Albania - Land of the Eagles

We begin with a full day in Albania’s lively capital, Tirana. We visit the National Historical Museum and explore the city centre, a microcosm of Albania’s modern history. After lunch, we have private access to the Archaeological Museum, located on the east of Mother Teresa Square. It was the first museum founded in this country after the Second World War and it houses exhibits from Classical times up to the Modern Period. The collections here are extensive and range from Roman Statues to jewellery and to ancient clay pots, each of which tells a different story.

We drive to Apollonia Archaeological Park, site of the colony founded by the Corinthians in 588BC, and one of the most important Greek cities on the Adriatic. Today the excavated remains are surrounded by olive and oak trees with grassy banks hinting at what may still lie buried underneath, while the evocative Byzantine monastery is now a museum. This afternoon, we drive along the ‘Mountains of Thunder’ down the beautiful Ionian coast, stopping for lunch in Vlora. We arrive in Sarandë early this evening.

Our entire day will be spent at Butrint, which achieved UNESCO World Heritage status in 1992 and remains Albania’s best known site. It is one of the most striking in the Mediterranean and our guide lecturer Oliver Gilkes has directed excavations here for many years. The city lies in suggestive woodlands and contains remarkable monuments of all periods. After a picnic lunch at Butrint Castle, we visit the museum, before walking down to catch the ferry across the Vivari Channel. Here we will explore the Venetian Triangular Fortress.

Today we leave the Ionian and cross the mountains to arrive in Gjirokastra. This amazing Ottoman city is also a Unesco World Heritage Site and we shall have the chance to visit the Gjirokastra Museum, the medieval Fortress and the National Museum of Arms. This afternoon we enjoy a special visit to the late Ottoman mansion, Zekate House. Built in 1812, Zekate is widely considered to be one of the grandest examples of its kind, providing us with amazing an insight into the upper echelons of Ottoman life.

We head northwards and long the valley of the mighty river Vjosa round to the ruins of Byllis. According to legend, the city was founded by warriors led by Neoptolemus, the son of Achilles returning from the Trojan wars. Archaeologists have yet to find evidence of Homeric heroes but have uncovered a Hellenistic era stadium, theatre and fortifications as well as numerous later Roman churches. After lunch, we will visit the excavated Byllis Cathedral, before continuing onwards to Berat and enjoy dinner at our hotel.

Today we shift from classical to medieval times in the attractive town of Berat, which is brimming with traditional architecture. The lower city along the riversides was the preserve of the Muslim inhabitants, while by agreement the Christians held the citadel. Here we will explore Byzantine churches, Ottoman mosques, and the Onufri Museum, home to a spectacular collection of 16th century religious artwork.

We visit Durrës, Albania’s chief port and the starting point of the Via Egnatia. This was ancient Dyrrachium a great imperial port on the Adriatic. Here we visit the 2nd century amphitheatre, the largest in the Balkans, as well as sections of the mighty walls. After lunch we continue to Kruja, the mountain fortress of the Kastrioti family, and home of the National hero George Kastrioti Skanderbeg. We visit the Skanderbeg Museum and wander through the Ottoman bazaar. An eclectic last day to truly represent the many ages and influences of Albania.

This morning, we transfer from Kruja to the airport for our flight home.