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

Today we will leave Kosovo and cross the border to Albania. Our first destination will be 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. 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 souvenirs in Albania, from typical to more unique and handmade souvenirs such as carpets, jewelries etc. 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. The tour leader will take you through some hidden paths, used by the locals to leave the castle without being noticed during periods when the enemies surrounded the castle. You will have some free time to enjoy a tasty traditional lunch, do some souvenir shopping or admire the city.

Later we will drive towards Tirana the Capital of Albania. We will walk towards Skanderbeg Square, named after the Albanian national hero Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu. The main square is surrounded by the National Museum, the Bank of Albania, the Opera house, Skanderbeg Statue, Ethem Beu Mosque and fancy bars. After strolling around the bustling streets of Tirana, we will visit BUNKART, one of the most interesting museums in Tirana. Initially designed as a nuclear bunker offering shelter to the Albanian communist supreme leader Enver Hoxha and his close party members during the cold war. The bunker was kept strictly secret to the general public until 2016, when the Albanian government decided to initiate an interesting project that converted the nuclear bunker into a museum. BUNKART is a video museum exhibition dedicated to the history of the Albanian communist army and to the daily lives of Albanians during the regime. Our tour continues towards Tirana Castle, found in the city center. The castle is now a pedestrian street where modern and tradition perfectly merge creating one of the fanciest areas of modern Tirana. Our last attraction for this tour will be the colorful, lively and vibrant Blloku Neighborhood. Not to be missed is Tirana’s delicious food varieties, from the tasty and cheap street food to the finest gourmet. Overnight in Tirana.

After breakfast we will drive 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. Berat 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. 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. We will continue our tour and visit the Gorica Neighbourhood. Overnight in Ohrid.

Today we will continue our city tour of Ohrid. Ohrid is 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. The houses were built with a very specific architecture that created narrowed streets, tunnels and tiny yards on the hilly terrain, making it possible for every house to have a good view of the lake. Driving back to Skopje, remarks the end of this amazing tour through three Balkans Countries.