Jim Gold International Presents:
New Year’s Extravaganza in Albania and Italy
Tirana, Venice, Lake Garda, Balkanot Folk Festival
A Folkdance Adventure That Will Have You Dancing Through Life!
Join Our Spectacular Holiday Tour
When: December 27, 2023 to January 9, 2024
Led by: Cathie Dunklee-Donnell
Dance Instructors: Lee Otterholt and Genci Kastrati.
Guided by Prime Tours
Ring in the New Year with a bang at Skanderbeg Square. Brace yourself for mind-blowing fireworks and festivities that will leave you breathless! And guess where you’ll be partying? From the swanky Tirana International Hotel Executive Suite (aka Cathie’s room, the party central)!
But that’s not all! Enhance your dancing prowess with none other than the legendary Folkdance Guru, Lee “Olympic Choreographer” Otterholt. No matter what your dancing ability, he’ll have you folk dancing with great style in no time!
Lee leading a dance workshop in Norway.
Wait, there’s more. Picture this: You, dancing your heart out at the magnificent Toptani Castle, alongside the one and only Maestro of Albanian Folk Dance Ensemble, Genci “Rock Star” Kastrati. He is the rock star of European folkdancers. I told you, this is the folk dance tour of all folk dance tours!
Genci dancing with a tour member.
It’s going to be a dance extravaganza!
But we’re not done yet! Prepare to meet and dance with folk dancers from Italy and all over Europe at the ultimate European dance extravaganza – Roberto Bagnoli’s Balkanot! Roberto has invited some of the best international folk dancers and instructors in the world, including himself, to teach and entertain us.
And the setting couldn’t be more perfect: the enchanting shores of the beautiful Lake Garda in Italy. It’s going to be a dance adventure like no other!
And, for the first time on any Jim Gold Tour, drum roll please, visit the Enchanting Venice! We’ll meander through its winding canals, dance on a famous square, and savor the romantic atmosphere of the world’s most treasured destinations.
We’ll take a romantic boat ride to our hotel.
So, let loose, groove to the rhythm, make new friends, and experience the magic of folk dancing like never before. Get ready to rock the dance floor with unforgettable memories that will have you dancing through life!
Price: Albania, Italy Land Only: $4995
(To see our 3 choices of payment method, click here.)
I can’t wait to go! Reserve my place with my $200 deposit per person.
OUR ITINERARY:
Day 1: Wednesday, December 27: Depart on airline of your choice for Tirana, Albania. Rest up for a dancing and cultural adventure as you’ve never experienced before.
Day 2: Thursday, December 28: Arrive in the vibrant capital Tirana and take a taxi to the Tirana Hotel International.
Gather at the hotel lobby at 6 pm for our introductory meeting. After our meeting, we’ll take a short walk to Shije Fshati (Taste of the Village) restaurant to indulge in delectable and traditional Albanian cuisine. Later, we’ll dance in Skanderbeg Square and then stroll along the boulevard to admire the glorious holiday lights that are everywhere-you-look. Prepare to be deeply moved by the holiday elation and merrymaking.
Day 3: Friday, December 29 – Tirana Morning Adventure – Coffee, Companionship, and Captivating Sites!
8:00 am: Breakfast at the hotel. You won’t believe the pastries, breads, Albanian pancakes, variety of cheeses, fresh fruit and veggies, eggs, and most unbelievable, the view from the balcony.
9:00 am: Experience Albania in a detailed, close-up look of a nearby neighborhood, and meet some of the friendly locals. Follow Cathie to see five coffee shops that are all on one block and all the retail shops you need to buy items for your adventure: fruit, water, snacks, toiletries, and souvenirs. Find the coffee shop that has larger American-style coffees. See the Nine-Story Communist Era building. Have a tiny espresso or Americano coffee at the best coffee shop on the block.
10:00 am: Take a walking tour with our expert and friendly guide to see the best sites in Tirana. You may never be the same again.
Go into one of the only mosques not destroyed by Enver Hoxha’s regime.
Find your holiday read at an excellent bookstore that has hundreds of the best in English books. Climb the clock tower or wave to the hardiest members of our tour while you relax below. Visit the Japanese structure that was a gift to the Albanian people from Japan.
See some of the creative architecture for which Tirana is known.
Visit and climb the Pyramid of Tirana.
See a bunker from communist days.
See part of the Berlin wall. Visit a posh dentist office that caters to dental tourists. See the dictator Enver Hoxha’s house in the Blloku area.
Go inside and meditate in the beautiful Orthodox cathedral.
Eat lunch as a group at the Taiwan Centre.
2:00 pm: Rest at the hotel for an hour then accompany Cathie to a local cafe that has the best byrek and strudel. Check out the local market. See the butchers, the bakers, the candlestick makers. Visit veggie stands with the freshest produce anywhere.
4:00 pm: Then dance with Genci and Lee for one-on-one and group instruction.
7:00 pm: Eat dinner at one of the stands on the Skanderbeg Square holiday grounds.
Day 4: December 30 – From Bunkers to Peaks: Unveiling Albania’s History at Bunk’Art and Ascending Dajti Mountain by Gondola
9 am: Breakfast at the hotel.
10 am: Our bus will take us to Bunk’Art, a unique museum within the depths of a Cold War-era bunker. This subterranean labyrinth unveils the clandestine history of Albania, offering a glimpse into the country’s past through immersive exhibitions and interactive displays. As you wander through the tunnels and chambers, you’ll be transported back in time, surrounded by artifacts and stories that shed light on a pivotal era.
Then, to the Gondola up Dajti Mountain. Will eat lunch at the restaurant with gorgeous views of Tirana.
4 pm: Arrive back at the hotel.
4:30 pm: Dance with Genci and Lee.
7 pm: Dinner at Pasta E Basta.
Day 5: December 31 – Ring in the New Year at Tirana International Hotel: A Dinner Gala and Spectacular Fireworks Celebration
9 am: Breakfast at the hotel.10 am: Take a bus to the artificial lake where we’ll ride a small train around the lake
1 pm: Eat lunch at one of the restaurants on the lake.
2 pm: Rest up for the New Year’s Eve party.
8 pm: Dinner in the Executive Suite followed by New Year’s Eve Party in Party Central, Cathie’s room!
12 am: Fireworks out the window! Party till the wee hours. The most daring might go dance in the Square with live music.
January 1 – Refresh, Reflect, and Relax for a Leisurely New Year’s Day
10 am: Late and leisurely breakfast at the hotel.
12 pm: Go for a stroll or do whatever you enjoy. Some activities will be planned as surprises. TBA.
4 pm: Dance workshop.
7 pm: Dinner at La Gioa.
January 2 – Durres Odyssey: From Ancient Marvels to Divine Wines. City Tour, Roman Amphitheatre Visit, and Wine Degustation at Duka Winery
9 am: Breakfast at the hotel.
10 am: Transfer to Durres, wander through the charming Old Town’s narrow alleys, visit the awe-inspiring Durres Amphitheatre – a remarkable relic of Roman engineering and a testament to the city’s illustrious past. Imagine the roars of the crowd and the excitement of ancient games as you stand within the same walls that have witnessed countless historic moments.
11 am: Have coffee at a charming seaside cafe. Then continue to experience the sites and sounds of Durres.
As the day evolves, your journey continues to the prestigious Duka Winery, nestled amidst the rolling hills and lush vineyards of Durres’ picturesque countryside. Here, you’ll experience a wine degustation enjoying the serenity of nature.
5 pm: Dance with Lee and Genci.
7:30 pm: Dinner on your own
January 3 – Explore the Enchanting Charms of Berat “ The City of Thousand Windows “
8 am: Breakfast at hotel.
9 am: Transfer to Berat
12:00: Berat sightseeing, wander through the cobbled streets of the UNESCO-listed Old Town, where ancient Ottoman-style houses stand as a testament to centuries of tradition. Marvel at the stunning Berat Castle, a fortress that has witnessed countless stories throughout the ages.
1:30 pm: Lunch on your own.
2:30 pm: Return to Tirana & free time.
4:00: Last day to dance with Genci.
7 pm: Dinner at Menam.
9 pm: Pub Crawl. Pack your bags for tomorrow’s journey then go out for a pub crawl to experience Tirana’s lively nightlife.
January 4 – Italy : Lake Garda and Balkanot Folk Festival
6:00 am: Breakfast at hotel.
6:30 am: Check out of the hotel. Depart for airport.
9:00 am: Flight to Milan by Ryanair.
10:15 am: Arrive in Milan. Get charter bus to Lake Garda, Hotel Lago Di Garda. 2 hours and 14 minutes.
3 pm: Take bus to Garda Family Hotel for the start of Balkanot. Dancing starts at 3:30 pm.
7 pm: Dinner at Balkanot.
9 pm: Dance Party
January 5 – Balkanot Folk Festival
Balkanot all day.
January 6 – Balkanot Folk Festival
Balkanot all day.
January 7 – Travel to Venice
3 pm: Transfer to Venice on a charter bus
5 pm : Board a boat to take you to Belle Epogue Hotel Venice
6 pm : Free time to explore the city on your own
7 pm : Dinner
January 8 – Venetian adventure with our captivating Venice Boat Tour
8 am Breakfast at the hotel
9 am : Explore the island on a boat tour
12 pm : Visit the legendary Doge’s Palace and the awe-inspiring St. Mark’s Basilica. As you explore these iconic landmarks during this 3-hour journey, you’ll also enjoy an exclusive vantage point from the Terrace Access, immersing yourself in a world of history, architectural marvels, and unparalleled beauty.
2 pm : Lunch on your own
4 pm : Free time to buy souvenirs
7 pm : Farewell dinner
January 9 – Departure
Transfer to Marco Polo Airport to catch the flight home
Land Only: $4995
REGISTRATION FORM: I can’t wait to go! Enclosed is my registration deposit of $200 per person. Single supplement: $945. Hotel taxes and service charges: $185. Gratuities not included. Program subject to change without notice. Cancellation 90 days prior to departure: Total refund: Less than 90 days: No refund. Travel insurance is recommended.
Total balance due November 15, 2023
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JIM GOLD INTERNATIONAL: TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Air Transportation: International air not included except as noted.
Rates: Tour rates are subject to change in the event of currency fluctuations or increase in costs. Inclusive tour rates are per person in double occupancy. In case of computer or human billing errors, we reserve the right to re-invoice clients with corrected billing.
Reservations: Deposits and Payments: Deposit of $200 per person is required at time of reservation. Balance is due 90 days prior to departure date.
Changes: Prices and program subject to change without notice
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Cancellations: Cancellations 90 days prior to departure: Total refund. Less than 90 days: No refund. . Travel Insurance is non-refundable as are unused services.
Gratuities: Tipping to guides, drivers, transfer personnel and hotel staff is left to the discretion of the participants and is not included.
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