Albania as Caribbean

Foreign media articles for Albania, praising the coast and amazing nature, have no end. Paola Cimarelli from Corriere Adriatico, in the tour column, has written about visiting the Albanian coast, where he does not hesitate to compare South beaches with those of the Caribbean -- cultural heritage cities, lakes, rivers of historical heritage, natural water resources, which he calls the source of the gods. An article that brings all of us to the attention of the natural resources we have and how we fail to exploit them in the best interests of increasing the welfare of one of Europe's poorest countries. Below, the complete article, published on July 26th:

On the right, at the end, following the Adriatic waves toward the East. In this corner of the Balkans is Albania, a place to be desired, to describe, to experiment with its own sea, that sometimes resembles the Caribbean, with mountains, making it still “the eagle's seat”, with history, with the remains of pelagic, Roman, Greek, Illyrian, Turkish, and without any exception, with the possibility of visiting 12 national parks.

From Puglia, if some are clearly dawned, you can see the peaks of Mount Corab, and by the power of thought, you can almost touch the shores, which are 50 miles [80 km] from Italy. So this is the time to take a plane or a ship and go and discover a land still out of mass tourism, but maybe not for long. To travel, you can choose public transportation, but with a car, even rent, you can enjoy all its cultural wealth and beauty. The sea, or better, is 360km long between the Adriatic and Ioni.

Gold sand

Ksamil's beach is 17 miles [17 km] from Saranda, in front of the northern part of the Greek island of Corfu, where daily buses start. A golden sandy coastline extends to four islands at an altitude of 5 to 15 feet [7.5 to 15 m] that can be reached by ships, swimming, and even standing. Even here, in August, there's a lot of people, but outside the season you'll feel like you took a plane and went to tropical islands of the Caribbean.

Then there is the beach of Czeparo, just behind the Gulf of Porto Palermo, with his castle Ali Pasha, then Skalom, with fine sand and clear crystal sea, in the vicinity of it is the groundhole, and Dherme, which is one of the most beautiful places. On the Ionian Coast and where you can see the monastery of St. Theodore, at whose feet the Cave of Pirates is located.

You may also visit the archaeological site of Burtrit, south of Saranda, which belongs to the eighth century B.C.E., even though myths associated with its origin speak of the foundations of Troy's exiles. Then comes the ancient Himara, in a region of mountains up to two thousand feet [2,000,000 m], which descend to the sea with terraces of cultivated olive trees and agrums to close it in Llogora Park.

The Source of the gods

Also in the mountainous area is the Blue Eye, the source of the gods, of karst origin located on the western slopes of the Far Mountain. Those who love the lake can go to Shkodra, bordering Montenegro, and to Ohrid, bordering Macedonia.

There are three U's heritage sites NESTO in Albania: Butrinti's archaeological site, in Gjirokastra and Berat, two rare examples of architecture from the Ottoman period. At the centre of Berat finds evidence of the coexistence of various religious and cultural communities, with its Byzantine churches, castle, thirteenth-century castles, and Ottoman-era mosques. Gjirokastra, in the Drinos River Valley in southern Albania, has been characterised by a series of two-story houses built in the seventeenth century. There is also a marketplace in the city, an eighteenth century mosque and two churches of the same period.

A river to take a bath

Also worth seeing Corca, one of Albania's most important cities, 853m above sea level at the foot of Mt Morava.

After sea, mountains and culture you can always go to the bender's spas, to Permet, this entrance is free, and there are six main sources on the feet of rock mass, on both sides of the Langarica River, considered the most healing resources in Europe, or going to the river to swim, in Drini, Seman-Devoll and Vjo.

The kitchen tastes of the country's cultural influences, with Greek, Italian and Turkish influences.

Prices Are Accessible

Hotel prices range from 40 to 60 euros to 200 euros per night. Outside the season is enough to book two days before, at the peak of the season 20 days ago. /montor/