Albanian and Macedonian

Arrival in Tirana and transfer to the city. Free afternoon and accommodation at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel and meeting with the guide at 9:00. Today we will go to Kruja, known as a "city of history", especially for being the hometown of Skanderberg. We will start the visit of the city with its Castle, an Albanian stronghold that resisted three massive attacks by the Ottoman Turks despite its small walls, with the Skanderberg Museum. Free time to enjoy the old bazaar, where we can see the artisans and various typical products. In the afternoon return to Tirana. City tour, the capital of the country and the largest city in Albania, founded in 1614.
We will see the Skanderberg Square, the main symbol of the city, with the equestrian statue of the national hero, in front of it we will see the Clock Tower, 35 meters high; the Mosque of Et'hem Bey, where pilgrims from all over the world arrive; the National Library, the Palace of Culture; and the National History Museum, which will allow us to learn more about the history of Albania. We will visit the bazaar that was recently rebuilt, and transformed into a lively area of shops and restaurants. We will pass through the castle of Tirana, an area that shows some remains of the city, also converted into a pedestrian tourist area of traditional buildings, bars and shops. Overnight in Tirana.

Breakfast at hotel. We will continue to Ardenica, where there is a medieval Orthodox monastery, from the 13th century. Being surrounded by stone walls, it was called “Myzeke Castle”. Its Chapel of the Holy Trinity was already there centuries before, next to a pagan temple dedicated to Artemis, while the Church of Santa María contains important frescoes from the 18th century. Our next visit Apollonia, founded in the 6th century BC, a flourishing city in Roman times where an important school of philosophy was located. Everything was destroyed by an earthquake that changed the course of a river. Much of the city is still buried despite excavation work. Free time for lunch in Apollonia. In the afternoon I return to Tirana.

Day in Berat. The city was founded in 314 BC although records indicate that the area was already inhabited in the 6th century BC and is declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Its old town is divided into three parts: Kalaja, inside a castle on a hill; Mangalem, the traditional Muslim quarter, at the foot of the castle hill; and Gorica, traditionally Christian, on the left bank of the river, opposite Mangalem. We will visit Berat Fortress, which stands on a hill overlooking the modern city and the old Christian quarter on the other side of the river. It was built during the 13th century, although its origins date back to the 4th century BC. Despite the fact that little remains of its 20 Byzantine churches built during the 13th century, and only one minaret remains from the mosques built during the Ottoman occupation that began in 1417, it is still a magnificent visit. During the visit of the castle, we will also visit its most interesting building: the Cathedral of San Nicolás, which has been restored, and is now the Onufri Museum. The Museum has iconographic works by Onufri, the greatest of the Albanian painters of the 16th century. Overnight in Berat.

In the morning departure to Ohrid, in Macedonia, another area protected by UNESCO for its natural and cultural wealth. Visit of Lake Ohrid, one of the oldest in the world, and largest in the region. Visit of the medieval historic center, with admission to the church of San Sofia. Free time for a boat trip on the lake (optional), Overnight in Ohrid.

After breakfast, transfer to Skopje, the capital of Macedonia. We pass through the Mavrovo National Park, where we can stop to rest and enjoy nature. (No local guide). Free afternoon in Skopje.

In the morning guided tour of the city of Skopje, including the Church of the Savior with its icons and magnificent examples of the traditional art of walnut wood carving. We will also see the old bazaar and the stone bridge. Free afternoon and accommodation in Skopje.

Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to the airport to depart on the return flight.