{"id":2454,"date":"2017-06-25T09:33:07","date_gmt":"2017-06-25T09:33:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/gjirokastra.org\/expe-tours\/?p=2454"},"modified":"2017-06-25T13:25:18","modified_gmt":"2017-06-25T13:25:18","slug":"be-gjirokastrian-for-a-while-7-days-tour","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gjirokastra.org\/expe-tours\/?p=2454","title":{"rendered":"Be Gjirokastrian for a while \u2013 7 Days Tour"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">A hands-on experience with the living tradition of Gjirokastra &#8211; be Gjirokastrian for a while. This Tour is designed to last 7 days. The visitors will experience features and aspects of daily life, culinary, heritage sites, in UNESCO Gjirokastra and its rural area.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Day 1 Gjirokastra at first sight \u2013 a Chronicle in Stone<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Starting time 09.00<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: justify;\">Introduction to the history and heritage of Gjirokastra<\/h4>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li>Visit the Castle and the Gjirokastra Museum.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ancient handicrafts and artisan traditions of Gjirokastra<\/h4>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li>Meeting artisans and handmade souvenir producers in the Medieval Bazaar<\/li>\n<li>Shopping for personalized souvenirs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: justify;\">Tasting the mastery of Gjirokastra home cooking<\/h4>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li>Lunch with homemade food in a typical historic house,<\/li>\n<li>Tasting traditional dishes of Gjirokastra: <em>qifqi<\/em> and <em>hoshaf<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: justify;\">Written in Stone : the unique architecture of the Gjirokastra<\/h4>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li>Walk upon the unique cobblestone streets<\/li>\n<li>Medieval Bazaar, Palorto neighborhood, and meeting a stone-carving master<\/li>\n<li>Socializing with the locals<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ottoman-style Gjirokastra houses and life in the past<\/h4>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li>Visit the tower house of Zekate and meet the family<\/li>\n<li>Visting the Babameto House,<\/li>\n<li>An example of revitalization in the effort to save the stone city<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: justify;\">Evening of entertainment and traditional dinner at the 19th century Babameto House<\/h4>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li>Cooking, dancing, and singing together<\/li>\n<li>Iso-polyphonic singing, traditional dance, and local jokes and anecdotes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Day 2 Life in Gjirokastra \u2013 the challenge of saving the historic city<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Starting time 09.00<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: justify;\">Visiting the Skenduli House<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">The challenge of preservation and keeping the authenticity<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: justify;\">A visit to the newly restored home of the most famous Albanian writer: Ismail Kadare<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">The architecture and life of Kadare\u2019s hometown,<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: justify;\">Traditional dresses and costumes<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Visit the Ethnographic Museum and meet a senior artisan who works on costumes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: justify;\">Lunch from a traditional wood stove<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Lunch cooked together<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Three local recipes prepared for guests with written recipes to take home<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: justify;\">Iso-polyphony: the UNESCO-listed Art of Singing<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meeting an Iso-polyphonic group<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Learning some traditional dance<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: justify;\">Relaxation<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Visit the \u201cMother of the Waters\u201d source and lake park<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Walking\/cycling\/driving 4 km from Gjirokastra<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dinner at \u201cFreskia\u201d, restaurant by the lake<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Day 3 \u2013 A day in the Gjirokastra Countryside<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Starting time 09.00<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: justify;\">Traveling through picturesque Drino Valley, its rich history and villages<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Amazing landscape overlooking the Drino Valley<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ancient heritage and rural life<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: justify;\">Visit the Archaeological Park of Antigoneia<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">The ancient town Antigoneia of famous King Pyrrhus of Epirus a city built by his love and burnt by the hatred of his enemies<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Tasting the genuine natural food of the Saraqinisht village<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">A picnic on- site<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: justify;\">Visiting the village of Saraqinisht and Saint Nicolas church built in 1666<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meeting Albanian and Aromanian local communities a Latin speaking people native to the southern Balkans<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: justify;\">Life in countryside<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Visit Karjan village and the garden of Krisafi family<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">A dinner made exclusive from the family garden products<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Visit Krisafi family\u2019s garden<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Choose your fresh vegetables for dinner in the family garden<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Taste dhalla, homemade raki (strong alcoholic distillation of grapes) and more<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Day 4 \u2013Albania\u2019s inter-religious harmony and religious heritage in the Gjirokastra region<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Starting time at 09.00<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bektashi Muslim Order, its mysticism, and rituals<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Visit the Bektashi Monastery at Melan<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: justify;\">Visit Libohova<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Have a drink under the 220-years-old monumental Plane Tree<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: justify;\">Lunch at Libohova<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Local delicacies from chef Sedat<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: justify;\">The village named after the Holy Cross<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Visit Labova e Kryqit village and the Cross Church (13th c) socializing with the locals at the square of the village<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: justify;\">Tour of other religious buildings in Gjirokastra city<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Mosque of the Bazaar, Mechite Mosque, and Saint Sotira Church<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dinner : on your own<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Day 5 \u2013 In the footsteps of Lord Byron and warrior leader, Ali Pasha of Tepelena<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Starting time 09.30<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: justify;\">Visit to the town of Tepelena, the castle of Ali Pasha and the cable-stayed bridge at Vjosa River.<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Stop at B\u00ebn\u00e7a<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Visit the Aqueduct built by Ali Pasha<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: justify;\">Lunch at the Cold Water sources near Vjosa river<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Visit a farm in the valley (Humelica) and taste traditional drinks<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: justify;\">Isolation and Paranoia under Communism<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Visit to the Cold War Tunnel under the Castle and the Armament\u2019s Museum<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meeting with two locals who tell their different stories about life under Communism<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: justify;\">Optional visit at the standing bridge of the Ali Pasha<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Part of aqueduct built for supplying water to the castle<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: justify;\">A walk in the upper part of Gjirokastra: Dunavat neighborhood<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dinner at Kuka tavern<br \/>\n<h3><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"> Day 6 \u2013Old routes to the Sea- Butrint UNESCO World Heritage Site<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Starting time 09.30<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: justify;\">Following the Drino river Valley and drive through Muzina Pass<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">In the trails of the ancient caravan routes to the sea through a picturesque landscape full of history and archaeology<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: justify;\">A stop at Ksamili at the coast in front of Corfu Island<\/h4>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: justify;\">Enjoying the coast view and telling the story:<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">A new small town established first in the communist era, Ksamili, was intended to be a \u201cproud window\u201d of the regime as a splendid example of the \u201cvoluntary\u201d work of the youth \u2013 it is not<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: justify;\">Visit the National Park of Butrint, and one of the most fascinating archaeological sites in the Balkans.<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">The archaeology and nature of Butrint forge a unique combination of ancient ruins,Mediterranean forests, and salted lakes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: justify;\">Lunch at the seaside<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Local fish and mussels from the lake will be on the menu of the day<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Crossing the Vivari Channel and meeting the local community at Xarra and Sh\u00ebnd\u00eblli village<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: justify;\">On the way back to Gjirokastra stop at:<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Monastery of Mesopotam (11th c. AD)<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Blue Eye water sources.<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Dinner organized at Terihat village in the Drino Valley where the Greek minority lives<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">A fine restaurant with some traditional Greek flavor<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Day 7 \u2013Vjosa treasures \u2013 Vjosa is the last wild river in Europe<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Starting time 09.00<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: justify;\">Visit the hot springs of Lengarica<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">The springs are almost in a natural state<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">The sulphurous water temperature is 26-320 C (79-900 F)<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">and is highly appreciated for its remedial qualities<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Bathing in the hot springs and walk along the canyons of the river<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: justify;\">Visit the B\u00ebnja village and its medieval Saint Mary Church<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">The village has recently been declared a Protected Historic Area by the Albanian government<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Organised lunch in the area of B\u00ebnja National Park<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Picnic besides the river<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Afternoon visit in the town of P\u00ebrmet<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">The city of flowers and of typical \u201csaze\u201d music<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: justify;\">Meetings with artisans and traditional food producers of the ProPermet Association<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Taste the jams and sweets of P\u00ebrmet (the famous Gliko)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: justify;\">Organized dinner with a local family<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Enjoy food in a traditional courtyard with traditional music<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><em>No of people: 5-12<\/em><br \/>\n<em> Activity: 9 hours<\/em><br \/>\n<em> Accommodation: Babameto House or similar. Traditional breakfast included.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A hands-on experience with the living tradition of Gjirokastra &#8211; be Gjirokastrian for a while. This Tour is designed to last 7 days. The visitors will experience features and aspects of daily life, culinary, heritage sites, in UNESCO Gjirokastra and its rural area. Day 1 Gjirokastra at first sight \u2013 a Chronicle in Stone Starting [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2463,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"gallery","meta":[],"categories":[24],"tags":[36,26,27,35,28,32,33,34,29,31],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gjirokastra.org\/expe-tours\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2454"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gjirokastra.org\/expe-tours\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gjirokastra.org\/expe-tours\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gjirokastra.org\/expe-tours\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gjirokastra.org\/expe-tours\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2454"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gjirokastra.org\/expe-tours\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2454\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gjirokastra.org\/expe-tours\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2463"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gjirokastra.org\/expe-tours\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2454"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gjirokastra.org\/expe-tours\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2454"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gjirokastra.org\/expe-tours\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2454"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}