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Welcome to Above The Sky Adventures, where spectacular aerial sightseeing merges with profound cultural immersion and geological discovery.

Our philosophy centers on transforming simple flight experiences into comprehensive educational journeys that connect you intimately with the landscapes, peoples, and natural forces that have shaped our world's most remarkable destinations.

Vol 13 - Balkans Gems

■ Tour Overview Departure: Portoroz (LJPZ) Arrival: Tirana (LATI) Flight Distance: 385 nautical miles Duration: Approximately 3 hours

Balkan Gems retraces an extraordinary aerial adventure across four nations where ancient empires converged, creating Europe's most culturally rich coastline. This breathtaking journey aboard the versatile Bonanza G36 connects Slovenia's Venetian heritage with the tribal highlands of Albania, covering 385 nautical miles of UNESCO treasures, medieval strongholds, and unspoiled Adriatic landscapes.

This new excursion encompasses the entire cultural spectrum of the Adriatic: the hilltop villages of Istria with their unchanging truffle hunting traditions dating back to Roman times, the islands of Dalmatia where Greek settlers planted the first vineyards, the fjord-like bays of Montenegro with their hidden Orthodox monasteries founded during the Byzantine expansion, and the Albanian Alps still populated by Europe's last traditional tribal societies.

Each flight segment reveals remarkable contrasts—from Slovenia's vineyard-covered karst plateaus where Habsburg influence lingers in architecture and wine-making techniques, to Croatia's thousand-island archipelago where each settlement developed distinct dialects and customs during centuries of relative isolation. Montenegro's dramatic mountain walls plunge directly into azure bays where medieval Serbian kings built fortified monasteries, while Albania's wild shores conceal ancient Illyrian burial sites and Ottoman-era bridges that connected mountain clans with coastal trading posts.

■ Tour Highlights

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

• Dubrovnik Old City - Medieval maritime republic with intact 16th-century walls
• Split with Diocletian's Palace - Living Roman imperial residence from 305 CE
• Plitvice Lakes National Park - Terraced limestone lakes and waterfalls
• Kotor Natural Heritage - Fjord-like bay with Venetian-Byzantine architecture

Cultural & Historical Treasures

• Venetian Istria - Hill towns, truffle regions, and wine estates
• Dalmatian Islands - Traditional fishing communities and lavender cultivation
• Albanian Tribal Heritage - Mountain clans maintaining ancient customs
• Ottoman Legacy - Bridges, mosques, and administrative centers
• Byzantine Monasteries - Orthodox spiritual centers with medieval frescoes

Natural Landscapes

• Adriatic Island Chains - Over 1,000 islands with unique ecosystems
• Dinaric Alps - Dramatic limestone peaks rising from sea level
• Karst Formations - Underground rivers, caves, and white stone landscapes
• Shkodra Lake - Largest Balkan lake shared between Montenegro and Albania
• River Deltas - Neretva wetlands supporting unique bird populations

■ Cultural Sensitivity Note - Our narratives accompanying the excursion pay tribute to both scientific understanding and tradition.

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© 2025, Perfect Flight

Credits: Mission Creator: Marco Martini Graphic Artist: Mike Martini Narrative Designer: Luis Cerutti, Piero Plesso