Albania from the mountains to the sea – Milos

ARRIVAL AT AIRPORT at 11.05 – SHKODRA (85 km – 1h30min) Flight details:
Meet the local host at the airport and transfer to hotel in Shkodra: transfer (considering traffic) –

1h40 min Upon arrival, check in at the hotel and prepare for dinner Accommodation in
SHKODRA – HOTEL
We’ll start with the visit of Rozafa Fortress Sightseeing the city, which is known as an old
artisan center, as well road and river junction with a considerable transit trade. Shkodra is one of
the most important cities of Albania and is also known to be the center of Albanian Catholicism,
Culture and Harmony between different religions. The main cultural attraction is Rozafa
Fortress, rising majestically upon a rocky hill west of the city, the outcroppings and battlements
paint a blazing picture against the setting sun. After the visit of the castle, just take a walk at the
Pedestrian street called “Kole Idromeno” that is the old center of Shkodra, very Mediterranean
taste passing through mosques and churches. Another suggestion of your visits in Shkodra is
Venice Art Mask Factory. Venice Art Showroom Exclusive production of baroque hand crafted
luxury Venetian masks in paper mache and ceramic. Decorated with first choice materials like
authentic plume feathers, gold and silver leaf, Swarovski crystals and pearls for Carnival,
masquerade balls, masked events, theatre, weddings and home decoration. Free time and optional
lunch Drive Shiroka (20min) and enjoy a nice walk along the Skadar Lake Free time and prepare
for dinner

Wake up early today for a boat trip that has been described in the guidebooks as one of the
world’s most beautiful boat trips. Drive to Koman Ferry terminal for approximately 2hrs and
embark the Ferry to Valbona National Park. For about two hours, our ferry boat sails over a
mirror-smooth water surface along steep mountain walls, narrow rocks and waterfalls. After a
final photo by the lake we go ashore in Valbona NP for the optional lunch. Check in at the hotel,
before you take an afternoon walk to Valbona National Park The Valbona Valley National Park
is located inside the Albanian Alps in northern Albania. The park covers a total area of 80 km2
(31 sq mi), encompassing Valbona River and its surrounding areas with mountainous terrain,
alpine landscapes, glacial springs, deep depressions, various rock formations, waterfalls and the
Valbona Valley with its dense coniferous and deciduous forest. It is characterized by its very
remote areas which have a large preserved ecosystem all of which is primarily untouched with
pristine quality. This vast pristine ecosystem is the centrepiece of what has been referred to as
the Albanian Miracle of the Alps. Prepare for dinner

Breakfast and check out oh the hotel Our transfer from Valbona NP to Kruja, passing by
spectacular views of high mountains; amazing rivers and arfificial lake of Fierza, surrounded by
hills and mountains, gives off a fine mist that rises upwards, contrasting with the green trees that
frame it like a border. This part of Albania is very different from every other part- it is wild,
unreachable, desolate, remote, and we pass villages and clusters of red roofed houses that look
like they are stuck in another age- in a good way. Some houses are perched on small ledges in

the vast, craggy mountains and with no visible road leading there, you may wonder how those
people live and whether they get a sense of peace from being so cut off from the rest of everyday
life. Optional lunch on the way to Kruja Upon arrival in Kruja, check in at the hotel, and start
with the walking 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, and an old
house converted into an ethnographic museum (inside), invites you to a special cultural aspect of
life in northern Albania

Today, after our breakfast at the hotel, check out and Visit Durres , one of the most ancient
cities in Albania, which has the largest port in the country and is the second largest industrial
center after Tirana. Durres is located on a small peninsula on the Adriatic coast. The city was
colonized by the Greeks in 627 B.C. and was named Epidamnos, later becoming known as
Dyrrachium.  From the Venetian Tower near the harbor, the medieval city walls take you to
the Roman amphitheater (capacity 15,000 spectators), the largest in the Balkans, dating back
to the 2nd century B.C. The amphitheater contains a Christian crypt with a rare mosaic.  
Drive to Berat medieval town (2h30min) Visit Berat medieval town, “the city of 1000 windows”
listed under UNESCO Heritage. We’ll walk up to the fortress that was built on top of a rocky
hill, with its narrow cobblestone streets and tilting facades, we’ll imagine ourselves as an extra in
a film from the last century.

Breakfast in hotel. Berat, Unesco Site, called the “city of a thousand windows”, divided into an
“upper town” of 14th century origin, rich in Byzantine churches; and a “low town”. adorned with
numerous ancient mosques. Its famous districts are the Castle, Mangalemi, and Gorica. Even
today, its citadel is inhabited by more than a thousand families. There are countless places of
interest in and around the Castle, including early Christian churches, the Cathedral of Santa
Maria, and the many mosques built in the 14th, 15th, and 16th centuries. Continue to Gjirokastra,
the ” museum city” of Albania, dominated by a fortified citadel. Visit of the city and its castle.
Time for lunch. On the way to Saranda a stop to visit the naturalistic site Blue Eye. Visit of the
city.

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Butrint, mentioned by Virgil in the Eneid. The city is
located in front of the Greek island of Corfu, and is one of the most important archaeological
sites in the Mediterranean, declared “World Heritage” by UNESCO. The city retains Greek ruins;
imposing Roman monuments; an early Christian Church and an Ottoman fort. Butrint was
inhabited almost continuously, from the eighth century a.c. and played an important role in the
first Peloponnesian War. Time for lunch. Departure for Vlora routing the road between the
mountains and the sea.

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Apollonia archeological site. Time for lunch. Transfer to
TIrana. Guidet tour of the city. Dinner and Overnight at hotel Optional after dinner in one of the
many bars in the center of Tirana where they play beautiful live music. Darka at Era near the stadium.

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for the Airport. End of our services.