Dates Sep 16–28, 2008
Leaders Akos Hivekovics and
Stuart Westmorland
Fee $5,995 from Tirana, Albania
Deposit $400
Limit 16
Terms and Conditions

In southeastern Europe, to the north of Greece and bordered on the west by the Adriatic Sea, the little-known countries of Albania, Macedonia and Montenegro are only just beginning to be discovered by photographers. Little-traveled, but rich in unique photo opportunities, the diversity of the Balkan Peninsula is very surprising. Rugged mountain ranges, remote medieval towns of ancient stone clinging to the hillsides, lofty castle fortresses, orthodox churches, mosques, mysterious cave churches, deep river valleys, clear lakes, and a sunny undeveloped coastline combine to inspire exceptional imagery.

Roughly the size of Massachusetts, Albania offers an exceptional blend of stunning mountain and seaside landscapes, historic sites, cultural landmarks—and a remarkably resilient and friendly people, many still
living traditional lifestyles, but on the brink of change. The capital city, Tirana, is located in the center of the country and offers an intriguing mix of architectural styles. The former cultural heart of the city, Skanderbeg Square, is a study in contrast where the utilitarian concrete structures of the communist years are eclipsed by the eighteenth-century Et’hem Mosque richly decorated with frescoes and delicately-carved windows.

Tirana’s central location allows for easy access to the varied mix of Albania’s little-photographed Ottoman cities, remote mountain villages, and river- and lakeshore towns, as well as offering a convenient opportunity for travel northward into Montenegro and eastward to one of the most scenic areas of Macedonia.

In mountainous southern Albania, Bronze-age and Ottoman- era cities are dominated by citadels perched high on hills where traditional houses cascade down
the steep slopes to river valleys below. Berati, the “Town of a Thousand Windows,” is one of the most photogenic. Gleaming two-story whitewashed houses—seemingly built nearly on top of one another—with tile roofs, numerous large multi-paned windows and gray rock walls climb the river terraces and winding stone staircases to Berati’s commanding citadel and parapets—and stunning views.

Traveling north to Montenegro, we reach the medieval seaside town and harbor of Kotor, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stunningly set on a fjord-like bay off the blue Adriatic Sea with a backdrop of rocky coastal mountains. Kotor’s Old Town is a maze of white houses with red tiled roofs and beautifully-shuttered windows that glisten in the sparkling light. Many stately orthodox and catholic churches—some dating back to the twelfth century—and the sunlit fortress high above town will also be our subjects.

On Albania’s eastern border lies Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Scenic and serpentine mountain roads lead to the well-preserved ancient city of Ohrid—one of the oldest settlements in Europe—on the shores of dazzling
Lake Ohrid. Created by tectonic forces and fed by underground springs, the large elliptical lake is one of the oldest, deepest and clearest in the world. Along the picturesque shoreline of Lake Ohrid are many rare cave churches—built into natural caves in the cliffs with interiors covered with beautiful old frescoes—and orthodox churches, including the exquisite St. Jovan Church, perched spectacularly on a cliff above the lake.

The photographic possibilities to be found in this least-visited corner of Europe—with its long and rich history and culture, spectacular mountain scenery and enduring traditional lifestyle—are surprisingly diverse and boundless.



Day 1
Depart on flights from the US.

Day 2 (Sep 17)
Arrive at Albania’s Tirana International Airport and transfer to our hotel. In the late afternoon light, we begin our exploration of the city. Following dinner a short presentation on the history of Albania will introduce us to this remarkable country. (D)

Day 3
Beginning with early morning at central Skanderbeg Square, we have a full day for photography in the city— including communist-era buildings recently painted in vivid colors and bold patterns. (BLD)

Day 4
We drive north to Kotor, a splendidly-situated medieval seaside town and fortress in southern Montenegro. (BLD)

Day 5
A full day in Kotor to photograph the Old Town and the vast array of historic churches. (BLD)

Day 6
After an early departure, stopping en route to photograph the charming seaside village of Budva, we return to Albania, and continue to Lake Ohrid in southern Macedonia. (BLD)

Days 7–8 X
Two full days to photograph the luminous lake and shoreline, architecture, and scenics of Lake Ohrid, including the Monastery of St. Naum and magnificent St. Jovan Church. The harsher light of day allows us time to photograph some of the twelfthand thirteenth-century frescoes inside the unique cave churches. (BLD)

Day 9
We return to Albania and drive to picturesque Berati, nestled in a 3,000-foot-deep valley of the River Osum. (BLD)

Day 10
The Ottoman, Greek and Albanian architecture of the area, including the church of St. Mary of Vllaherna, the Leaden Mosque—and, of course, the World Heritage hillside town and fortress. (BLD)

Day 11
Traveling further into the rural landscapes of southern Albania to Gjorokastra, we will have an opportunity to photograph the local people working with their livestock. (BLD)

Day 12
In the stone city of Gjirokastra, another World Heritage site, we photograph the unique century-old houses clinging to the hillside, the second largest Ottoman fortress in the Balkans and a spectacular 800- year-old stone bridge, taking advantage of the best light of day. (BLD

Day 13 (Sep 28)
Early departure for Tirana and flights home. (B)





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