Sea to Summits Tour Gallery

Mosaic decorating the National History Museum, Tirana Et'hem Bey Mosque, Tirana Statue of national hero Skenderbeg, Tirana Dajti Express, the cableway up to Mt Dajti with great views over Tirana Upper cable car station on Mt. Dajti Hiking to the top of Mt Dajti Arrival at Karavasta Lagoon The lagoon is a Ramsar-listed habitat Karavasta and the surrounding lagoons are home to many aquatic bird species Local fisherman Popular fishing method using a big net which is draped across the channel and, when lifted, catched the fish Sunset at the beach that connects to the lagoon Apollonia archaeological site In acient time, this used to be a Greek city located at the Via Egnatia St. Mary's church and museum, Apollonia Panoramic views of Vlora Azure waters at the foot of Llogara Pass The Ionian coast View from Llogara Pass, with Greek island Corfu in the far distance Llogara Pass road Palase beach Small shepherds' summer camp near Llogara Pass Sheep and their... ...shepherd we met on our way. Rainbow over Llogara Pass. More spectacular views. Himare, with the Old Town higher up in the hills Himare Fshat Approaching the small olive grove framed village of Kudhes Mountain summer camp near Kudhes Riverbed near Kudhes Hiking towards Qeparo Fshat, looking back on Kudhes Qeparo Old Town Enthroned over the Ionian Sea: Qeparo Fshat Ali Pasha Fortress between Himare and Qeparo Relict from communist times: small bunkers dot the coast line Approaching the secluded Gjipe beach From the beach, a canyon holds ready a small green oasis Inside Vuno canyon St Theodre monastery View from Mt Gjere to Delvine, the coast, Butrint and Corfu Road up to Mali i Gjere, which translates to "Wide Mountain" On the way down, views towards Drino valley, the entrance to Zagoria valley behind, as well as Nemercka range in the far distance Orthdodox St. Mary's Monastery, a cultural monument build around 1600 Frescos inside St. Mary's Monastery Fresco detail, Goranxi monastery Descend to Goranxi Drino valley with Cajupi mountain range in the back Gjirokaster's clock tower overlooks the Old Town The Neck of the Bazaar, center of Gjirokaster's Pazari i vjeter neighbourhood, viewed from the castle Wandering the streets of the Old Bazaar quarter Distrinct Ottoman style houses dominate the Old Town Traditional house with stone roof, Gjirokaster A lot of the beautifully decorated family manors have undergone restauration, some are open for visitors Skenduli house, one of the characteristic mansions open to the public Our local expert guide and friend Chris (right) with the owner of the house Elaboate wood carvings decorate the ceilings In former times, one room of the house served for one family, leading to a population of 60 people or more per house being not uncommon Clock tower up on the castle, Gjirokaster Small bunkers from Albania's communist period are still a common sight all over the country St. Mary's church, Labova e Kryqit, built in 6th century, even though the oldest elements that remain still today are from 10th century Various icons and frescoes decorate the interior of orthodox St. Mary's church Entering Zagoria valley Already on the way to the valley even behind, crossing Nemercka mountain range Shepherds' summer alp on the way to Permet Looking down on Permet on the Eastern side of Nemercka range Small village of Leuse Descending into the small village of Leuse Rural lifestyle in Leuse 17th century orthodox church in Leuse Mural painting, Leuse Ottoman bridge at Benje hot springs, Nemercka range in the background Sulphuric hot springs invite for a bath Bredhi i Hotoves National Park Thick, original forest of Bredhi i Hotoves National Park. The park takes its name from the Hotova Fir which is considered one of the most important Mediterranean plant relics of the country Osumi canyon In spring, the canyon carries a lot of water from melting snow, and gushing waterfalls thunder down the steep cliffs Views from Mt Tomorr (2416m), the holy mountain of the Bektashi faith Bektashi shrine on top of Mt Tomorr Descend towards Polican Scenery on the way from Polican to Berat Our last destination, Berat Bust of Constantine the Great, Berat Holy Trinity Church, Berat Berat at night Small cobble stone alleys between old Ottoman style houses Richly decorated wooden ceiling panel from the 15th century in Berat's Halveti Tekke Traditional copper smith at work Berat - the city of thousand windows