Europe
Wednesday 01 April
We meet at Malta Airport at 13:00 for check-in for flight FR6339 departing at 15:20, arriving in Tirana, Albania at around 16:50. Transfer by coach to Pogradec, located on the shores of Lake Ohrid and known for its beautiful natural landscapes. Upon arrival at Hotel Enkelena 4-star we proceed with room allocation. Free time and an introductory walk with the leader.
Thursday 02 April
Breakfast and excursion to Ohrid, where we take a walking tour of the Old Town, an ancient city on Lake Ohrid known as the “Jerusalem of the Balkans” due to its beauty and religious sites. We see St. Clement Square with its shops and traditional architecture, the Church of St. Sophia, the Hellenistic Theatre with spectacular lake views, and the House of Paper, which showcases the history of writing and paper in Ohrid. Free time for lunch and souvenir shopping. We continue to the Monastery of St. Naum, a picturesque monastery with Byzantine architecture, also known for its choral music. Return to the hotel.
Friday 03 April
Today’s excursion takes us to Moscopole (Voskopoja), once an important cultural and religious centre, famous for its baroque churches and traditional Albanian houses. We continue to Korça, a historic city known as the “City of Art and Culture”, where we visit the traditional market ‘Pazari i Ri’, the Orthodox Cathedral, and the First Albanian School – ‘Mesonjetorja e Parë’, which showcases the country’s educational past. Traditional dinner with local dishes (extra). Return to the hotel.
Saturday 04 April
Breakfast and we begin our journey towards Tirana, but first we make a short stop in Elbasan to see the ancient fortress with its impressive walls and exceptional architecture. Upon arrival at Starlight Hotel 4-star, we settle into our rooms. Afterwards we enjoy a walking tour where we visit Skanderbeg Square, the futuristic Pyramid, religious sites including the Catholic Church and the Et’hem Bey Mosque, and the Castle with majestic views.
Sunday 05 April – Easter Sunday
Full-day excursion to Koman where we take a boat trip (extra) on Lake Koman, where natural scenery blends with the Albanian Alps, making it one of the most picturesque places in the Balkans. Time for a traditional lunch in the heart of the lake (extra). We continue to Shkodër, a historic city on Lake Shkodër, where we visit the Old Town and the ‘Ura e Mesit’, an ancient Ottoman stone bridge with beautiful architecture. Dinner in Shkodër (extra) and return to the hotel.
Monday 06 April
Breakfast and another wonderful day, this time to Berat. Before arriving, we make a photo stop in Belsh. We continue to Berat where we visit the historic quarters of Mangalem and Gorica, the Castle, and the Onufri Iconography Museum. Afterwards we offer an optional wine tasting / traditional lunch. Return to the hotel.
Tuesday 07 April
Today’s outing takes us to Durrës, a historic city on the Adriatic coast, where we visit the main square, the Roman Amphitheatre, and the Venetian Tower. We continue to Krujë, an ancient town. Free time for shopping for traditional souvenirs at the Bazaar. Return to the hotel.
Wednesday 08 April
Breakfast and transfer to Tirana Airport for flight FR6340, departing at 13:15 and arriving back in Malta at 14:55.
