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It was a small crossing and it was not pleasing to eye but the custom officers were nice and welcoming. After the formalities we entered alanian land. I don know how but I immediately felt the difference comparing to Montenegro.
Shkodra, a city of 90,000 inhabitants stands at the northern end of Albania, on Liqeni I Shkodres (Lake Skadar or Shkodra Lake), 116 km from Tirana, 15 km from the Montenegrin border and 27 km from Ulcinj/Ulqin, as the crow flies.The first photo shows the monument for Isa Boletini a major figure of Albanian resistance against Ottoman Empire and Serbia & Montenegro. He was Kosovo representative in the first Assembly of Albania in 1912.The second photo shows Rozafa castle, mainly built under the Venetians, though its history starts since the Illyrian times. There is about the building of the castle a legend about walling a living person, Rozafa, in the wall to allow the completion of the castle.The third photo, shot in 2005, shows a building in bad condition that would require a lot of repairs.Would you believe that the fourth photo was also taken in Shkodra in 2005 and not very far from...
Fier is a town of 120,000 inhabitants, in southwestern Albania, It is a modern town, not worth a visit, except for those interested in urbanism but 8 km west to Fier, the ancient Greek city of Appolonia, founded around 550 BC by Greek settlers from Corfu and Corinth is an interesting spot, not yet entirely dug out. For more, visit my Fier and Apollonia page.
The coast between Saranda and Llogara pass is known as the Albanian Riviera. From Saranda to Dhërmi, a great part of this road was in 2007 narrow and in bad condition. However, this is one of the must drive in Albania. In many parts, the landscape is outstanding. We had not enough time to visit each village, to take each road going towards the see, and I suppose that it will be the same for you, but you must know that you might spend several days (and even more) on this route.The road clings to the mountain slope and is almost a single track. Fortunately, the traffic is very low, and one has seldom problems to cross another vehicle (especially if it is a bus!). I found that the most difficult part was across Dhërmi, a mountain village on the sea side, as the road is tight between the houses and that you cannot view in advance oncoming traffic. Be ready to some rear driving! Trailors are...
Vlora, 61,300 inhabitants, is the second largest port of Albania after Durrësi. It is also a fishing port and holiday resort. It is also the starting point for the coastal road to Saranda, along the “Albanian Riviera”. It stands mid distance between Tirana and Saranda.It was Sultan Suleiman the Magnificient, when he was in Vlora in 1542 to prepare his naval expedition against Italy, who ordered the famous architect Sinan to design and build Xhamia e Muradi (Muradi Mosque) (first photo).The main square of Vlora is called Sheshi i Flamurit (Flag square). In the center of the square stands a monument depicts an anonymous flag holder, while below are depicted distinguished figures of the movement for the independence of Albania, including Ismail Qemali and Isa Boletini.For more, visit my Rrethi i Vlores page based upon my 1988 visit and my Vlora page, based on my 2007 visit.
Konispol is a backdoor entrance into Albania! At least this is what we felt when we drove from Igoumenitsa (Greece) to Sagiada, passed the border and further drove to Konispol Butrint and Saranda.If you want to know how was that amazing journey, look at my backdoor entrance page, built under the name of the border village, Konispol.
Ksamili is often named the pearl of Southern Albania. It is 2.5 km north to Butrint, 14 km south to Saranda and 15 km east to Konispol.Small islands lye in the bay of Ksamil. The Greek island of Corfu is very close to Konispol : Kassiopi is only 11 km away and Corfu city 17.5 km.This page should be under Ksamili but, though a town of about 5.000 inhabitants, it is not in VT location database and I had to put it under Kalive Gjoka, the nearest village, 3.5 km north and much smaller. Actually, I would not be surprised if Kalive Gjoka was a part of Ksamili as the city extends on several kilometers!. As soon as possible, I will transfer it under Ksamili.For more, visit my Ksamili page.
Syri i Kalter spring is a beautiful place,18 km North-East to Saranda, near the village of Dhrovjan.To get to Syri i Kalter from Saranda, you must drive in the direction of Gjirokastra. The road passes in the villages of Delvina, Mesopotam, Muzina and Jorgucat where it crosses the road from Ktismata (Greece) to Gjirokastra.Three kilometers after Delvina, a very narrow dirt road leads to Syri i Kalter after about another 4 km.Syri i Kalter is a 180 hectares “Nature Monument” of Albania and a must see. It is so close to Saranda, Gjirokastra and to Butrint that it is easy to visit, at least if you have a car.For more, visit my Syri i Kalter, the Blue Eye under the name of the nearest village, Dhrovjan.
I have visited Butrint twice, in 1988 and in 2007. Butrint, ancient Buthrotum, lies in south-west Albania, 20 km south of the modern port of Saranda. It is on a narrow peninsula lying between the strait of Corfu and the inland salt-water Lake Butrint. Butrint was inscribed in 1992 on the List of World Heritage with the following description :Inhabited since prehistoric times, Butrint has been the site of a Greek colony, a Roman city and a bishopric. Following a period of prosperity under Byzantine administration, then a brief occupation by the Venetians, the city was abandoned in the late Middle Ages after marshes formed in the area. The present archaeological site is a repository of ruins representing each period (Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Venetian periods) in the city's development.For more, visit my Butrint page.
Saranda is the Albanian name for the Greek Saranda, meaning "forty", named after the Byzantine monastery of the "Forty Saints"The city stretches along a 1 km bay. It is a good shelter for boats as it is protected from every wind except south-western by the Eremeca ridge (first photo).Between Saranda and the Llogara pass (1027 m elevation) the coastal road is a wonder. The Albanian Riviera was in 1988 completely unspoiled (second photo).In 1988, the terraces of Lukove (third photo) were amongst the greatest prides of the Albanian government. As much as 650,000 olive trees, orange trees and other fruit trees have been planted and watered by the "volunteers".For more, visit my Saranda page built from both my visits in 1988 and 2007.
Sheraton Tirana Hotel and Towers Tirana
4 Reviews and 70 Opinions Having spent approximately 5 months in the Sheraton-Tirana, I know the "ins" and the "outs" of the...
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Reviews and photos of Albania attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Albania sightseeing.
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Q: Hello all I'm planning to visit Albania in 2012 and i need every bit of advice going. There doesn't seem to be a huge amount of...
A: I have been to Albania several times over the years and i would say you should try and make a visit to Berat aswell as Girokaster. These places are very scenic places...
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