Hidden Gems

Day 1

Arrival at Tirana International Airport. Transfer to your hotel. Short introductory tour of the city and its main cultural sights. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight stay in Tirana.

Day 2

Visit to the St. Paraskevi’s church in Ceta, built in the 13th century as a catholic Benedictine church and later converted into an orthodox church. It is the only gothic church in Albania. Visit to the Monastery of the Nativity of the Theotokos in Ardenica; built by Emperor Andronikos II Palaiologos in 1282 to commemorate his victory against the Angevins. Visit to the Saint Mary Monastery in Apollonia, situated within the ancient city of Apollonia; built sometime between the 10th and 12th century. Visit to the St. Mary's Monastery in Zvernec Island, within the Narta Lagoon. Overnight stay in Vlore.

Day 3

Visit to the Marmiroi Church, built in the 10th century near the ancient city of Oricum. Visit to the St. Mary Monastery in Kakome. Situated in one of the most picturesque bays of the Albanian riviera, the monastery was built in the 14th century. Visit to the stunning St. George Monastery in Saranda. The monastery was built in the 14th century standing on a hill with views of the Butrinti lake and the Ionian sea. Visit to the St. Nicholas Monastery in Mesopotam, thought to have been built in 1224. Its double apse makes it a unique religious sight. It enabled the church to be used simultaneously by catholic and byzantine worshipers. Visit to the Saint Mary Monastery in Kostar, built in the 12th century in a cave complex. Overnight stay in Saranda.

Day 4-5

Visit to the St. Mary’s Church in Zervat, built in the 11th century. Visit to the St. Mary Church in Peshkopi; initially built in 614 and rebuild in its current form in the 11th century. As the oldest church in the Drino valley it has a striking Byzantine architecture. Visit to the St. Mary’s Church in Vllaho-Goranxi, built in the 14th century. Visit to the Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos in Labove. It is one of the most representative examples of Byzantine architecture in Albania. The church dates to the reign of Emperor Justinian, who is thought to have built the church in memory of his mother. Up until 1989 the church hosted a fragment of the True Cross donated by the Emperor. Visit to the Ravena Monastery, built in the 16th century. Visit to the St. Mary’s Church in Leuse, initially built in the 6th century and later rebuilt in the 18th. Visit to the St. Mary’s Church in Kosine, built in the 12th century. Overnight stay in Gjirokaster.

Day 6

Visit to the city of Berat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which houses numerous Byzantine and post-Byzantine churches, including: St. Theodore Church; St Michael’s Church; Dormition Cathedral; The St. Mary of Blachernae Church; and The Holy Trinity Church – built in the 13th century, it stands right below the ancient city-walls and is one of the best-preserved byzantine structures in the city. A visit to the Museum of Byzantine Icons that features 173 artefacts on-display from the Albanian Churches and Monasteries Fund. Visit to the St. Nicholas Church in Kucove, built in the 11th century. Overnight stay in Berat.

Day 7-8

Visit to the Church of Christ's Ascension in Korca thought to be one of the oldest in the Balkans. One tradition holds that it was built in 896 in honor of Pope Clement I. Visit to the National Museum of Medieval Art, housing 6500 iconography works. Visit to the medieval town of Moscople and its numerous churches: St. John the Baptist's Monastery, St. Nicolas Church, St. Michael’s Church, and the church of the Prophet Elijah. Visit to the St. George Church in Shipske, built in the 18th century. Visit to the St. Peter Monastery in Vithkuq, built in the 17th century. Visit to the St. Michael’s Church in Vithkuq, built in the 18th century. Overnight stay in Tirana

Day 9

Return and overnight stay in Tirana

Day 10

Checkout after breakfast. Free time until airport transfer.