Exploring ancestral lands- fascinating Albania

"Traveling in the ancestral lands of Alexander the Great, I recently explored the unique sights found in the Balkan countries of Macedonia, Albania and northern Greece.
The three Balkan countries I visited preserve a tremendous amount of antiquity and ancient history, as they all have very rich heritages..

Our journey from Greece took us across the border to fascinating Albania, which was the most isolated and closed country in the world following World War II.
Its brutal Communist dictator had closed its borders, and his irrational fear of an invasion led him to construct an unbelievable number of 700,000 small bunkers, plus tunnels, to allegedly protect his population. I have never seen such a weird sight as these bunkers still lining the highways and its cities.

Stunning Ottoman-style homes, ancient fortifications
In Albania, we spent two evenings in the UNESCO world heritage city of Gjirokaster, a very old historic town on a steep hillside containing several Ottoman-era mansions with stone slate roofs and crowned by a massive 15th century castle.
We visited its Ottoman bazaar dating from the 17th century. Later we toured the town of Berat, containing stunning Ottoman-style homes and a 2,500 year old fortification.

Tirana, Albania's capital, was our next destination. It is a fairly modern city with wide boulevards, parks and high rises.
Here we learned about the turbulent history of the country that included 400 years of occupation by the Ottomans, Italians and Nazi's during WW II, and the 45 years of a Communist dictatorship."



 "Exploring ancestral lands", is an article published in Sun Times by Dave Pattison also known as “The Marco Traveler". The author choose these 3 places Albania, Greece and Macedonia to write about in his last article for the Sun Times."This is my last article I will write for the Sun Times, which is ceasing publication, and I hope readers have enjoyed learning about places known and unknown, and have gained an understanding about unique and varied cultures that can be discovered around the world", he wrote.


Read full article:

http://www.marcoislandflorida.com/story/travel/2016/07/05/exploring-ancestral-lands/86714636/

Telegraph: Albanian riviera- go now before the developers spoil the magic

A gorgeous Mediterranean shore of stunning beaches and breathtaking coves

You might think the last time that was the case was when the Ancient Greeks were in residence. Welcome to the Albanian Riviera.
While holidaymakers flock everywhere else around Homer’s wine-dark sea, the 50-mile coast remains refreshingly off the radar – thanks to decades when Albania was a communist dictatorship and was previously ruled by a monarch glorying in the name of King Zog.
Yet Albania has deep roots, back to when it was the Ancient Greek colony of Ilyria, with important cities such as Apollonia and Butrint.
Their romantic ruins are a wonderful complement to pretty coastal towns such as Vlora or more lively spots such as the seafood mecca Saranda.

Butrint is flanked by an inland lagoon and sparkling straits with views to nearby Corfu, a wonderful distraction as you wind along a coast road backed by densely forested hills, olive groves and pretty villages offering characterful cut-price places to stay or eat. As well as fresh seafood, enjoy succulent grilled meats and simple salads.
If the summer heat does not demand cold local beer, sip wine from an ancient viniculture region that the Ancient Roman writer Pliny described as “luscious” 2,000 years ago. Today’s best bottles are made from Kallmet (red) and Debine (white) grapes.

National parks

The Karavasta Lagoon is Albania's largest, with a rich ecosystem including vast flocks of penguin and shallows teeming with eels, surrounded by the rich forest of the Divjaka National Park. It is a fantastic spot to combine seaside pleasures with nature tourism.
The National Park of Llogara, meanwhile, marks the dividing point of the Adriatic and Ionian seas. Walk in some of Europe’s most beautiful pine forests, or get an adrenalin surge by paragliding off its dramatic hills to swoop towards the nearby beaches.

Beaches

Dhërmi
This is probably the most best-known beach in Albania, stretching for miles and lapped by deep blue water. While plenty of locals head here in high season, it is long enough to find a quiet spot. Venture along to the coves and little bays around the stretch known as Drymades beach.

Ksamil
Sitting close to both the pleasant buzz of Saranda and the historic Unesco World Heritage wonders of Butrint, this is a perfect mix of beach and culture. There are also grand views of Corfu, as this is the closest point in Albania to the Greek holiday mecca.
Unsurprisingly, it is a hotspot for holidaying locals. But just as with Dhërmi, you can escape frolicking locals, this time courtesy of a trio of tiny islands into the turquoise waters of its bay. Swim out if you are feeling strong – or just take a local boat.

 

Bunec
Some may be put off by this being a pale pebbly strand, but it has a genuinely distinctive charm. A cool little river runs down the middle of a beach that remains pleasantly quiet even in high summer. A couple of cafés will keep you fed, and there is also a hotel right by the water.

Borsh
At four miles, this is the longest unbroken beach in Albania – an impressive sight as it comes into view along the coast road en route to the town of Borsh.
Despite its size, olive oil production is the main local activity rather than sun-worship and swimming, so there is little in the way of tourist trappings beyond a few laidback restaurants and bars. Go now before the developers spoil the magic.

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/untapped-destinations/albanian-riviera/

Exploring Voskopoja, once the 2nd largest city of the Ottoman Balkans after Istanbul

By Gulia Blocal

We left the car right outside the entrance of Voskopoja. The parking lot was empty and the village looked deserted, apart from a few old men drinking and smoking under the porch of the local bar. Our plan was to visit the frescoed churches, which recall a time when Voskopoja was a cosmopolitan metropolis, a centre of arts and cultures and the second largest city of the Ottoman Balkans after Istanbul.

This mountain village in south-eastern Albania isn’t mentioned in guidebooks, so without any information on how to visit its Byzantine churches we just took the first street off the parking lot and walked our way through the village.

The street was unpaved and the air smelled of that pungent mix of cut grass and goats; we walked past small stone houses until we finally found the first church, enclosed by the traditional wall of red stones, with its Byzantine frescoes in plain view under the covered porch.

We got closer, took our cameras out of the bags and pushed the gate, but it was locked and we couldn’t get in.

 Read more: http://www.blocal-travel.com/road-trip/voskopoja-albania/

Tirana – Aus grau wird bunt

Tirana - from gray becomes colorful. This is blog written from a German blogger Beatrice. She enjoyed her stay in Albanian Capital, and shared with us a guide about the most beautiful places of Tirana.  

Read and enjoy her article:

Tirana – Aus grau wird bunt

In den Top-Listen attraktiver europäischer Städte wirst Du Tirana (noch) vergeblich suchen. Kein Wunder, denn die Jahrzehnte des kommunistischen Regimes hatten aus der albanischen Hauptstadt einen grauen, düsteren Ort gemacht, in dem die Einwohner ein ärmliches Leben fristen mussten. Der Zusammenbruch des Kommunismus im Jahr 1992 und der Übergang zu einer demokratischen Regierung verschlimmerte zunächst die Situation.

Besser wurde es ab dem Jahr 2000, als Edi Rama Bürgermeister von Tirana wurde und im großen Umfang Maßnahmen zur Verbesserung der Lebensbedingungen durchführte: Illegale errichtete Gebäude wurden abgerissen und Pläne für eine sinnvolle Stadtentwicklung erstellt. Eine gezielte Begrünung wurde gestartet, die vorher grauen Fassaden bunt angestrichen und man begann, sich um die Müllentsorgung zu kümmern.

Für sein Projekt „Clean and Green“ wurde Edi Rama sogar von den Vereinten Nationen ausgezeichnet.

Heute ist Tirana im Aufschwung. Fast 1 Millionen Einwohner leben in der Stadt – immerhin ein Drittel der gesamten albanischen Bevölkerung. Chaotisch geht es immer noch zu: geschäftige Fußgänger, zähfließender Verkehr, staubige Großbaustellen und ein undefinierbares Häusergemisch von modern bis halbverfallen.

Die Aufbruchstimmung ist überall zu merken. Noch funktioniert nicht alles, aber es tut sich was. Schön? Manchmal ja und manchmal nein. In jedem Fall nicht zu vergleichen mit unserem wohlgeordneten (und manchmal ganz schön behäbigen) Leben – und gerade deshalb einen Besuch wert!

Full article: 

http://www.reisezeilen.de/city-guide-tirana/

The best beaches of the Albanian Riviera

Lonely Planet in a new article describe the best beaches of the Albanian Riviera, known for
unspoilt sands, backed by rolling hills covered in olive groves, rustic accommodation right next to the water, and grilled meats and cold beers. The first in line is Palasa, then Dhermi, Ksamil, Bunec, Himara and Borsh. Just idyllic and breathtaking spots. Here is the article:

The best beaches of the Albanian Riviera

by Tom Masters Lonely Planet
Albania’s rugged coastline, with traditional villages nestled in isolated bays and golden beaches lapped by turquoise waters, was a revelation when travellers first started discovering the country a decade ago. Since then Europe’s last untouched beaches have changed almost beyond recognition, but there’s still plenty of reason to come here and explore this magnificent coastline where the Adriatic and Ionian seas meet.

You may have heard of the Albanian Riviera and its beaches, once catchwords of true backpackerdom – their names were synonymous with unspoilt sands backed by rolling hills covered in olive groves, rustic accommodation right next to the water, and grilled meats and cold beers for the equivalent of a handful of change. Inevitably that hasn’t endured; asphalt roads now connect all but the most far-flung of the Riviera’s villages, while hotels, restaurants and holiday homes dot the coastline. Today you’re more likely to be competing for beach space with a day-tripping family from Tirana than a crowd of international shoestringers. And yet, despite the Riviera’s transformation, there are still idyllic and breathtaking spots along this craggy coast.

Read more: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/albania/southern-albania/travel-tips-and-articles/the-best-beaches-of-the-albanian-riviera#ixzz3aU2n9V56

Impressions from Albania

Albania is continually  impressing tourists coming from all over the world, especially those who come for the first time. A Polish tourist is describing our country with such heartfelt words. She is amazed by the beauty of Albania: landscape, towns, people and food. Thank you Kami.
Enjoy her article!

Impressions from Albania
By Kami and the rest of the world

"Albania is the country I knew next to nothing about prior to my visit. I have included Albania in the itinerary, even if just for two days. And it was the best decision ever! From the very first moment I opened my eyes in the bus somewhere in the middle of Albania I knew I’m going to enjoy it. It looked messy, chaotic and so beautiful! .. Dramatic mountains, deep valleys and picturesque towns – that’s what I’ve seen in Albania.. Albania joined the club and ranks pretty high in my personal list of the countries with best people...  It’s been locked for years, making it almost impossible to learn more about it but fortunately it’s slowly opening to the world. The tourism is growing, Albania is discovered by more people and I’m sure in few years’ time it will be a really big thing! So make sure to get there before everyone else will! ....."

Read the full article here:
http://www.mywanderlust.pl/impressions-from-albania/