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CulturalLandscapes ofAlbania andMacedoniaTour durationHoliday typeSeasonality11 daysIndividual TourFully GuidedApr-OctThis new itinerary combines the culturalhighlights of Albania with the beauty ofLake Ohrid in Macedonia. Highlights includewalking in the Albania Alps and spending timein Gjirokastra with its numerous Ottomanstyletower houses, wooden balconies andwhite stone washed walls.You can also choose to extend your holidaywith a beach stay at one of the many hotelslocated on the beach south of Durres.Day 1 Fly to TiranaArrive in Tirana and transfer to Shkodra fora walking tour of the town including a visitto Marubi Museum. Set on the banks of asparkling lake at the foot of the wild andrugged mountains of High Albania, Shkodrawas once the largest and most flourishingtown in the country and today it remains thecradle of northern Albanian culture. (L,D)Day 2 Shkodra to Theth National ParkDepart for the Albanian Alps and ThethNational Park. Stop at the Edith Durhammemorial and enjoy a walking tour of Thethwith visits to the Grunasi Canyon, ThethiWaterfall, Ethnographic Museum, CatholicChurch and the Tower of the Isolation.Overnight in a local guest house. (B,L,D)Day 3 Valley of Theth to Valley ofValbonaEmbark on a 4-5 hour walk in the AlbanianAlps. The gorges that connect these valleysstill divide the mountain communities of northAlbania into clans and tribes. Enjoy a picniclunch en route and overnight in a local guesthouse in Valbona. (B,L,D)Day 4 Valbona to TiranaSail along the Koman Lake passing thebeautiful scenery of the Albanian Alps. Onarrival at Koman continue to Kruja to visitthe fortress, the medieval bazaar and thehistorical and the ethnographic museums.Continue to Tirana for a sightseeing tour ofthe capital. Overnight in Tirana. (B,L,D)Day 5 Tirana to OhridStop in Elbasan and at the 2,400 year oldSelca Tombs en route to Ohrid. After lunch ina local restaurant on the lake shore, continueto Ohrid to overnight. (B,L,D)Day 6 OhridEnjoy a walking tour of Ohrid beginning atthe Square of St Clement with a stop at theLower Gate and the archaeological museumsituated at Robev House. Visit the Church ofSt Sophia, a masterpiece of architecture andfresco paintings, and continue to Plaoshnik tovisit the reconstructed church of St Clement.From here, head towards the Church of StJovan at Kaneo, which was built at the endof the 13th century, and is one of the mostphotographed churches in the Balkans, dueto its beautiful location on the cliffs directlyabove the lake. In the afternoon travel to theMonastery of St Naum, with its beautiful 17thcentury church rising on a hill above the lake.Overnight in Ohrid. (B,L,D)Day 7 Ohrid to GjirokastraDrive back to Albania and visit the city ofKorca, known as the centre of culture and arts.The first Albanian language school openedhere in 1887 and today it houses the NationalEducation Museum. Lunch in Permet, a cityon the river Vjosa from which the valley takesits name, then continue to Gjirokastra. (B,L,D)Day 8 Gjirokastra to LibohoveExplore the ruins of the ancient city ofAntigonea, founded by King Pyrrhus of Epirus(319-272 BC). Continue to the Labova eKryqit church, one of the oldest in Albaniawith a typically Byzantine central domeand marvellous frescoes. After lunch in thevillage of Libohovë return to Gjirokastra fora sightseeing tour. (B,L,D)Day 9 Gjirokastra to SarandaVisit the water spring of Blue Eye, the Churchof Mesopotami and the Butrint UNESCO siteen route to Saranda. (B,L,D)Day 10 Saranda to FierHead to Fier driving along the Albanian Riviera,with its stunning Mediterranean beaches. Theroad travels through breathtaking scenery,with mountains rising dramatically up fromthe coast and the deep blue sea shimmering inthe sunlight. Stops include the village of Borshand Borsh Castle, as well as the Fortressof Ali Pasha Tepelena. Continue along thecoastline to reach the national park of Llogarawhich takes its name from the 1,000 metremountain pass. Overnight in Fier. (B,L,D)Day 11 Fier to UKEnjoy a visit to the ancient site of Apolloniafounded in 588 BC before continuing on toBerat and then Tirana for the flight back tothe UK. (B,L,D)Prices fromPer person twin-share2 persons travelling £22653-5 persons travelling £1750Single room supplement £225Prices include• Return flights in economy class withBritish Airways from London Gatwick• All airport taxes and security charges• Accommodation in 3 and 4-star hotels,full board• All transfers and transportationthroughout• Sightseeing with English-speakingguides• Entrance fees on sightseeing tours11Call 020 7666 1244 | www.regentholidays.co.uk | visit your local travel agent