Albania: From the Illyrians to the Ottomans

ALBANIA

April 28 – May 7, 2021 from £2275 per person | with Carolyn Perry

Apollonia

• Travel the length of this mountainous country, discovering historical wonders left behind by Illyrians and

Greeks, Romans and Ottomans • Explore the complex ofApollonia, once home to a famous school of oratory • Delve into the extensive archaeological remains at Antigonea

Naturally stunning, spanned by majestic mountains and dazzling coastlines, Albania is home to some of Europe’s most remarkable archaeological treasures. Warmed by the gentle sun of a Mediterranean spring, we will take a voyage into Albania’s absorbing heritage and discover its place in the annals of European history. Our journey begins in the bustling port city of Durrës. Tis multi-layered centre – which has assumed roles in both trade and confict – began life as a Greek colony known as Epidamnos, and its walls have since witnessed centuries of Albanian history.

Originally an Illyrian settlement, Shkodër is one of Albania’s oldest towns, and played an important part in the resistance to the Ottoman invasion. Here we will take in the Great Mosque and English clock tower, and visit nearby Rozafa Castle, which looms high on a rocky outcrop and is connected with mysterious local legends. Moving south, we will journey on to Krujë, the city of George Kastrioti, or Skanderbeg, Albania’s national hero. Dramatically located against a

34 mountainous backdrop, Krujë also boasts layers of history and houses a museum to Skanderbeg in a historical citadel. It is paired in the afternoon with a visit to the city of a thousand windows: Berat.

Two further UNESCO-listed sites are included on our journey: Gjirokastër, originally an Illyrian settlement and now an impressively preserved Ottoman town dominated by its pre-12th century castle; and the ancient city of Buthrotum (Butrint), described by Virgil as ‘Troy in miniature’ and boasting remains from both Epirote and Roman times. A scenic drive through the ‘Albanian Riviera’ takes us via the intriguing castle at Porto Palermo to Fier. From here we make our fnal excursions to the ancient site of Apollonia, founded as a Greek colony in 588 BC and later home to a famous school of oratory, and to the Monastery of Ardenica, which witnessed the marriage of Skanderbeg and noblewoman Donika Kastrioti in the 15th century.

We stay throughout in comfortable hotels of three- and four-star quality.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: Please note this tour has a very full itinerary involving a signifcant amount of walking, often over u neven and rugged ground at extensive archaeological sites. Visits often include a lot of steps and relatively steep inclines, for example at castles, and the terrain requires careful negotiation. Participants should have a good level of overall ftness and be able to walk for up to 2 hours at a time. As our itinerary has been designed to make the very best out of our stay in Albania, we will be undertaking a lot of travel, and there will be a number of hotel changes across the tour. Tour Director Carolyn Perry was Manager of the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology, UCL, and since then has worked as a museum consultant with public and private collections in Europe and the Middle East. She frequently lectures on various aspects of the ancient Mediterranean and Islamic world and is a regular contributor to the British Museum’s public programme.

Please note that the itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and some elements may be subject to change or confrmation nearer the time.

Day 1 Depart London Gatwick 1650, arriving Tirana 2045. Transfer to Durrës for three nights. Day 2 Morning lecture: An Introduction to Albania & the Illyrians. Morning walking tour of Durrës, including forum and amphitheatre. Afternoon: archaeological museum. Day 3 Lezhë followed by Rozafa Castle and Shkodër. Evening lecture: Skanderbeg followed by free evening. Day 4 Morning visits in Krujë including Skanderbeg Museum, ethnographic museum and Ottoman bazaar. Afternoon in Berat including citadel, Church of St Mary and Onufri Museum (time permitting). Overnight in Berat. Day 5 Morning visits in Berat including Mangalemi quarters and Gorica Bridge, followed by archaeological site at Byllis. Continue to Gjirokastër for visits to castle and ethnographic museum. Overnight in Gjirokastër. Day 6 Antigonea followed by ‘Blue Eye’ cold water spring. Continue to Sarandë for two nights. Evening lecture: The Greeks & Romans in Illyria. Day 7 Morning in Butrint: 4th century BC walls, sanctuary to Asklepios, theatre. Afternoon: Ksamil followed by free time in Sarandë. Evening lecture: From the Byzantines to the Ottomans followed by free evening. Day 8 Scenic drive through ‘Albanian Riviera’ to Porto Palermo Castle. Continue to Vlorë for afternoon visits: Mosque of Sinan, Independence Square. Transfer to Fier for overnight stay. Evening lecture: The Long Road to Independence. Day 9 Morning: Apollonia Archaeological Park. Afternoon: Monastery of Ardenica. Continue to Tirana for overnight stay. Evening lecture. Day 10 Morning visits in Tirana (time permitting) including Skanderbeg Square and National Museum of History. Depart Tirana 1300, arriving Gatwick 1510.

Cost of £2275 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, breakfast, eight lunches (some packed), refreshments on arrival, six dinners with water, wine or beer & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities. Not included: travel insurance, single room supplement £165. TOUR CODE: ALBN21