- Information
What's included
Celebrating New Year in Albania
Dates: 29th December-2nd January
Visiting:
Tirana, Lake Ohrid (North Macedonia), Berat, Durres & Kruja City
FRIDAY, 29TH DECEMBER
We meet at the airport at 4.30 am for our Air Malta flight to Tirana departing at 6.30 am. Upon arrival at 8.00 am we are transferred to our hotel in Durres and have time to familiarize ourselves with our hotel’s location. In the afternoon we go on an optional tour of Tirana. Our tour explores the historic and architectural evolution of Tirana, which features a dynamic and rich history as it moved from a small rural trade center in the 17th century into the main capital of Albania, the cultural hub with traces of ancient ruins, Ottoman, Italian, communist and modern buildings and traditions. The walking tour includes the new promenade, approaching the Byzantine ruins and walls, reaching the main Italian boulevard, with the view of the Art Gallery and the distinguished Italian buildings, Tirana City Hall, Statue of Skanderbeg, Ethem Bey Mosque, Skanderbeg statue, Clock Tower, National Library and Opera House and the mosaic “Albanians” on top of the entrance of National Historical Museum. Stroll along the main Boulevard, visiting the most important squares, and close the visit by Kalaja e Tiranes where you can sit and enjoy a glass of wine, a coffee, or a sweet. We later return to our hotel in time for dinner.
SATURDAY, 30TH DECEMBER
Early breakfast and early departure for an optional full-day excursion to Lake Ohrid in Macedonia. We are taken to the Old Town for a walk around with our guide. We discover the Jerusalem of the Balkans with its many churches and Monasteries and nature at its best. The lake stands as one of Europe’s oldest and deepest lakes and gives Ohrid the prestige of being named a cultural and natural UNESCO World Heritage site. We have lunch (extra) in a local restaurant in the Old Town and possibly a boat trip (extra and weather permitting) before we return to our hotel and later have dinner.
SUNDAY, 31ST DECEMBER
After breakfast, we go on another optional excursion to Berat known as the “City of Windows” which is declared a Museum City”. Berat is overshadowed to the east by Tomorr Mountain 2415 m, and is an ancient Illyrian settlement founded in the 4th & 5th centuries B.C. on the territory of the Illyrian tribe of Desarettes. The town is composed of 3 parts; Gorica, situated on the far side of the river; Mangalem, situated on the fortress side of the river and the Residential quarter within the fortress known as Kalaja. We will notice the presence of different religious cultures as an example of peaceful coexistence between themselves. We can see the Fortress and the Onufri Museum. We have time for lunch (excl. drinks) before we make a final stop in a local winery for some wine tasting and indulge ourselves in some local cheeses. We return back to our hotel. In the evening we join the other hotel guests and locals for our Gala Dinner and to welcome the New Year.
MONDAY, 1ST JANUARY – HAPPY NEW YEAR |
After a late breakfast, opt to enjoy an optional guided walking tour of Durres, the oldest city and still the most important city after Tirana capital city, dating from the 7th century BC. Have a nice walk in the city center and see the town hall, ruins of the Byzantine forum, Roman baths, Roman Amphitheatre, Byzantine walls, Venetian tower, and the archaeological museum, a panoramic display of discoveries and urban planning of this once important city. Time for an optional lunch (extra) in a restaurant overlooking the sea and return back to the hotel or indulge in the hotel’s spa and wellness center and treat yourself with your choice of massages where you can enjoy a multi-sensorial journey stimulating the mind, body, and soul. Blends of aromatic oils, soothing music, scented candles, and traditional strokes redefine relaxation at its best and a perfect relaxing start to the new year. Dinner will be served in the hotel.
TUESDAY, 2ND JANUARY
Breakfast and free time to enjoy the last day in Durres. An optional excursion is being offered to Kruja City with lunch in the castle would be very appropriate for the last day. Kruja is considered one of the principal old towns and is one of the most glorious cities in Albania. The walking tour takes you through the cobblestone pathway to the Ottoman bazaar, wooden shops, and castle walls. Visit the Scanderbeg Museum within the castle walls and an old house converted in an ethnographic museum will give you insights into the lifestyle in the northern part of Albania. We will have a typical lunch in the old town of Kruja and later we will be transferred to Tirana airport for our Air Malta flight departing at 7.05 pm and arriving at 8.35 pm.
PRICE
Adults in triple €599
Adult in twin €669
Adult in single €869
Child sharing with 2 adults (0-5yrs) €199
Child sharing with 2 adults (6-9yrs) €449
PRICE INCLUDES:
Air Malta return direct flights to Tirana
4 nights in the 5-star Premium Beach Hotel in Durres (or similar) on a Buffet half-board basis
Rooms with private facilities & TV
Gala Dinner with unlimited drinks (Local wine/beer/soft drinks and water)
Return airport transfers
Service of tour leader
Airport taxes & service charge
Insolvency fund
EXCURSIONS
ADULT /CHILD (6-9 YRS)
Tirana city tour €45/ €23
Lake Ohrid full day €65 /€33
Berat full day (incl. lunch, visit to the winery, wine tasting & local cheeses) €65/ €33
Durres city tour €35 /€18
Kruja city tour €39/ €20
Children under the age of 6 years free of charge.
NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE
ADULT /CHILD
Hotel Spa Package 4 Treatments (3×20 mins & 1x50mins massage) €99 N/A
Lake Ohrid Lunch (excl. drinks) €30 /€15
Lake Ohrid Boat Ride €25 /€13
Lake Ohrid St. Sophia Church €5/ €3
Lake Ohrid Perivletpa Bogorodica €5 /€3
Kruja Lunch (excl. drinks) €35/ €18
