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The village of Ksamili is situated just off the road leading from Saranda to Butrint. It's a fairly unprepossessing place, of dirt roads and hastily erected new buildings, but it has a charm all its own. The coastline is spectacular, with beautiful coves and lovely islands which it is possible to reach by hire boat, and hotel and restaurant facilities will only improve further due to the increasing numbers of visitors to Butrint.
We went up the mountain on a lift for 500 lek (5.00 dollars) it was a nice ride. here's the way to get there by bus take the Blue Porcelon bus to where it turns around at the end of it's run, then you will start walking i think it was 1 and a half kils. you will see samll street signs on your way up the hill then you will see the lift tower and ride the lift to the top it will take you about 2 hours for the whole trip if you walk fast. There are taxi right where the blue bus stops at but we never asked the price of a taxi we just walked up.
Butrint National Park - south of Albania, Vlore region - is a protected area of 29 square kilometres, comprising a diverse landscape of lakes, lagoons, open plain, hills and mountains. The varied habitats support a rich diversity of species, including 14 listed as 'Globally Endangered'. At least ten archaeological sites in the Park indicate human occupation of the area over more than 3000 years. At the Park's centre is the ancient city of Butrint - a spectacular archaeological site that has been attracting visitors and archaeologists for many decades. The main site has been open to visitors since the early 1970s as an archaeological park, and was designated a World Heritage Site in 1992. The World Heritage Site was enlarged in 1999, and the area was established as a National Park by the Albanian government in March 2000. In November 2002, the area from Cuka Channel to the Greek border,...
Saranda, the gateway to the southern Albania, is a small town located between high mountain and the Ionian Sea. It is a well-known resort on the "Albanian Riviera", opposite the island of Corfu, and is popular among Albanians for holidays and honeymoons. It is definitely building up a place in the European tourist-industry, as it is so easy to visit on a day-trip from Corfu.The name Saranda derives from an early Christian monastery dedicated to Santi Quaranta (Forty Saints).
On the road between Saranda and Gjirokastra, here is a wonderful freshwater spring, known as the Blue Eye (Syri Kaltër), where the clear blue water of the Bistrice river bubbles forth from a stunning, 50 m-deep pool. It is well worth a visit. See my Saranda tips for more information on this beautiful place
If it's possible (I'm not sure whether any excavations are being run currently), working as a volunteer archaeologist in Albania is one of the best experiences, certainly that I've ever had.You work with Albanians, excavating fascinating sites, revealing the history of the country; you see far more of the country than you would as a tourist, and you experience it in quite a different way.I'm sure there are other ways to work your way around the country, but this was really hands-on, and I felt a real connection to the land.(I've discovered you can pay to have a volunteer holiday here - http://www.responsibletravel.com/Trip/Trip100199.htm - but I was working through the Butrint Foundation)
If you're in the south of the country, you can't miss Butrint.From the Butrint Foundation website:"Butrint is situated on a low promontory on the southwest coast of Albania. The site has been occupied since at least the 8th century BC, although myths associated with its origins speak of the city's foundation by Trojan exiles. By the 4th century BC a walled settlement was established and the city became a successful cult site, dedicated to Aesclepius. Augustus founded a colony at Butrint and the town seems to have remained a relatively small Roman port until the 6th century. Little is known of the site between the 7th and 9th centuries. Its later medieval history was turbulent as the town was involved first in the power struggles between Byzantium and successive Norman, Angevin and Venetian states and second in the conflict between Venice and the Ottoman Turks. By the early 19th century...
Albania is really a very good country for shopping.Everything is very cheap.Cigarettes are very cheap. It's a nice surprise for smokers are friends which smoke.You can also buy fresh vegetables and fruits at the market.
Tirana is not a city of nice old monuments of buildings, if you excepotuate the old musque near Skanderberg square and the old state owned buildings from the italian domination days. So if you look for a monumental city like Prague, Wien or any of the old europeans big names then you are in the wrong place. The most interesting thing about Tirana is observing how the old communist remminiscences and signs (in form of buildings, wide avenues...) combine with the new colourful and high buildings of the post communist era that seem to be built everywhere with little control in terms of urbanistic plans. Even in front of the prime minister office you can find them!! Also Tirana is good to take a pulse to the most modernized way of life in Albania, a big contrast with the way of life in the rural areas of the countries. German and italian influences are everywhere but always with a very local...
Words won't do it justice. It is breathtaking, and it is also untouched, so if you are the type that likes to hike or bike around rugged areas....this is the place for you. You will probably encounter locals who don't speak any foreign languages, but they will try to be as helpful as possible. You can get lost, but always stick to the coast and whether you are going north or south along the coast, at some point you will find "civilization".
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...
Hotel Berati Berat
3 Opinions
Grand Hotel Europa Shkoder
11 Opinions
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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