ADRIATIC RICHES & ASPECTS OF ALBANIA

We now dock in the harbour of Dubrovnik. ‘The Pearl of the Adriatic’ guides us inside its ancient fortifications, inviting us to share in its abundant treasure. We trace the old city walls, arriving at Dubrovnik Cathedral and the Dominican Monastery. The Rector’s Palace blends Gothic and Renaissance styles and is remarkably well-preserved. Return to our ship for our final evening on board.

We farewell the MS Antaris this morning, and our travels continue by road. We wind our way along coastal roads, tracing dense forests. Crossing the border, we arrive in Montenegro and the town of Perast, on the Bay of Kotor. From here, we gaze upon Our Lady of the Rocks, a small island which harbours a Roman Catholic church bearing the same name. Close by, we find our harbourside accommodation. The Regent Porto Montenegro hosts us for this evening’s dinner; the glittering white interiors of its Murano Restaurant complementing the bay’s shimmering waters. Our Deluxe Sea View Rooms offer an outlook to the marina, as well as to the mountains beyond. 

This morning, trace the old city walls of Kotor. Erected during the Venetian period, they snake their way dramatically across the hillside. Wander cobblestone laneways, where balconies are adorned with terracotta pots and we find ourselves enthralled by the city’s legion of stray cats. Straddling the borders of Montenegro and Albania, Skadar Lake is the largest lake in the Balkans, and a national park that is home to a diversity of wildlife. Progressing in a southerly manner, we make our next border crossing, this time into Albania. Arriving in the capital, Tirana, we make ourselves comfortable at the Maritim Hotel Plaza Tirana, before gaining an introduction to the region courtesy of a wine tasting. 

A retort to its communist past, the Tirana of today is quite literally a colourful city. Its buildings, now alive with lashings of bright pinks and yellows, were reimagined by then-mayor Edi Rama. At the Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg Museum, we hear the story of another of Albania’s notable figures; Skanderbeg led a fierce rebellion against the Ottomans during the 15th century. The Old Bazaar of Krujë, meanwhile, leads us along cobblestone paths, past a succession of stalls, where we see artisans plying their trade and selling their wares, as has been done here for over 400 years.

Today, we head to the riverside city of Berat. Its historic centre displays a rare and incredibly well-preserved example of an Ottoman-era town, whose cultural value is recognised by its designation as a World Heritage site. While the ancient Berat Castle still occupies pride of place over the city, its neighbouring houses wind their way around the hillside below. Neatly stacked upon one another, their white walls and wide windows seem to gaze out from their steep surrounds in an almost conspired uniformity. This striking sight has earnt Berat the epithet ‘City of a Thousand Windows’. In the distance, Mt Tomorr looms large. This afternoon, we return to the coast, acquainting ourselves with the seaside city of Sarandë. Checking into Hotel Butrinti, we delight in the sea views from our Deluxe Suites.

The ancient artefacts of Butrint National Park attract our attention today. Jutting out into Lake Butrint, the park features relics from the Greek, Roman and medieval periods, including its Greek amphitheatre, temple to the god Asclepius and several Roman villas, among many other historic ruins. This is not only a meeting place for those concerned with past events though; the park supports diverse ecosystems, thanks to its complex system of lakes, swamps and islands. Over 1200 different plant and animal species have been identified here, some of which are endemic to the area. Following our exploration, we return to Sarandë to dine and relax at Hotel Butrinti. 

This morning, a ferry whisks us across the Strait of Corfu. Admire views of crystal-clear waters from one of the island’s many restaurants as we rest for lunch. 

Ready for some exploration, perhaps set out on a Your World experience:
— Join a guide for a scenic drive of the island, before continuing on foot to discover the idyllic peninsula of Kanoni. Afterwards, the tiny island of Mouse beckons. Here we find the Byzantine chapel of Pantokrator. Following a visit to the nineteenth-century villa Mon Repos, enjoy a wine tasting, before dining in the Old Town.
— Explore the island on your own schedule before meeting back up with the rest of our group for dinner in the Old Town.

Make the most of our final day in Corfu with one of these full-day Your World experiences:

— See the striking Byzantine Monastery at Paleokastritsa. Wander the grounds and hear about the day-to-day life of the resident monks. Afterwards, head to a local olive mill, where you’ll learn more about the lifestyle of the Corfiots. On your way back to town, stop in at Gastouri, otherwise known as Achilleio for the grand Achilleion Palace that stands here. Pause for lunch at the Yacht Club of Corfu. 
— View antiquities from the ancient Greek city of Corcyra at the Archaeological Museum of Corfu. Other exhibits here also display relics from around the island, including several pieces of art and architecture. From here, head to the Corfu Museum of Asian Art, which comprises around 15,000 works of art. In-between each visit, sample some local cuisine.
— Soak up the sights, sounds, tastes and atmosphere of the island as you wish. A shuttle bus will drop you off in the morning and pick you up again in the afternoon, with the remainder of your day at leisure. 

This evening, we celebrate our journey during a Farewell Dinner at one of Greece’s finest restaurants.

Farewell your fellow travellers as our journey concludes in Corfu.