Wednesday 13th December – Tirana, Albania

• Arrive at your own leisure into Tirana – the capital city of Albania is well connected with many European and Middle Eastern Countries. Self-transfer to our centrally hotel. Group members from our Ultimate Yugoslavia Tour will arrive into Tirana in the afternoon.  
• Pre-tour meeting will be held at the lobby of our hotel at 6:00pm to discuss the tour itinerary and to meet your fellow travellers and YPT guide.
• We’ll make our way to Skanderbeg Square, where you can see an amazing socialist mosaic outside of the National Museum. There used to be a towering Hoxha statue here until it was toppled in 1991.
• As per tradition, we’ll head out to our favourite restaurant in Tirana that serves local cuisines. We recommend trying Tava e Kosit, a dish that originates close to Tirana.
• For those inclined for a few refreshments after dinner, we’ll continue to Hemingway Bar which serves amazing cocktails.
• Overnight stay in Tirana.

Thursday 14th December – Tirana – Shkodra

Morning

• Early morning start, we’ll have breakfast at our hotel before we check out. We’ll leave our luggage in the hotel before we head out to discover Tirana.
• The long-time communist leader, Enver Hoxha has not only left a lasting impression on the country’s history, but also its architecture. Tirana went through a major reconstruction after WWII, creating some on the most iconic structures in the Balkans. These include the Pyramid of Tirana, Hoxha residence and the various secret government bunkers!
• We’ll first visit infamous House of Leaves. Now a museum, the building was operated by the communist authorities as a surveillance centre. Gaining intelligence on the local population, foreign embassies, and the rare foreign tourists who visited. Many innocent people were unfairly spied on, detained and executed. It’s an informative hard-hitting introduction to our tour.
• We’ll then visit the most the famous centre piece, the bizarre and foreboding Pyramid of Tirana. It was originally opened as the Enver Hoxha Museum. In later times, it was used as a NATO base during the 1999 Kosovo War. The iconic structure has been a subject of tense debate with petitions to demolish it. Luckily, it’s recently been redeveloped and serves a positive purpose.
• Our tour continues to an undisclosed location, hidden away and kept out of sight of the general public are a collection of enormous Soviet era statues. Although it’s not permitted to enter the site, there’s a way around this to get some great pictures of Lenin and Stalin monuments. Currently the Hoxha monument is covered up!
• We’ll meet our driver, collect our bags and head out to the outskirts of the city to a farm. Not unusual, the farm has a large bunker known as a Pike Zjarri (PZ), which is now used for storage. You’ll have the opportunity to ask the farmer what life was like under communism and what changes they saw and experienced after Hoxha death.

Afternoon

• A traditional lunch will be served which is locally sourced at the bunker farm and enjoy our surroundings. As guests at the farm, our host will serve us some homemade raki!
• Drive to Shkodra. Just before we leave, we’ll visit Hoxha’s modest grave. Our guides will explain how he was moved here from another site.
• Our scenic journey will take you through the rural Albanian countryside. You’ll notice throughout the journey numerous amounts of bunkers. These smaller bunkers are known as Qender Zjarri (QZ) type. We’ll make stops along the way for photo opportunities and to enjoy the scenery.
• We’ll make a stop at Fushë Kruje, to see the monument of George W. Bush. The first US president to visit Albania after the collapse of communism made an unexpected visit in 2007 putting the small town on the global stage.
• On our arrival to Shkodra, we’ll check into our hotel, we’ll have some time to relax or have a few drinks at the hotel bar.
• Once everyone’s ready, we’ll head out for dinner in town. We’ll head to a local restaurant and enjoy the amazing food and drinks.
• Shkodra is less frequented by tourists, it’s a great place to stay out later for a few relaxing drinks and interact with the friendly locals. 
• Overnight stay in Shkodra.

Friday 15th December – Shkodra

Morning

• Early morning start, we’ll have breakfast at the hotel before we explore Albania lesser-known places.
• Once we’re ready, we’ll head out and drive along the Adriatic Sea until we reach close to the Montenegro border. Here you’ll visit one of the most unique bunkers in Albania which has been turned into a tattoo studio. We’ll meet the famous artist and hear first account stories of the Albanian underworld and prison life after communist rule. Options are available to get a permanent souvenir.

Afternoon

• For lunch, we’ll stop at a local store, we recommend trying the Byrek – a delicious pastry snack filled with cheese, vegetables or meat.
• Before we leave, we’ll head to banks of Shkodra Lake and enjoy the scenery, it’s also a great place to grab a chilled beer.
• On arrival, we’ll explore the capital of the north. Shkodra is known for its religious diversity, art and culture. We’ll walk around the charming city visiting key sites.
• Next, we’ll head to the Site of Witness and Memory. During Hoxha reign, the site was used by the Ministry of Internal Affairs as interrogation centre. Here you’ll learn about the harrowing events that took place under Albania communistic rule. After the tour, your guides will explain about the turbulent history in the region, giving you the opportunity to ask questions.
• We’ll head out for dinner and drinks at a popular seafood restaurant. Other food options are available, including vegetarian dishes.
• Overnight stay in Shkodra.

Saturday 16th December – Shkodra – Kukes

Morning

• Early morning start, we’ll have breakfast at our hotel before we head out to learn about the darker side of Albania’s communist past.
• We’ll start making our way to Kukes. Along the scenic journey, we’ll have the opportunity to make stop at small local villages to pick up supplies.
• Before reaching Kukes you’ll visit the notorious Spaç Prison. During Hoxha reign, Albanian prisoners were either sent to isolation prisons or forced labour camps. Spaç Prison was a combination of the two and housed inmates who opposed the Hoxha regime. Your guide will give you an insight to the living conditions prisoners were kept in. We’ll have the opportunity to explore the site and capture some eerie pictures.

Afternoon

• You’ll continue the road trip, along the way we’ll stop at a local café for lunch. We recommend trying Trilece, a delicious milk cake with a cup of coffee.
• Arrive into Kukes, and check into our hotel. We’ll have some time to relax and freshen up before we head out.
• Kukes is a charismatic city in the backdrop of socialist apartments and mountains, however you’re here to explore what’s beneath the city. The tunnels are technically an underground city. They were constructed during communistic times designed to shelter government offices, army quarters, hospitals and housing for residents from invading forces.
• We’ll have a debriefing covering the safety aspect before our decent into the tunnels. Don’t forget to pack a flash light/head torch and an extra layer of clothing as it gets chilly.
• After a busy day exploring and learning about Albania past, we’ll grab a quick drink and reflect on our day before heading out to dinner.
• Overnight stay in Kukes.

Sunday 17th December – Kukes – Patok – Tirana

Morning

• We’ll have a leisurely morning start with breakfast at our hotel.
• Once we’re ready, we’ll check out of the hotel ready to explore Kukes. One thing you’ll notice is how friendly the local residents are – the city is not use to foreign tourists.
• Visit the famous Radio Kukesi, the former radio station is easily identified with its beautiful socialist bas relief above the entrance. You’ll learn about how the station was used to spread propaganda during the communistic era. The building has a unique underground bunker to continue radio communication during times of conflicts.
• Once we’re ready, we’ll begin our scenic road trip to Patok. We’ll take breaks along the journey to stretch our legs and pick up supplies. Once we reach Patok, we’ll have a picnic lunch overlooking the picturesque lagoon and bunkers. Depending on the weather, we can take a villagers boat out on the lagoon. We’ll get close to residents living in shanty houses on the lagoon.

Afternoon

• Arrive to Tirana in the early evening. We’ll make a stop at the Martyr cemetery, where Hoxha was once laid to rest but was later removed. The cemetery overlooks Tirana and is dedicated to the 900 partisan who dies during WWII.
• Visit a PZ type bunker, located just on the outskirts of Tirana. The huge complex has 5 levels underground including an assembly hall. Hoxha has a dedicated apartment built within the tunnels, where you can still find his personal items on display.  
• We’ll head towards our hotel, once we arrive, we’ll check in. After a busy day, we’ll have some time to relax and freshen up before head out for dinner and drinks.
• For those adventurous foodies, we recommend trying pache. A local delicacy of a tender sheep head stewed in aromatic herbs. There are plenty of vegetarian options to choose from.
• For those inclined, we’ll head to a local bar which serves cheap beer and raki. You won’t find any tourists here!
• Overnight stay in Tirana.

Monday 18th December – Tirana

Morning

• We’ll start the day with breakfast at our hotel before we check out.
• Once we’re ready we’ll head to a private screening of a communistic era documentary about Albania as a travel destination. Both bizarre and fascinating.
• We’ll take a road trip to Cape Rodoni, a rock cape which extend to the Adriatic Sea. We’ll explore the area including the nature reserve, St. Anthony’s Church, an ancient church built in 1418. You’ll still find bunkers here, even in the most remoted parts of Albania.
• You’ll have the perfect opportunity to take some scenic pictures and relax after a busy few days. We’ll take advantage of our location and have lunch. 

Afternoon

• On our arrival to Tirana, we’ll head out to explore the city hidden past. We’ll visit Hoxha modest residence in the Blloku district. The residence is famous for its media room, where Hoxha and Nexhmije would watch interrogation and torture videos of their political rivals. Currently it’s being renovated, however we’ll try our luck entering.
• We’ll visit a hidden souvenir shop, which sells controversial Hoxha memorabilia and antiques. You can find images of Hoxha on fridge magnets to tote bags. There’s even bunker shaped ashtrays!
• We’ll continue to explore the Blloke district where once the socialist elite resided. The secretive district was guarded by the Sigurimi, the secret police and there’s reasons for this. Unlike the rest of Tirana, the residents here lived without the restriction of communism. Now the district is popular with bars, we’ll head to a couple of places for a few drinks.
• As it’s our final night, we’ll head to a popular restaurant and reflect on our journey together. For those inclined, we’ll head out for a few refreshments in the city!
• Overnight stay in Tirana.

Tuesday 19th December – Tirana

• Leisurely start with breakfast at our hotel.
• We’ll visit one of the best bunkers in Albania, Bunk’Art 2 – a beautifully persevered nuclear bunker constructed during the communist era. It was created for the Minister of Interior consisting of 24 rooms and facilities to communicate in the event of a nuclear warfare.
• Once we’re ready, we’ll head to the market to pick up any final gifts, it’s also a perfect spot to grab a coffee and lunch before we depart.
• End of the tour depart at your own convenience. YPT can arrange additional nights in Tirana and airport drop off for a fee, we are more than happy to provide advice for ongoing flights

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