Budva was the first coastal town I visited after I arrived in Montenegro and even though I was battling a stomach bug, it was a pleasant welcome to the Montenegrin coast. Budva is definitely a touristy beach town but it offers more than sleazy beach lounges and overpriced crappy fish restaurants.
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When I convinced my girlfriend to join me on hiking from Theth to Valbona in the Albanian Alps and she agreed, I was pumped. Firstly because this hike is part of the iconic Peaks of the Balkan trail, a 192 kilometer long trail known for its rugged terrain, wild nature and epic scenery. Secondly because up until now, I have always gone trekking or mountain biking on my own or with friends, never with Lisan. If this one would deliver the same thrill to Lisan as I usually get from a good trek, it could mean we could go trekking together more often.
Luckily for me, the Albanian Alps did not disappoint. Because the trek is not overly tough, very easy to navigate and the scenery beautiful, it is perfect for travelers of any type. So you better include it into your trip to Albania! No need to book a guide, you can tackle this one independently. Let me tell you how.
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It doesn’t matter what your travel destination is, finding the right spot to stay can make or break your trip. For an off-the-beaten travel destination like the Balkans it is even harder to find the best spots to stay. Let alone finding a place that takes good care of its environment. But if you are looking for the best hotels in Albania to rest your head, you’re in luck. I listed the top 5 green hotels in Albania that take care of the environment, without compromising on comfort or hospitality.
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Under explored and underrated: The Albanian Coast should be on every beach lovers’ bucket list. Saranda Albania is fondly called ‘the capital of the Albanian Riviera’ but what can be said about many countries around the world is equally true for the Albanian Riviera: the capital is not the prettiest city in the area. I picked the spot to relax a couple of days in the middle of an action-packed itinerary. Saranda is perfect for that, but the Albanian coast has way better places to glue yourself to your beach bed and not leave until the sunset cocktails start calling for your presence at the bar.
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Tirana, the capital of the the only Balkan country that was never a part of Yugoslavia,ranked in the Top Ten Places To Visit In Europe For 2018 by Lonely Planet is just starting to open up to the public. Whether you want to visit it as part of a longer journey through Albania or just as a city trip, it is worth your time. Tirana offers an off-the-beaten-path destination with a wildly different history and sights compared to the more traditional European city-trip destinations. And because Tirana is quickly catching up with the Western world in terms of hip bars, restaurants you can get an insight into its communist past and still wind down with a cold one on a terrace after a busy day of sightseeing to soak it all in. Tourism is just starting to discover this gem of a city so with the prices still being mild it is time to make your move.
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High up in the North of the country, close to the Montenegrin border lies Shkoder Albania. The fourth largest city in Albania borders the Southern end of Lake Skadar and often visitors only see it as the gateway to the Accursed Mountains, the Albanian part of the Balkan mountain range. I originally planned my visit for the same reason, but decided on staying a few nights in town as well. I wanted to find out whether Shkoder is more than just a gateway to the mountains and if it possibly can be a tourist destination on itself.
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