Private Tour, Wine Tasting, Ardenica Monastery, Apollonia Archaeological Ruins.

Overview

A day where you can dive in time travel and indulge in rare Albanian wines, complemented with a fantastic view of vineyard hills and Adriatic Sea. Walking tour of Apollonia's Archaeological park, with its 2600 year old ruins. Drive to the serene hills of Ardenica, visiting a 700 year old monastery followed by relaxing at Albanica Winery, tasting local wine from rare native grapes that grow in Albania only, accompanied with fresh food (meze) traditional way of serving wine.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this tour, about 8-9 Hours, total of 250 kilometers.
Transfer from Tirana to Apollonia Archaeological Park, about 1:40 hours

Stop At: Apollonia Archaeological Park, Pojan Albania

*Note: The park has maps and points of view with explanations of objects and history that you can follow and read while visiting.

After meeting with the guide you will be transferred in Apollonia. Apollonia is one of the ancient colonies of the Greeks, dedicated to God Apollo. Founded in the turn of the 6th century BC by Greek colonist from Corinth and Corfu. In antiquity it has been famous for the production of tasty wines, olive oil and for its philosophy school, where Roman Emperor Augustus studied. There have been found objects from both Greek and Roman influence and today, in the remains of the mighty city that once stood, you can see many of the parts of the ancient Apollonia depicting both periods. It was so important that the Romans built a branch connection Via Egnatia to Apollonia, especially for Apollonia.

Duration: about 2,5  hours
Transfer to Ardenica Monastery, about 35 minutes. 

Stop At: Ardenica Monastery, Ardenice Albania

Built by Byzantine Emperor, Andronikos II Palaiologos in 1282 after the victory against the Angevins in the Siege of Berat, the monastery is famous as the place where, in 1451, was celebrated the marriage of Skanderbeg, the national hero of Albania, with Andronika Arianiti. In 1780 the Monastery started a theological school to prepare clerics in Greek Orthodoxy. It had an important library with 32,000 volumes that got completely burned by a fire in 1932. The Church of Saint Mary within the monastery is decorated with wall frescos, and icons from brothers Kostandin and Athanas Zografi, notably one of Saint John Kukuzelis, born in Durrës, Albania.

Duration: 20 - 30 minutes

Stop At: Wine Tasting in a traditional agricultural restaurant, surrounded by vineyards. with a view of Mediterranean Sea.

We will continue to Albania Winery and Agritourism, where you can take your time to enjoy the view of Mediterranean sea on the distance, from a beautiful balcony, while indulging in slow cooked food and mixed "meze" (appetizers), the traditional way. Select how many wines you want to taste, from a selection of white, rose and red. 
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes (Wine Tasting is optional, and is paid direct to the restaurant)Duration about 1.5 - 2 hours.
Transfer back to your hotel in Tirana or Durres area, about 1.5 hours

Included in Price

• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Dedicated Driver, and assistance
• Fuel surcharge

Not Included in price

• Lunch
• Entry fees in Apollonia Archaeological Park (600 Lek / 5 Euro) and Ardenica Monastery (200 Lek / 1.7 Euro)
• Wine tasting - with menu you can choose from 12 - 25 euro package
• Guide