This 18-day adventure begins in Albania's capital, Tirana, an abundant city with fascinating museums, cobbled streets and a curious blend of architectural style that does not seem to be consistent with historic Albania as displayed in other regions. We enjoy the sights of the Byzantine fortress and a spot of exploration of this, the cultural and political center of Albania, before setting off farther afield, where we visit historic structures, restored castles and ancient fortresses built by, among others, the Romans, the Illyrians and the Turks in ages past. Picturesque towns and breathtaking natural sceneries mark our journey along the Albanian Riviera, followed by the majestic mosques, breathtaking chapels and fascinating museums in towns en route as we circle around and head back to the capital.
Heading into Macedonia, we take a couple of days to visit Ohrid, designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, to tour ancient monasteries and fortresses and to cast off on a boat trip on deepest lake in the Balkans before pressing on to Athens, Greece. The remaining eight days of our tour are spent basking under a Grecian sun and traveling through countryside and time, as we explore this remarkable destination that boasts fascinating historic sights enough to rival any county in the world. Splendid monuments of ancient times litter the landscape in Greece, from the crumbling ruins of Apollo's Temple in Corinth or the theater in Sparta that dates from the 2nd century BC, to the Temple of Hera in Olympia and the striking monasteries in Kalambaka whose frescoes depict the persecution of Christians by the Romans. Arriving back in the heart and soul of the country, Athens, it would be remiss for us not to pay a visit to the site referred to as the 'finest monument of Greek civilization,' the Parthenon, before we end our tour.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Breakfast and dinner (mostly local restaurants, some hotels) daily.
- All sightseeing and entrance fees for sites noted as �visited� in the detailed itinerary.
- Gratuities for local guides, drivers, restaurant staff, porters.
- Flight Tirana - Athens.
- Airport transfers for land / air customers arriving / departing on tour dates.
Price Excludes:
- Tour Leader gratuities, lunches, drinks, personal items (phone, laundry, etc), international (if applicable) and domestic air taxes, departure taxes, and excursions referenced as optional.
- Airport transfers for early / late arrivals / departures or Land Only customers.
- Our post-reservation trip notes offer further guidance on optional meal costs, shopping, and locally payable departure taxes.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Albania
Macedonia
Greece
Archeology/History
Cultural Journey
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