N. Macedonia, Kosovo and Albania tour from Tirana in four days

Day 1 Tirana (Albania) – Berat – Ohrid (N. Macedonia)

1. 1

   Berat

   1 hour

   Our tour leader will come and pick you up at your hotel in Tirana, where we start our journey towards Berat, known as the town of 1001 windows part of UNESCO world heritage. Walking through the narrowed stone streets offers a fantastic view of the medieval old houses, with windows that seem to stand on top of each other. The city’s life began in the 6th-5th century B.C. as an Illyrian settlement. Later, in the 3rd century B.C., it was turned into a castle city known as Antipatrea. Uniquely today, residents still live inside of the castle walls.

2. 2

   Berat Castle

   1 hour Admission ticket included

   erat has it all; a beautiful medieval castle, ancient churches and mosques, a lively lower town consisting of grand old houses draped on steep hillsides, an old stone bridge, great museums and remains from the communist era in Albania.

3. 3

   National Iconographic Museum Onufri

   30 hours Admission ticket included

   Berat is also known as the birthplace of Onufri, the famous painter of churches all-over the Balkans, distinguished for creating a specific reddish colour still difficult to imitate.

Day 2 Ohrid – Skopje

1. 1

   Ohrid

   2 hours

   Today we will continue our city tour of Ohrid, one of the most seductive destinations in N. Macedonia, indicated as one of the oldest human settlements in all of Europe. Ohrid city and Ohrid Lake are part of UNESCO World Heritage since 1980. Ohrid Lake and its surroundings where inhabited by the Illyrian Tribe of Enkeleys. The Lake was named by the Romans as “Lyhnidas” (the Light Lake). Our tour continues to the city of Ohrid (UNESCO world heritage) an important centre of Orthodoxy. We will visit the famous view point of church of St. John, the church of St. Nicolas and the mosque Halveti Hayati Tekke. Ohrid became an important centre for the Orthodox believers during the Byzantine Empire and is famous for its 365 Orthodox churches, said to have one church for each day of the year. During the Ottoman Empire the city grew on the hills and surrounding areas by the lake.

2. 2

   Skopje

   2 hours

   Our tour continues towards Skopje, the capital of N. Macedonia. The city has European, Ottoman and even Asian influences. The Stone Bridge connects the new part to the old part of the city. Impossible to miss in Skopje is the Alexander the Great Statue in the center. Another bridge that stands out is the Art Bridge that leads to the Archaeological Museum. The bridge is lined with flamboyant street lanterns and statues of Macedonian artists and musicians. We will wander through the Old Bazaar of Skopje, the biggest one in the Balkans, that combines the modern way of living with centuries of history. The cross on top of the mountain can be seen kilometres away from Skopje and has become a symbol of the city. Overnight in Skopje.

Day 3 Skopje – Pristina (Kosovo) – Prizren

1. 1

   Pristina

   1 hour

   After breakfast we will continue our tour towards Pristina the capital city of Kosovo. We will visit the Newborn monument, symbol of the independence and being a young new country. We will walk towards the main boulevard in the capital. Sheshi Nena Tereza is a nice street to stroll through and enjoy a coffee at one of the bars. Here we will also pass the Skanderberg square with the statue of Skanderberg himself, the national Albanian hero

2. 2

   Prizren

   2 hours

   We will continue our tour towards Prizren, considered as the cultural capital of Kosovo, mixing its rich history, incredible nature, religious tolerance and gastronomic delights. Prizren has played an important role in the region as an Illyrian settlement and a crossroad for the Byzantine and Ottoman empires, contributing to the unique architecture of the city. The river flows through the heart of the old town and under the many bridges that crisscross the city. If you are looking to experience a lively international experience you should visit Prizren during August when the medieval city becomes home to one of the most famous short film festivals in the world named Dokufest. The best way to explore the town is by wandering through the streets passing by elegant medieval houses that fight for your attention. Filigree artisanal techniques for precious metals are Prizren’s joy and pride.

3. 3

   Sinan Pasha Mosque

   30 min Admission ticket included

   If you have to choose just one mosque to visit then visit the Sinan Pasha Mosque, rich in arabesque colour and pattern.

4. 4

   Kalaja Fortress

   1 hour Admission ticket included

   The view from the fortress on the hill above the town offers a great panorama of this astonishing town.

Day 4 Prizren – Kruja (Albania) – Tirana

1. 1

   Kruje

   1 hour

   Our last destination for this tour is Kruja, a historical city symbol of the Albanian resistance against the expansion of the Ottoman Empire during the XV century. Kruja is situated in central Albania on a rocky mountainous terrain about 560 meters above sea level, on the slopes of Sarisalltik Mountain.

2. 2

   Kruja Bazaar

   1 hour Admission ticket included

   Walking through the narrow streets and the wooden houses of Kruja’s Medieval Old Bazaar (one of the biggest and oldest in Balkans) gives you a sense of a passage through the history. This is the best place to shop for souvenir in Albania, from typical to more unique and handmade souvenirs such as carpets, jewelers etc.

3. 3

   Kruja Castle

   2 hours Admission ticket included

   The castle of Kruja (built during the 5th century A.D.) is strategically placed on the top of a rocky hill, making it difficult for the enemies to attack.

4. 4

   Tirana

   1 hour

   After we will drive back to Tirana. This marks the end of this amazing experience through history and culture.