Tirana – the capital of Albania

Skanderbeg Square, Tirana, Albania

What a wonderful day we spent in Tirana, Albania.  It was a great start to our 13 day trip traveling throughout Albania and Montenegro with Tours Albania, also known as TAB. I can’t claim credit for the fact that we had great timing, arriving on the Saturday night of the

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The Ancient City of Durrës Albania

Freedom Fighter, Durres, Albania

Arriving at the outskirts of Durrës, we paused in traffic next to the train, which also idled at the train station.  It was covered in graffiti and looked more like a NY City subway car than an intra-city commuter train.  We remarked on its appearance, and Kledi laughed at us

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Of Albanian Windows and Farms, since…

Stuffed animal in Berat, Albania

Leaving Durrës, we headed south and then east into the countryside.  The road south lacked scenic beauty but the road and our guide continued to be chock full of interesting sights and stories. As we left Durres, we noticed a very large stuffed dog  hanging from a high-rise building under

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Albania in a Roundabout Way

Oil derrick at Kucova, Albania

We drove south from Durrës through a town our guide called Bochova, however  I was unable to find it on any maps; perhaps I mis-heard.  It was an oil town and such a surprise to see.  I had no idea that Albania had oil reserves.  Apparently the reserves are somewhat

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Amazing Berat

Albania - Berat

It’s hard to believe that at this point we were only halfway through our first day out and about in Albania.  Today would be our first visit to a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Albania.  I occasionally visit the UNESCO World Heritage website looking for new and exciting places to

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A Bektashi Mosque in Berat

Bektashi mosque, Berat, Albania

The following morning we left our Hotel Mangalemi and walked the narrow alleys of Berat.  On the street level the alleys were wide enough for two to walk abreast, however at each successive floor above, the extensions of the houses grew ever closer over the alley.  Eventually the top floors

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Skanderbeg saves Ardenica Monastery

Ardenica, Albania

Leaving the Bektashi mosque and the city of Berat behind, we headed west towards Ardenica, Albania, a drive of approximately 1 and 1/2 hrs through the countryside.  Once again we were entertained by the variety of country life – the peculiar farm vehicles, the people doing business at the side of the

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And now the Romans, at Apollonia

Apollonia, Albania

We continued south and the weather deteriorated; it began to rain as we arrived at Apollonia, a significant Roman ruin west of Fier.  It sits alone on a plain, apparently far from any valuable natural features, such as rivers or bays.   The town of Apollonia was originally the Illyrian town of Gylakeia and had

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Albanian Independence in Vlorë

Vlore Albania

From Apollonia we headed south through Fier towards Vlorë.  It seemed that a remnant of an old and different civilization awaited us at every turn: Illyrian, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, even the Italian Occupation of WWII. In Vlore we finally met Albanian history.  In 1912, representatives from the various regions of

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The Albanian Riviera Unfurls

Cabo Del Mar, Albania

The Albanian Riviera unfurled like a turquoise ribbon along the mountains.  As we drove south along the coast, each successive curve, dip and rise presented new and interesting sights.  We stopped at Cabo Del Mar, a small resort in the middle of apparently no-where, for lunch.  Typically Albanian, or perhaps,

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Llogara to Historic Himarë

Ionian Sea, Albania

It was at this point in the trip that I looked at my husband and said, “Albania is supposed to be beautiful.  It’s been very interesting, and the ruins and castles have been fantastic, but I haven’t seen any beauty.”  He said, “I was about to say the same thing

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Ahhhhh, Saranda

Saranda, Albania

We have read and heard that many people feel Saranda has grown far too populous and far too over-built in recent years.  Apparently the growth of the town has been so rapid and uncontrolled that the government is finally enforcing property and construction laws which have been ignored.  New apartments

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Butrint, an ancient resort

Roman Carving of a Boar, Butrint, Albania

When we originally were planning our trip, we noted the several UNESCO World Heritage sites in Albania, and they became part of the required justification for our choice of Albania. “Oh, Albania has several heritage sites, including several Roman ruins.  It has so many ruins from so many periods of

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Tours-Albania Review

Kledi Milloshi

After our experience with Costa Rica Expeditions, and with more time available, my research into Albania was more extensive.  I emailed three different providers – a local company in Albania, a company local to Boston, and an international travel company.  Tours-Albania immediately responded.  The owner, Jimmy Lama, was able to

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