Taste the local life in Montenegro and Albania for 7 day, by visiting cultural sits, meeting people and enjoy local food.
Itinerary
Taste the local life in Montenegro and Albania for 7 day, by visiting cultural sits, meeting people and enjoy local food.
Day 01: ARRIVAL AT PODGORICA AIRPORT
Day 02: BAR – CETINJE –KOTOR –PERAST –BUDVA –BAR
Day 03: BAR – OLD TOWN BAR –OLDEST OLIVE TREE SITE – UCINJ –ADA BOJANA –ENTERING ALBANIA
Day 04: SHKODRA – KRUJA – TIRANA
Day 05: TIRANA – ELBASAN - BERAT
Day 06: BERAT – APOLLONIA – ARDENICA - DURRES
Day 07: DURRES – APT
Desription
Day 01: ARRIVAL AT PODGORICA AIRPORT
Note: We need flight details in advance
Trip towards the biggest wine yard in Europe. Panorama drive through the wine yard and at the end approaching the wine cellar Sipcanik. An old underground military airplane hangars are converted into unique wine cellar thirty meters underground. On arrival sightseeing of the wine cellar and later tasting of five premium wines from the production of the company Plantze which produce world know wines.
After wine tasting trip towards the capital Podgorica , panorama drive through the center and later trip to the village Rijeka Crnojevica at the banks of the same name river. Later boarding the small tourist boat from the ride along the Skadar Lake –the biggest lake at the Balkan Peninsula and the National Park. The ride along the lake is about two hours.
Small local snacks and drinks will be served on the boat during the ride. After approximately two hours ride approaching the village Virpazar and later trip to the coast to hotel.
Dinner at the local restaurant.
Accommodation and overnight in Bar
Day 02: BAR – CETINJE –KOTOR –PERAST –BUDVA –BAR
After breakfast leaving towards Cetinje – former capital of Montenegro. On arrival in Cetinje – visit to the former kings palace. Later continuing trip towards the village Njegusi. On arrival in Njegusi stop in a local restaurant where group will taste the Famous cheese and ham produced on traditional way in the villlage Njegusi. Later lunch will be served – homemade bread ; roasted lamb and salad.
After lunch continuing trip along one of the most attractive alpine roads in Europe – the serpentine road consisted of 25 serpentines which was built at the end of nineteen century. Many travelers of that time admired the view to the Boka Kotorska bay during their visits to Montenegro like Bernard Show ; Lord Alfred Tennyson; Pierre Loti ; Evli Celebi and many others.
In the afternoon approaching town of Kotor – UNESCO site. Walking-sightseeing tour in the old town and later short trip to Perast. On arrival in Perast a small picturesque town the group will board the tourist boat for a short trip to the island of Gospa – manmade island in 15th century and visit to the church dedicated to Our Lady. After the boat ride continuing trip towards Budva.Late afternoon arriving in Budva. Visit to the old town of Budva andwalking/sightseeing tour with the local guide. After sightseeing continuing walk along the seaside and dinner at the popular restaurant at the sea promenade. Three corse menu – choice fish or meat will be served in the restautrant.
After dinner in the restaurant group will continue trip to the hotel.
Accommodation and overnight in Bar
Day 03: BAR – OLD TOWN BAR –OLDEST OLIVE TREE SITE – UCINJ –ADA BOJANA –ENTERING ALBANIA
Today’s excursion takes us to the old town of Bar , where we are visiting the old town green market . Later we are visiting the oldest olive three on the Montenegrin coast considered to be over two thousand years old , then continuing our trip towards the southernmost town at the Montenegrin coast –Ulcinj a town close to the Albanian border.
Visiting the old town of Ulcinj in 16th century the seat of the cruelest pirates on the Adriatic. Later visiting the long beach of Ulcinj. Almost 13 km long beach of fine gray volcanic sand.
And finally visit to the estuary of the river Bojana where we stop for lunch in one of the popular restaurants at the bank of the river Bojana. Later afternoon transfer to the border to Albania. At the border cross Muriqan Albanian colleagues will take the group into Albania.
Dinner will be placed in a traditional restaurant with traditional food and folk show.
Accommodation and overnight in Shkodra.
Day 04: SHKODRA – KRUJA – TIRANA
In the morning visit Shkodra city, known as the “capital of north Albania“.
Shkodra, it is one of the oldest cities of Albania, founded in the 4th century B.C. as the center of the Labeat tribe of Illyrians.Shkodra’s main tourist attraction today is Rozafa Castle, surrounded by the waters of three rivers, the Drini, Buna and Kiri. The castle bears a popular local legend. But worth to be visited is also the city center, the Marubi Atelier of Photography and Mesi Bridge.
Transfer to Kruja the medieval town where you can visit national ethnographic museum and Skanderbeg museum, both located in the fortress. It was from this fortress that Albania’s hero – George Kastrioti Skanderbeg – defended the country from Ottoman invasion over a period spanning three decades. From the castle you haves views of the Adriatic Sea. Kruja is one of Albania’s most important and popular tourist attractions. In Kruja we have possibility to visit a local family and shear experience of their leaving. Or we visit a local traditional handmade manufactory.
After lunch drive to Tirana (1 h driving). On arrival start exploring this vibrant city. Tirana, the heart and capital of Albania, like all other European metropolises has a never-ending movement and energy. The journey might begin by visiting the key spots such as SheshiSkënderbej, Mosque of Et’hemBey (built between 1798 and 1812), the 35 m high Kulla e Sahatit (the Watch Tower), castle of the Roman emperor Justinian (A.D. 520), the monumental Tomb of Kapllan Pasha and the Ura e Tabakëve. A visit to the National History Museum will leave wonderful memories.
Accommodation far from the city in a Resort and Bio food farm 10 km from city center
Day 05: TIRANA – ELBASAN - BERAT
After the breakfast in the peace of this green are drive to Berat through Elbasan where a short stop is planned to visit at the castle.
Berat “City of the One above one Windows” - The 2,413 years-old city known as Antipatrea, is under the protection of UNESCO. Berat is a treasure-trove of Albanian history, culture and a testament to the country’s tradition of religious harmony. The three major neighborhoods of the old city are Mangalemi, Gorica, and Kala, where the castle itself is located and is made unique by the fact that people continue to live inside of it. The post-Byzantine monumental Cathedral of Shën Maria (Saint Mary) today houses a museum of works by the famous iconographers of the 16th century: Onufri and his son Nikolla. There are over 100 icons on display and they also include works of other artists such as Joan Çetiri, Onufër Qiprioti and many anonymous painters. Ottomans occupation has left its mark as well.
Visit in a traditional house and talk about the local life.
Accommodation and overnight in Berat
Dinner in hotel or local restaurant with traditional food of the area.
Day 06: BERAT – APOLLONIA – ARDENICA - DURRES
After breakfast board the bus and drive to Apollonia National Archeological Park (2 h driving)
Archeological Park Apollonia which was an ancient city in Illyria, located on the right bank of the Aous River (today Vjosë River), founded in 588 BCE by Greek colonists from Corfu and Corinth, on a site initially occupied by Illyrian tribes. Apollonia flourished during the period of Roman rule in the area and was home to a renowned school of philosophy. The city began to decline in the 3rd century CE when its harbor began silting up as a result of an earthquake.Cicero, the famed Roman Orator, was captivated by the beauty of Apollonia and in his Philippics, referred to it as "magna urbs et gravis," or "great and important city." Today the site can easily be accessed from the nearby city of Fier and offers both unique views of the Adriatic coastline as well as an extensive collection of historical and archaeological items of interest.
After lunch transfer to Ardenica Monastery. Monastery of Ardenica It is a Byzantine structure consists of the Saint Mary Church, the Saint Triad chapel, the konake, the oil mill, the oven and the stall. The monastery is famous as the place where, in 1451, was celebrated the marriage of Skanderbeg, the national hero of Albania. In 1780 the Monastery started a theological school to prepare clerics in Greek Orthodoxy. It had an important library with 32,000 volumes that got completely burned by a fire in 1932. The views from the monastery wall are breathtaking.
Afternoon transfers to Durres where a Cognac tasting will be organize.
Accommodation and overnight in Durres.
Dinner in hotel or local restaurant with sea food.
Day 07: DURRES – APT
In the morning visit Durres the biggest seaport of the country. It is the most ancient city in Albania, with almost 3,000 years of history, foundation dates back to 627 B.C. The most important attraction in Durrësi is the amphitheater of the Roman Emperor Adrian with 15,000 seats, the second biggest amphitheater in the Balkans. Also the Archeological Museum is one of the most important of its kind and is of great interest to visitors.
Time to bid farewell to these exciting destinations and bring home wonderful memories of Montenegro and Albania!
Departure to Tirana Airport for final flight home back
