Small city in the northeast part of the country, Kukès doesn't honestly have much to offer. It otherwise did at the time of the Kosovo conflict, when some 450,000 refugees overwhelmed the normal population of 15,000 souls.As small as it can be, it was the biggest place I've visited in this country on the occasion of the VT-sponsored 2008 Caucasian Challenge Rally. The main street is lined up with stores where we could at least buy food and water while our mighty VT-mobile was surrounded by a swarm of curious kids and several men checking out rarely seen foreign visitors.
Trekking and village guesthouses in Thethi
by Cynthia.Ord
Despite their extreme isolation (or maybe because of it) the northernmost villages of Albania are growing in popularity. This region is well worth the hours of rocky commute required to get there. The landscape is a three dimensional postcard of jagged alpine peaks, thickly vegetated valleys, and the idyllic wood-shingled dwellings of the scant population.Because of the travel time involved in reaching this remote area, there’s no fast way to do it. Outdoor Albania’s five-day trek is great span of time to see enough of the region and even absorb some its local culture and flavor. The first day was dedicated to reaching Valbona via a furgon (minibus) to the ferry that passes through the dramatic Drin canyon. Accommodations were welcoming village guesthouses, where a local family cooked simple, traditional dishes using the fresh ingredients from the land.The next three days were all...
Voskopoje
by michwladlip
It is small village Voskopoje about 20 km from Korca ,I belive that when you will drive there new road will be finally paved,since us these 20 km took about 1 hour,with paved and unpaved parts of road . We visit here the church of Saint Nicolas,sought the old frescoes (their condition are not so good). Many people in summer came there and in Dharda from hot Tirana and Dures,on weekend to breath fresh mountain air.On the way to Voskopoje we passed the cattle market ,and have there our lunch on small stall that grilled on place shish kebabs
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Visit Dardha
by michwladlip
Take a side road from Korcha -Girokaster main way and go to this small picturesque village,that situated on 1400 m above sea the road is good enough, wery nice view points, in village the streets paved with big cobblestones ,so drive carefully if you have a car low clearance. We stay there in hotel-restaurant Shtephia e Pushimit. The have main building and two chalets we stayed in chalet , consider that it could be cold on night ,temperature difference between Korca and Dardha could be about 8-9 degrees.
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Razma on the Northern border of Albania
by budapest8
COMING SOONwhen I get more pics from mytravel companion....Razma is on the road from Shkodra tothe Montenegro Border Honi Hoti,Yep thats right, it sounds like Honey Hotty..but no wenches in sight..about 10 kms shy of the boder? we took a right upinto the mountains and 30 mins later we arrived atthe former Communist big wig resting place..Razma.WILL WRITE A BETTER ACCOUNT SOON
Oil wells
by JLBG
In the country, East to Fier, the landscape is sprinkled with dozens and dozens of small derricks (first photo).On the second photo, I have made an enlargement that shows the tall structure, an electric pole and the small one, the oil pump. In 1988, the pumps looked very old but most were still working. I would be curious to know how many barrels each of them produced every day.However, in 2007, the derricks were still there, together with the strong smell of fuel, but none were working.
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Typical country house in Albania
by Whitevanman
most of the roadside houses or shops we saw on our drive through Albania were just small concrete flatroofed buildings about the size of a large shed or small garage. We passed some small Albanian villages scattered about the hillsides where the road through them switched from tar to just dusty track. It wasn't until I saw one with skinned goats hung up outside that I discovered that the word 'MISH' spray painted like bad grafitti on the side of the building meant that it sold meat and by that time I had already passed a dozen or so of them that day.
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Oilwells pump but does it all go to waste?
by Whitevanman
In the Mallakastra hills we passed 100's of creaking rusting but still pumping oil derricks. Then 100 metres further down the road we saw an open lake of black oil just like a flood pond in field. Beside it were rusted tanks that looked like they had been blown open. Please tell me this isn't just an inland oil slick! This year i stopped and took a walk down to the oil lake. The sulphurous smell was so overpowering I thought the fumes might be dangerous and overcome me. Then I spotted this old guy with his horse and cow so I guessed it was okay. Through sign language he told me it had been like this for 10 years or more. As I made my way back up to my van 4 guys arrived with walkie talkies and German shepherd dogs, they stood in front of my van talking to someone on their handsets but ignored me. I think the language barrier had them beat.
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Road from Shkoder to Prizren
by george5b
The road from Shkoder to Prirzen is definately not one of the best quality roads I've ever driven on. In fact it may well have been one of the worst. Nevertheless the scenery is stunning, so it is worth the effort. Just make sure you take your time and leave Shkoder early in the morning. The driving time to Prizren will be about 7 hours.
Llogaraja Pass
by frockland
Driving along the Albanian coast the most beautiful stretch is from Vlora south towards Saranda. Coming from the north a new tarmac road is winding up the Cika Mountains towards the Llogaraja Pass. The whole area around the top of the pass is a national park with rich flora and fauna. The highest peak is Mount Athanasius which can be climbed on a good track that begins near the restaurant at the pass. The area is excellent for hiking or climbing. About one kilometre north of the pass is the so called "Tourist Village" which makes a good base for a few hiking days. Accommodation can be arranged with the owner. (Tel: 0682128640)Descending south the first village is called Palasa where Julius Caesar landed 49 BC together with 7 legions.The view from Llagoraja Pass is amazing! The place is 1000 metres above sea level!
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