After having experienced the capital of Italy and the ancient city of Rome (by yourself), our tour leader will come and pick you up at your hotel in Rome at around 10 am. We will begin this amazing journey by driving towards Naples, the third-largest city in Italy. Situated along a lovely bay, Naples is known for its chaotic charm, narrow streets, and vibrant atmosphere. The town is full or Art, History, Music and Culture. Our first stop will be the grand Piazza del Plebiscito, one of the largest squares in Naples. You can admire the Royal Palace and the San Francesco di Paola church. Just off the Piazza del Plebiscito, we will visit the Galleria Umberto I, an impressive shopping arcade with stunning architecture. Later we will walk towards Quartieri Spagnoli, or the Spanish Quarters, is a historic and vibrant neighborhood in the heart of Naples. You can have some free time enjoy some of the best local cuisine here, including pizza, pasta, and street food.
Today we cross into the Basilicata region to reach Matera. You may well recognize the town from the latest James Bond movie, No Time to Die. The Sassi of Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage site, are a network of ancient cave houses. We will walk to Piazza Vittorio Veneto and stroll through this picturesque square, enjoying the beautiful views of the city.
At approximately 09:30 am, the ferry will gracefully dock in Durres, marking the beginning of our Albanian adventure. Our Day starts with a city tour of the ancient town of Durres, which offers a blend of ancient ruins, cultural experiences, and seaside relaxation. During 7th-6th centuries BC the Illyrians named the city Epidamnus. Because of its geographic position, in the shores of the Adriatic Sea, Durres has always been a very important city throughout the history. Known also as the center of Archaeology in Albania, it has the largest Ancient Roman – style Amphitheatre in the region. We will continue our tour towards the promenade by the seaside “Vollga”. Have a coffee while enjoining the view of the endless sea and soak up the sunshine. Not to be missed when visiting Durres is the traditional ice cream. In the afternoon we will drive towards Tirana, the capital of Albania.
Today we will discover Tirana, the capital of Albania. Meet with your local companion, and enjoy a unique experience in the city while learning more about the city's culinary treasures.
Today we will depart towards North Macedonia. Struga will be our first stop. We will have a quick drink by the beautiful source of Drini River, one of the longest in Western Balkans.
Our first stop for today will be St Naum. The monastery of St. Naum carries the name of a holy place. It is situated right at the source of River Crni Drim, which flows through Lake Ohrid. This monastery complex is part of the National Park Galicica and belongs to one of the strictly protected areas. Crystal clear, spring water reflects both the surrounding greenery and the mountain peaks in the background.
Berat is 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
Today we will visit Gjirokaster, also known as “The Stone City”, part of UNESCO World heritage is situated in Southern Albania on the eastern side of mountain “Mali i Gjere”. Gjirokastra resembles a fortified city where every single house is like a small fortress. The origin of the city starts with the castle of Gjirokastra, built in IV century A.D., and is considered as one of the best-preserved medieval towns in the Balkans. Every five years Gjirokastra becomes the capital of the Albanian folklore and traditional music, where passionate folklore ensembles gather in the “stone city” and perform their traditional music, dances and show off their costumes. The atmospheric old town cascading down in graceful hill crammed with beautiful narrowed stone decorated streets, where you will be amazed by the wide variety of handmade crafts from local artisans and producers. We will visit one of the best-preserved houses of Gjirokastra, where everything is totally original and authentic.
Our first destination for today would be Ioannina, known for its rich history, cultural heritage, and beautiful landscapes. As we wander through the cobbled streets of the old town, you'll be transported back in time. The remains of the Byzantine and Ottoman eras are evident in the architecture, with ancient walls and charming houses. Our next stop will be the imposing Ioannina Castle, which dates back to the Byzantine era. Within the castle walls, we'll find a labyrinthine network of narrow streets and historic buildings. As we wander through the vibrant streets, you'll encounter charming cafes, inviting you to savor traditional Greek cuisine and local delicacies.
This is the last day of your Balkan adventure marking the end of this amazing experience through the rich history and culture of this part of the World. Your tour leader will drop you off at your hotel in Athens or at Igoumentisa Port where you will take the ferry (tickets included) to Corfu port. We hope this has been a wonderful experience with great memories of these Balkan Countries to cherish for a lifetime.