TOURS ARE OFFERED BY THE "EXPATS IN ALBANIA" TO VARIOUS DESTINATIONS IN ALBANIA:

WWW.EXPATSINALBANIA.COM

IFEES/GEDC/EPOKA 2023 CONFERENCE IS PARTNERING WITH EXPATS IN ALBANIA TO OFFER TOURS TO:

1. TIRANA

This metropolitan capital has undergone modernization at lightning speed while much of its Ottoman, Italian, and communist architecture recall its history and old-world spirit. There are plenty of churches, mosques, museums, galleries, and shopping malls to visit, but Tirana is most giving when you immerse yourself in it. The best way to discover this city is to take a leisurely walk through its diverse neighborhoods and streets, where you will discover its rich authenticity in every corner! Surrounded by a beautiful lake on one side and the Dajti Mountain on the other, this capital may bring you closer to nature. With more beautiful cafes and delicious restaurants per square meter than most European cities – not to mention the vibrant nightlife all days of the week – the city pulls you back to the enjoyment and pleasures of life.

Points of Interest that will be visited.

• Skenderbeg’s Square & Et’hem Bey Mosque

• Bunkart 2 (optional visit inside)

• Tirana Fortress “Toptani Family”

• Kafe Museum “Komiteti” – Turkish Coffee & Raki tasting.

• New Air Albania Stadium

• Mother Theresa Square & “Pallati I Kongreseve”

• Post Bllok Monument – Wall of Berlin piece / Bunker / Spac Prizon Memorabilita

• Bllok – today an entertainment district

• Orthodox Cathedral

• House of Leaves Museum (optional visit inside)

• National Historical Museum (optional visit inside)

Total price for the tour - 40 €/ person

2. DURRES

The tour starts at the Venetian Round Tower, continues along the Byzantine wall eventually reaching the Ethnographic Museum, Fatih Mosque, and the Amphitheater. We will visit the ancient Amphitheater of the 2nd Century AD, the second largest in the Balkans. We continue towards the City Center with its contrasts of architecture from the Italian to Ottoman and to the most recent buildings in the communist era, the former Soviet style, and the buildings of today. We make a stop at the Byzantine Forum, Market Place c. V-VI AD, Roman baths and return through the narrow city alleyways passed the Catholic Church of Santa Lucia, the Orthodox Church and eventually heading towards the offices of Durres YACHT Marina. This is the latest development project where the re-construction and re-invention of Port of Durres will be transformed into a new waterfront neighborhood of the city with a world class Yacht Marina. Our last stop will be at the end of Epidamn Boulevard where we can enjoy a warm drink.

Tour Program:

THURSDAY, March 30th

14:00 Departure from Epoka University 45 min – drive

15:00 Walking tour starts at Round Venetian Tower 60 min walk

16:30 Drink & Toilet break – Bars along Epidamn Boulevard 45 min

17:15 Free time to visit the boulevard 45 min

18:00 Departure at Round Venetian Tower for Epoka University

*Please note that the times are an estimate with +/- 15 or 30 min depending on the ability of the group.

2. SHKODER

Shkodra is known as the center of North Albania from the ancient times until XX century. Shkodra has offered an immense contribution to Albanian culture, often referred to as the ‘cradle of culture’ in Albania. It is the birthplace of the most important Albanian artists like the poet Migjeni, painters like Kol Idromeno and Edi Hila, photographers such as the Marubi Family. Shkodra houses the Marubi National Photography Museum, which displays the first photo taken in Albania; the Venice Art Mask Factory, where a local master produces the same intricate masks used in the Venice carnivals and Las Vegas shows. A city of myths and legends, the foundations of the famous Castle of Shkodra are said to be held by the body of Rozafa, the beautiful young mother who sacrificed herself for it. You will find that this beautiful city is surrounded by natural beauty such as the Adriatic Sea, the Lake of Shkodra and the Buna River.

9:00 Departure from Tirana 120 min – drive

11:00 “Rozafa” Fortress 60 min

12:00 Walking tour starts at “Pedonale” 60 min

13:00 “Marubi” Museum 45 min

14:00 Lunch at Shiroke / Zogaj 90 min

16:00 Departure for Tirana 120 min

17:00 Stop in Lezhe (optional) 30 min

18:30 Estimated Arriva

Total price for the tour - 85 €/ person

3. VLORA

The journey into the famous Albanian Rivera begins in Vlora, the meeting point between the Adriatic and the Ionian Sea, and one of the largest coastal cities of Albania. Vlorë played an instrumental role in Albanian Independence as an epicenter for the founders of modern Albania, who signed the Declaration of Independence on 28 of November 1912. This city is home to the traditional polyphonic music, exquisite culinary delicacies, a vibrant nightlife, and some of the best beaches of the south, many of which are found in Vlora or right off the city’s coast. Beautiful waters, lush forests, historic monasteries of the Zvërnec and Sazan islands, the popular Orikum beach, Karaburun peninsula, Narta Lagoon are home to Albania’s richest flora and fauna. Coastal mountains and Llogara Pass are within reach. On the other side of Llogara, countless historic villages, castles, churches, spectacular bays and beaches are found.

Tour Program:

9:00 Departure from Tirana 120 min – drive

11:00 Narta Lagoon, Svernec Island & Monastery 60 min

12:00 Indipendence Square & Old Vlora

12:30 Walking tour starts at “Pedonale” 30 min

13:00 Radhime – Lunch Stop by the sea 90 min

14:30 Orikum Beach & Sazan Island (optional) 120 min

16:30 Departure for Tirana 120 min

18:30 Estimated Arrival

Total price for the tour - 85 €/ person