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Albania Historic Tour: Explore Medieval Kruja and Wine Tasting Experience
5.0
3 Ratings
Kruje
Embark on a historic tour of Albania's medieval city of Kruja. Discover its vibrant past, visit the Old Bazaar, explore the castle, and enjoy a wine tasting experience.
Duration:
8 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Old Bazaar (Pazari i Vjeter) - Prepare to depart from Tirana at 8:30 AM, and in under an hour, we will arrive in the City of Kruja. Our first stop will be the Traditional Bazaar of Kruja, reminiscent of an old carnival where friendly locals invite you to explore their handicrafts. It is a lively mosaic of traditional motifs, colors, and warm hospitality. We will take a short break at a local family bar, where we will have the opportunity to see how the locals have lived over the years.
- Kruja Castle - We will head uphill to the Castle of Kruja, the stronghold symbol of Albanian resistance during the Ottoman invasion. The 25-year war was successfully led by the Albanian national hero, Gjergj Kastrioti Skenderbeu. This castle has been the center of the first Albanian state, “Principata e Arberit,” since the 12th century. During our tour of the castle, we will visit some of the Bektashi Tekke, Turkish Hamman, the Ethnographic Museum, and the Museum of Scanderbeg.
- Ethnographic Museum of Kruja - Situated in a unique 17th-century house, this museum reflects the vibrant lifestyle of the city of Kruja and its surroundings. Divided into two main floors, it vividly depicts the life inside Albanian family homes, as well as their handicrafts, agriculture, and more.
- Museumi Gjergj Kastrioti (Skenderbeu) - Dedicated to the illustrious figure of Skanderbeg, this museum takes us back in history. Through historic dates and facts, we will try to understand the significance of his figure. Built during the Albanian Communist era, this museum is also influenced by the dictated style of the Communist Party.
- Kokomani Winery - Our final stop is a local winery in the outskirts of Tirana. We will be welcomed by professional staff who will introduce us to authentic types of Albanian wine and give us a tour of the winery. We will delve into the history of Albanian wine, which dates back to ancient times. There will be demonstrations on how to taste wine like a pro, and we will visit the vineyards and cellars where the wine is aged. Various local appetizers and wine tasting will be available.
End of the tour of Kruja and return to Tirana
What's Included
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Alcoholic Beverages
Additional Information
Renowned for its exceptional Middle Ages lineage, diverse customs, and religious acceptance, Kruja stands out as one of Albania’s cities with the most notable history. Emerging from the 11th century, it has repeatedly served as a bastion in numerous battles. This day trip highlights the premier treasures of Kruja, including its distinctive Old Bazaar, renowned fortress, and the Ethnographic Museum among others.
This expedition is meticulously structured to balance travelling and brief forays into Kruja’s enchanting cobblestone pathways and within its fortress. Concluding the Kruja tour with a wine sampling session at a local winery, situated not far from Kruja and Tirana, couldn’t be more fitting.
Location
Old Bazaar (Pazari i Vjeter)
Rruga Albanopolis
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(3 Ratings)
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1 star
329kylak
Apr 16, 2024
WOW! - I did this tour with 4 friends and we all absolutely loved it. We stayed in Tirana and really wanted to see Kruja and Duress during our stay but didn't feel comfortable driving. We booked this tour through our Airbnb host with the intention of seeing Kruja and Duress. Upon pick up Daniel our guide (Who was absolutely incredible) asked why we wanted to see Duress and we mentioned it was to see the Sea. He then asked if he could take us to the Cape of Rodon instead and we said yes. It was incredible, we spent the morning in Kruja learning about the history and then went on to have lunch at the beautiful Duka Winery. We finished off the day with a walk on the Cape of Rodon and it was gorgeous. If you are considering booking this tour do it! Thank you again, Daniel! Our group loved you and would book another tour with you in a heartbeat.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Anna_c
Oct 12, 2023
Our guide was... - Our guide was superlative!!!
He was talking in italian too and bring us in this special location giving us different tips
Review provided by Viator
Ammarie24
Jun 22, 2023
Perfect activity for your first or last day in Tirana - Andi was so accommodating throughout the entire trip planning process. He is truly passionate about Albania and its history! He picked us up from the airport to start our journey, we spent a few hours at Duka Winery, met with the wine makers, and got to see their hands-on process. We then were able to spend time at Restorant Kantina Duka for our wine tasting with a beautiful lakeside view. From there, we travelled to Kruje where we were able to walk around the castle, do some shopping at the bazaar, and have a delicious local lunch. It's the perfect way to spend your first or last day in Tirana.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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