ALBANIA AND MONTENEGRO
Indicative itinerary subject to changes until the departure date
Day 1 Tirana / Dürres
Arrival in Tirana and transfer to Dürres. Arrival, dinner (for flights arriving after 9pm, a cold dinner will be served in your room) and accommodation.
Day 2 Dürres / Tirana / Berat / Dürres
Breakfast. Departure for Tirana and guided tour of the city. Discover Skanderberg Square with its Et'hem Bey Mosque, which was preserved during the communist era due to its historical value. Right next door are other monuments such as the Opera House, the so-called Clock Tower, and the Palace of Culture, as well as the Orthodox and Catholic cathedrals. Then, continuation to the Boulevard of National Martyrs. Continuation to the Blloku neighborhood, the most popular among young people, shops, and cafes. Continuation to Berat, also known as “the city of windows,” one of the most beautiful places in Albania, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2008. Bordered by a gigantic mountain range, the city is surrounded by an ancient wall and has 2000 years of history. Above the well-preserved old town, built in the Ottoman style, stands the castle with its unique view, a Roman cistern, and St. Mary's Cathedral, which is part of the Onufri Museum. Departure for Dürres, dinner, and accommodation.
Day 3 Dürres / Kruja / Ura E Mesit / Shkodër
Breakfast. Departure for Kruja to visit its fortress and bazaar. Continuation north to Shkodër, the largest city in northern Albania. Italian and Austro-Hungarian influences are visible in the buildings that can be seen on a walk through the pedestrian zone. From the impressive Rozafa Castle, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Albanian Alps and Lake Scutari. Continuation to the Mesi Bridge, the largest bridge in Albania from the Ottoman period, making it a cultural monument of great value. Arrival at the hotel in Shköder, dinner, and accommodation.
Day 4 Shkodër / Ulcinj / Petrovac / Sveti Stefan / Budva
Breakfast. Today's route will take you to the Montenegrin border. First, visit the southernmost city of Montenegro, Ulcinj. Here, once under Ottoman rule, there was a famous slave market, where one of the most famous slaves was the Spanish poet Miguel de Cervantes. Next, visit the old fishing village of Petrovac, located in a beautiful red sand bay. Once in Budva, take a stroll through the city, followed by a relaxing boat trip in Budva Bay, passing by the islands of Sveti Nikola and Sveti Stefan. Dinner and accommodation.
Day 5 Budva
Breakfast. Day at leisure to enjoy the charm and atmosphere of the Montenegrin port city of Budva. Dinner and accommodation.
Day 6 Budva / Cetinje / Njegusi / Kotor / Budva
Breakfast. Departure from the hotel towards the coast. Finally, arrival at the country's former capital, Cetinje. It was once the capital of the Kingdom of Montenegro. After a tour of the city, continuation of the trip to the village of Njegusi. Here you can sample the famous cured ham. In the afternoon, the next highlight of the trip: Kotor and, after a short coffee break, a wonderful boat trip in the Bay of Kotor, which takes us to the monastery of Mary on the Rock and from there to Perast. Departure for the hotel. Dinner and accommodation.
Day 7 Budva / Lake Skadar / Bar / Durres
Breakfast. Departure for Lake Skadar and the national park of the same name. Upon arrival, board a boat to the former state prison “Montenegrin Alcatraz,” an abandoned prison island. Then departure for the city of Bar. The old town is hidden in the shelter of a castle perched on a rock in the Rumija Mountains. It was only in the XIX century that this abandoned settlement became the new district of Novi Grad. Continuation to Albania. Arrival in Dürres, dinner, and accommodation.
Day 8 Dürres / Tirana
Breakfast. At a time to be arranged locally, transfer to the airport.
