ALBANIA
Albania is justly famous as a well-preserved small mountainous country with scrub forests all around. Though one of the smallest countries in Europe; Albania is fast emerging as world’s famous tourist destination. Popularly known as the Eagle’s country it’s located in the heart of Mediterranean bordering the Adriatic and Ionian seas between Greece and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Albania although has the smallest European tourism market, but It is truly unique in terms of tourism. The tourism here is rapidly developing with a good potential after the communist rage in the country. Almost two decades before i.e. in 1980, the permission to let western tourists in country was passed. A place that is untouched by globalization offers you the best possible scenery, a lovely coastline, snow peaked mountains, pristine beaches and few archeological sites. With no apparent effort, tourists can get the glimpse of Mediterranean civilization starting from the Bronze Age through several periods. Catch the Mediterranean charm with spell-bounding landscapes and Rocky Mountains that hold back any tourist to spend most of the time in sight-seeing.
CULTURE
Albanians by heart and culture are second to none, its true as one great illustration is Mother Teresa who is one of the most popular Albanians. The native tongue is called Albanian that doesn’t belong to any major language however people commonly use English and Italian any parts of the country, so conversation should not be a problem for travelers. Majorly accommodated by Muslims rest of the population is believed to be that of Christians and out of estimated seven billion ethnic Albanians many of them are spread in the regions of Italy, Bulgaria, Greece, Romania and Turkey.
GEOGRAPHY
Albania sits to the west of Balkan Peninsula and located in the southeastern region of Europe. The total area is 28,748 kilometers with coastlines of Adriatic and Ionian seas. Though Albania is situated at the crossing point of narrow roads of Western Mediterranean countries the geographical conditions are favorable because of its position. Much of country’s surface is mountainous and so boasts of great valleys situated at the Drin, Shkumbinand Vjose rivers, and Balkans and Small Asian Mediterranean countries. Popular lagoons like Patoku, Bishtrake, Lundra, Seman and Vlore are assets of the region. South-central lowlands in Albania are substantially populated as irrigation is possible in this area. No worries at all if the Adriatic coast in Albania is low lying because it is secured by the large bays like the Durres and Vlora commonlt used as harbours dating back centuries ago. Flowing rivers into the Adriatic sea create fertile alluvial plains that attract migratory birds. Tour to Albania during the migratory season can allow you to catch a glimpse of the huge population of migratory birds in person. Being rich in flora and fauna the country is home to several forests occupied by different species of plants and wild animals like boars, Lynx, Chamios, pine martens and wildcats.
BEST TIME TO VISIT ALBANIA
Similar to other Mediterranean countries Albania vouches a fair climate with summers and winters. Winters are not harsh but severe in mountain ranges with snowfalls most of the times. Climate being continental in the center of the country, the average temperatures reach a maximum of 25 to 10 degrees. No scarcity of rains in Albania as abundant of rainfall is received throughout the winter. The annual rainfall is about 1800-2000 mm at the highest peak of Albanian Alps. So on an average May to September is the best time to travel, as its spring time, but one can opt for autumn when landscapes set ablaze with orchards. Spring time offers terrace and sidewalks of the bistros all over the country whereas summers can be good time to be on coast with chill breezes all over.
SPECIAL ATTRACTIONS
Albania is as old as the Stone Age era and so one can find marvelous archeological attractions in the country, rich culture and heritage are witnesses to world’s great historical monuments. The land of eagles as the country is famously called is covered with snow-capped mountains squeezing up against sparkling beaches. A tourist is arrested by the sight of azure waters of Ionian Sea that’s last pristine beach to Europe’s Mediterranean coastline. Spell-bounded by its sheer diversity of landscapes, inland lakes, natural lagoons, high peaks, raging rivers and sunny coastlines is one of those destinations that one just has to make a visit. Whole country is divided into south, east, north and west respectively. Whatever places you select to visit the travelers receive a heart welcome and the journey towards northern empire can be tiring and arduous. Travelling in the southern can be more convenient with places of like Tirana, Berat (called the museum city), Butrint, and Gjrokastra (gifted with Greco-Roman ruins). If one is interested in covering most of the places around Albania then the options would be places like Durresi, Berati, Apollonia, Fieri, Korca, Kruja, and Gjirokastra; lakes like komani, ohrid and Shkodra offer raft trips that are unforgettable experiences recalled by every tourist who visits Albania.
DURRES
This is one of the oldest cities that lies on the coast of Adriatic Sea, second largest city with major port Durres possess a varied history. Durresi Plazh, a beach resort that attracts international travelers and also citizens of Albania for visiting some of the archaeological remnants of the city. Other major attractions like the Venetian tower in the harbour, age old amphitheatre, historical museum, villa of King Zog, and Byzantine city walls situated beyond the museum are simple a reminder of communist times. The Muzeu Arkeologjik offers an extensive collection of artefacts from the city’s Greek, Illryian and Roman periods. Tourists who want to give practical illustrations of ancient times to their children; Albania is the best place to be. Though the beaches here are polluted and dirty the seaside resorts are at par excellence. Most of the town can be covered on foot so not to worry about getting around from place to place.
TIRANA
Capital of the nation and densely populated city in whole Albania was known for being dull and grey has been changed to loud, colourful, lively and fascinating city. Trendy Blloku buzzes with the well-dressed nouvelle bourgeoisie hanging out in bars or zipping between boutiques. Surprisingly the city is economically deprived but anyone with light wallets can spend fun night outs in bars and clubs. To south of Tirana is the Sheshi Skenderbej displaying fascist designed houses. Then is the National art gallery that preserves icons of modern art ranging from 13th century. One is sure to be amazed looking at the socialist-realist life size canvases. If you happen to cross Tirana University not to miss is the lovely statue of Mother Teresa with helpful arms outstretched as always. Other attractions that may please you are Et’hem Bey Mosque and Skanderberg monument; for spending quite and quality time one can choose the trendy Blloku that is located in the middle of the tree-lined boulevards and parklands. Blloku is popular for its nightlife with trendy bars, cafes, and pubs spread all over the town. It also a boutique-shopper’s paradise for great gifts and souvenirs specially made for tourists. When you want to escape from the town Mt Dajti National Park can be the best option of picnic with spit-roast lamb lunch. Most of the Tiranans spend their weekends here as it’s the most accessible mountain in the country. ‘Panorama Restaurant’ popular spot on Dajti gives is an opportunity to view shady beech and pine forests from wide terrace with wonderful aroma of hot cup of coffee.
SHKODRA
Located at the shores of the Balkan lake, Shkodra is a powerful city of Albania rich in Gheg and culture and Albanian Catholicism. Home to marvelous Rozafa Fortress founded by the Illyrians that depicts the antiquity of the Venetians and Ottomans. This fortress is famous for a woman called Rozafa who was allegedly walled into the ramparts as an offering to the gods so that the construction would stand. The lady requested for two holes to be left in the stone work for feeding her baby, which is why woman believers still smear their breasts with milky waters taken from a spring here. Catch amazing views from the highest point of the spectacular fortress. Other attractions are excellent museums, castle, cathedral and the old Ottoman buildings. People fond of ferries can undertake unique journey by ferry along Lake Komani.
KRUJA
The major attraction in Kruja is an isolated spur of limestone at a height of 548 meters called the Skanderberg’s castle. Designed by Enver Hoxha’s daughter and son-in-law, the retro modernistic replicas of armour and paintings depicts Skanderberg’s struggle against the Ottomans. Even here not to miss the most interesting museum called ‘Ethnographic Museum’ shows the ethnicity of the affluent Albanian family.
BERAT
Undoubtedly a spectacular city Berat is called the ‘Museum City’ and is old city of Albania. Situated at the foot of Mount Tomorri and banks of the River Osumi there is no second place to spend a jolly and fun time. Popular for its white-washed houses with many windows it’s also popularly called as ‘the town of thousand windows’. But there is plenty around the small town like the Muzeu Onufri that displays the artistic tapestries and beautiful gilded iconostasis. Passionate mount bikers can opt for Tomorri Mountains with wonderful walking and mountain-biking. The Osumi River is place of rafting, white-water kayaking, and ski-touring.
VLORA
Famous as a place where Albanian independence was proclaimed in 1912, Vlora’s Museum of independence, beaches and bays are seen as Albania’s best hope for developing tourism. Squeezed between the Ionian and Adriatic broad bay the port city of Vlora is popular as attractive summer destination. Other bays and beaches are quite dirty and polluted like the one of Durres but crystal waters in Vlora allow swimming in the hot summers.
Other than the cities Albania is home to many national parks where sill hunting takes place. Hikers can choose Dajti, Mt Tomorri and Llograja as these are the most accessible mountains. A word caution for hikers is not travel alone as the mountains are almost uninhabited and have no mobile coverage.
GETTING TO ALBANIA
By air one has to reach Albania through ‘Mother Teresa International Airport’ situated to the Northwest of Tirana. The main airlines that are operated in Albania are the Albanian Airlines, Ada Air, Malev, Alitalia, Adria Airways, Australian Airlines, Turkish Airlines and Hemus Airlines. Tourists who are fascinated by ferries can plan their way back on ferry, its main ports are Vlora, Saranda and Durres. Bordering countries like Greece, Macedonia, Montenegro and the UN-monitored territory of Kosovo the country of Albania is generally trouble-free and unrestricted in the matter of tourism.
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