Albania is a mysterious and once the most secretive country in Europe

Tour duration:

• 10-12 hours

Price:

• 260 € (1-4 people);
• 320 € (4-6 people).

Included in the price:

• car, gasoline, parking fees;
• driver-guide services;
• cold drinks;

Additionally paid:

• lunch (including a portion of the guide);
• tickets to Rozafa Fortress;
• tickets to the Historical Museum.

Would you like to visit a country that has been closed from the outside world for many decades? In fact, Albania is a true tourist gem, still hidden in a thick sea shell. Let's try to get it!
The Albanians themselves say this about their country: “the country of bunkers, Mercedes and car washes”, as well as cheerful oriental bazaars and ancient ancient settlements that can compete with the ruins of Montenegro. Hundreds of bunkers dotted across the country, reminiscent of the communist era, go well with the mass of old Mercedes, which are jokingly called the real national currency of Albania. Along the roads of Albania, you will see a lot of neat (and not so) colorful houses, many mosques, among which, however, even Catholic and Orthodox churches come across, which gives the landscape a special flavor.

During our trip we will visit city of Shkoder, which is one of the largest cities in the North-West of Albania. Shkodra is located on the border with Montenegro on the shores of Lake Skadar, which is why it received the same name "Shkodra". This ancient city boasts a very rich history. Here you can see old wooden houses, the decoration of which shows characteristic traditional motifs. Located not far from the city the legendary fortress Rozafaperched on a rocky peak with a panoramic view. Here you will learn the terrible history of creation, which is still kept by the walls of this fortress.

Shkodra in ancient times was quite an influential Catholic center in the country, and majestic Franciscan church was the main church for Catholic Christians in Albania. Not far from the Rozafa fortress is the "Lead Mosque". During the Cultural Revolution in the sixties, it was miraculously not torn down. Six kilometers from the city preserved Ancient Turkish Mesi Bridge, which is a monument to the leader of the anti-Ottoman uprising.

Let's finally move on to the plan of our extraordinary trip!

1. Meet at your hotel and we go to the border with Albania (attention: do not forget your passports and "white cardboard", i.e. registration cards);
2. Exploring the fortress of Rozafafrom where you can enjoy an amazing view of the city and its surroundings; visit the museum inside the fortress (optional);
3. Getting to know the national cuisine at a local restaurant;
4. We visit main catholic church in the country, whose ceiling saved the entire temple from destruction during the years of Soviet power;
5. We visit ancient turkish bridge mesi – its bizarre shape is often depicted by local artists on canvases and is a real hallmark of the city;
6. We walk along the ancient streets of the city, look at numerous souvenirs and get acquainted with the main Orthodox church in Shkodra;
7. On the way back we will have a scheduled stop at one of the hundreds of thousands of bunkersbuilt in the 70s during the reign of Envero Hoxha; now they are known all over the world.

ATTENTION: Visa-free communication with Albania for Russian citizens is possible only during the summer period from May 25 to September 30.