Silversea Luxury Cruises A Durres

Behold some of Albania's best-preserved architecture from the Ottoman Empire during this panoramic, full-day excursion to the beautiful city of Berat.

Berat & Orientation Drive

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately two-hour drive southeast to Berat. This beautiful inland city, located on a hillside, is renowned for retaining its rare architectural character from the Ottoman Empire, which began here in the 15th century. As a result of its preservation efforts, Berat was designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Upon arrival in Berat, take an orientation drive through this fortified city, one of the oldest in Albania.

Lower-Town, Orthodox Churches, Mosques, Leaded Mosque, Tiered and Windowed Houses

Along the way, pass by a number of medieval Orthodox churches and several mosques in the Lower-Town, including the 16th-century Leaded Mosque, which was named for its lead-covered dome. Looking a bit higher, see clusters of tiered houses with abundant windows clinging to the slopes. These light-filled residences helped to earn Berat its nickname, the 'City of a Thousand Windows'.

Castle of Berat, Onufri Museum, Panoramic Views, Religious Icons, Lunch, Mangalem

Above the residences is a stone castle. Locally-known as the 'Kala', it was built in the 13th century. As it was expanded over time, the fortress took on other architectural styles, including Roman-Byzantine and Ottoman. The views from here are simply spectacular, as are the religious icons in the Onufri Museum, which is housed in the inhabited quarter of the castle. Following your visit, proceed for a traditional Albanian lunch at the Onufri restaurant. After lunch, some free time is made available for a stroll around the Mangalem Quarter. At the conclusion of your visit, re-board your coach and commence the approximately two-hour drive back to the pier.

Garner a deeper insight into the harsh and repressive Communist era of Albania during this bespoke, full-day sightseeing excursion.

Tirana, Scanderbeg Square, National Gallery of Art, Socialist Pavilion

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately one-hour drive to Tirana. Upon arrival, take a guided walking tour through the city. Your first stop is at Scanderbeg Square, where you can view controversial buildings from Italian to Socialist times. From here, walk to the National Gallery of Art, the Socialist Pavilion. Here, see images and art pictures, and how they were used to create the propaganda in support of the Communist regime.

Bunk'Art, Interrogation and Persecution Rooms, Bugs Room, Surveillance Room, Prison Room

Next, head for a visit to Bunk'Art. This underground tunnel, located in the centre of Tirana, has several rooms which bring to the surface some of the most bitter and shocking evidence of Communism persecution. The Communist regime controlling Albania was one of the harshest in Europe, isolating the country for more than 45 years, persecuting all predators of the party, and killing everyone who would dare to cross the border line and immigrate abroad. Garner a deeper insight into the fear and terror of the repressed civilians during visits to the Bugs Room, Surveillance Room, Prison Room and more.

Pyramid Building, Block Area, Taiwani Complex, Lunch, Free Time

Your tour continues with a visit to the Pyramid Building, once meant to be a mausoleum for ex-dictator Enver Hoxha, followed by a stop at the Block Area. Learn more about the luxurious life of the Communist leaders in this area, and why it was forbidden for ordinary citizens to enter the zone. Today, it is the most vivid neighbourhood in Tirana; a business area that doubles as an entertainment hub for local youth. Following an exterior photo stop at the home of the ex-dictator Hoxha, then proceed for lunch at the Taiwani Complex. After lunch, some free time is made available to explore Tirana at your leisure. At the conclusion of your visit, re-board your coach and commence the approximately one-hour drive back to the pier.

Explore the history, lifestyles and people of Albania past-and-present during this scenic, half-day sightseeing excursion to Kruja.

Scenic Drive, Limestone Outcroppings, Oak Trees, Conifers, Mountain Springs

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 70-minute drive inland towards Kruja. As you approach the town, the terrain gradually rises and changes from craggy limestone outcroppings to a fertile landscape of oak trees and conifers nourished by abundant mountain springs.

Kruja Castle, Skanderbeg Museum & Personal Effects

Here, in the mid-15th century, the charismatic George Skanderbeg commanded the Albanian troops and held off attacks by the Turks over the next 25 years. He is still regarded as a national hero, and this is evident during a guided tour of the Skanderbeg Museum, which is housed in the castle overlooking Kruja. It contains an enlightening collection of Skanderbeg's personal effects, and exhibits that offer a unique insight into what life was like in Albania at the time.

Local Home Visit, Homemade Rakia and Specialities, Old Bazaar, Shopping

Leaving the museum, enjoy a taste of classic Albanian hospitality during a visit to a local home. Upon arrival, meet your host and enjoy traditional Albanian drinks and specialities. Afterward, proceed to the Old Bazaar. Much of Kruja clusters around the Old Bazaar, which has been operating for more than 100 years. Here, in open shops lining the cobbled streets, some free time is made available to browse a wide array of goods (time-permitting). At the conclusion of your visit, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 80-minute drive back to the pier.

Discover the archaeological treasures and exquisite flavours of Durrës during this scenic, half-day sightseeing and winery excursion.

Durrës City & Guided Walking Tour

Depart the pier for a guided walking tour through the ancient city of Durrës, a port city on the Adriatic Sea in western Albania, west of the capital, Tirana. Founded by the Greeks in the 7th century B.C. and later occupied by the Romans, Durrës developed as a major trading area. During your guided walking tour see several archaeological ruins that hint at its storied past.

Roman Amphitheatre, Byzantine Walls, Circular Forum

Your first stop is the Roman Amphitheatre, erected during the reign of Hadrian in the 2nd century A.D. One of the largest amphitheatres in the Balkans, this 20,000-seat structure wasn't excavated until the 1960s, when several chapels adorned with Christian mosaics were also unearthed. Wandering the site offers a fascinating glimpse into the past, as do the nearby Byzantine defensive walls, which date to the 5th century. They were once bordered by a moat, limiting access to the inner-city by drawbridge only. From here, continue on for a look at the remains of a circular forum constructed around the same time. Some of its carved columns still stand, offering further insight into this period.

Archaeological Museum, Scanderbeg Winery, Tour and Tastings

Next, head for a visit to the Archaeological Museum, the largest in Albania. Leaving the museum, board a coach for the drive to the Scanderbeg Winery. Founded in 1929 by an Italian family, this renowned winery produces a number of brandies, including the world-famous Skanderbeg brandy and fine wines. Upon arrival, take a guided walking tour of the winery, then proceed for tastings of brandy and red-and-white varieties, including Riesling, Tokaj and Merlot, accompanied by local specialities. At the conclusion of your visit, re-board a coach for the short ride back to the pier.

Explore Durres at your leisure during your full-day (8-hour) sightseeing tour via private car. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned car and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Explore Durres at your leisure during your half-day (4-hour) sightseeing tour via private car. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned car and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Explore Durres at your leisure during your full-day (8-hour) sightseeing tour via private van. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned van and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Explore Durres at your leisure during your half-day (4-hour) sightseeing tour via private van. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned van and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Experience a taste of traditional and contemporary life in the capital city of Tirana during this immersive, full-day sightseeing excursion.

Tirana, National Historical Museum, Artefacts, Contemporary Exhibits

Depart from the pier for the scenic, approximately one-hour sightseeing drive along the scenic main thoroughfare of Durrës en route to Tirana, the capital of Albania since 1920. Upon arrival, take a guided walking tour of the city. Your first stop is at the National Historical Museum, the country's largest museum. Explore Albania's evolution over time, as many of the thousands of objects here date from the Paleolithic era. The historical treasures are grouped somewhat chronologically into pavilions focusing on topics such as the Middle Ages, Ottoman invasion, ethnography and Albania's independence from Turkey in 1912. There are also exhibits displaying more contemporary items reflecting life after the oppressive 41-year reign of Albania's first Communist Chief of State, Enver Hoxha, who died in 1985.

Skanderbeg Square and Statue, Ethem Bey Mosque, Pyramid Building, Block Area

Next, head to nearby Skanderbeg Square. At its heart stands a statue of Skanderbeg, an Albanian national hero who repulsed numerous Turkish invasions in the 15th century. Tirana's oldest building, the Ethem Bey Mosque, flanks the square. Although closed for decades during the Communist era, the 18th-century mosque reopened in 1991. From here, walk along the main boulevard and visit the Pyramid Building, once meant to be a mausoleum for ex-dictator Enver Hoxha, before continuing on to the Block Area. Learn more about the life of the Communist leaders in this area, and why it was forbidden for ordinary citizens to enter the zone.

Free Time (Tirana Castle, Old Bazaar, Lunch, Shopping)

Following your tour, some free time is made available. You can visit the Fortress of Justinian (Tirana Castle), which dates back prior to the 14^th century. The walls, erected during the Byzantine Era, are approximately 19.7 feet (about six metres) in height. The recently-exposed wall foundations have been incorporated into the pedestrianized Murat Toptani Street. The Old Bazaar of the castle is a great space where modern and traditional life meet, and visitors can enjoy traditional cooking. The Old Bazaar is also an area rich in culture and art. You can enjoy lunch at your own expense as well as browse the souvenir shops for historical objects, mosaics and more.

At the conclusion of your visit, re-board your coach and commence the approximately one-hour drive back to the pier.