Faculty-led travel courses · Europe
Albania, Greece & Macedonia Faculty-Led Travel Course
This program crosses Albania, Greece and Macedonia, a corridor of medieval fortresses, ancient Greek cities, Byzantine churches and Roman archaeological sites. Students read the layers of Mediterranean and Balkan history directly in the landscape.
Good to know
- Language
- Albanian, Greek and Macedonian; English is commonly spoken in tourist areas
- Currency
- Albanian lek, euro (Greece), Macedonian denar
- Best season
- April–June and September–October
- Typical length
- 10–14 days (customizable)
Highlights
What students will see and do
- Berat, AlbaniaThe UNESCO-listed 'town of a thousand windows' is known for Ottoman-era houses climbing a hillside beneath a medieval citadel.
- Butrint, AlbaniaA UNESCO site where Greek, Roman and Byzantine remains sit together beside a lagoon near the Ionian coast.
- Gjirokastër Castle, AlbaniaA large stone fortress above an Ottoman-era old town, also on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
- Acropolis, AthensThe hilltop citadel of the Parthenon and other classical temples, central to the history of ancient Greece.
- Delphi, GreeceThe sanctuary of Apollo on Mount Parnassus was home to the most famous oracle of the ancient Greek world.
- Lake Ohrid, MacedoniaOne of Europe's oldest and deepest lakes, lined with Byzantine churches and a historic old town.
Faculty-led travel courses
Courses that fit Albania, Greece & Macedonia
Professors build their own syllabus; ARAMFO arranges the visits that bring it to life.
Art, Architecture & HistoryA course could compare Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman architecture across three neighboring countries.
Geography & Environmental StudiesStudents could study how mountains, lakes and coastlines shaped settlement and trade routes in the southern Balkans.
Education & Teacher PreparationA course could examine how heritage sites and museums are used to teach history to local students and visitors.
Map
Where you will go
Academic and professional visits
- A local university history or archaeology department
- An archaeological site conservation office
- A regional museum
- A community heritage or tourism organization
Visits are chosen with the professor to match the course.
Itinerary
Sample itinerary
A starting point only — every trip is adjusted to your course, dates and budget.
Customizable. This sample shows the kinds of visits and places available. Days, pace and academic visits are built around your course.
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Day 1
Departure
Students depart for Albania on an overnight international flight.
- Depart for Albania
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Day 2
Arrival in Durres
The group lands in Albania and settles into the Adriatic port city of Durres, ready for the days ahead.
- Arrive and transfer to the hotel in Durres
- Welcome dinner at the hotel
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Day 3
Ancient Durres
Durres was a major Roman and Byzantine port. Students see how layers of history survive in a modern city.
- Walking tour of the Old Town
- Roman Amphitheater
- Archaeological Museum
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Day 4
Tirana, the Capital
A day in Albania's capital shows how the country moved from communism to a market democracy.
- Archaeological Museum
- Skanderbeg Square and the Skanderbeg statue
- Palace of Culture
- Et'hem Bey Mosque and Clock Tower
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Day 5
Berat to Vlora
Berat, the "City of a Thousand Windows," is a UNESCO World Heritage town. The day ends on the Ionian coast.
- Transfer to Berat
- Walking tour of Berat Castle and the Onufri Museum
- Transfer to Vlora and short walking tour
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Day 6
Gjirokaster to Saranda
Gjirokaster is a UNESCO-listed Ottoman stone town. Students then continue to the southern coast.
- Transfer to Gjirokaster
- Walking tour of the old bazaar and castle area
- Continue to Saranda and check in
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Day 7
Butrint Archaeological Park
Butrint is a UNESCO World Heritage site where Greek, Roman and Venetian ruins sit beside a quiet lagoon.
- Half-day guided tour of Butrint
- Free afternoon in Saranda
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Day 8
Saranda to Kalambaka via Ioannina
The group crosses into Greece and explores Ioannina, a lakeside city of Byzantine and Ottoman heritage.
- Border crossing into Greece
- Walking tour of Ioannina
- Transfer to Kalambaka
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Day 9
Meteora Monasteries
Medieval monasteries stand on towering rock pillars, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a highlight of Greece.
- Half-day tour of Meteora
- Visit to one or more monasteries
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Day 10
Bitola to Ohrid
Students cross into North Macedonia to see a Roman city and then reach the shores of Lake Ohrid.
- Transfer to Bitola
- Heraclea Lyncestis: Roman theater, baths, basilica and portico
- Tour of Bitola, the city of consuls
- Transfer to Ohrid and check in
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Day 11
Ohrid Old Town
Ohrid is a UNESCO site for both its natural and cultural heritage, and a center of Slavic Christian learning.
- Walking tour of Ohrid Old Town
- St. Sophia Cathedral
- Church of St. Clement and St. Panteleimon
- Icon Gallery
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Day 12
Departure
Transfer to the airport for the flight home.
- Transfer to the airport
What is included
ARAMFO arranges everything
You choose the dates and the airport your group flies from. We handle the logistics and the academic visits so you can focus on teaching.
3–6 credit hours, offered through your own department · 8+ students and the professor's travel cost is covered by ARAMFO · Your dates and your departure airport
- Airfare from your preferred airport
- Hotels or student housing
- Meals as set out in the itinerary
- Transportation in the host country
- Tour guides and entrance fees
- University, company and professional visits
- A native guide with the group for the whole trip
- Customized dates and itinerary
More in Greece
Other ARAMFO programs in Greece
Get started
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