Albania and Macedonia Uncovered SS.Indd
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YOUR TOUR DOSSIER ALBANIA & MACEDONIA UNCOVERED TRIP OVERVIEW Unlock the beauty of the Balkans on a remarkable journey through the ancient history and dramatic landscapes of Albania and North Macedonia. Albania’s revival has affirmed its appeal for history-seekers and nature-lovers alike. Traverse stunning mountain scenery, idyllic beaches and glittering lakes dotted with dazzling classical and medieval architecture. ITINERARY & DETAILS This document aims to give you all the information that you require for a smooth and captivating archaeological sites. The town has become synonymous with its and comfortable trip to Albania. Please take the time to read this dossier to hospitable coffee-shop culture. Teeming with vibrant 18th century town houses, familiarise yourself with all the aspects of our tour. It includes important details neoclassical buildings and prehistoric monuments, meander through the winding such as flight details, visa requirements and travel insurance. streets of this charming city during a morning tour, before exploring one of North Macedonia’s best regarded archaeological sites. Regally assembled amidst the Your included meal guide: former city bounds of Macedonia, wander through the excellently preserved B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner monuments of Heraclea Lynecestis which astoundingly dates back to the 4th century; marvel at the ancient Roman baths, open-aired portico and Christian B DAY 1: UK to Tirana Basilica, before standing upon the striking stage of the Roman Amphitheatre Depart London on your scheduled flight to Tirana.Upon arrival, you will be met by that was, for a short time, the epicentre for Gladiator fights. In the shadows of its your representatives and transferred to your hotel. ancient past, these mesmerising ruins now serve as a backdrop for concerts and DAY 2: Tirana B/D theatre performances, held here during the summer months. From here, spend The cultural, entertainment and political heart of Albania lies in the lively city of some time at leisure navigating the market stalls and narrow avenues of the Old Tirana, proclaimed as the capital in 1920. Shrouded by its difficult past, Tirana Bazaar, before returning to Ohrid this evening. has in recent years re-invented itself as a city of historic and cultural significance; B flourishing with its vast array of museums and fascinating monuments, amidst DAY 5: Ohrid to Vlorë via Berat, Albania Return to Albania today and experience the magnetic charm of Berat during a metropolis peppered with vibrant buildings. Unearth Albania’s past struggles a morning city tour. Surrounded by rugged mountains and towering hillsides, as you enter the underground bunker known as Bunk Art 1, built in the 1970s witness an iconic assemblage of white Ottoman houses which climb to the under the strict instructions of Enver Hoxha - Albania’s former head of State. highest peak of this ‘town of a thousand windows’, before exploring the Constructed as a protective refuge in the event of a nuclear attack, this five- expansive grounds of Berat Castle. Perched atop a steep mountainside, storey shelter now houses a history museum and contemporary art gallery delight in incredible vistas of the city, where the Osum river spectacularly cuts abounding an assortment of vibrant artwork. Wander through a selection of 24 through the verdant valley below. Breaking custom and tradition, this beguiling rooms and be transported to a bygone era, as you witness the living quarters fortress is unlike any other citadels of its time owing to the fact that it has almost and meeting rooms which replicate its original design. This afternoon, bask in continuously remained a habitable community, where restaurants, markets and natural splendour as you journey towards Dajti Mountain, a tranquil and refreshing Byzantine churches thrive at the heart of local life. Behind the imposing walls of contrast to Tirana. Immersed in an idyllic display of verdant fields and shady this fortified city, wander through the twisting streets before gaining an insight beech trees, board a cable car and glide towards the summit of Mount Dajti, into one of Albania’s most distinctive religious artists at the Onufri Museum. absorbing spellbinding vistas along the route. Later this evening, enjoy a welcome Combining vivid crimson and golden colours in a dazzling spectacle of religious dinner at a local winery. extravagance, witness Onufri’s elaborate work before travelling towards the DAY 3: Tirana to Ohrid, North Macedonia B former capital of Albania, idyllically situated on the bay where the Adriatic and Following breakfast, journey to the picturesque resort which teeters on the shores Ionian seas harmoniously unite. Spend the rest of the day at leisure basking in the of Lake Ohrid in North Macedonia. Radiating natural extravagance and exuding warm Mediterranean sun or relishing in the lively ambience of this picture-perfect old-world charm, indulge in an area of outstanding beauty during an afternoon at seaside metropolis. leisure, delighting in the opportunity to explore the atmospheric old town of Ohrid, B where a scattering of medieval churches, crumbling monasteries and ancient DAY 6: Vlorë Located atop a windswept plateau and set amongst a backdrop teeming with ruins lay adjacent to traditional houses, crowned by their iconic red-tiled roofs. rolling hillsides and verdant olive groves, explore the ancient Greek colonial city Why not soak up the atmosphere and glorious lake-side views from the comfort of Apollonia. Whilst several ruins remain buried underground, wander around a of a quaint café or take a stroll along the sprawling embankment boardwalk. number of spellbinding archaeological highlights, including the amphitheatre and DAY 4: Ohrid to Bitola B dominating pillars that marked the city’s administrative centre, before returning to Framed by the towering mountainsides of Baba and Nidze, travel to the city of the atmospheric centre of Vlorë for an afternoon at leisure. Bitola, a relatively quiet town which boasts an intriguing blend of architecture 1 ALBANIA AND MACEDONIA UNCOVERED TOUR DOSSIER DAY 7: Vlorë to Durrës B/D made copper objects which are sold in the ancient Ottoman bazaar, known as After breakfast, journey towards the charming medieval village of Kruja, blissfully one of the oldest market streets in Albania. Later, travel to Durrës and arrive in situated at the foothills of Mount Kruja and its surrounding green valleys, which time for your farewell dinner this evening. stretch to the shores of the glistening Adriatic. Exuding an enchanting authentic B ambience, wander through the cobblestone streets of this quaint town before DAY 8: Durrës to the UK browsing a collection of beautiful antiques, hand-crafted rugs and masterfully This morning, transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK or chosen extension. ACCOMMODATION DETAILS & MAP Accommodation Your accommodation is selected for convenience, location, comfort or character, and can range from business hotels to leisure hotels. Hotel accommodation is generally rated as local three to four-star standard, but please note there is no international classification system for hotels, and differences in facilities and quality do exist between the UK and Albania/ Macedonia. All group tours hotels have private bathroom facilities and air-conditioning, where needed. Rest assured that all accommodation used by Sunspot Tours is regularly inspected by our staff and partners to ensure that standards meet your needs. If you have booked a triple share please note that your room will be a twin room with a rollaway bed or sofa bed added. This may limit the floor space in the room. Meals Breakfast is always western style and served in the hotel each morning. Dinner when included) will be taken in local restaurants or at the hotel. A variety of restaurants are visited giving you the chance to experience a range of dishes and flavours. ON YOUR ARRIVAL On your arrival in Tirana you will be met by a representative from our local agent, Albtours D, holding a sign displaying: “Sunspot Tours”. The Sunspot Tours/ Albtours D representative will show you to your transfer vehicle. Your national guide will be on hand 24 hours a day should you have any queries, however if you need to contact your representative during your stay the details are: Albtours D Emergency contact information Telephone Number: 00355 (0) 69 20 21 655 Please find below the emergency contact details for Albtours D (24hrs): 00355 (0) Email: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] 69 20 21 655 Email: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] WHAT YOU NEED FOR YOUR TOUR Visas mobility. It involves climbing of steep stairs and getting on and off coaches. This A visa is not required for your trip to Albania and Macedonia. Further advice tour is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties. should be sought from the applicable tourist authority for other nationalities and All our tours feature a “Tour Pace” to help find the right holiday for you. To travel for general queries. We strongly advise you check your destinations’ Tourist on any of our tours requires unaided mobility and the ability to stroll around the Board or Embassy for the most up-to-date guidelines regarding passport validity. sights, climb stairs and get on and off coaches and boats. Our tour paces are marked with dots out of 3, with the differences being as follows: Insurance 1 Dot the tour is Easy-Going We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably 2 Dots the tour is Intermediate insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you 3 Dots the tour is Advanced must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel Albania & Macedonia is rated as 2 Dots meaning that the tour pace is insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may Intermediate.