Embark on a cultural and artistic pilgrimage. See master painter Onufri's work in the churches of Berat. Visit Berat Castle, Onufri Museum, Mangalemi and Gorica neighborhoods, and Gorica bridge. Meet your guide at your hotel and start the tour of Berat city. Berat is one of the most visited and characteristic towns in Albania. It is under the protection of UNESCO and considered a World Heritage site due to its unique architecture. Visit Berat Castle and the Onufri Museum. The Berat castle is of particular interest because people still live within its walls in their traditional houses, just like their ancestors did for centuries. Explore this fortress overlooking the town of Berat and its many Byzantine churches. The castle used to have over 40 churches of which 7 still remain today, including the Church of the Dormition of St Mary. The latter was converted into Onufri Museum, honoring the 16th-century Albanian master painter who painted many orthodox churches in Albania and Greece. Witness some of the most beautiful shades of red and gold you have ever laid eyes on in the museum. Then, continue to your next stop in the old quarters of Mangalemi and Gorica that connect with each other by the Gorica Bridge over the Osumi River.

Day 1: Sightseeing tour of Prizren & Prishtina We travel towards Prizren in the morning. Prizren, considered to be the cultural capital of Kosovo, this charming, vivacious town with mountains all around is a real treasure hidden in the heart of the Balkan Peninsula. We arrive in Prizren in about 2 hours and meet our local guide for a walking tour of the city entering the Sinan Pasha Mosque, The Church of Our Lady of Ljevis (Unesco), The Museum of Prizren League and the Ottoman Old Town known for its gold and silver filigree craftsmen. Enjoy free time for lunch in Prizren and leave the town for the capital of Kosovo, Prishtina. In the afternoon, have a walking tour of Prishtina to discover the city with its many mosques, cathedrals and markets. Day 2: Matka Canyon & Sightseeing Tour of Skopje This morning we head towards North Macedonia with our first stop at Matka Canyon known for its butterfly colonies. Here we embark on a private boat ride for a short exploration of the Vrelo Cave, one the deepest in the world, before enjoying free time for lunch with a great view. With a short drive we arrive in Skopje the capital of North Macedonia Have a walking tour of Skopje discovering the city with its highlight like Mother Teresa Memorial House, opened in 2009 to pay tribute to the life of the celebrated humanitarian, the old railway station and the Stone Bridge, which dates back to 1451. Enjoy a relaxing evening in Skopje. Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Ohrid (Unesco) Reach and take in all that the Unesco–recognized charming city of Ohrid has to offer on a guided tour with a local guide. Pass by the glorious Church of Saint Sophia and the National Workshop for a handmade paper-making demonstration. Enter Samuil’s Fortress and walk along its historic 4th-centrury walls. Discover the Ancient Theatre of Ohrid, built in the Hellenistic style. Walk up to the cliff-top Church of Saint John at Kaneo for panoramic views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Day 4: Tirana via Saint Naum Monastery & Bay of Bones On our way to Tirana, visit the Bay of Bones Museum, a prehistoric settlement located on Lake Ohrid. A one of a kind in the region, it is an authentic reconstruction of a part of the pile-dwelling settlement, dating back between 1200 and 700 Bc. Then, continue exploring the medieval Monastery of Saint Naum. See the resident peacocks that roam the grounds Enter the monastery to view its intricate frescoes We drive towards the border of Albania to Pogradec, where you have free time to enjoy lunch on the shores of Lake Ohrid. Travel to Tirana in the late afternoon. (Hotel accommodation in Tirana is not included on tour)

Explore Theth National Park on a 2-day guided tour and see breathtaking natural wonders such as the Blue Eye and the Grunas Waterfall as well as historical marvels like the Church of Theth and the Lock-in Tower. Arrive in Theth and take some time to settle into your room. Then, head down to the valley for a scenic walk along the river before stopping at the Lock-in Tower. Hear the fascinating history of this old prison from your expert guide. Continue to the Grunas Waterfall, and see one of the most unique natural formations in the Albanian Alps, proclaimed a state-protected natural monument. Then, head back to the guesthouse. Start your morning with a traditional breakfast before traveling to the Blue Eye. As you go, admire the incredible scenery along the trail with mountain ranges above you and rocky pools of freshwater - excellent for swimming. Finally, arrive at Cape Kapre, one of the most beautiful villages in the Alps. Here, marvel at the spectacular Blue Eye pool. Take the opportunity to capture incredible photos or just relax with your group on the edge. While walking back, make a stop at Qafe Thore. Here, admire sweeping views of the national park before your last stop: the Church of Theth. Explore the grounds of this picturesque church built in 1892. After a delicious lunch, travel back to Tirana city.

Meet your guide at Scanderbeg Squere and set off on your tour of the city where you will learn about the rule of the Communist Party of Labour of Albania, which ruled from 1945 to 1991. First, stop at Scanderbeg Square . Get an overview of Albanian national history prior to the communist era and learn more about Albania's national hero, Scanderbeg. Hear of the story of the military commander who led a rebellion against the Ottoman Empire. Then, visit the Etemhem Bey Mosque and the Clock Tower. A few meters away from Scanderbeg Square is the underground bunker, Bunkart 2. Explore this modern-day museum which provides plenty of fascinating stories from communist times. Discover traces of communist architecture and artifacts when entering the nearby block area. See a section of a war bunker, materials from the Spac mine, and parts of the Berlin Wall which were gifts from the German government. Inside the block area, see the exterior of the house of the former dictator, Enver Hoxha. Continue the tour with a visit to the museum, the Hause of Leaves, a building that housed the state intelligence agency, the Sigurimi. Enjoy some of the best grilled food in Tirana for lunch.

Travel south along the Albanian coast and explore the best of this region on a guided tour. Spend the day discovering Vlora, Butrint, Saranda, and Gjirokaster. Start your trip with a comfortable ride in an air-conditioned vehicle from your hotel in Tirana. Travel to Vlora, the city of independence. Proceed to Llogara to enjoy the breathtaking views of the coast from a 1043-meter height. Continue to Saranda and see enchanting beaches such as Gjipe Beach, Porto Palermo, Lukovë, and more. Next, visit the National Park of Butrint that holds more than 2000 years of history. Head to the source of the “Blue Eye” before getting to Gjirokaster. It’s a water spring with clear blue waters coming from the depth of the earth, running in the shape of an eye. The road leading to Gjirokaster will take you to the castle of the city and the old bazaar neighborhood. Visit the former homes of Ismail Kadare and Enver Hoxha, which are now museums dedicated to communism. Enjoy this last stop of the coastal tour before returning to Tirana.

You will begin your journey of the past at the Bunk’ Art Museum with a full immersion into Albanian history over the last 100 years. The ex–nuclear bunker, built to accommodate Communist Dictator Hoxha in the event of attack, tells a story of the dictator’s time as well as both world wars through photographs, items, and documents. Once you step out of the Bunk’ Art you will head for some local qofte (meat balls) complete with yogurt sauce, potato chips, and local beer, a combination of which comprises Tirana’s typical street food. You'll then walk towards Skanderbeg Square and learn about the historical buildings such as the Et’hem Bey Mosque and the clock tower, which surround the main square of Tirana. Following that, enter the National Gallery of Arts, which is home to socialist and realist art. There you will encounter powerful images which provide an insight into how “realistic” art was used to create propaganda throughout history. You can also behold the pyramid, the former Enver Hoxha Museum, whose once-white-marble walls are now crumbling and full of graffiti. Following the museum you'll take a break at the Komiteti-Kafe Museum for some raki, communist candy, and some optional coffee. You will then walk through the Blloku area, where you will discover the home of Enver Hoxha and other senior members of his regime. You'll stop at the Post Blloku Memorial, which honors former political prisoners, in an area which was once forbidden to enter.

Explore Albania's top attractions in the hands of an expert tour director during a 4-day, 3-night sightseeing tour. Sample authentic Albanian food and visit Unesco World Heritage Sites such as Berat, Gjirokastra, and Butrint. Day 1: Sightseeing tour of Berat via Durres Travel to Berat, stopping in Durres for a short walking tour of the City Walls, Byzantine Forum, Roman Thermal Baths, the Venetian Tower, and the Amphitheater. Transfer to Berat passing through suggestive hills full of olive trees. Then, get settled in the hotel and head out for a guided tour admiring the citadel/castle of Berat with the Red Mosque, recognized by its solitary minaret, and the many Byzantine Churches like the Holy Trinity Church and the St. George Church. Finally, step inside a local home inside the castle of Berat for a coffee, raki, and dessert break. Enjoy the rest of the day wandering in the two main districts of Mangalam and Gorica. Day 2: Sightseeing tour of Gjirokastra After breakfast, admire small villages during your transfer to Gjirokaster. Once you arrive in this “city of a thousand steps,” settle into your hotel before soaking up the rich history of the castle and enjoying the view of the “city of stone” from above. Next, see the Ottoman Bazaar and historic wooden houses. Visit the Gjirokastra Obelisk dedicated to the first school of Gjirokastra and enjoy the 360º view from there. Next, stop for lunch in a small local restaurant for a taste of the city’s authentic dishes. Step into Skenduli house, the nicest Ottoman tower house, and listen to its history and details from the 10th generation of the Skenduli family. Spend a relaxing evening in the streets of Gjirokaster. Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Butrint & the Blue Eye spring Travel to the “Blue Eye” spring. Admire the shades of blue and surrounding nature before heading to Butrint. There, marvel at 2,500 years of history on a guided tour with a local guide. See the highlights, such as the amphitheater, castle, churches, and Lion Gate. Drive to Ksamil and enjoy lunch by the lake at the Mussel House. Spend your afternoon in Ksamil before heading to Saranda via Lekursi Castle, which overlooks the city. Day 4: Tirana via Vlore and Riviera Road En route to the city of Vlore via the scenic Riviera road, and explore the Ali Pasha Castle with your Tour Director. First, head to the Llogara “balcony” for a stunning view of the South Coast beaches before indulging in lunch at Llogara National. Next, visit a park surrounded by pine trees and a fresh mountain breeze. Marvel at the architecture and listen to entertaining legends about the man who built it, Ali Pashe Tepelena. Then, stop for lunch at a rustic local restaurant along Shushica river. After lunch, visit the city of Vlore, the hometown of the National Independence movement. visit Flag Square with its Independence Monument in the center, the Muradie Mosque, and Vlore Lungomare. Transfer to Tirana. (Hotel accommodation in Tirana is not included on the tour).

After being collected from your accommodation, you will begin your day exploring the port city of Durres. Discover a mixture of modern and ancient features, with this town having many interesting stories to tell. We will walk around its City Walls, Byzantine Forum, Roman Thermal Baths and around these ancient monuments we will enjoy Durres now famous street-art. Visit the Amphitheater and the Archeological Museum. Afterwards we head for our local winery to enjoy wines, cheeses and local food. Visit the vineyards and the winery and get acquainted with the wine production process and their Applied Agriculture. Tasting of wine varieties includes 3 glasses - 125 ml (Wset level 2) and Raki accompanied by appetizers.

Explore the ancient Greek, Roman, and medieval ruins at the Apollonia Archaeological Park on this day trip from Tirana. Take a tour of the Mangalem and Gorica neighborhoods in the UNESCO world Heritage town of Berat.  Be picked up from your accommodation in Tirana and sit back and relax on the drive to the ruins at Apollonia. Explore this 6th century BC Greek trade colony which is surrounded by soft, picturesque hills and rolling olive groves. Uncover the Greek, Roman, and medieval heritage of this ancient city. View monuments from the classical period such as Doric columns, an obelisk, and the Gate of Temenos. Admire a well-preserved 13th century monastery complex.  Continue to the ruins of the Castle of Berat which was built in the 13th century and has Byzantine and Ottoman influences. Learn about what daily life was once like in Berat at the Ethnographic Museum of Berat. See how local styles fused with Ottoman styles at the museum.  Head to the Mangalem neighborhood of Berat. Snap pictures of the layered houses with large windows that overlook the river. Uncover how this place earned the name 'town of a thousand windows' as you explore the neighborhood of Gorica. Return to your accommodation in the city of Tirana.

Following a pickup from your accommodation in Durrës or Tirana, embark on a guided tour of the charming city of Ohrid. Explore the charming city on a guided tour with a local guide. Pass by the glorious Church of Saint Sophia and the National Workshop for a handmade paper-making demonstration. Enter Samuil’s Fortress and walk along its historic 4th-century walls. Discover the Ancient Theatre of Ohrid, built in the Hellenistic style. Walk up to the cliff-top Church of Saint John at Kaneo for panoramic views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Enjoy free time for lunch and explore this pretty lakeside town before returning to Tirana in the late afternoon.