Albania - The Garden of Eden in the Balkans

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We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us

 If you have not met face to face with the Balkan mentality and you have not fought it, if you have not fully absorbed your mind in the archaic Balkan cultural strata, then you have a lot to catch up with. Albania is the heavenly garden that is touched by God and unknown to mankind and will delight you into the peculiarities of the Balkan Peninsula and will present you the precious historical and natural treasures.
The first indisputable proof of the divine origin of Albania is its excellent position in the Balkans. She watches the performance from the front rows, she is in the swirl of the dance, she preserves the prestige and uniqueness of Balkan grandeur. The country is surrounded on all fronts by diverse cultural models. Going north, you will reach the magical turquoise waters and the infinite resort luxury in Montenegro, and to the south of Albania, you will be mesmerized by the sounds of bouzouki and the crowded taverns in Greece. To the east, you will be spoiled by the exquisiteness of Macedonian folklore, and to the northeast of the country, you will admire the view of the town of Prizren in Kosovo, climbing to the top of the fortress of Kalaia. The fairy tale continues west and southwest with a view of tranquility and aesthetics, to the inimitably beautiful waves sculpted by the hands of the Adriatic and the Ionian Sea.
Your love affair with Albania is inevitable and we will prove it to you. Close your eyes for a moment and dream for a little while. What do you imagine? Now open your eyes and fulfill your dream that bears the tempting name of the Albanian Riviera. Right here, on the beach stripes in the cities of Durres and Vlora, the sky looks narcissistically in the clear sea waters and silently echoes how delightfully it looks today. Right here, you will easily break the chains of the gray everyday life and take a sip from the reincarnating power of freedom. And once your pulse has calmed down, you can put your heart on new trials. And they are waiting for it in Tirana, the capital of Albania. At first, you will be impressed by the diversity of the city. The Renaissance hint, the quick lesson of history and the modern atmosphere will make you stop blinking, and then inline a part of your soul in this city.

You must see and experience the main square of Tirana and the national hero  Skenderbeg, then admire the central mosque with the clock tower and take a look at the Pyramid of the capital, which can not boast of Egyptian precision but presents you with an impressive mausoleum and a museum.

You must also find time for the Palace of Culture and the cathedral of the "Resurrection of Christ". You may be surprised, but Albania is a spring of eternal youth for nature lovers. Here you can taste the unspoiled nature in all over 10 enormous national park areas, including Dyati, Logarha, the Lura Caves, Butrint, and Valbona. Breathtaking lakes, ancient trees, paradise meadows and stunning biodiversity.

There is no way for your adventure to be complete without going to the Berat City Museum. Here you have to take the whisper of history so to be able to hear incredible stories about the Belgrade kale, the Red Mosque, the ancient district ofMangalem Antique Quarter and the Church of "St. Trinity ". You can keep tickling your curiosity at the large Ethnographic Museum in Berat. Next stop - the town of Saranda. Besides tempting you for less than a second with its glamorous beaches, it will also offer you a walk through the centuries through the castle of Lécoursi and remains of the ancient Roman town of Butrint. Part of the Balkan tale that you are participating in is also the city of Gipokastra with its medieval houses, such as the fortress Rosafa and the endless events and carnivals in Shkodra. You have to be sure that even all this does not exhaust the wealth of Albania. Many of them you will find yourself and you will fall in love at first sight.

 

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Tirana – A rainbow in the Albanian sky
Tirana, Albania

Albania's capital is an explosive mixture of colors, multi-layered history and cultural attractions for the senses. You will fall in love in Tirana not only for the people and the atmosphere but also for the main square and monument of the national hero Skenderbeg, the central mosque with the clock tower, the pyramid of the capital with a mausoleum and a museum that you must visit.

Saranda - The sea temptation
Sarandë, Albania

Saranda is the answer to your prayers for a quality holiday and a resort paradise. There is no way of staying unobtrusive at the sight of the mirror blue waves, the tempting golden beaches. The key to paradise lies also in a walk through the centuries in the castle of Lécarsi and the remains of the ancient Roman city of Butrint. You will not forgive yourself if you do not see these cultural treasures.

Shkodra -In the footsteps of civilization
Shkodër, Albania

Even a week will not be enough to absorb the history that is at your every step in Shkodra. The tale of the ages is something I'm sure you will want to hear. Castles and unforgettable attractions include the Rosafa Castle of the Shkodra Kale, Lake Shkodra, and the medieval fortress of Dirt. Pay attention to the fine temples of faith.

Berat - The archaeological marvel
Berat, Albania

The city- museum will grab you without even feeling it, relying on its rich history for over 2500 years and the symbiosis between Christianity and Islam. Here, you will have the privilege of checking whether the incredible stories about the Belgrade Kale, the Red Mosque, the Mangalem Antique Quarter and Church of "St. Trinity "are true. An obligatory stop during your visit to Berat should be the Ethnographic Museum.

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Location

The Republic of Albania is a country located in southeastern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. The country borders Montenegro on the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, Macedonia to the east, and Greece to the east and southeast. Most of the state has mountainous areas. In the west, Albania comes out to the Adriatic Sea and the Ionian Sea.

Transportation

The transport network in Albania may not be one of the best but presents amazing natural attractions. We recommend avoiding transportation by train but instead using buses. Taxis are also suitable for traveling in the country,  and you can rent a car at fairly good prices.

Languages Spoken

The largest part of the country's population speaks Albanian, which is the official language and has two main dialects – Tosk and Gegski.  As one of the most multilingual countries in Europe, spoken languages ​​are also Italian, Greek, English, French, and German.

Currency

From 1947 the Albanian lek is an official currency in Albania. The best places to exchange currency are the banks, giving the best exchange rate.

Visas

For a certain period of time depending on your nationality, you may not require a visa. The visa regime is standard as a country from the Schengen. Before visiting the country, check it out because you may be able to travel even without a passport, but only with an ID card.

Electricity

The European Union's standard voltage of 230V applies to Albania as well. The contacts are also of type C and F, known as the European type, which also works with type E and F.

Vaccinations

There are no mandatory vaccines for your visit to Albania. Vaccines for hepatitis A and tetanus are recommended.

Emergency Calls

The emergency telephone numbers in Albania are: for police - 129, for fire - 128, for emergency medical assistance - 127. The single European emergency number 112 is also valid.

When to visit
Best time to visit the destination

Time here has its character, manifested by varied tonality in the different parts of the country. Its good mood is mainly in the spring and summer when it's a holiday as for people who love admiring the beautiful beaches and so for those who have sunk in the extreme experiences and the mountain air. From April to September, Albania expects you to conquer her and complete your catalog for unforgettable moments.

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The magic of beach stripes

Albanian Riviera is the dreamed paradise for tourists from the Balkans and Europe. Here you will feel like a god fondly stroked by the soft rays of the sun and warm caresses of the golden sand. The beach of Southern Albania will make your dream come true for quality holiday and unforgettable memories. We advise you to visit the heavenly beaches in the country before and after the summer because you will not be sharing your emotions with many people. Prices on the Albanian Riviera are extremely appealing  and attract a steady stream of tourism.

See Tirana from every corner

The capital of Albania impresses every tourist with casual beauty and valuable historical features. To enjoy even more the beautiful scenery of this city, you have the opportunity to get to know it from a bird's eye view while drinking your coffee in the bar of the Sky Tower Hotel, which spins imperceptibly and gives you a 360-degree panorama. If you have come to the more extreme experiences, you can climb the Gulf and reach Mount Dyti, while you will get breathless from the enchanting scenery of Albania.

Visit the Bunker Museum

The Museum of contemporary art "Bunk'Art" in the Albanian capital is a leading tourist attraction. You will be impressed with how a military bunker has been transformed and turned into a center of modern culture in Albania. With an area of 3000 square meters, the bunker was built as a shelter for the country's political elite when needed, and was kept secret for decades, while in the modern times it became a gallery and a detailed visualization of the Albanian history.

Walk around the city of thousands of windows

Berat is one of the most visited cities in Albania. Its architecture will impress you in seconds and reveal its ancient history and the reason why it is called the "City of thousands of windows." Berat began its existence before the new era, and during the Ottoman domination it was an important cultural center. The houses are two-storey high and are a model of the Balkan architectural style. The ground floor is exquisitely built of stone, and the top is a fairytale in white with numerous wooden windows.

Journey to the fairytale fortress "Rozafa"

Your encounter with the Rozafa fortress or the Shadow of Kale will provide you with a blast of emotion that you will hardly be able to master and remember for a lifetime. With its height of 130 meters, the fortress gives breathtaking panoramic views of the Skadar Lake, which is the largest on the Balkans as well as the city. The legend says that the fortress "Rozafa" bears the name of a woman who sacrificed herself and was built at its foundations so that the medieval monument of culture to remain indestructible.

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FAQs about Albania

Which are the most beautiful Albanian resorts?

Much of the uncanny beauty of Albania is due to seductive beach stripes. The country offers heavenly places where you can find the desired tranquility, stroll along the burning sand and refresh yourself in the crystal clear waters of the Ionian Sea. Among the most visited and adored by the tourists' Albanian beaches are Ksamil, Chimara, Borsch, Dermi and Bunets, and Durres and Saranda resorts are the most preferred for long-term holidays. You already have an answer to the question of what dreams become.

If you have decided to travel to Albania by car, you should know that not long ago road tolls have been introduced in the country on the Tirana highway. The fees are 5 Euros for a car, 11 Euros for buses and 22.5 Euros for trucks. The introduction of tolls in other regions of the country is forthcoming. There is also a fee of 1 Euro for the first 60 days stay in the country, and for each additional day, a fee in the same amount should be paid. Upon leaving Albania, a 2 Euro fee is payable.

Over the last few years, Albania has become more and more attractive to tourists. Before you make a well-deserved holiday, you have to prepare a few basic things. These include cash in local currency, as well as a foreign passport or ID card. Customs requirements stipulate that you can carry up to a pack of cigarettes, up to 3 pounds of coffee, up to 10 liters of beer, 2 liters of wine and a liter of distilled alcohol. The climate in Albania is subtropical, with a long summer, a rainy autumn, a mild winter and a short warm spring.

If you forget to exchange your money in local currency, do not worry. There are ATMs in all major cities, and you can safely use your "Visa" or "MasterCard" credit card. In hotels and fine restaurants, as well as in any tourist resort, you also have the option of paying a card. If your trip involves smaller and more remote settlements, it is a good idea to have cash at hand.

If you are a smoker and go on a trip to Albania, you must know that there are extremely restrictive measures in place in the country against smoking in public places. It's closely monitored for offenders, and the fines are fairly high, as for the restaurant owners it could be up to $ 2,000. Tobacco smoke is banned in almost all clubs, bars, restaurants and other public buildings. You can safely light a cigarette outdoors while still looking around because you may be in a non-smoking area.

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