TIRANA - LIN - DRILON - POGRADEC

Lin - We will drive to Pogradec but first we wll stop to Lin Village. Lin is situated on a small peninsula on Lake Ohrid. The Lin area has been inhabited since at least the Iron Age. Archaeological findings from the hilltop above the present-day village include foundation walls and mosaics of an early Christian Byzantine church, dating from the 6th century. The church is included within the possible UNESCO site of the Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Ohrid Region. The ruins of the paleo-christian church of Lin together with its floor mosaics from the 4th-5th century reveal the presence of Christianity. After, we will drive to the city of Pogradec.

Pogradec - Pogradec, a relaxed city located on the shores of Lake Ohrid, bordering Macedonia. The city was a favorite hangout for Albania’s ex-king Zog, as well as communist dictator Enver Hoxha. Pogradec is one of the oldest settled civilizations in Albania. Ohrid lake, of tectonic origin (2 – 4 million years old), is the deepest lake in Balkans and it is under UNESCO protection due to its unique value and being home to 17 species of aquatic animals. For dinner we will suggest Fish Koran. While there’s a multitude of fine gastronomic traditions, the world-famous delicacy in Pogradec is a golden-skinned, salmon-coloured fish called Koran (also known as the Ohrid trout), found only in Lake Ohrid.

Driloni National Park - A truly traditional village of the area! Soft water streams flow throughout the village and into the lake, rocking boats on its surface, lush gardens surrounded by weeping willows. This is only part of the imagery that makes Drilon one of the most attractive touristic destinations. Its flora and fauna are among the most diverse in the country, as well. For good reason, the communist dictator Enver Hoxha, chose this refreshing and relaxing environment as one of his vacation.

POGRADEC - SAINT NAUM MONASTERY - VOSKOPOJA

Monastery of Saint Naum - After breakfast we drive to the border between Albania and North Macedonia. We will park the car close to Albanian’s Border and then we will walk to saint Naum Monastery for about 30 min. The original monastery was built on this very same plateau, in 905 by Saint Naum of Ohrid himself. Taken down between the 11th and 13th century, the monastery was then rebuilt in the 16th century as the multidomed byzantine structure that you see today. St. Naum of Ohrid (Sveti Naum in Macedonian), was a medieval scholar and writer, who together with Saint Clement continued the task of spreading Christianity among the Slavic speaking people of the region. Building upon the work of the sainted brothers Cyril and Methodius, St. Naum is associated with the creation of the Glagolitic and Cyrillic scripts. Known as a living saint for the many miracles he performed, St. Naum of Ohrid died in 910, at the old age of 80, and was buried inside the monastery. Back to the border.

VOSKOPOJA - KORCA - ELBASAN - TIRANA

Korce - We will continue our tour towards Korça, one of the most beautiful cities in Albania and Korça is also called the ‘little Paris of Albania’. The city is known for its typical quarters, composed of low houses and villas, which are paved with cobblestone. The city of Korça has a range of museums such as the Education Museum (located in the building where the first Albanian school opened in 1887), the renewed National Museum of Medieval Art (to visit absolutely), the Prehistoric Museum, the House-Museum of the famous landscape painter, Vangjush Mio, the Museum of the Oriental Art “Bratko”, Gjon Mili Photography Museum etc. In the vicinity of the city is the cemetery of French soldiers fallen during the First World War. Apart from the museums and monuments, Korça is the city where the largest carnival in Albania is organized, taking place before Orthodox Easter and the city is known for the local songs, called serenata. Then we will drive to Elbasan.

Elbasan - We will drive back to Tirana but first we will stop to Elbasan. Elbasan is the city at the very center of Albania. Its central location, North to South and East to West, is the reason it is sometimes referred to as “Kërthiza e Shqipërisë” (The Bellybutton of Albania). In Elbasan we will visit the old town and the castle. The Elbasan Castle is right at the center of town. Only two ancient walls remain but the area inside is full of old houses, cobblestone streets, and an excellent restaurant. One castle wall is centered around the impressive sahati (clock tower). Then we will drive to your hotel in Tirana. End of our service.

• 2 nights accommodation
• Professional guide
• Breakfast included
• Air-conditioned minivan transport

• Food and drinks, unless specified
• All fees and/or taxes