Durres

Durrës Amphitheatre - The ancient Roman-era Amphitheatre of Durrës, constructed on a hillside within the city walls in the early 2nd century AD, once accommodated 15,000 to 18,000 spectators. Today, a few inhabited houses occupy the stage, a testament to its rediscovery in 1966 and subsequent excavation. The Byzantine chapel within the amphitheatre features several exquisite mosaics.

Durres Castle - The Venetian Castle is an extension of the Byzantine Fortress of Durrës. Built in the sixth century, it was regarded as one of the most formidable fortresses along the western Adriatic coast. Architectural elements and historical records indicate that the fortress was reconstructed in the first half of the fifteenth century, during the rule of the Republic of Venice over Durrës.

Durres Archaeological Museum - The museum primarily showcases artifacts from the nearby ancient site of Dyrrhachium, featuring an extensive collection from the Ancient Greek, Hellenistic, and Roman periods. Noteworthy items include Roman funeral steles and stone sarcophagi, an elliptical colorful mosaic measuring 17 by 10 feet known as The Beauty of Durrës, and a collection of miniature busts of Venus, highlighting Durrës as a center of worship for the goddess.

Royal Villa of Durres - The Royal Villa of Durrës, also known as Zog’s Villa of Durrës (Albanian: Vila mbretërore e Durrësit), served as the summer residence for King Zog in Durrës, Albania. It was used as the summer palace by the Albanian Royal family during the monarchy and remains a symbol of the monarchy in the city.

Fatih Mosque - The Fatih Mosque, a Cultural Monument of Albania located in Durrës, was built in 1502 and named after the Ottoman Turkish Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror. Closed by Communist authorities, it was designated a cultural monument in 1973.

Gjirokaster

Gjirokaster Castle - The Gjirokaster Castle, designated a Cultural Monument of the first category in 1948, is located in the city of Gjirokastra, part of the UNESCO World Heritage. The castle is built on a rock shaped like a herringbone and dominates the city with its height.

Gjirokaster Mosque - Constructed in 1757, the Gjirokastër Mosque (Xhamia e Gjirokastrës) is a prominent landmark in the Old Bazaar area of Gjirokastër.

Gjirokastra Bazaar - Until the mid-20th century, Gjirokastra was a significant market center for regional agricultural products, leatherworking, and woodworking.

The Blue Eye - In this tranquil forest, visitors can walk to the crystal-clear spring known as the Blue Eye, where 900 m3 of water per minute emerges from deep within the earth.

Saranda– Three Island of Kasmil – Butrint Archaeological Park – Monastery of Forty Saints – Lëkurësi Castle

Butrint National Park - Inhabited since prehistoric times, Butrint has been a Greek colony, a Roman city, and a bishopric. After a period of prosperity under Byzantine rule and a brief Venetian occupation, the city was abandoned in the late Middle Ages due to marsh formation. The current archaeological site contains ruins from each period of the city’s development.

Monastery of 40 Saints - The Forty Saints Monastery (Rrënojat e Manastirit të 40 Shenjtorëve), built in the 6th century in dedication to the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste, was once an important pilgrimage site. Now in ruins due to WWII bombings and years of neglect, it remains the only semi-preserved monument of its kind in Albania and the Balkans.

Lekuresi Castle - Overlooking the Albanian tourist capital of Saranda is Lekuresi Castle, constructed in the early sixteenth century by Sultan Suleyman during the Ottoman Empire. The castle was built to protect Saranda’s coastline from sea invasions. A rough, unpaved road leads to the castle, now a restaurant where visitors can enjoy coffee while admiring views of Corfu and the Ksamil Islands. In summer, the castle also serves as a concert venue.

Free Relaxing massage at tour SPA and Wellness “Queen Teuta- Durres

Tirana

Mount Dajti - Take the cable car to near the summit of Dajti Mountain and enjoy the breathtaking views. The longest cableway in the Balkans at 4.7 kilometers, the 15-minute scenic journey takes visitors over forests, farms, hilltops, and even bunkers!

Kulla e Sahatit - The Clock Tower of Tirana, or Kulla e Sahatit in Albanian, was constructed in 1822 by Haxhi Et`hem Bey, who also oversaw the building of the Et’hem Bey Mosque. The tower features a spiral staircase with 90 steps and stands 35 meters tall. Until 1970, it was the tallest building in Tirana. Originally, the clock tower had a bell from Venice that chimed every hour. In 1928, the Municipality of Tirana acquired a new German clock to replace the Venetian one. The clock was destroyed by bombs during World War II and was replaced in 1946 with a Roman numeral clock from a church in Shkoder, Albania. In 1970, the Roman numeral clock was replaced by a Chinese clock. The tower underwent renovations in 1981 and again in 1999. Access to the top of the tower has been free since 1996.

BunkArt 2 - Bunk’Art 2 houses an Anti-Atomic bunker from the Communist era, designed for Tirana’s governance in case of war. The museum provides information about the Albanian Police of the time, as well as the prisons, labor camps, and victims of communism.

Et’hem Bej Mosque - The Et’hem Bey Mosque is situated in the center of Tirana, the capital of Albania. Construction began in 1789 by Molla Bey and was completed in 1823 by his son Ethem Pasha (Haxhi Ethem Bey), a great-grandson of Sulejman Pasha. During the Socialist People’s Republic of Albania, the mosque was closed. On January 18, 1991, despite opposition from communist authorities, 10,000 people entered carrying flags, marking the onset of communism’s fall in Albania. The mosque’s frescoes depict trees, waterfalls, and bridges; still life paintings are rare in Islamic art.

Blloku - Ish-Blloku (the former Block), known as Blloku, is the most renowned and expensive area in Tirana. It gained popularity after the fall of communism in Albania, as it was previously reserved for the communist elite.

Tanners’ Bridge - The Tanners’ Bridge (Albanian: Ura e Tabakëve) is an 18th-century Ottoman stone footbridge located in Tirana, Albania. Once part of the Shëngjergj Road linking Tirana with the eastern highlands, the road supplied the city with agricultural produce and livestock. The bridge spanned the Lanë stream and was near the butchers and leather workers’ area. The Lanë was rerouted in the 1930s, leading to the bridge’s neglect. In the 1990s, the bridge was restored to its former glory and is now exclusively for pedestrian use.

• Entrance to the Castles and Museums
• Dinner included
• Breakfast included
• Airport transfers provided

For a significant portion of the 20th century, Albania remained a mystery - inaccessible to foreigners. Its crinkled mountains, ancient towns, and dazzling coastlines were uncharted territory on most tourist maps until the early 90s. As a harsh communist regime ended in 1991, Albania cautiously opened its doors to the world. The inaugural wave of explorers found a land still heavily influenced by age-old customs and home to the neglected ruins of Ancient Greek and Roman heritage. A quarter-century after casting off the communist yoke, Albania’s breathtaking mountain landscapes, decaying fortresses, energetic capital, and idyllic beaches that can rival any in the Mediterranean continue to captivate. However, hurry, as Albania’s secrets are gradually unveiled, the currently sparse stream of tourists is likely to turn into a deluge.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.