Silversea Luxury Cruises A SARANDE

Lekuresi Castle

Depart the pier for the approximately 15-minute transfer to Lekuresi Castle. With its strategic location overlooking the harbour of Sarande and protecting the road to Butrint, this castle was of great importance to Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. While much of it has been damaged by weather and war, it has been revived for tourists to enjoy its unmatched views overlooking the harbour - which, if conditions permit, may provide views of your Silversea ship.

Folk Performance

Inside Lekuresi Castle, a restaurant has been retro-fitted into the original structure. Here, guests will have the opportunity to enjoy refreshments and a local Albanian folk performance. At the conclusion of the performance, guests will re-board the coaches for the scenic, approximately 30-minute drive through the Albanian countryside en-route to the Mesopotami Church.

Mesopotami Church

Dating back to the 13^th century CE and rebuilt in the 17^th, this church has long been renowned for its bas-relief depictions of mythical creatures. A quick stop is made here as guides lead the group around the exterior of the monastery, taking in all the sculptures and the theories behind them.

Blue Eye Spring

Re-board the coaches for the approximately 30-minute drive through mountainous landscapes to the Blue Eye Spring. At first glance, the spring appears as a shallow stream tucked into the lush Albanian forest. Upon closer inspection, guests will see that the river is fed by a subterranean spring that bubbles up perfectly-clear water from over 50 metres (164 feet) below. This pure, untouched water creates the illusion of being shallow due to its unique clarity and high visibility. It is said that these waters were so cherished that during Communist times, only ruling party members were able to bathe in the spring.

After approximately 30 minutes at the spring, re-board the coaches for the approximately 45-minute drive back to the pier.

Please note: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking (approximately 1 km/0.6 miles), occasionally over uneven ground or cobblestones. This programme is not recommended for guests with limited mobility or guests who utilise a wheelchair. Lightweight clothing, adequate sun protection, comfortable walking shoes and bottled water from the ship are recommended. Order of sites visited may vary.

Dive into the food and history of Albania during this half-day cultural tour.

Lekuresi Castle

Depart the pier for the approximately 15-minute transfer to Lekuresi Castle. With its strategic location overlooking the harbour of Sarande and protecting the road to Butrint, this castle was of great importance to Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. While much of the castle has been damaged by war and weather, it has been revived for tourists to enjoy its unmatched views overlooking the harbour - which, if conditions permit, may provide views of your Silversea ship.

Folk Performance

Inside Lekuresi Castle, a restaurant has been retro-fitted into the original structure. Here, guests will have the opportunity to enjoy refreshments and a local Albanian folk performance. At the conclusion of the performance, guests will re-board the coaches for the scenic, approximately 25-minute drive through the Albanian countryside en-route to a local winery.

Winery

Upon arrival in the small local village of Vrioni, a guide will lead guests to a local winery to learn about the process of making wines and Raki, the local drink of choice. Afterward, a wine tasting will commence and be accompanied with an array of local snacks.

Sarande

At the conclusion of the tasting, re-board the coaches for the last stop of the day - the city of Sarande. Enjoy an orientation to this waterfront Albanian city, followed by a walking tour to the local sights, including ruins of the Synagogue complex, dating back to the 5^th century CE.

Please note: This tour involves a minimal amount of walking (approximately 0.5 km/0.3 miles), occasionally over uneven ground or cobblestones. This programme is not recommended for guests with limited mobility or guests who utilise a wheelchair. Lightweight clothing, adequate sun protection, comfortable walking shoes and bottled water from the ship are recommended. Order of sites visited may vary.

Enjoy a rare glimpse into a well-preserved Ottoman town during this half-day tour to the medieval city of Gjirokastra.

Refreshments

Depart the pier for the approximately 100-minute drive through the Albanian countryside. Upon arrival in Gjirokastra, guides will lead guests to a local restaurant for refreshments and a restroom break.

Gjirokastra Fortress

Guests will board local taxis to take them uphill, to the historic fortress of Gjirokastra - one of the best-preserved sites in Albania. This imposing and well-positioned fortress has protected the city for over 700 years. Here, guides will lead guests through the castle, explaining the various changes and renovations it has undergone through the centuries. From the vantage point of 336 metres (1,102 feet), panoramic views of the surrounding area can provide an areial orientation to this historic city.

Old Town Gjirokastra & Bazaar

Following your tour through the Castle of Gjirokastra, guests will depart on-foot heading downhill to explore the charming cobbled streets of the protected medieval centre. Here, time is made to bring guests through the Old Bazaar, dating back to the 17th century CE. Along the way, be sure to admire the antique Ottoman architecture at one of the 500+ historically-protected homes in the centre.

At the conclusion of the walking tour, re-board the coaches for the approximately 90-minute return trip to the pier.

Please note: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking (approximately 1 km/0.9 miles), occasionally over uneven ground or cobblestones, with approximately 50 stairs to negotiate. This programme is not recommended for guests with limited mobility or guests who utilise a wheelchair. Lightweight clothing, adequate sun protection, comfortable walking shoes and bottled water from the ship are recommended. Order of sites visited may vary.