Itinerary

Day One
Group flights London to Corfu, taxis to our hotel. Corfu Town, one of the loveliest towns in Greece, is a blend of Ionian, Venetian and British architecture reflecting its complex history. It briefly metamorphosed into a British crown colony after 1815.

Day Two
A ferry trip to the mainland sailing along the Greek and Albanian coasts to the town of Saranda, followed by a drive over the mountains through southern Albania. Time allowing, we stop at the Byzantine monastery of Mesopotam. Gjirokastra, our destination, is a grand and austere stone city on the skirts of the mountains. Its unique series of Ottoman mansions and public buildings has made it a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the Zekate House, one of the preserved Ottoman houses.

Day Three
A solid walk over the hills to Antigoneia the new city of King Pyrrhus. Kharkiq Castle, site of one of Ali Pasha’s exploits, and Roman fort at Palaeokastra.

Day Four
An adventure into the hills by minibus to Byllis, the excavated mountaintop city overlooking the valley of the mighty Vjosa river. Byllis was the centre of the Bylliones, one of the Illyrian tribal groups of the area. Recent excavations have uncovered many of the buildings of the Illyrian, Roman and later antique town. Foremost amongst these is a series of early Christian basilicas and the sixth century city walls.

Day Five
Berat was one of the major cities of central Albania since its foundation as Antipatrea by King Cassander of Macedonia. Its strategic position controlling the Osum river valley made it one of the gateways to central Albania. During the Middle Ages and Ottoman Empire it was one of the crucial points in ensuring security of this area of the Balkans. It was a significant trade centre under the Ottomans and we will visit a number of monuments of that time. Then onwards to Apollonia to see the ruins of the largest classical city in Albania. Recent excavations have revealed Mycenean finds linking the settlement to the Bronze Age Aegean. It was later one of Julius Caesar’s bases against Pompey. This is a most evocative and beautiful site. We visit the later medieval monastery here.

Day Six
A quick look at Vlora, a modern seaport, gives us a chance to see the city where Albanian independence was declared in 1912. We drive south along the Albanian Riviera back to Saranda passing the site of Orcum, Caesar's landing place during his war with Pompey. The seaside road passes along the base of the 'mountains of thunder' with spectacular views over the Ionian Sea. We will stop at Porto Palermo, one of Ali Pasha’s castles built to control the magnificent anchorage there where a Soviet submarine base was later tunnelled into the cliffs.

Day Seven
A whole day to explore the ruins of Butrint, the best known archaeological site in Albania, where Oliver has been working for over a decade. We shall see the theatre and shrine of Asclepius, Triconch palace, baptistery, Great Basilica and acropolis with its museum. Time to wander on your own to appreciate the beauty of this site, so redolent of the landscapes beloved by the grand tourists. Drive to Igoumenitsa for evening ferry back to Corfu.

Day Eight
Flight home.

Included

WHAT’S INCLUDED

• Scheduled Flights with Easyjet London/Corfu; public ferry to Saranda,return from Igoumenitsa
• Taxis will coincide with group flights. You could join this or make your own way to the hotel
• Hotels : 1 night at beginning and 1 at the end in a hotel in Corfu Town; 2 nights in Gjirokastra; 1 night in Berat; 1 night in Vlora; 1 night in Saranda - all B&B
• Transport to all sites in programme by private coach or minibus (Byllis)
• Guide Lecturer for all sites in the programme (you will also be accompanied by an Albanian local guide)
• Fieldnotes written for the tour
• Entry to all sites in programme
• We tip the driver and the local guide on your behalf

You Arrange

It may suit you better, and you may get a good deal, on flights from your local airport - see above for price without flights
We are staying in towns where there will be a choice of restaurants for dinner and food shops if you want to take lunch with you

Comments

What Did You Enjoy Most About This Tour?

"The chance to get away to an unknown destination. The people, and learning about their heroic past. The warmth of the sun and dazzling sites like Appollonia and Butrint."

"It was my first experience of Andante and fully lived up to my expectations and hopes. An extremely interesting country at a transition point in it's history, and the tour was a very good introduction to this complex, difficult place."

"The lack of other tour groups. The knowledge and enthusiasm of the Guide Lecturer. the comparatively unknown sites and landscapes. The warm welcome given by the local guide and many of the local people."

"The excellent guide lecturer and his itinerary which was not too pressurised."

"A highly expert and informed tour leader with a light touch and sense of fun. Good support from an excellent local guide."