Albania, one of 5 European Countries You Should Visit Now

By Meagen Collins / Travel Freedom Network

It’s 2016 and many of you will most likely be making those two big New Year’s resolutions: 1. Lose weight and 2. Travel more! Well, we are here to help you with the second one.

Not only are we going to inspire you to travel more, but we want to inspire you to outdo your friends this year and discover some of the best off-the-beaten-path European destinations. And guess what? They all are stunningly beautiful — and they’re super affordable too! Score!

These unexpected European destinations will give you a serious case of wanderlust, and will have you packing your bags, booking a flight, and discovering the great unknown this year.

2. Albania
If you want the beauty of the Greek islands with a more affordable price tag - then book that plane ticket to Albania today.

We visited Tirana and Shkodra, but the coastal towns of the ‘Albanian Riviera’ are a popular place to visit during the warmer months. This country is jam-packed with so much natural beauty it would be a shame to leave it off any European trip.
The people are all welcoming, and go above and beyond to help any foreigners in need of assistance.

What to eat: Veal appears to be the specialty of Albania — or 'the baby cow’ as it is usually described. We recommend giving the Albanian pilaf a try, rice cooked in seasoned broth. It usually costs around $1 for a small serving.

Fun fact: Albania, Armenia, Macedonia, and Vatican City are the only European countries without a McDonald’s branch.

Full article: https://www.yahoo.com/travel/5-underrated-european-countries-you-should-1340508871589942.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=tw

A holiday in Albania has something for almost everyone - Bradt Travel Guides

"A holiday in Albania has something for almost everyone. Archaeologists and art-lovers, hikers and historians, oenophiles and ornithologists: all will take home unforgettable memories from a trip to Albania. ". These words about Albania are written by Bradt Travel Guides, one of the world's leading travel publisher in a new article of Gillian Gloyer

Read what she says about Albania:

A holiday in Albania has something for almost everyone. Less than four hours’ flight from the UK, its towering mountains provide one of Europe’s last refuges for bears, wolves and the elusive Balkan lynx, while the country’s location on major migration paths makes it a Mecca for birdwatchers. The complexity and richness of its archaeological sites rival anything in neighbouring Greece, with a fraction of the tourists. Its ancient cities, with their stone houses and cobbled streets, are UNESCO World Heritage Sites; its medieval castles are everything that castles are meant to be, with dungeons, water cisterns and vaulted tunnels. Delicious fresh food and local wines will delight gastronomes.

The national museums hold unrivalled collections of Illyrian silver, Byzantine icons and Socialist Realist art. Traditional costumes and household items can be found not only displayed in ethnographic museums, but in daily use throughout the country. Meanwhile, the capital, Tirana, is a lively and modern city where young professionals sip coffees or cocktails in fashionable bars and clubs. Finally, the wide sands of the Adriatic coast, the sought-after coves of the Ionian and the resorts of Lake Ohrid offer the full range of beach activities. Archaeologists and art-lovers, hikers and historians, oenophiles and ornithologists: all will take home unforgettable memories from a trip to Albania.

Full article:  http://www.bradtguides.com/destinations/europe/albania.html

 

Tirana, the unknown land

The most prestigious media channels are suggesting Albania as travel destination for 2015. Is good to see that these days, the well known french newspaper Le Figaro wrote about our beautiful country ranking Tirana in the 3-d place to travel for this year.

The article describe the center of Tirana, the squares and monumental avenues dating from the communist era, as very interesting to visit.

"The Skanderbeg square marks the heart of Tirana. Nearby are concentrated Natural History Museum, the Grand Mosque, the opera, the pyramid, etc. Beyond that, the aim for the former district Blloku become the haunt of youth finds its shops, terraces, restaurants and bars with live music every weekend", said the article which is titled: "Vancouver, Tirana...: 5 destinations inédites accessibles en direct au départ de la France"

Scanderbeg Square, Tirana

 Read the original article:

www.lefigaro.fr/voyages/2015/04/22/30003-20150422ARTFIG00029-vancouver-tirana-5-destinations-inedites-accessibles-en-direct-au-depart-de-la-france.php

Great impressions for our Folk Tour

A group of Western European tourists just finished a folk tour organized for 10 days from Albania Holidays. Our guests learned how to dance Albanian folk Music taking certificates for that at the end of the course. This is one of the most favorite tours for Albania Holiday’s clients, because the experience they get is unforgettable. They get to know our tradition, learn about our costumes, our polyphony songs, about our musical instruments and our diverse culture. Their trainers are professional lead dancers of the National Ensemble of Folk and Dance. This time they had the chance to see a Folk dance Event organized in Tirana a week ago.

Of course the tour includes some trips in Berat, Permet, Gjirokastra with the focus on music and our tradition. After dancing and traveling they were always offered lunches and dinners, in some of the most traditional places around our country.

“Happy to see how much they enjoy dancing and drinking Raki, like Albanians”, our guide says. Our tourists are always happy with this tour, promising they will come back some day.

Butrint, Albania - among top 10 national parks in Europe

One of the most prestigious newspaper in Europe "The Guardian", published an article about  Top 10 national parks in Europe, based on readers and travelers tips. Butrint Park- Albania, is ranked among these top 10 national parks.

Here it is what The Guardian writes about the Butrint park:

“Very few visitors, and stunning ancient Greek, Roman, Frankish and Ottoman remains,” is what led ID4690527 to suggest the Butrint national park in Albania. In the south-west of the country, it is a must-see for fans of ancient history; it boasts a number of significant archaeological sites and is considered a “microcosm of Albanian history”.

Butrint-Albania

Here is the full article:

http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2015/apr/08/top-10-national-parks-europe-readers-travel-tips?CMP=fb_gu

Albania among Hot Travel Destinations for 2015

Albania did it again. It is ranked among the Top 28 Destination to travel for 2015, from Travel Squire, a very prestigious digital Magazine who gives people everything to plan next adventure and keeps tourists update with next destinations around the world.

Albania and Myanmar are listed for the first time as travel destination from this Magazine. Albania is in the second part of Article, in the 11th place, leaving behind Greece, London, and other places. There are three photos published on the site, showing Gjirokastra, Alps, and Tabak Bridge in Tirana.

But why a tourist should visit Albania? Here is a description for our country in Travel Squire:

Albania is a breathtakingly beautiful, unspoiled place filled with natural, cultural and historical gems. Like a time capsule, the country opens up its treasures to give the traveler access to long forgotten places. As a crossroads of civilization, Albania has been touched by so many ancient cultures from the Romans to Venetians to the Ottomans, all of whom left behind their own special flavors. The country is littered with extraordinary ruins, beautiful ancient churches and abbeys, castles and forts, towns and villages almost frozen in time, brilliant and unspoiled beaches along the Adriatic and Ionian Seas and rugged natural beauty that begins at the coast and soars up into the isolated mountains. Where to start; there is so much? Visit three UNESCO World Heritage sites: Butriniti, a multi-layered ancient city with temples, a 1,500 seat theatre, basilica, the fortress of Ali Pasha, Venetian towers and more; Gjirokastra (The “City of Stone”), which reflects life during the 14-19th century; and Berati, with traces of the Illyrian, Byzantine and Ottoman periods, old churches decorated with wall paintings, icons and wood engravings. Visit castles and ancient churches: The Lezha Castle whose origins date to Illyrian times; Petrelë Castle, whose history dates to Justinian I and was rebuilt by the Venetians in the 15th century and the Ottomans in the 16th century. In Korçë you’ll find the 14th century monastery of St. John the Forerunner. If you’re looking for natural adventure, head for Albania’s highlands, renowned for outdoor activities and the Adriatic Coast for peaceful seaside vistas.

Read the full article:

http://travelsquire.com/hot-destinations-2015-part-2/

Top ten things to do in Tirana

Tirana is very beautiful and attractive even during the winter time. A Dutch tourist who visited Tirana few days ago, interviewed by Manderina Promotions team recommends these 10 things to do in Tirana in winter time.

Top 10 things to do in Tirana, from a tourist point of view:

1. Stroll through the streets of Blloku. It is full of bars, night clubs and shops. It's the favorite place of youth. Blloku is the former exclusive neighborhood of the Communist regime and is currently the hub of cafe culture in Tirana. Having a coffee in that area is like in any other European modern city.

 2. Take a hike in the park. Tirana big park in the artificial lake is one of the main attractions of Tirana, the capital of Albania. Despite many buildings around, it remains one of the most relaxing places of the capital. There are other points of interest in the park, including the Saint Procopius Church, memorials, statues.

3. Read or work at the Friends Book Store. There are few book stores, where you can read, work on your project and drink a warm coffee in Tirana. For me Friends book Store is like a warm house.

4. Visit a live music bar. The bars and restaurants in Tirana are very modern, colorful, well designed and always full of young people. The music played is Albanian, Greek, and international. You can drink a cocktail and dance until morning

5. Visit the opera house. Opera is a trendy way of entertainment. Albanians are excellent singers

6. Have a coffee on the terrace of Tajvani complex or any of the other terraces. Even in the winter, in Tirana most of the days are shining. You can stay outside to have a coffee, taking the sunlight.

7. Drink a cocktail at Sky Tower. It’s a big building in the entrance of Blloku area. From there you can have the best views of Tirana by day and night, 360 degrees of your sight.

 8. Eat an Albanian dinner at Pizzeria Era. The best Albanian food you can find and taste. All the time I visit Tirana, I go there, and never been deluded.

9. Go up to the top of Dajti mountain. A visit to the Dajti National Park is a great way to spend a day in an attractive mountainous landscape outside and literally ‘above' the city. During the winter, the mountain Dajti is a popular retreat for locals, who seldom get a chance to see snow.

10. Visit Bunkart, the latest addition to Tirana’ s attraction. For the first time, almost 25 years after the fall of communism, the government opened the nuclear bunker built by the communist government for sheltering the leaders. Bunkart museum can be combined with other points of interest of socialist time, and can really make be a wonderful tour. You can book a Bunkart tour here: http://www.albania-holidays.com/tours-to-albania/bunkart-tirana-tour

Where to stay:

I highly recommend staying at Theranda hotel, a little gem in the heart of Tirana. Located in Blloku area it is perfect for business or leisure travelers. In five minutes’ walk you reach all main institutional and government offices for your business meetings, while in the afternoon you can relax in one of the many trendy bars and restaurants very close to Hotel. Theranda has a genuinely welcoming and hospitable staff that makes me feel home. Having the breakfast or morning coffee at its beautiful and quiet garden even in winter time, is a royal treat for everyone. You can book your stay at Theranda directly at their website www.therandahotel.com

 

Përmet and the Balkan side of Albania

Why should visit Permet city? Because nowadays claims to be the cleanest and greenest town in Albania according to blogger Giulia Blocal

By Giulia Blocal

Permet city is an authentic Balkan charm: Small houses with admirable vegetables gardens, elders chatting on a bench, locals gathering on the main street for the traditional xhiro, fresh and tasty fruits and vegetables not only in every restaurant but also on sale along the streets, unspoiled nature, evenings spent sipping a beer at the bar on the main square, home-made raki and an excellent local wine, rational communist architecture, groups of kids dominating the streets, several different religions coexisting, old vintage cars, decadent buildings, fresh mountain air and in general the warm, beautiful feeling of being lost into the Balkans... 

Read more this article for Permet city:

http://www.blocal-travel.com/2014/10/permet-mountainous-south-of-albania.html

Albania - Nr.1 Destination Lonely Planet’s top 10 countries for 2011

It is a recognition of the old and rich culture and breathtaking beauty of Albania - this Mediterranean newest (and final) offer .

What can you say when you are number 1…just thank you very much Lonely Planet !

Below the link and the article:

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/albania/travel-tips-and-articles/76164

 

Where in the world should you go next year? Our in-house travel experts, including Lonely Planet cofounder Tony Wheeler, have chosen their top 10 countries for next year based on scores for topicality, excitement, value for money and…that special X-factor. Here they are, in order of rank, from Lonely Planet’s latest book: Best in Travel 2011.

1. Albania

 Not so long ago, when the Balkans were considered an ‘only for the brave’ travel destination, only the bravest of the brave trickled into Albania. Since backpackers started coming to elusive Albania in the 1990s, tales have been told in ‘keep it to yourself’ whispers of azure beaches, confrontingly good cuisine, heritage sites, nightlife, affordable adventures and the possibility of old-style unplanned journeys complete with open-armed locals for whom travellers are still a novelty. Sick to death of being dismissed with blinged-up crime-boss clichés, Albania has announced ‘A New Mediterranean Love’ via its tourist board. The jig is almost up – Albania won’t be off the beaten track for much longer.

2. Brazil

Famous for samba, football and cinematic scenery, Brazil has always been known for celebration (Carnaval being the most obvious manifestation of this national joie de vivre). Yet, Brazil rings in 2011 with even more cause for jubilation. Winning the bids to host both the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is undertaking a flurry of new projects, with billions of dollars earmarked for infrastructure (there’s even discussion of building a high-speed rail line between Rio and São Paulo). Despite the strong Brazilian real, travellers should benefit from the addition of thousands of new hotel rooms, while increased competition from low-cost airline carriers (including Azul, established by the Brazilian-born founder of JetBlue) should make travel across this vast country more affordable.

3. Cape Verde

Cape Verdeans might have known about the wider world forever, but it seems that the wider world is only just opening its eyes to Cape Verde. On the surface this is hardly a surprise; the country appears to be nothing but a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it dot of dust floating off the coast of Africa, but the islands have recently started catching sideways glances from European winter-sun tourists. This growing international interest is bringing enormous changes to an archipelago that looks and feels as if it were born from a Caribbean mother and an African father. But what is it that these tourists come for? When someone first mentioned trying to attract foreign visitors to their ‘dot of dust’ most Cape Verdeans must have laughingly thought ‘What can we offer a tourist here?’. The answer turned out to be quite a lot. Soaring mountains terraced in greens, a volcano with its head in the clouds, world-class watersports and sizzling, saucy festivals – but it was the sun that clinched the deal. With almost more days of sunshine than there are days in the year and with soft sandy beaches to boot, someone only had to say the words ‘winter sun’ and the islands were being marketed as the ‘New Canary Islands’.

4. Panama

For Panama, the world economic crisis offered a perfect excuse to hit the reset button. After an unchecked growth spurt created a clutter of casinos, gated communities and glass towers in the name of Trump, the investment slump has forced a return to basics. For travellers, there’s a return to the authentic – local heartland festivals, jungle treks and lodgings in sand-floor huts in the independent Comarca de Kuna Yala. With plenty of the country still pristine, true adventure is only a boat or bus fare away. In 2011 Panama City gets greener, with the anticipated unveiling of the BíoMuseo, an innovative Frank Gehry-designed space celebrating ecological diversity. Panama City’s new Cinta Costera (Coastal Belt) creates a green stripe of waterfront paths that finishes in Casco Viejo, a stunning historic neighbourhood remade after decades of neglect. Like elsewhere, climate change and habitat destruction are taking their toll here. Panama’s inch-long golden frogs, victims of a worldwide epidemic, are fast disappearing. But the Darién Gap, considered one of the world’s wildest places, still remains roadless. Countless Panamanian islands persist without name or a sole inhabitant. Costa Rica eat your heart out.

5. Bulgaria

For those who looked, Bulgaria has always had its moments – in its biggest cities, on its snow-capped peaks and great-value ski fields, on its golden-sand beaches and in ancient Black Sea port towns. Yet, over the years, with history’s contribution, Bulgaria has got lost amid its more famous neighbours. From the south, the Ottoman soldiers of present-day Turkey ran Bulgaria for 500 years. Legendary toga-clad Greeks to the south mocked Bulgaria’s strong wines (before adopting the same). More recently, the Romanians claimed the share of fame via distinguishing Latin bloodlines and Transylvania’s mystic, fangy appeal. Bulgaria sometimes feels like the odd guy out in this corner of Europe. But things are changing. Now proudly part of the 21st-century EU, Bulgaria has enjoyed more attention – and self confidence. Its ski slopes are de facto destinations for Europeans looking for cheaper alternatives, empty patches of lovely Black Sea beaches can still be found, and its quietly brilliant wine industry is flourishing. Whatever happens, Bulgarians will take it in their stride. As one local song goes, ‘We win, we lose…either way we get drunk, we’re Bulgarians!’ That oughta be on a T-shirt.

6. Vanuatu

For those in search of authentic experiences, Vanuatu is hard to beat. From mighty mountains and thunderous waterfalls to remote villages, from huge lagoons to tropical islets, there’s so much on offer, far from the crowds. Don’t expect ritzy resorts and Cancun-style nightlife; with a good choice of family-run guesthouses in traditional villages and a smattering of comfortable, romantic hideaways, it’s tailor-made for ecotourists. With 83 islands, you’re spoilt for choice. Vanuatu has recently seen an increased number of direct flights from Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, Fiji and the Solomon Islands – go now, before the secret’s out.

7. Italy

Italy is a beguiling, beautiful, charismatic mess. The press might be largely owned by Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, stories of corruption, bribery and sex scandals might be everyday news, and the economy might be in the doldrums, but this is still one of the world’s most magnificent places to be. The food is delicious, sunshine is plentiful, scenery and towns are sublime, and there is millennia-worth of art to look at. There are 44 Unesco World Heritage Sites here, more than in any other country. That Italy is celebrating only 150 years as a country in 2011 (it was unified in 1861) highlights how clearly it still feels like a collection of regions. Local people hail from their region; their nationality comes second. Each region has a pronounced character and qualities worthy of the small nations they once were, which makes it particularly rewarding to explore Italy bit by bit.

8. Tanzania

It’s true, Tanzania is a place of great marvels – Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar… The names slip off the tongue like a roll call of Africa’s most alluring destinations. But that’s not all. It also has great herds of elephants in Ruaha, treeclimbing lions around Lake Manyara, chimpanzee sanctuaries in Gombe and Mahale and packs of wild dogs in Selous. There are also sunsets on the Rufiji River, when the water boils with hippos and crocodiles. In fact, the country has the whole panoply of east Africa’s wildlife – including such rarities as the red colobus monkey, black rhino, hawksbill and leatherback turtles and Pemba flying foxes – concentrated in an unrivalled collection of parks and reserves. So you think you’ve seen it all? We’re betting Tanzania still has a surprise or two for you.

9. Syria

Heard the one about Bashar al-Assad and the US Ambassador? Well it’s no joke. After five years of cold-shoulder treatment relations have thawed and Syria is officially off the naughty step. There’s a definite upwardly-mobile attitude taking over the streets, thanks in part to the state-controlled economy slowly being overhauled and the noose of the ‘Axis of Evil’ tag no longer hanging around the nation’s neck. Savvy tourists can lord it up like a pasha, staying in lovingly restored Ottoman palaces and sipping cappuccino after shopping it up in the souq. But with all this modernisation it’s good to see some things are still the same. Out east the Bedouin still herd their scraggly sheep and welcome strangers into goat-hair tents for tea. Aleppo and Damascus’ Old Cities remain mazes where the best maps won’t work, and the countryside is still a vast open-air museum, strewn with the abandoned playgrounds of fallen empires. With hospitality still a national obsession, the attitude to visitors hasn’t changed
either.

10. Japan

Japan has an ill-deserved reputation as an expensive destination where the English language is in short supply. But US$100 cuts of Kobe beef and the occasional Lost in Translation moment aside, Japan is surprisingly affordable and user-friendly. Before you go, stop by your local travel agency and purchase a Japan Rail Pass, which grants you unlimited access to the country’s sophisticated transport network. While Tokyo was ultimately unsuccessful in its bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics, the campaign resulted in increased English signage across the country. So, if Japan has been on your travel wishlist for a while, make this the year that you fi nally see the birthplace of sushi, sake and sumo.

Read more: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/albania/travel-tips-and-articles/76164#ixzz2KWZHJ9Vg