After arrival at 'Mother Teresa Airport' transfer by bus to Tirana. Depending on the time of arrival, after check-in there will be time for sightseeing of Albania's capital, which was founded in the early 17th century by prince Suleiman Pasha. Participants will take a walk through the city centre , especially around the central square with the Mosque of Et'hem Bej, the Clock Tower and the statue of national hero Skanderbeg. This will give them a first impression of this vibrant city. One can then end the day by visiting the trendy Blloku district with its many terraces and cosy shops.

Today we visit Kruja, one of the most important places in Albania's history, located about 40 km north of Tirana. This is the fortified city where the national hero Skanderbeg managed to resist the then dominant Turks for a long time in the 15th century. One first visits the castle with its museum dedicated to this Albanian greatness and the impressive Folklore Museum, which is next door. This is followed by a visit to a traditional carpet workshop and time for a stroll through Kruja's old bazaar with its handmade souvenirs and antiques. Lunch is available at a local restaurant to sample traditional Albanian cuisine. In the afternoon, depart for Durres, located on the Adriatic, with its famous large amphitheatre from Roman antiquity. After walking through this imposing building, there will be time for a stroll along the promenade. In Roman times, Durres was the starting point of the Via Egnatia, the gentleman's road to Byzantium. An overnight stay will be taken in this pretty coastal town.

The morning starts with a visit to Berat, also known as 'the city of a thousand windows'. The programme includes visits to the citadel at the top of the hill, which dominates the city, and the more than 2,400-year-old castle. There are several churches here, which have survived communism. One of them, the Cathedral of St Nicholas, houses the Onufri Museum with a rich icon collection. It is named after the famous iconographer and his son Nicholas from the 16th century. After lunch, one visits the 13th-century church of St Marie of Vllaherna, the Bachelor's Mosque and the day's joint activities conclude with a visit to a traditional wine estate. Afterwards, there is still time to see for yourself the old buildings in the Mangalemi district.

In the morning, a visit is made to Apollonia, Albania's second archaeological site. One see the ancient monastery, the Odeon and the temple of the goddess Diana. After this, the journey continues by coach southwards along the Albanian Riviera to Saranda. There is a stop in Llogara, a pass at 1100 m above sea level, where one can enjoy the beautiful view of the Ionian coast. The journey continues south past impressive villages like Himare, Borsh and Lukova. On the way, another visit is made to Ali Pasha's fortress near Porto Palermo. Upon arrival in the 'Pearl of the Albanian Riviera', as Sraranda is called, there will be plenty of time to stroll along the promenade and enjoy the views, especially of the nearby Greek island of Corfu.

In the morning, a visit to some important sites of Saranda is scheduled, including the remains of the ancient synagogue. Followed by a bus to Butrint, Albania's most important archaeological site. This former city dates back to the 7th century BC and has been under UNESCO protection since 1995. On display are, among other things, a large basilica and an amphitheatre. Then return to Saranda to visit Lekuresi castle en route

After breakfast, the journey continues to Girokastra, Albania's museum city, also under UNESCO protection. On the way, the bus stops at the famous Syri i Kalter or the 'Blue Eye', a subterranean spring and the imposing church of Mesopotami. After arriving in Girokastra, incidentally also the national centre of folk music and dance, there will be an opportunity to take a stroll along the old stone streets of the centre and, if you wish, another opportunity to enjoy the local cuisine at a local restaurant.

Today there is plenty of time to visit this beautiful and interesting city with its imposing hilltop castle, which dominates the city. Visits include the Folk Museum and the National Weapons Museum. There is also space for visits to the birthplace of former communist leader Enver Hoxha and that of the most famous Albanian writer Ismael Kadare.

After breakfast, depart for Korça, the historically and culturally most important city of south-east Albania, located at a crossroads of ancient roads to Greece, Macedonia, Bulgaria and Turkey. The bus ride takes one across the beautiful southern highlands along the Greek border and through the famous and very impressive Kelcyra gorge. Around noon, one reaches Permet, known for its traditional brandy and more than decent wines. During the journey, one sees several of a total of no less than 700,000 'hidden' single-person bunkers , built by the former communist regime to protect itself from an imaginary enemy. En route, there is an opportunity for lunch at a traditional restaurant. In Korça, we visit the Museum of Medieval Art and the very first Albanian school.

In the morning, honour and excusrsion by bus to the isolated mountain village of Voskopoja, located at 1160 m above sea level. This was one of the most important and largest (!) cities in the European part of the former great Ottoman Empire. An important printing house existed in Voskopoja as early as 1720. In 1744, the Academy of Voskopoja was founded. Furthermore, a visit is made to the Church of St Nicholas, a jewel from the 18th century. After this excursion, the anyway downhill is resumed before setting course for the town of Pogradec on the famous Lake Ohrid. Here, a special fish meal can be enjoyed on the shores of the lake with picturesque views, at. the famous Koran fish (a special salmon trout). In the afternoon, the bus travels into Macedonia. It stops along the way to visit the Monastery of St Naum, founded in the year 905, and then arrives in Ohrid, the city with - it is claimed - no less than 365 churches at one time! After checking in at the hotel, there will be an opportunity to stroll through the old part of the city and enjoy the beautiful views of Lake Ohrid.

In the morning, toe visit the district with its many ancient Orthodox churches and monasteries. One of the oldest and most worth seeing is St John of Kaneo, from the 14th century, located on a cliff above the lake. There are also several ancient important monuments like the more than 2,000-year-old amphitheatre and the Church of St Sophia, said to have been built in the 11th century by Macedonian Tsar Samuel. The party then continues the journey to Struga, the second city on the shores of Lake Ohrid. The also multi-religious Struga is less crowded than Ohrid and is characterised, among other things, by the mosques that are often built there alongside Orthodox churches. There is room for a stroll through the old bazaar, where the rich regional cuisine can be enjoyed in a restaurant. After visiting Struga, one travels back to the 'Land of the Eagle' and the bus travels along the banks of the impressive Shkumbini River for quite some time. Finally, via Elbasan, one reaches the capital Tirana again.

Today, participants will visit several important historical and cultural monuments of Tirana, the capital founded in 1614 by a feudal ruler named Suleyman Pasha Bargjini. The first sightseeing tour takes place on foot in the city centre. One first goes to the Et'hem Bej Mosque with its interesting architecture from 1789. Walking around the central square, one visits the Clock Tower, the remains of the Justinian Castle and the National History Museum. In the afternoon, an excursion around Tirana by bus and a visit to Petrela Castle, whose current construction dates from the 15th century but has its origins in antiquity. From there - if time permits - this excursion will conclude at the summit of Mount Dajti, where one can enjoy stunning views of the city and the grand pine forests in the surrounding area from a height of 1613 m and in an environment of truly pure air. In the evening, there is then every opportunity for a stroll through the city centre and perhaps a drink on a terrace of the Blloku district.

Depending on the departure time, there will be an opportunity to visit the nearby Tirana bazaar. Then departure by bus to 'Mother Teresa' airport.