4 Day3 Night All Inclusive Wine Tour of North Albania-

4 Day3 Night All Inclusive Wine Tour of North Albania-

We are thrilled to unveil this new itinerary that will take your taste buds on a tour of local made wine and food in and around Shkӧder, Albania. You’ll experience the beauty and bounty of nature in this region we call home. You will see our sustainable organic garden, orchard and vineyard as well as visit some of the best vineyards this region has to offer. We will immerse you in the magic of home-made wine making, as well as our exclusive tour of commercial wineries. We will experience delicious cured meats, olives and local cheeses; none of which are available to the general public on their visits to the wineries. We will also enjoy the must-see places in Shkӧder, a 4th century BC historical city. Plus we will take you to the ‘spots’ we’ve discovered and love returning to year after year. You will enjoy wine tastings, bucolic scenery, and time to unwind and relax soaking up the essence of a simpler lifestyle under the wandering grape vines.

Itinerary

Day 1: Tour of Shkodër Artisan Wine and Sustainable Gardens

Stop At: Shkodra Lake, Shiroka, Shkoder Albania
After a tour of Florian's sustainable garden, and learning how their own artisan wine is made we will travel to Lake Shkodra.

Enjoy and Relaxing Walk around the shore of Lake Shkoder and try and catch people fishing in the traditional way they have for centuries.

Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Rozafa Castle, Rozafa, Shkoder Albania
Rozafa Castle's elevated views of the lake that forms the natural border between Albania and Montenegro. View the city buzz while enjoying the sunset looking out at over a 60km countryside and the Taraboshi Mountains.

We will then return to Florian's Guesthouse to learn about the history of how Florian's Father worked for 40 years in the communal wine making factory and all the preparations made when the Countries Communist Dictator Enver Hoxa came to visit.

With your evening meal we will enjoy more home wine and home made Rakia made on the premises from our own grapes.

Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Dinner: Home made with fresh vegetables from our garden and home made wine and rakia.
Accommodation included: Overnight accommodation at Florian's Guesthouse

Day 2: Albanian Countryside, Wine and Cheese

Stop At: Kantina Miqesia, Mehaj, Koplik, Albania
Travelling to the Kantina Miquesia wine factory we will learn about the local Vernac grape variety and how this variety reflects the flavour and the land in which it is grown.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Koplik Qender, Rruga Qender Qyteti, Koplik, Albania
Here we will enjoy a tour of the local Cheese Factory. This area of Albania was the site of the former dairy industry collective for Albania.

They make 13 cheeses with local milk from Cows, Goat, and Sheep.

You will see how they make the cheese and of course enjoy samples of the produce!

After this we will enjoy a walk through a hazelnut orchard and have a picnic lunch.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: St Stephen's Catholic Cathedral (Shkoder Cathedral), Rruga Marin Bicikemi / Rruga Justin Godard, Shkoder Albania
Starting at the main Cathedral we will enjoy a walking tour of downtown Shkoder visiting the architectual gems of this ancient city and regional capital that has been continuously occupied since the 4th Century.

You will need comfortable walking shoes.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Home made with fresh egg omlette, vegetables, home made bread and home made fig or grape jam.
• Lunch: Picnic lunch in an Hazelnut Grove.
• Dinner: Home made meal with vegetables from the garden, home made wine and Rikia
Accommodation included: Overnight at Florian's Guesthouse

Day 3: Kantina Kallmeti Winery, Skandeberg's Tomb, and Mesi Bridge.

Stop At: Kantina Kallmeti, Kallmet, Lezhe Albania
Touring this famous wine factory you will see how they make the wine and enjoy prosciutto, cheese, sausages, olives, and honey while enjoying the samples of wine paired to each aperitif.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: National Museum George Kastrioti Skanderbeg, Kruja Castle, Rruga Kala, Krujë 1501, Albania
Visiting the site of the grave and mausaleum of Albanian hero Skandeberg. You will leean how in the 1400's he fought against the Ottoman Empire in Italy, all over the Balkans and here in Albania.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Lezhe Castle, Castle, Lezhe Albania
Lezhë Castle (Albanian:Kalaja e Lezhës) is a castle dominating the city of Lezhë, northern Albania. Its highest point is 186 metres (610 ft). Lezhë Castle is at an elevation of 322 metres (1,056 ft).[1]

The castle originates from Illyrian times. In 1440 it was reconstructed by the Venetians, and in 1522, after the Ottoman conquest, it was also rebuilt by the latter. The castle bears traces of Illyrian, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman architecture. Interesting places to visit are the ruins of the Ottoman buildings inside the castle, the mosque, the tower of the south-eastern wall with a Roman arch, and the Illyrian tower on the southern wall. The Lezha castle is a cultural monument. The castle offers a beautiful view of the Lezha fields and the Adriatic Sea

Once we return to Florian's Guesthouse we will learn how to make traditional Albanian cuisinewith a cooking class by Professional Chef and Caterer Chef Ela.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: Picnic Lunch in Hazelnut Orchard
• Dinner: Dinner - with fresh food that you have helped create.
Accommodation included: Overnight stay at Florian's Guesthouse

Day 4: Casual morning, Check out and we are happy to help you organize your transfers.

Pass By: Shkodra Lake, Shiroka, Shkoder Albania
Check out and finalise onward travel plans.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.