Escorted Tours 2020 & 2021 - 2nd Edition - Mercury Holidays

For full tour itineraries, please visit us online at www.mercuryholidays.co.uk/tours DEPARTURES & FROM PRICES 2022 DEPARTURES AT 2021 PRICES CONTACT US FOR DATES • Prices based on flights from London Gatwick to Albania with British Airways • Rooms available with no single supplement. Once sold, single supplement starts from £149 EUROPE AND THE MED 111 DURRËS BEACH STAY 3 nights 5 ★ Half Board from £239 Located on Albania's west coast, on the shores of the Adriatic Sea is Durrës, a diverse city oozing Mediterranean charm. Visit our website to learn more about our extensions. EXTEND YOUR TOUR DAY 1: UK TO TIRANA B Depart London on your scheduled flight to Tirana. Upon arrival, you will be met by your representatives and transferred to your hotel. DAY 2: TIRANA B/D Unearth Albania’s past struggles as you enter the underground bunker known as Bunk Art 1, built in the 1970s under the strict instructions of Enver Hoxha - Albania’s former head of State. This afternoon, bask in natural splendour as you journey towards Dajti Mountain, a tranquil and refreshing contrast to Tirana. Next, board a cable car and glide towards the summit of Mount Dajti, absorbing spellbinding vistas along the route. Later this evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at a local winery. DAY 3: TIRANA TO OHRID, NORTH MACEDONIA B Following breakfast, journey to the picturesque resort which teeters on the shores of Lake Ohrid in North Macedonia. Radiating old-world charm, indulge in an area of outstanding beauty during an afternoon at leisure, delighting in the opportunity to explore the atmospheric old town of Ohrid, where a scattering of medieval churches, crumbling monasteries and ancient ruins lay adjacent to traditional houses, crowned by their iconic red-tiled roofs. DAY 4: OHRID B Framed by the towering mountainsides of Baba and Nidze, travel to the city of Bitola. Regally assembled amidst the former city bounds of Macedonia, wander through the excellently preserved monuments of Heraclea Lynecestis which astoundingly dates back to the 4th century. From here, spend some time at leisure navigating the market stalls and narrow avenues of the Old Bazaar, before returning to Ohrid this evening. DAY 5: OHRID TO VLORË, ALBANIA B Return to Albania today and experience the magnetic charm of Berat during a morning city tour. Surrounded by rugged mountains and towering hillsides, witness an iconic assemblage of white Ottoman houses which climb to the highest peak of this ‘town of a thousand windows’, before exploring the expansive grounds of Berat Castle. Behind the imposing walls of this fortified city, wander through the twisting streets before gaining an insight into one of Albania’s most distinctive religious artists at the Onufri Museum. Combining vivid crimson and golden colours in a dazzling spectacle of religious extravagance, witness Onufri’s elaborate work before travelling towards the former capital of Albania. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. DAY 6: VLORË B Located atop a windswept plateau and set amongst a backdrop teeming with rolling hillsides and verdant olive groves, explore the ancient Greek colonial city of Apollonia. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. DAY 7: VLORË TO DURRËS B/D After breakfast, journey towards the charming medieval village of Kruja, situated at the foothills of Mount Kruja and its surrounding green valleys. Wander through the cobblestone streets of this quaint town before browsing a collection of beautiful antiques, hand-crafted rugs and copper objects which are sold in the ancient Ottoman bazaar. Later, travel to Durrës and arrive in time for your farewell dinner this evening. DAY 8: DURRËS TO THE UK B This morning, transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK or continue on to your chosen extension. B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner FOR YOU TO KNOW: No visa is required when travelling to Albania and Macedonia however insurance must be obtained before travel. Tips; It is customary to tip your guides. This is at your discretion, but we recommend approximately £24pp for the duration of your tour. Optional excursions are at an additional cost. Dajti Express Cable Car, Tirana Unlock the beauty of the Balkans on a remarkable journey through the ancient history and dramatic landscapes of Albania and North Macedonia. Traverse stunning mountain scenery, idyllic beaches and glittering lakes dotted with dazzling classical and medieval architecture. VISIT TWO COUNTRIES IN ONE TOUR PACE: MEAL PLAN: 8 breakfasts & 2 dinners ACCOMMODATION Tirana 2 nights 4 ★ Metro Hotel Tirana Ohrid 2 nights 4 ★ Villa Arte Vlorë 2 nights 4 ★ Hotel Partner Durrës 1 night 4 ★ Hotel Arvi Church of St John, Ohrid NEW ALBANIA & MACEDONIA UNCOVERED 8 days from £699pp TOUR HIGHLIGHTS ✔ City tours of Tirana and Berat ✔ Experience serene ambience as you ascend Dajti Mountain by cable car ✔ Visit enchanting Ohrid ✔ Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Butrint ✔ Wander the ruins of ancient Apollonia ✔ Meander through Medieval Kruja and its ancient Ottoman bazaar 09 Apr 21 £749 14 May 21 £799 11 Jun 21 £849 17 Sep 21 £799 08 Oct 21 £699 1 Number of nights Air Coach