b'CLASSICAL ALBANIA IN TRAJANS FOOTSTEPSScan hereScan here IN ILLYRIAN LANDS for the fullSERBIA TO ROMANIAfor the full itinerary itinerary412 June 2025 Historical Background 1320 June 2025 Historical Background9 days During classical antiquity Albania was inhabited by groups of Indo-European7 days In the late 1st century AD the Dacian tribes were reinvigorated by their Expert Historian: speaking tribes in an area known later to the Greeks and Romans as Illyria.Expert Historian: leader Decebalus and became increasingly belligerent to the Romans Nevertheless there is considerable debate as to whether these peoplesOliver Gilkes along the Danubian frontier. Peace with Rome in 89 AD led to stability but Oliver Gilkes recognised themselves as Illyrians in the way later writers framed them. Theas Dacia was a source of much needed precious metals for the Empire Activity Level: 2 first known Illyrian king, Bardylis, emerged in what is now Albania aroundActivity Level: 2 further war seemed likely. The First Dacian War (101102 AD) started when 400 BC and soon came into conflict with Macedon. Greek colonies startedthe Emperor Trajan advanced from Viminacium into the heart of Dacian to be set up in what is now Albania from the 7th century BC one of the mostterritory and defeated their army at the Second Battle of Tapae (depicted Albania is home to some of the Classicalprominent being Apollonia, established by Corinth. The greatest knownThis is a tour of the frontiers of the Romanon Trajans Column). After a series of hard-fought battles Decebalus was worlds most fabulous sites but is frequentlyIllyrian kingdom were the Ardiaei who emerged in the 3rd century BC andEmpire and the remarkable campaignspersuaded to submit and was forced to surrender territory and weapons. overshadowed by its southerly neighbour.extended their dominance into northern Albania. The Ardiaei Queen Teutaof the Emperor Trajan (r. 98117 AD) toBut the peace did not last long as he continued to agitate leading to the This is without justification as the countryclashed with the expanding Roman Empire and initiated 60 years of warcounter threats from tribes north of theSecond Dacian War (105106 AD). Trajan advanced again into Dacian lands holds a rich panoply of Classical remains. which resulted in the end of Illyrian independence by 168 BC. Rome cameDanube in the two Dacian Wars (101102 andand laid siege to the capital Sarmizegetusa. Suffering from acute starva-We visit Apollonia, where a youthful Octavianto dominate the western Balkans and the province of Illyricum was created.105106). It is a journey rich in historical andtion the city surrendered and was razed to the ground. Decebalus fled and on hearing of the assassination of hisRome absorbed Greek cities and culture and introduced levels of civilizationarchaeological discovery as we travel acrosslater took his own life. For Rome this was a great victory as the wealth of great-uncle Caesar embarked on his bid forenjoyed in other parts of her empire. Christianity came to the region in thea region shaped by centuries of political,the area flooded into the Empirereportedly some 700 million denarii per power that ultimately made him emperor.3rd to 4th centuries AD and the new religion was preached from, amongstmilitary, religious, ethnic and linguistic flux.year. But for the Dacians this meant subjugation and slavery as their land At the bucolic site of Antigoneia we learnother places, the huge Durres Amphitheatre. When the Empire divided inCentral to the narrative is Romes presencebecame more Romanised.about its famous founder Pyrrhus of Epirus395 AD what is now Albania found itself in the unusual position of beingon the Danube and the mighty rivers place (319/318272 BC), whose victories were wonadministered as part of the Eastern Empire from Constantinople but underas a delineation of Empire and a barrier at such great cost and at Durres marvel atthe religious jurisdiction of the Pope in Rome until 732 AD.against the uncivilised non-Roman tribes the splendid Roman amphitheatre. At Butrintto its north. But we also learn about the way we soak up the atmosphere of what isRome crafted these conquered areas in its arguably the most beautiful combination ofown image and laid the foundations for the archaeology and nature in the Mediterraneanlater development of the area most clearly world, whose occupation lasted from 50,000reflected in the name of modern Romania BC up until the nineteenth century. We enjoyand the language of that country with its the stone city of Gjirokastr, Albanias best- roots in the Latin of the conquerors. kept secret, and Berat, the 2,400-year-old City of 1000 Windows, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Throughout our stay we are hosted by the wonderful Albanian people, proud of their origins in the 2,500-year-old tribes of Illyria, and eager to share their fine cuisine, 3000-year-old tradition of wine making and lively folk music scene.Day 1 Morning flight London to Tirana or make your own arrangementsto join the tour at the hotel. Explore Tirana; welcome drinks and Day 1 Outward travel. Fly London to Belgrade or make your own arrangementsintroductory talk. Hotel in Tirana2 nights. (D) to join the tour at the hotel. Explore city. Hotel in Belgrade2 nights. (D)Day 2 Tirana: walking tour to include National Museum and Ethem BeyDay 2 Belgrade National Museum, Kalemegdan Park and Fortress. (B,D)Mosque. (B,D) Day 3 Sremska Mitrovica (Sirmium), Novi Sad - museum and Petrovaradian Day 3 . Apollonia; continue to Gjirokastra. Hotel in Gjirokastra4 nights. (B,D) Fortress. (B,D)Day 4 full day at Butrint. (B,L,D) Day 4 Viminacium, Golubac, Derdap gorge, Kladovo. Hotel for 1 night. (B,D)Day 5 full day at Gjirokastra, incl. museum and castle, konaks (residences).Day 5 Trajans bridge, cross Danube into Romania, Sarmezigethusa.(B,D) Hotel in areaTBC. (B,D)Day 6 . Antigoneia, Labova i Kryqit, Hadrianopolis. (B,L,D) Day 6 . Orastie museum, Sarmezigethusa Regia, Costesi and Alba Julia. Sibiu -Day 7 leave Gjirokastra, drive to Byllis and visit site, continue to Berat. hotel for 1 night. (B,L,D)ESSENTIALS Hotel in Berat1 night. (B,D) ESSENTIALS Day 7 Arutel Roman fort. Drive to Bucharest. Hotel for 2 nights. (B,D)Day 8 . Durres - amphitheatre, drive to Kruje. Free time to explore town. Day 8 . Full day in Bucharest. Bucharest National Museum, replica of Trajans 3-4-star hotels, meals as indicated,Hotel in Kruje1 night. (B,D) 3-4-star hotels, meals as indicated,Column, Avenue of Socialist Victory, Palace of the Parliament.drinks with dinner, all entrance fees,Day 9 . Kruje to Tirana airport for late morning flight to London or perhapsdrinks with dinner, all entrance fees,Transfer to Bucharest airport for our evening flight back to Londontour manager and expert historianextend your stay in Albania. (B) tour manager and expert historianor perhaps extend your stay in Romania. (B). throughout, all internal travel, throughout, all internal travel,optional travel from UK. optional travel from UK.14 www.theculturalexperience.com I info@theculturalexperience.com I UK0345 475 1815 I USA(toll-free) 877 209 5620 www.theculturalexperience.com I info@theculturalexperience.com I UK0345 475 1815 I USA(toll-free) 877 209 5620 15'