Last Updated on June 24, 2019 by PowersToTravel
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, Mediterranean, I don’t know, as I have not been to the Mediterranean before, the dining area was for the most part open-air, on decking, and the beach spread out before it, to the sea. The patio was well-shaded, with trellises and curtains. The beach was lined with well-ordered beach chairs and umbrellas. I’m used to the beaches in the Northeast US, where there is little order, and everyone just marks their territory with coolers, towels and chairs (kind of like marking your newly shoveled parking spot with a beach chair in Boston!)
We relaxed on the shaded patio and once again were served a huge Albanian meal.
We continued south through small villages, cresting up hills, and around coves. The mountains which cascaded into the sea were dry and rocky, with desert flora. At every curve where the rock had eroded into a beach, we would see at least one cabana and beach chairs. The road was adequate as far as guard-rails, and width. I was very comfortable even though I tend to get car-sick in general.
At Porto Palermo we passed by a tunnel through a headland that had served as a hidden Soviet submarine base, from the times of the Albania/Soviet friendship.
We stopped for a walk to one of the Ali Pasha’s fortresses, the Porto Palermo Castle. It was a pleasant walk around a cove with the ever present cabana, then up a hill to the entrance. The castle was built into the rock and very dark and somewhat dank inside. We stopped in a chamber where the Ali Pasha would recline for dinner and the dancing of his harem, Kledi informed us.
To my surprise as I researched the name of this castle following our trip, I found that Huffington Post had named this castle first among 15 Undiscovered European Destinations in 2014. Well, we discovered it ourselves as well in 2014!
We stopped in the small town of Borsh, where we were brought to a seemingly unremarkable café/restaurant by the side of the road. However, it was built at, and on, a cascade of small waterfalls. Each table was tucked into a bend of the waterfall and pools. The mist from the waterfalls was very refreshing on that hot day. We only had an ice-cream, took more pictures than calories, and continued on.
Related Links
15 Undiscovered European Destinations and Porto Palermo tops the list!
Albanian Riveria on Wiki Voyage
Check out this article of mine too:
Albania Travel Blog – Itinerary, Impressions and Diabetic Travel Tips
