Is It Safe to Travel in the Balkans?

It’s very safe to travel in the Balkans.

The Great Balkan Ride is a drive-what-you-can rally through some of Europe’s most beautiful and underrated countries. It isn’t even the most challenging Travel Scientists‘ event (that honour, we reckon, goes to the Central Asia Rally). However, some people may still presume that the Balkans is a dangerous region, not suitable for tourism. They are wrong; here is why.

Are the Balkans dangerous?

For many years the Balkans certainly were dangerous, as the collapse of Yugoslavia led to multiple prolonged violent conflicts. However, the political situation is now stable, though not to say ideal. Nations’ leaders bicker, economies suffer, and citizens often emigrate. For travellers though, the region is welcoming, affordable, and mostly not yet touched by mass tourism. Despite pervasive poverty, a culture of hospitality prevails;  it is safe to walk alone at night everywhere we visit, and the risk of being overfed is always stronger than that of being overcharged.

Rules of the Road

Like anywhere, though, that there is still some danger in the Balkans. We drive on all sorts of roads, often remote, and after a while we stop noticing the crosses and flowers dotted along the side of the road. These mark the spot where somebody has perished, likely due to a car crash, and their frequency comes as no surprise, judging by the reckless driving we often see. However, a little bit of caution and awareness goes a long way, and always remember: it’s not a race. We much prefer the winding roads of our scenic route, but if you think narrow, rocky paths would prevent people speeding, you’d be wrong!

Border Zone

For some, the fear of the travelling in the Balkans comes not from bombs but borders. Indeed, if you’re used to travelling in the EU, or in the USA, the possibility of crossing four borders in a week may be concerning. However, this is not Central Asia: border guards don’t (usually) require bribes. In peak summer queues can be long, but on our event we rarely wait more than an hour. And sometimes, the border crossings can be beautiful: we challenge you to enter or leave Montenegro, and not be impressed.

The Real Danger

When we say that is is safe to travel in the Balkans, that depends on one thing: whether you can handle your alcohol! This is the downside of a culture of hospitality: go anywhere new, and you may be offered obscene amount of strong liquor. If you don’t know when to stop, then your liver may be in real trouble! However, if you can handle it, then it’ll be the start of a memorable night!

 

 

Are you crazy enough to come along for the ride? Then join us on one of our next adventures. Get a team together and let’s see you at the starting line! If you want to join us in spirit, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram to keep up with our latest antics.

Kino Bosna: Sarajevo’s Hidden Highlight

Kino Bosna is probably our favourite spot in Bosnia!

The Great Balkan Ride adventure rally begins in Sarajevo, the capital city of Bosnia. There are so many things to do in the city, from seeing museums to trying the country’s incredible food. However, before we set off and explore the beauty of Bosnia, there’s another essential place to visit: Kino Bosna, an authentic bar in a former cinema, which is home to raucous evenings of live music and cheap drinks.

 

The 1st of May Cinema


Kino Prvi Maj (the 1st of May Cinema) was for many decades one of Sarajevo’s most popular cinemas. It even managed to continue functioning, at least partially, while the city was under siege in the 1990s, and only closed for good in 1997. However, after it was shut down, one of the cinema’s former employees, known as Sena, saw potential in the venue. She decided to reopen it as a bar and cultural venue. Originally the rows of cinema seats remained, but they have since been replaced by more traditional tables, though old movie posters still line the walls.

 

Kino Bosna

kino bosna
In the years since, there have been attempts to utilize the space for film screenings, but it’s as a bar that Kino Bosna has become famous again. What makes the venue so special is that visiting feels like attending a special celebration, where everyone knows each other but visitors are still welcome. For reasons that are unclear, the biggest night is Monday, though Thursday is also popular. On these nights the hall becomes packed with all sorts of people — students, pensioners, even the occasional foreigner — while Sena strolls the room saying hello to regulars. One warning: it’s incredibly smoky, but that’s the price for authenticity…

 

Live Music

We’ve saved the best till last. On Monday’s and Thursdays, free entertainment is provided by a traditional band. They play Balkan folk songs which all of the locals will know, and for the classics half the room will be singing along too. You can get familiar with some of the best ones before you go, but it’s fun enough just to enjoy the atmosphere. If you can make it to Kino Bosna on a Monday you won’t regret it, we promise. It might also be a good idea to find a local who can help you reserve a table. It lasts late into the night, but it also fills up early!

 

 

Are you crazy enough to come along for the ride? Then join us on one of our next adventures. Get a team together and let’s see you at the starting line! If you want to join us in spirit, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram to keep up with our latest antics.

Great Balkan Ride 2017: Team Interview 1

We interview Rob and Amy about the Great Balkan Ride 2017.

At the end of the Great Balkan Ride, in fact during dinner in Thessaloniki, we interviewed some of the teams about their experience of the event, and their thoughts on the Balkans generally. The first team were Rob & Amy. Rob is a Travel Scientists veteran, who won last year’s Caucasian Challenge, while this was Amy’s first event.

 

What did you expect and how did it surprise you?

Rob: It was everything I expected really (laughs). New countries, new experiences, following on from the Caucasian Challenge last year  it was really good, really enjoyed it.

Amy: I enjoyed the fact that I was visiting new places and because you’ve got your own car you can go at your own pace. Really exciting, really good.

 

balkan ride interviews

 

What was your favourite place?

Amy: I liked the village in the hillside, Theth. I think that was my favourite place, and also the off-riding experience with Rob was the best for me, because I trust him as a driver. I don’t think I would have enjoyed it so much if I’d been with a driver I didn’t trust. Yeah, that was definitely the best.

Rob: Yeah, that was my favourite day as well, really enjoyed it. It was not off-roading, it was like rock-climbing in a car. Really testing the car, and the scenery was absolutely gorgeous. We really enjoyed it.

 

 

Favourite “Only in the Balkans” Experience?

Amy: I liked swimming in the Black Lake, I thought that was really nice. And I also enjoyed the fact that when we went off-roading we found a stream under a bridge, and we could just stop the vehicle and go wild-swimming there. Which was better than the Blue Eye swimming which was, you know, a big tourist attraction.

Rob: The longest zip-wire in Europe [near Žabljak, in Montenengro] was ace. Fantastic, I recommend it.

 

balkan ride interviews

 

Did you jump in the Blue Eye?

Amy: He did, I didn’t!

 

balkan ride interviews

 

Anything about the event you would change?

Rob: I’d rather it was all four-wheel drive, actually. And I heard there will be more in future, which I think is a great idea.

Amy: You know, I wasn’t really a four-wheel drive / off-road kind of person before this but the best day for me was when we went off-road and if we had more off-road experiences I think it would’ve made the trip even better.

So this trip turned you into an off-road fan?

Amy: Yes, well I wouldn’t want to drive it myself, but with Rob at the helm it’s fine!

 

Are you crazy enough to come along for the ride? Then join us on one of our next adventures. Get a team together and let’s see you at the starting line! If you want to join us in spirit, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram to keep up with our latest antics.

The Magical Black Lake of Montenegro

We visit the Black Lake on the first day of the Great Balkan Ride.

Photo by Juan Alberto Garcia Rivera

The Great Balkan Ride minimal assistance rally begins in Sarajevo, capital of Bosnia, and teams drive — on roads which vary drastically in quality — all the way to Thessaloniki, in Northern Greece. We see all sorts of dramatic scenery — mountains, coasts, and whatever Meteora is — as we weave through Bosnia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Albania, and Greece. The most stunning lake that we come across, however, may be one we reach within one day of driving: the Black Lake, in Montenegro’s Durmitor National Park.

 

A Little Montenegrin Lesson

black lake montenegro
Photo by Jshnay

In Montenegrin, the Black Lake is known as Crno Jezero; crno means black and jezero means lake, it’s quite simple, as long as you know that in slavic languages ‘c’ is pronounced as ‘ts’ and ‘j’ is soft, like the ‘y’ in ‘yes’. Anyway, the lake is close to the stunning mountain resort of Žabljak, where we spend the first night of our adventure. It’s located in Durmitor National Park, a remote paradisethat can sometimes seem like a more dramatic (and sunnier) Scottish highlands. There are actually eighteen lakes on the mountain range, which are collectively referred to as the mountain’s eyes: gorske oči. More useful Montenegrin vocabulary: gorske mean’s “mountain’s” and oči are “eyes”.

 

The Two Lakes of Crno Jezero

black lake montenegro
Photo by Yves G

It’s time to come clean: we may have lied. The Black Lake is not a lake at all… it’s actually two lakes. However, this gives you a chance to learn even more Montenegrin (which, whisper it, will also be understood in Bosnia, Croatia, and Serbia)! The large lake, which has an area of 338 square meters, is veliko jezero (“big lake”) and the smaller, only 177 square meters, is called malo jezero (predictably, “small lake”). It is actually one big lake in winter, when water levels are higher, but by the time we arrive in summer there is a clear ridge between the two bodies of water.

 

Swimmers Beware

balkan ride day 1
Photo by Theodore Marković

Many visitors to the Black Lake do so just to admire the view, or take a pleasant stroll around the edge. However, our event tends to attract adventure seekers, who of course want to go for a swim. While this is safe, and a great way to cool down, we know from experience that it can be quite tricky to get out of the water again. This is due to the incredibly muddy floor of the lake. If you try to walk out, you may end up sinking. So be careful, or you won’t get out in time for the traditional meal awaiting you in the evening!

p.s. They charge a fee to visit the lake, but if you come with us, we know a secret route that will get you in for free!

 

Are you crazy enough to come along for the ride? Then join us on one of our next adventures. Get a team together and let’s see you at the starting line! If you want to join us in spirit, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram to keep up with our latest antics.

The Great Balkan Recap: What We Loved in Thessaloniki

Nobody should waste a chance to see Thessaloniki.

Officially, we had waved goodbye to the Balkan Ride 2018, with a fantastic last day, which continued late into the night. Some teams braved hangovers to head home, or to further adventures, while others took the chance to explore the city a little. Still, there was a lot left to see and do (and eat!), and luckily we were treated to perfect weather. Unsurprisingly, we found a lot to love about Thessaloniki.

 

Grand Designs

thessaloniki balkan ride
Photo by Theodore Marković

After the great fire of Thessalonki, almost exactly a century before a visit, Thessaloniki was rebuilt in modern European style, with Ancient Greek influences. The grand avenues and spacious public squares designed at that time give a very different vibe to the Ottoman towns we had seen elsewhere on our adventure.

 

Mystery History

thessaloniki balkan ride
Photo by Theodore Marković

This is Greece, though, so the ancient past is never too far away. In Thessaloniki, you can be walking down a modern street and suddenly come across an imperial arch dating back thousands of years. Also, watch where you walk — you might disturb one of the many active archaeological digs ongoing in the middle of the city.

 

Cafe Culture

thessaloniki balkan ride
Photo by Theodore Marković

Thessaloniki is famous for is many bars and cafe and so, of course, we on the Great Balkan Ride we checked out our fair share… and were impressed. Maybe it was the sun, or more likely the ouzo, but Thessaloniki seems like one of the must vibrant cities in Europe.

 

The Aegean

thessaloniki balkan ride
Photo by Theodore Marković

Previously we’d stayed on the shores of the Adriatic (and possibly the Ionian, we aren’t certain where that begins…), but in Thessaloniki we we staring out across the Aegean. There’s something about the clear blue water, matched by the clear blue sky, that made sipping our beers on the promenade that little bit more satisfying.

 

Sightseeing

thessaloniki balkan ride
Photo by Theodore Marković

Thessaloniki is home to many  famous sights, but none moreso than the White Tower. The weather was too nice for museums, but strolling around in the sunshine, and spotting a 500 year-old Ottoman tower? That was the right level of educational exploration for us.

 

View from the Top

thessaloniki balkan ride
Photo by Theodore Marković

And finally, after many days of driving, five countries, and even more cities, it was time to leave the Great Balkan Ride 2017 behind. But luckily, before embarking on the journey home, there was fine to run up to Ano Poli (Upper Town), which is considered (rightly, it turns out) the best view in town.

 

 

Are you crazy enough to come along for the ride? Then join us on one of our next adventures. Get a team together and let’s see you at the starting line! If you want to join us in spirit, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram to keep up with our latest antics.

The War Childhood Museum in Sarajevo

The War Childhood Museum has received international recognition.

Photo by Anida Krečo

The Great Balkan Ride begins in Sarajevo and besides meeting everybody at the opening party, there’s a lot for teams to do, see, and eat. Arriving a day or two before the start of the event will give you a chance to learn about the Bosnian capital’s traumatic, but fascinating, history, from the shooting of Franz Ferdinand in 1914 to the Bosnian War of the 1990s. We highly recommend visiting the War Childhood Museum, opened in 2017, which has quickly become regarded as one of the essential sites in the city.

 

The Siege of Sarajevo

war childhood museum
Photo by Mikhail Evstafiev

A lifetime, yet alone the short time we spend in Sarajevo, is not long enough to understand the extent to which Bosnia suffered during the 1990s. You can read about Balkan history before you arrive, but people still argue about how Yugoslavia went from relative prosperity into chaos, and how Sarajevo, which had hosted the Winter Olympics in 1984, less than a decade later became the site of the longest siege of a capital city in the history of modern warfare. From April 1992 to February 1996, Sarajevan citizens were held hostage by Bosnian Serb forces; thousands died, and nobody suffered more than the city’s children.

 

The War Childhood Museum

war childhood museum
Photo by Anida Krečo

Learning about the siege from children’s perspective proves moving but also informative. While the complex causes of the conflict can, and are, fought over, nobody can deny the harm that the siege caused families, who were under constant threat from attack — whether at home, school, or the marketplace — and had to make do with limited food and smuggled supplies. The war penetrated all aspects of children’s lives, and thus their recollections can provide an unvarnished and unbiased account of history.

 

Items of Childhood

war childhood museum
Photo by Anida Krečo

However, the concept behind the museum is to explain children’s experiences of the war not merely though their memories, but their items. Many survivors of the conflict donated belongings, such as toys, dolls, and books. Each items tells a story, and even more so in the case of collected diaries, letters, and newspapers from the time. There are also videos and text on show, for more detailed recollections of survivors’ experiences. If our recommendation isn’t enough, the War Childhood Museum was recently awarded the 2018 Museum Prize, selected by the Council of Europe.

 

Memories of War Elsewhere in Sarajevo

war childhood museum
Photo by Michael Büker

There are many other sites in Sarajevo worth seeing for different perspectives on the Bosnian war. Gallery 11/07/95 is a particularly powerful example: it tells the story of the genocide in Srebrenica, predominantly through photography. The Tunnel Museum, on the Western edge of the city, reveals the history of what was the one way out of wartime Sarajevo, and visitors can even see a remaining section of the tunnel. Of course, the affects of war are visible without entering museums. Walls still contain bullet holes and, as pictured above, hillside cemeteries reveal in physical form the scale of the toll the conflict took on the city.

 

 

Are you crazy enough to come along for the ride? Then join us on one of our next adventures. Get a team together and let’s see you at the starting line! If you want to join us in spirit, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram to keep up with our latest antics.

The Great Balkan Recap: Day 8

A memorable last day of the Great Balkan Ride 2017.

Photo by Theodore Marković

The final day of the Great Balkan Ride was eventful, as we squeezed in sightseeing, another border, and a fantastic final meal. We departed the picturesque City of Stone and travelled through (very underrated) Northern Greece, on our way to one of the coolest cities in Europe: Thessaloniki. It was a great ending to a very successful event, and we can’t wait till the 2018 edition!

 

Gjirokastër

balkan ride day 8
Photo by Theodore Marković

When we had arrived in Gjirokastër the previous night, it had been so warm that cold beers took precedence, and any thoughts of tourism were relegated to the back of our minds. However, after breakfast on the top floor of our hotel which overlooked the picturesque town, a little exploration became irresistible. So, we headed to the castle, which offered even more sensational views (including of distant forests destroyed overnight by fire) and featured a military museum with an impressive collection of weapons, new and old. We’re fairly certain visitors weren’t supposed to pick the weapons up as props for our photos, but that’s exactly what we did.

 

The Road

balkan ride day 8
Photo by Theodore Marković

We couldn’t stay too long, though, as we had a border to cross, and wanted to get to Thessaloniki in time for the evening’s festivities. Luckily, the border was one of the smoothest (ie quickest) of our trip. This meant we had time for a relaxed lunch in the little town of Metsovo (no, we hadn’t heard of it either), amid green valleys dotted with white houses. It’s in this part of Greece that you realise how ‘Balkan’ the country is, quite unlike its Southern and Island territory. However, some things had changed once we crossed the border: the food was better and the roads were smoother!

 

Thessaloniki

balkan ride day 8
Photo by Theodore Marković

The second city of Greece, Thessaloniki has long been a cultural hub for the Balkans, even after the destructive fire of 1917 rid the center of some of its historic charm. Nowadays its home to wide boulevards, spacious public squares, and modern buildings. There is an undeniable buzz to the city, as packed cafes and ancient arches fight for your attention. We settled down for a beer, overlooking the bay. We’d come a long way, from meeting in Sarajevo to drinking in Kosovo, with drama in the Albanian mountains and relaxation on the Albanian Coast and it was time to reminisce.

 

The End of the Balkan Ride!

balkan ride day 8

We celebrated the end of the Great Balkan Ride 2017 with a dinner at the traditional Ouzou Melathron restaurant, where they’d saved us an outside table, right across the street from live music. The food, for which Thessaloniki is famous, may have been the best of our trip and the drink was certainly some of the strongest. Tony (a veteran of Travel Scientists‘ events) made a nice speech, thanking Huba for leading the rally, and everyone else for being such great participants. Toasts were made and medals were handed out. Some said their goodbyes after dinner but, of course, the night didn’t end there: for some there was no choice but to visit some of Thessaloniki’s famously lively bars, especially after the Danes began rolling their famous dice…

 

 

Are you crazy enough to come along for the ride? Then join us on one of our next adventures. Get a team together and let’s see you at the starting line! If you want to join us in spirit, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram to keep up with our latest antics.

Dečani Monastery: Guarded by NATO

The frescoes at Dečani Monastery are unmissable.

On the Great Balkan Ride, we spend one night in Kosovo and, despite the briefness of our stay, the young country easily manages to defy expectations. One of the most memorable moments is visiting Dečani monastery: this 14th century masterpiece is as stunning as it is controversial. You many never see such an incredible church interior, but to see it you’ll have to hand over your passport. While it was a bit of a dangerous place to visit not long ago, now it’s safe, and a recommended excursion for all our participants!

 

Dečani: Under Protection

decani
Photo via Flickr

Since Kosovo broke free from Yugoslavia in 1999 (officially declaring independence in 2008) the status of Serbian monuments on the territory has been understandably problematic. While many ethnic Serbs fled the country or gathered in specific enclaves, Dečani Monastery, close to the Albanian-dominated town of Deçan, is obviously unmovable. A powerful symbol for Serbians throughout the centuries, the monastery has been under constant protection by KFOR (NATO) forces for eighteen years. Despite that, there have still been five major attacks, with more than nineteen grenades hitting the monastery and surrounding grounds.

 

Frescoes of Gold

DECANI
Photo via Creative Commons

Dečani isn’t merely important for its symbolic importance, however. In fact, the controversial nature of the monastery tends to overshadow the astonishing beauty of its interior. Photography (in any case, forbidden inside the monastery) cannot convey the remarkable condition of the centuries-old art, which stands comparison with grand churches of Rome. Begun in 1327 and completed in 1335, Dečani was built during the reign of King Stefan Dečanski and his son Stefan Dušan, when Serbia had a large empire in South-Eastern Europe. While Serbia was conquered by the Ottomans a century later, the monastery was permitted to remain in operation, and it was in the following centuries that the most impressive art filled the walls of Dečani. While Austrians looted valuable jewels in the early 20th century, the artwork, comprised of over 1000 compositions, remains intact.

 

Visiting Dečani

DECANI
Photo via Creative Commons

Tensions in Kosovo have decreased recently, and the monastery has been open to visitors for several years. It’s an easy drive from our hotel in Peja, and there’s space to park, though your car might be checked for weapons! While armed soldiers demand passports upon entrance, the grounds themselves are an oasis of calm. Helpful guides offer free tours and better yet, at least on quiet days, offer free shots of rakia to guests. Being served strong spirit by a monk is an experience not to be missed.

 

 

Are you crazy enough to come along for the ride? Then join us on one of our next adventures. Get a team together and let’s see you at the starting line! If you want to join us in spirit, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram to keep up with our latest antics.

The Great Balkan Recap: Day 7

A very memorable Day 7 of the Great Balkan Ride 2017.

Photo by Theodore Marković

The Great Balkan Ride may have been almost drawing to a close, but the seventh day provided some of the best memories of the entire event. We began at the seaside of Vlorë, drove the dramatic coastal route to Sarandë, before cooling off in the fantastic “Blue Eye”. Avoiding encroaching wild fires, we ended up in Gjirokastra, “City of Stone”, one of Albania’s most picturesque towns.

 

Glorious Vlorë

albanian coast

We woke up in Vlorë, looking out across the Southern Adriatic. There was time for a relaxed breakfast by the sea, or even to take a dip, joining the locals on the stony shore.

 

Coastal Beaut

balkan ride day 7
Photo by by Theodore Marković

We then set off on one of the best drives of the trip. It wasn’t difficult, like our earlier days in the Albanian mountains, but the views were just as spectacular. Winding along the coastal from Vlorë down to Sarandë, we passed many stopped local cars whose engines couldn’t handle the steep inclines on such a hot day.

 

Forest Fires

balkan ride day 7
Photo by Theodore Marković

We stopped for lunch in Sarandë, yet another ancient city, and one especially famous for its stunning blue water. Afterwards we headed towards our next destination, the “Blue Eye”, but had to be careful to avoid forest fires which were at the time ravaging Albania. One team had the nerve-wracking experience of following a oil tanker as they drove through heavy smoke.

 

Photoshoot

balkan ride day 7
Photo by Theodore Marković

The Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër in Albanian) is an incredible natural spring, over 50 metres deep, continually shooting water up to the surface. The water is consistently around 10 degrees Celsius, even on roasting summer days in August. Naturally, the local authorities want to keep this natural attraction undisturbed: but this sign clearly didn’t stop anyone!

 

Diving Crazy

balkan ride day 7

Our gang of adventures were keen to show off their bravery by jumping in; pictured above, Rob is showcasing his diving prowess. Even more impressively, 75 year-old Tony also jumped in, to the delight (indeed, applause!) of onlookers, who noted he was by far the oldest diver they’d even seen there. The force of the stream pushed him slightly down the river, but locals were only too happy to help out the conquering hero.

 

City of Stone

balkan ride day 7
Photo by Theodore Marković

Our final stop for the day was Gjirokastër, a picturesque town set amid the mountains, and known as the “City of Stone”. As the birthplace of former dictator Enver Hoxha, the historic town escaped the communist modernisation that befell many other Albanian cities. Thus, it is still a pleasure to wander around the Ottoman-style town, a UNESCO world heritage site. After the exertions at the Blue Eye, we took the opportunity to sit in the center and enjoy well-deserved beer(s).

 

 

Are you crazy enough to come along for the ride? Then join us on one of our next adventures. Get a team together and let’s see you at the starting line! If you want to join us in spirit, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram to keep up with our latest antics.

Highlights of the Albanian Coast

The Albanian Coast is one of Europe’s best kept secrets.

The Great Balkan Ride may concentrate on adventure — driving off-road in places like the mountainous highlands of Montenegro and remote river valleys in Northern Albania — but there’s still time to relax: it’s a holiday, after all. And anybody who is new to the region will certainly be surprised by the quality of the beaches we visit on the Albanian Coast. If it weren’t for the political isolation that kept the country’s tourism relatively undeveloped, the Albanian Coast would surely be as famous as the islands of Greece or Spain’s Costa del Sol.

 

Durrës

albanian coast
Photo via Creative Commons

Our first stop on the Albanian coast is Durrës, or more precisely a few miles south in the town of Golem. Durrës was founded over two and a half thousand years ago, and is Albania’s second largest city. Shallow waters and pristine sand make for an excellent place to relax, particularly when our hotel has a private beach. It’s busy in peak season, but crowds are mostly comprised of Albanians, rather than foreigners. It’s a joy to learn what the locals have long known: the Albanian coast is a great place for a holiday.

 

Vlorë

albanian coast

Our next stop on the Albanian coast, after a brief detour to the historic town of Berat, is Vlorë, Albania’s third largest city. Almost as old as Durrës, the natural bay at Vlorë creates fantastic views from the beach, and we are blessed as our hotel also has a private pool. Tourism along the Albanian coast has developed massively in the decades following communism, but there’s plenty time before places like Vlorë become as commercial as better known holiday resorts. However, the private pool can’t compare to a dip in the sea, along with locals.

 

Sarandë and the Albanian Riviera

albanian coast
Photo via Creative Commons

The Southern portion of the Albanian Coast, just north of Greece, is where the best treasures are hidden. We love to have lunch in Sarandë, another ancient town in a natural bay, very close to Greek island Corfu. However, great beaches are dotted all along the section of coast known as the Albanian Riviera. Dhërmi, in between Sarandë and Vlorë, is famous for its white rock and blue water. Borsh, just north of Sarandë, has the longest unbroken stretch of beach in the country. And Ksamil, just north of the Greek border and close to the ancient ruins of Butrint, is famous for the serenity of its position; it’s possible to swim from the beach to three islands located in the bay.

 

Are you crazy enough to come along for the ride? Then join us on one of our next adventures. Get a team together and let’s see you at the starting line! If you want to join us in spirit, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram to keep up with our latest antics.