to Gjirokastra, interesting architecture of “City of Stone” UNECO heritage town. Check-in at a hotel situated in a typical town house. Visit the Ethnographic Museum (communist dictator Enver Hoxha’s birth house) and the Skenduli house (it’s one of the most beautiful and special houses of the region – its 42 doors and 62 windows are only some of the elements which have impressed visitors we’ve brought here!) we’ll visit the Castle of Gjirokastra, Optional you can visit Weapon Museum and the former prison of the Castle Traditional dinner with local specialties – try the qifqi (rice balls!) Overnight in Gjirokaster

Depart for Blue Eye Spring, checking out Enver Hoxha’s concrete bunkers on the way (there are more than 170 000 of them, built in an attempt to keep the population under a constant threat of terror; they are a modern symbol of the isolation and suffering that Albanians went through.) Visit the stunning natural spring Blue Eye: a spectacular park and perfect place for a relaxing break. Depart for the famous UNESCO archaeological site of Butrint. Learn the history and walk the grounds of this large site perched among hills and with stunning views of Lake Butrint.  We’ll also visit the museum on site. Depart for the coastal city of Saranda. Enjoy beautiful views on the Fortress of Lekuresi dominating the Bay of Saranda with a breathtaking panorama of Corfu. Then we drive to seaside town of Himara, free evening to explore town and nightlife. Overnight in Himara.

Early morning breakfast and trip along the spectacular Albanian Riviera (about 120 km of mountains coming down into the blue waters of the Ionian Sea!) Stop for pictures of the landscape and of the beautiful little villages on the way; refreshments by natural springs or on the beach. Visit the beautiful and romantic Castle of Vasiliqia (built in early 19th century by Ali Pasha of Tepelena, the “Mohametan Bonaparte” made famous in Alexander Dumas’ the Count of Monte Cristo and poet George Gordon Byron’s Child Harold’s Pilgrimage.) Go over the stunningly high Caesar’s Pass with views that will be unlike anything you’ve experienced! Arrive in Vlora and visit Independence Square (where, in 1912, Albania became independent after 500 years of Ottoman domination.) Albanian polyphonic music is another element from Albania having made its way to the very well-respected list of Human Heritage of UNESCO. This type of music needs at least three people singing acapella. Overnight in Tirana.

Transfer to the airport for flight back home.