ARCHAEOLOGICAL SPRING IN THE ANCIENT ILLYRIA

                                                                 PROGRAM

1st DAY - BOOKING AND ACCOMODATION. VISIT OF DURRES.

Arrival in the morning at the airport of Tirana, transfer to the hotel in the beach of Durres.
Early in the afternoon transfer to the center of Durres .
Durres, founded by the Illyrians in the 13th century BC, expanded considerably thanks to the tribe of the Taulants in the 9th century BC that made it the capital, became an important port of Roman times (by the Romans was also known as "Tavern of the Adriatic"), visit of the National Archaeological Museum ,visit to the historical places of the city Venetian Tower, Ottoman Walls, Thermal Baths, Forum and visit of the Roman Amphitheater (the biggest of the Balkans), then walk with visit to the modern city square Bashkia, Boulevard.
18:00 pm return to the hotel.
20:00 pm dinner in the restaurant.

2nd DAY - VISIT OF TIRANA AND KRUJA.

7:30 am breakfast at the hotel
8:15 am departure to Tirana.
9:15 approximately visit to the center of Tirana, to the renovated Skanderberg square(Gjergj Kastriot Skenderbeu the national hero who for twenty years resisted the invasion by defending Albania and Europe and its Christian moral and religious values from the Ottoman-Turkish invasion) a symbolic place of the City (Ethem Bey Mosque, 'Clock).
Visit to the beautiful National Archaeological Museum with important archaeological finds from the various Albanian historical periods.
12:00 Time for lunch.
13.00 Departure to Kruja and visit of this charming town (only 13,500 inhabitants) placed on the side of a mountain, Croia or Kruja in Albanian is the most important city of the Albanian resistance under the guidance of Gjergj Kastrioti "Skanderbeg" in the 15th century in Kruja, it successfully fought the Ottomans for over 25 years. Shopping in the beautiful old bazaar. 
Climb up to the Scanderbeg Castle and the lookout tower from where you can admire a splendid view of the plain below. The castle of Kruja was built in the 4th century AD on the remains of an earlier Illyrian settlement of the 3rd century BC. 
Visit the Skanderberg Museum inside the castle.
18:30 pm return to the hotel.
20:00 pm dinner in the restaurant.

3rd DAY - VISIT OF BERAT

8:30 am breakfast at the hotel.
9:30 am departure to the city of Berati or Berat in Albanian, the City with a thousand windows, (special status on the Unesco bond).
11:15 am arrival in Berat in 2008 the historic center of Berat was declared UNESCO World Heritage Site, as "a rare example of a well-preserved Ottoman city", the Castle of Berat where there are 42 churches, many of the which of the IV -V century of which few have preserved over time the original traces, the Onufri Museum, housed in the ancient Orthodox Cathedral of the "Dormition of the Virgin" (named after the 16th century Albanian painter of icons), and ancient Orthodox churches Visit to the historical and ancient part of the city the district of Mangalemi with the typical Ottoman houses.
14:00 -15: 00 Time for lunch.
16:00 pm visit of the historic Gorica district and the Gorica bridge.
17:00 pm return to the hotel in Durres, scheduled for 18:30 pm.
20:00; dinner in restaurant.

4th DAY - TRANSFER TO VLORE.

7:30 am breakfast at the hotel.
8.00 am departure to Valona.
9.30 am. Visit of Apollonia. Visit to the important archaeological park and the archaeological museum. APOLLONIA (Founded in 588 BC by the Greek colonists of Kerkyra (today's Corfu) and Corinth, Apollonia was one of the most important commercial centers of the time and was defined by Cicero: "magna urbs et gravis" - that is - large and majestic city. its ancient beauty was brought to light in the early twentieth century by a French team, although many of its treasures remained hidden.
11.30 am Time for lunch.
12:00 am Departure to  Bylis.
13:30 pm Visit to the ancient city of Bylis (or Byllis). The archaeological site is located in an extraordinary natural position overlooking a valley, spread over an area of thirty hectares with massive walls extended for over 2 km, was the residence of an important "barbaric" community of Illirians.
15:00 hours Departure to Valona.
17:00 pm Return to the hotel and free time for a walk on the Vlora Boulevard.
20.00 pm dinner in the restaurant.

5th DAY - VISIT OF THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES OF AMANTIA AND ORIKUM (ORICUM).

7:30 am Breakfast at the hotel.

8:15 am Departure to Amantia.
9.30 am Arrival in Amantia and visit of the archaeological park.Amantia was founded in the fifth century BC, it covers an area of 13 ha. Amantia occupied an important defensive position. In the 3rd century BC, Amantia was economically dominant and coined its own currency.It was surrounded by walls more than two kilometers long. It had its own acropolis and a temple dedicated to Aphrodite in Doric style built in the 3rd century BC. C. The best preserved monument is the stadium, about sixty meters long, could accommodate about four thousand people. Amantia until the abandonment occurred towards the end of the sixth century D.C. gradually lost its strategic and economic importance and became a small urban center which in the early Christian era was a bishop's seat.
12:00am Departure to the archaeological site of Orikum placed inside a military naval base (now NATO base) and accessible only with authorization;
13:00 pm Time for lunch
14:00 pm Departure to  Orikum.
2.30 pm Arrival in Orikum to visit the archaeological site. Orikum city placed on the sea was used by the Romans in ancient times as a defensive base in the wars against the Illyrians as well as in the 3rd century BC against the Macedonians, who actually occupied it in 214 A.C. Julius Caesar and his troops settled near the town for several months.
4.30 pm Departure to Vlore.
5.15 pm Return to Vlore and walk along the Boulevard to the birthplace of the father of the Patria Ismail Qemal.
6.30 pm Return to the hotel.
8.00 pm Dinner in the restaurant.

6th DAY - DEPARTURE TO SARANDA

8:30 am breakfast at the hotel.
9:00 am Departure to Saranda with crossing of  Valona, transit on the Llogora pass (Llogora National Park at about 1000 meters above sea level) In the park you can find many trees of various essences such as the Black Pine (Pinus nigra) trees, the Bosnian pine (Pinus heldreichii), the Bulgarian fir (Abies borisii-segno) and ash trees (Fraxinus)). Llogara has always been a popular holiday area for Albanians, but very popular with tourists from northern Europe.
10:30 am Arrival at the Llogora Pass and stop for a coffee inside the Llogora Park Village where some deer live free.
11:00 am Departure to  Saranda with some stops planned along the road, including a stop to admire the spectacular view of the Ionian coast, and one for the former submarine base of the period of the dictatorship, this bay hosted during the Cold War bunkers of Soviet submarines.
12:30 am Stop on the beach of Himare and time for lunch.
13:30 Departure to Saranda.
2:00 pm Visit of Porto Palermo with ascent to the castle-fortress of Ali Pasha.Here is a small island built by Ali Pashà Tepelena, the Ottoman governor who managed to create, in southern Albania, an independent domain between the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
17:30 hours Arrival in Saranda and accommodation in the hotel. 
Free time for a walk on the Saranda promenad.
8:00 pm dinner in a restaurant outside the hotel.

7th DAY - VISIT OF THE BUTRINTO ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE.

8:30 am Breakfast at the hotel.
9:30 am Departure to Butrint.
10:00 am Visit to the archaeological site of Butrint (UNESCO World Heritage Site).
Departure from Saranda to the Butrint site, the flagship of Albanian archeology. Butrint dates back to the 7th century BC and according to Virgil was founded by Eleno son of Priam Re di Troia, the Greeks make Butrint a fortified commercial city (the remains of the acropolis are still visible). Its 6th century BC fortification evokes all the military power of the city and is a symbol of a rich culture and an important and thriving city. It then became an important Roman colony. It then fell under the dominion of the Venetians and Turks, losing its importance over the course of the century and beginning its decline. The city found (only partially excavated) is a very important microcosm of almost 3,000 years of Mediterranean history. Visit to the precious antiquarium (museum) on the spot.
12:30 am Time for lunch.
13:30 pm Departure to the Phoenike or Fenice archaeological site the best fortified and most powerful center of ancient Epirus.
13:45 am short break in Ksamil the most beautiful beach in Albania (called the Albanian Bora-Bora) with Caribbean sand and emerald sea.
15:30 hours Arrival at Phoenike and visit of the archaeological site.
5.30 pm Return to Saranda to admire the splendid mosaic inside a former dwelling and its ancient remains.
6.30 pm Return to the hotel in the afternoon with free time available for visiting Saranda.
8.00 pm Dinner in the restaurant.

8th DAY – GJIROKASTER VISIT AND RETURN TO DURRES .

7:30 am Breakfast at the hotel.
8:00 am Departure for the archaeological site of Antigonea, ancient founded in 295 A.C. which took its name from the Egyptian wife of King Pirro of Epirro.
10:15 am Arrival in Antigonea and visit of the archaeological site.
11:30 am departure for Gjirokaster.
12:00 am Time for lunch and visits to Gjirokaster (World Heritage Site - UNESCO)
Its name in Greek means Silver Fortress and the city clearly shows the meeting of Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Turkish and Albanian cultures  to the old city, shopping in the various local craft shops, visit to the castle on top of the hill.
2.30 pm Departure to return to Tirana airport, scheduled for about 18.30. It takes about 3 ½ hours for the Tirana airport. Stop for a coffee along the way.

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                                                             €.920 x pax for 10 pax
                                                      

THE QUOTES INCLUDE

- 7 nights in a standard double room with 3 * / 4 * Hotel services (as accredited locally) in all locations.
- 7 buffet breakfasts in the hotel;
- 7 dinners as scheduled in the hotel restaurant or outside (including water 0.33 l. And 1 glass of wine or draft beer p.pax.) Coffee and bitterness excluded;
- 7 lunches in restaurant (including water 0.33 l. And 1 glass of wine or draft beer p.pax.) Coffee and bitterness excluded
- Tourist guide in English throughout the trip during the above-mentioned service hours.
- Internal transport with car and driver / tourist guide for the itinerary indicated in the program expert in the -Albanian guide and well aware of the roads, the road network and its local problems.
• Paid admissions included in the price.
1.Durrës: Archaeological Museum.
2.Durres: Roman amphitheater.
3.Tirana: National Archaeological Museum.
4.Berat: Castle.
5.Berat: Onufri Museum.
6.Kruja: Skaderberg Museum inside the castle.
7.Bylis: archaeological site entry
8.Apollonia: entrance to the Apollonia archaeological site and archaeological museum.
9.Amantia: archaeological site entrance.
10.Orikum: archaeological site entrance.
11.Porto Palermo: Alì Pasha castle entrance.
12.Butrint: Butrint Archaeological Site and antiquarium.
13.Phoenike (Phoenix): Archaeological site.
14.Saranda: entrance to the mosaic hall.
15.Antigonea: entry to the Archaeological site.
16.Argirocastro: Castle.

THE QUOTES DO NOT INCLUDE:

-Ferry and flights to and from your country to Albania.
-Lunch in restaurant.
-Drinks at meals (except those mentioned in "the quotas include").
-Drinks, liqueurs, snacks etc ... (except those mentioned in "the quotas include")
-Medical insurance - baggage eventual possible supplement € 20 pax.
-Extra personal and anything not expressly indicated under "the price includes".
-Professional private guide to sites and museums (optionally available and available only in some archaeological sites and museums with extra charge).
-Extra transportation in archaeological sitesSingle room.
-Anything else not specifically specified in the program.

The package is scheduled with arrival in Tirana airport on the first morning of th first day and departure for your country from Tirana airport on the evening of the last day.
Any changes to the aforementioned program are not possible, in case of another times of arrival and departure, we recommend a day more. Changes in the program consequent and / or due to delays or other factors not dependent on our will therefore will not be imputable to LivingAlbania and will not be subject to any refunds. If what is involved in additional costs will be assessed and charged to the customer.

For packages made within 30 days of departure, payment must be made in full. The payment will be made by bank transfer with the purpose of payment (expenses charged to the customer), payment made through your confirmation of the scanned payment document will be sent to our receipted invoice. The data relating to it will be sent to confirm it has been completed.

Supplement: 1 day more for €.70 (without guide )

Note:

- Some archaeological sites are vast and dispersive, this means that the transport reaches the parking land and then proceed the visit  of the site on the headland or mountain path with a few minutes of walking.
- In some archaeological sites there are no toilets and bars and much less restaurants.
- A valid identity document is required to enter the Orikum archaeological site.
The reservation for the visit must be made at least a month before sending the documentation to the Office of the Ministry of the Navy, so immediately requires the forwarding of a photocopy of the identity card (front and back) to be sent to the aforementioned Ministry.

STRUCTURES DESCRIPTION

The hotels are located in Durrës, about 3 km away from the city center. In Vlore in the immediate vicinity of the center and in Saranda a few hundred meters from the center. The stars are attributed on site by the hotel itself.

HOTEL DESCRIPTION

Hotel Durres 3 * is located in Durrës in Plazh (beach) directly on the long sandy beach where you can make endless walks and have a coffee or an aperitif in the many bars of the beach enjoying the scent of the sea and enjoy the beautiful sunsets. It is a 3 * star recently renovated, the rooms are newly furnished in a modern way, has Wi-Fi, private parking; It has sea view rooms with balconies with air conditioning, mini-bar, has an excellent fish restaurant where you can enjoy the taste of the sea during your dinners, but also expertly cooked pasta and Italian pizza in the adjacent room.

Hotel in Vlora 4 *. The hotel is located in the center of Vlorë, a few meters from the boulevard, and in the immediate vicinity of the main square, the hotel offers free Wi-Fi and free parking. All rooms have air conditioning, a satellite TV and a private bathroom with a shower. Breakfast included.

Hotel in Saranda 4 *. is located in the center of Saranda at 100 mt. from the promenade along the sea where you can take a relaxing evening walk and have a coffee or an aperitif in the many bars present enjoying the scent of the sea and enjoying the sunset over the bay. The rooms are modernly furnished with air conditioning, mini-bar, Wi-Fi; It has sea-view rooms with a balcony. It does not have a restaurant inside but only 100 meters from the hotel.

GENERAL INFORMATION
-No health prevention is necessary.
-The only precaution is to avoid drinking tap water, better to use bottled water.
-Compulsory medical insurance.
-The local currency is the Leke which is now being traded at about 120 Leke for one Dollar (it is advisable to change some Dollars for own expenses to avoid non-regular exchange).