C O L O M B O

Tours

Culture Trip to UNESCO Sites

Culture Trip to UNESCO Sites

329 € / Person

Historic Centres of Berat and Gjirokastra (2005,2008)

“Berat and Gjirokastra are inscribed as rare examples of an architectural character typical of the Ottoman period. Butrint, located in the south of Albania approximately 20km from the modern city of Saranda, has a special atmosphere created by a combination of archaeology, monuments and nature in the Mediterranean”

Included and Excluded

  • International domestic flights that are not mentioned.
  • Entrance fee in museums
  • Meals not mentioned in Detailed Program.
  • Early check-in
  • late check-out surcharge.
  • Professional guide service during the tour
  • Accommodation 4 overnights
  • 4 x Breakfast: days 2-5
  • Private Air-con vehicle during the tour

Tour Itinerary

Arrival in Tirana (30 km)
Meet and assisted by our representative on arrival. Transfer to Tirana.
Enjoy a tour of the capital city of Albania. Some of the historical highlights you will see include the Scanderbeg Statue, the Et’hem Bey Mosque, and the clock tower. 
Tirana is the vibrant capital and largest city of Albania. It is in the center of the country, enclosed by mountains and hills, with Dajti mountain rising to the east and a slight valley to the northwest overlooking the Adriatic Sea in the distance.

Overnight in Tirana. 

 

Tirana – Kruja – Berat . (180 km)
After early breakfast in hotel the trip continues to the historic city of Kruja, where you’ll visit The Medieval Castle, the Museum of our National Hero Gjergj Kastrioti Scanderbeg and the Ethnographic Museum. 
Kruja:  Home of Albania's National and most important hero, Scanderbeg, whom in the 15th century successfully kept the Turkish at bay for over thirty years. 
A stop at the Old Bazaar where you can have handmade souvenirs shopping. 

Drive to Berati City.
In the afternoon sightseeing tour of Berat city, which is built alongside the Osumi River, the city lies by the foot of the Tomorri Mountain, considered in antiquity as a sacred place. Named, “The city of one thousand windows”, Berat has three characteristic quarters, Mangalem, Kala (the castle) and Gorica, and is described as a rare example of a well-preserved Ottoman city located in central Albania. Part of the city is the castle, which was built in the thirteenth century, but the origins of the site date back to the fourth century B.C. The center of the castle quarter is rich with many Byzantine churches; most of them unique for the wall paintings, icons and the values they hold.

Overnight in Berat.

Colombo Hotel 5* 

 Berat - Apolloni – Vlora - Sarande. (300 km)
In the morning, after breakfast we start visiting the castle built on the hills of the city, Onufer Museum, Saint Trinity Church, Saint Nicolas Cathedral and museum quarters of Mangalemi and Gorica. 
Leave Berat for Apollonia to visit the 6th century BC ruins. 
Apollonia Archeological Park, which is among the largest in the Adriatic basin and the most mentioned among 30 other cities with the same name, from the antique time.
It was established around the beginning of the IV century BC. 
Apollonia’s ruins were discovered in the early nineteenth century.

Overnight in Saranda. 

Butrint –Gjirokastra –Tirana  (320 km)
After breakfast drive to Butrinti.
This will be a day which will be dedicated only to cultural visits and beauties of Albanian nature. 
During this day we will be able to visit the ancient city of Butrinti.
The archaeological site of Butrint’s National Park has an area of 15 hectares and is located at a height from 30 to 50 meters above sea level. This ancient city is a jewel of archeology, listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO. In an exceptional environment between the lake and the sea, the Hellenic style buildings are a museum that contains archeologically restored traces.
LEAVE Butrinti and drive to Gjirokaster, on the way stop at BLUE EYE water spring.
Blue Eye, a magical place, this source of groundwater is surrounded by woods and enjoys its name of blue color, like the colored part of the eye. This is one of the most beautiful natural curiosities of Albania.
Our journey will lead us to the town of Gjirokastra, differently called the stone city.
 We also will have the opportunity to visit the city's fortress. 
The Castle of Gjirokastra, associated with the city of Gjirokastra, is mentioned for the first time as a city and a castle in 1336. Arrival in the evening in Tirana.

Overnight in Tirana. 

Tirana- Mother Theresa Airport (30 km) 
Breakfast in the hotel. Free time until your departure. Pick up for transfer to airport.