Telegraph: Albania- Europe's next big beach holiday destination?!

“Albania is like a missing piece in an otherwise completed jigsaw - the final portion of the landmass along the Adriatic which has not become a beach-holiday stalwart”. This is how Telegraph, the UK multimedia news brand describes our country, Albania. This media promoted Albania as a travel destination in several articles and this one is written by the author Chris Leadbeater, who sees Albania as a unique destination different from neighbor countries such as Greece, Montenegro and Croatia.

Ksamil Beach, Credit © 2011 Azem Ramadani 

“But if you take another glance at the map, one remaining pocket of the relatively unknown may just stare back at you. Albania is like a missing piece in an otherwise completed jigsaw - the final portion of the landmass along the Adriatic which has not become a beach-holiday stalwart” writes Telegraph.

Albania, by contrast, is still almost unheard of as a package destination - despite the fact that its 265 miles of seaside are in a prime location. In a rare event, the country can claim to be lapped by not just one sea, but two - the Adriatic and the Ionian are deemed to meet in the sheltered Vlorë Bay (where Vlorë, the country's third largest city sits). That, at this point, the distance between Albania and elbow of Puglia, away to the west in Italy, is just 60 miles, only emphasizes the splendor of this Balkan country's location.

There should be a caveat here, of course. To say that Albania is almost unheard of as a package destination is to overlook the many Albanian tourists who are well aware of their home state's suitability for a week on the sand. There are plenty of rooms, and plenty of paying customers, in the hotel zones of Durrës (the second city, in the north of the country) and Saranda (the key tourism hotspot, in the south, close to the Greek border). It is just that, as yet, there are very few Britons among them. The cat remains in the bag.

Photo source: Telegraph

Albania is already an intriguing country to visit - Tirana is an increasingly cosmopolitan city, while the country's wealth of ancient archaeological sites (including the likes of Apollonia and Butrint) might almost rival Italy. But in a time when question marks linger over traditional beach destinations such as Egypt and Turkey, it could be that, in the next three or four years, its main appeal will be as a place in the sun. Mystery solved.

See full article here!

Between archaeology and bunkers, the contradictions and fascination of Albania

Recently, the international media keeps urging the tourists to visit Albania.

One of the most prestigious Italian newspapers published an article focused on the Albania, a former Communist country, with its secrets to discover.

 “Repubblica” newspaper dedicated the article how to explore the Albanian natural beauties, archeological sites and gastronomy.

Photo: Nino Barletta

Today, in this country that ended 46-years Communist regime and has isolated it from the rest of the world, we find a tourist destination. The geographical proximity of the two countries, across the Adriatic Sea to the Apulia shores, the low cost of life convinced 182,000 Italians from January to July 2017 to spend their holidays in the Eagle's Earth, 56% more than last year.

The seaside resorts of the South, Saranda first, are the favorite and the most crowded in the high season.

Photo: Nino Barletta

Butrint archaeological site and the towns of Argirocastro and Berat, who tell the story of the past, are included in the travel routes.

So, the “Repubblica” advices  the Italian readers to visit Albania, this beautiful and charmingly odd country. 

 

Photo: Nino Barletta

Original article in Italian here!

Swap Costa Brava for the turquoise waters of Ksamil, Albanian Riviera

The Culture Trip, one of the most popular travel guides in the world, has listed the beach of Ksamil in Albania on 3^rd place among 8 cheaper summer destinations in Europe.  Culture Trip recommends that everyone should go on vacation in the Albanian Riviera, while compares Ksamil beach with Costa Brava in Spain, with the only difference that Albania is much cheaper.

Ksamil, Albanian Riviera | © Cannm01/WikiCommons

“When choosing the perfect beach for your summer vacation, the color of the water counts! The more turquoise, the better. Saying so, it is quite surprising that Albania hasn’t fallen into the spotlight, with its Caribbean-colored water and rugged cliffs along the coastline. Ksamil is among the favorite seaside resorts for both locals and foreigners.”

See full article here !

Daily Sabah: Albanian Riviera offers unexpected experiences to visitors

Daily Sabah, a nationwide publication based in Turkey has published the article about Albanian Riviera. Ernest Whitman Piper is the journalist who saw and wrote about the beautiful beaches of our country.

“Snuggled between the Adriatic Sea and the Balkan Mountains, Albania has just as good a Mediterranean Riviera, with comparatively fewer tourists and Mafiosi, and is about a zillion times cheaper. It's got a pinball history of tribal conflict, time under the Ottoman reign, and paranoid, isolationist midcentury Communism. What's not to like?”, says Piper. 

Durres -Albania Holidays

 

 

 

Durresi : After arriving at the Airport of Tirana, they head to coastal town of  Durresi: “The coastline upon first glance was a rugged thing, pale jagged rocks jutting out above green slopes. It was astonishing: parabolas of green earth curved up and closed us into the valley.”

Himara: The town of Himare was a single avenue along a walled beach, with a tangle of residential backstreets sliding up the coastal slope.

Himara-Albania Holidays

Borsh: Our next stop was through the village of Borsh, where the men were selling milk from tractors in the road. A bunch of hollowed-out resorts stood on either side of the single lane road, and we followed a dirt path through what looked like a jungle to the beach. Finally, a real beach, although still completely deserted. There was a small cafe/bar and some beach chairs and we took out our shorts and read books on the beach chairs.

Borsh -Albania Holidays

Saranda: We almost didn't stop in Sarande, but they had a neat castle (called Lekures). It's situated right outside the city proper on a summit overlooking the coastline.

Our trip across the Riviera had to stop here, since Sarande was the last town before the Greek border and we were out of driving time. But if you wanted to extend your trip a little bit, there are a few good cultural options outside of Sarande. There's the ancient city of Butrint, a UNESCO world heritage site. It's the remains of a Roman city, stone pillars and standing churches on a forested peninsula. There's also the Monastery of Forty Saints, or the Ksamil islands, or the ancient town of Finiq (named for the Phonecians, naturally). We were overloaded on concrete, so we opted for the Blue Eye Spring as a change of pace. I find it amazing that one can traverse the entire Albanian Riviera, stay in derelict hotels where all the plaster flakes off in huge chunks, have a beach to yourself, and then go visit some long-ignored Roman ruins and hike all over them.

Saranda, view from Lekursi Castle

See original article: https://www.dailysabah.com/travel/2017/07/01/albanian-riviera-offers-unexpected-experiences-to-visitors

Ksamil Beach, hits the list of “20 best beaches to visit in May in Europe” by Telegraph Travel

The crystal waters of Ksamil Beach near Saranda are definitely becoming a hotspot for tourists all over the world. There’s something beautiful and magic on this beach and everyone who visits falls in love with this alluring beauty of Albania. No wonder that Telegraph Travel listed Ksamil among “20 deserted European beaches you must visit in May.

“Albania shows its best side at this delicious cove in the village of Ksamil, nine miles south of the resort town of Saranda. You can swim out to three islands near the bay, admire the outline of Corfu, or slumber after a morning at the Roman site Butrint.” –Telegraph Travel Uk

See full article: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/beach-holidays/best-beaches-in-europe-for-may/

Albania among Top Budget Destination for 2017 by Rough Guides

Rough Guide is a worldwide travel guide for more than 120 destinations and Albania is one of the destinations recently promoted on the their “Top Budget Destination for 2017” list. The Albanian coast is becoming very ‘famous’ and everyone who visits Albania shouldn’t miss exploring our beaches. Rough Guides put Albanian coast among top budged destinations, part of this list are popular destinations such as: Detroit (USA), Mexico, Greece, Cambodia, The Philippines etc.

Check out what Rough Guide says about Albania:

‘Albania retains one of the last unspoiled coastlines in the Mediterranean. Sun-drenched mountains and white-sand beaches spill into the bright blue waters of the Adriatic Sea, while Ancient Greek ruins and historic Ottoman villages punctuate the surrounding rural landscape.

You’ll find none of the usual high-rise resorts, crowded shores and high prices typical in the rest of the Med here, with fresh seafood, quality bars and comfortable accommodation available at a fraction of the cost.

And with more affordable flights due to connect Tirana with the rest of the continent in 2017, Albania is set to be even more accessible for travelers on a budget.

See original article: https://www.roughguides.com/best-places/2017/top-budget-destinations/