The Cathedral is conveniently located near the central promenade in Korca. But travelling by furgon is a unique Albanian experience; The driver usually plays traditional Albanian music during the ride; The locals will offer you food or ask the bus driver to stop along the way for some food; And everyone will try to talk to you and tell you their life story. From there you must walk on a descending dirt path to reach the beach. The Sotira Waterfall is about 30 km from the city Berat. Moreover, there are four more sites on the tentative list of UNESCO: The royal tombs of Selca, the amphitheatre of Durres, Apollonia and the Castle of Bashtova. The Resurrection Cathedral in Korce is the largest orthodox church in Albania. He ruled the country from 1944 until his death in 1985, after which the communism regime was continued for 5 years by his successor Ramiz Alia. There was no opposition, because the wrong opinion or action could lead to torture, imprisonment or death. Skanderbeg was an Albanian national, who fought against the Ottoman Rule for 25 years. It is personal really, but it is easy to visit as it is on the hill just next to the Kruja Castle. The terrain is mountainous, with some snow falling in the highlands in winter and rain in the lowlands. The display shows one person from each invasion. The Bazaar was built over 500 years ago and it still has the cobblestone street and the medieval buildings. About 13km from Permet, you can visit the Thermal Springs of Benja. It also has a rich cultural history and throughout history it was ruled by the Romans, Serbians, Venetians and the Ottomans. Albania is a young travel destination, that is still playing catch up to the more popular Mediterranean destinations. There is also a rotating bar on top of the Tower hotel, which rotes 360 degrees in 45 minutes. Which is where you park the car and set-off on an hour long hike to the waterfall. In the Bay of Vlora, there is a sunken ship called Po. Albania was invaded by many neighbouring countries throughout the centuries. For this part of the trip it is recommended to drive a four-wheel drive, due to the conditions of the road. There are currently 8 airlines that fly direct to Albania, with Wizz Air, British Airways and Austrian Airlines being the pick of the bunch. The view is impressive, because the water falls down from a height of 100 meters. If you like to enjoy yourself in one of the many nice cafes, restaurants and night clubs, be sure to visit Blloku during your Albania holidays. Therefore, it is a must for your Albania holidays. Discover your ideal travel experience. Moreover, there is also a Byzantine chapel on site with beautiful mosaics. The beach is incredibly private, and it has beautiful clear blue water. During the day they would built the walls, but overnight the walls would fall down. Albania holidays are not complete without a visit to one or several of the UNESCO World Heritage sites. If you go snorkelling, you can see some fishes swimming close to the rocky parts. He was a student in Venice and brought some of the magic to his home in Albania, where he became the creative force behind the design of the boulevard. Return flights, From Gramsh, you drive onwards to the Sotira village. The park has a calming river with swans and ducks. Or you can travel south along the coast to visit beaches and UNESCO World heritage sites. From there you take a minibus to the Lake Koman ferry. Holidays in other countries Holidays are calculated using the local time in Tirana Upcoming Holidays (February to June 2023) While we diligently research and update our holiday dates, some of the information in the table above may be preliminary. From Tirana, you can either travel north if you are interested in a hiking trip across the Albanian Alps. And as a highlight, you can enjoy the most magical sunset from the beach site. Prepare for amber desert sands, blush city walls and spices in every colour of the rainbow. Skanderbeg was from Kruja and the fortress of Kruja was his base of operation. Before I went to Albania, I never hiked across a mountain range. Travel to Albania, Visit Albania, Albania Tourism, - Albania Holidays The little villages give you the change to read your favourite book, to go fishing or to explore a picturesque village. The museum has many treasures; It has statues and mosaics from the Greeks and Romans. Although the tombs are weathered from the outside, they give you a unique look into the glorious history of the Illyrians. There are lovely little villages in the mountains, that are so far away and difficult to reach, that you can still see the old traditions. There are English explanatory boards on site. How does the Care Funding Advice Service work? There are several different pools, which cure skin diseases, bone diseases and rheuma. Albania is still in the process of developing itself as a holiday destination. A close second is the historical city of Berat. There is a wooden plateau on the top of a rock from where you can take beautiful pictures. The bay is very picturesque, from the hill you can look down on the bay, the castle and the beautiful landscape with bright red oleanders. The road has spectacular view over the Adriatic and Ionian coasts and there are many photo opportunities along the way. Flija is many little pancakes layered on top of each other and it is often served with honey. The house belonged to a wealthy family, which you can see from the beautiful carved wooden ceiling and the stained glass windows. Exciting destinations. You can find handicraft products like embroidered items, silver objects, copper items, colourful textiles and traditional clothing. The natural springs of Drilon are the origin of the Drin River. Vlore also has a lot of history to offer. Sailors carved symbols and letters into the rocks throughout history. The best way to explore the Accursed Mountains (or Albanian Alps) is a 3-4 day hiking tour through the mountain range. These objects tell the story of Skanderbegs life and his struggle against the Ottoman Turks. When I speak about my Albania holidays to my colleagues, they always ask me: Why should I visit Albania for holidays? The hottest month of the year in Gibraltar is August, when the mercury stays above 28oC. There is a Cliff-top restaurant built on the edge of the Dajti mountain. Or you can simply have a picnic or a lunch in the little restaurants on the shore of the lake. Along the river you will pass several natural bathtubs and there is a beautiful waterfall. Nowadays, there is no prominent religion, but rather a mix of Muslim, Catholic, Orthodox, Atheist and other minority religions. The mountain water from the Black river streams into the pool from a little water fall and also from an underground spring. Activities that you can undertake include swimming, fishing, canoeing and kayaking. Get a 39-page PDF guide about the hidden gems of Albania, including a Google Map you can add to your phone! So that, you get to experience the most beautiful places in Albania! I am an Albania Tour Guide, who organizes 1-day, 2-day or multiple day private tours in Albania. The house is well-preserved, and it was owned by the wealthy Toptani family. There is a beautiful Ottoman bridge close to the city of Permet. The ferry boat passes through stunning scenery and steep hills. The brewery was established in 1928 and you can take a lovely tour around the brewery. The Accursed Mountains, also called the Albanian Alps, is a mountain range in the North of Albania. The castle of Bashtova is a fortress close to Tirana (76 km) and Durres (30 km). The canyons of the Erzen river are spectacular. Please remember to bring some warmer clothes on your Albania holidays. He had great military skills and fought against the Turkish Ottomans for 25 years. Borsh is the largest beach in the Ionian Sea, and therefore, a highlight in the Albanian Riviera. Vlore is a large city, therefore there are many restaurants, hotels and apartments around the beach. You can spend the night in a mountain lodge in Valbona and rest up for the hike the next day. And there is a lovely little Independence Museum about Albanias road to independence. If you have time, there are two excellent museums inside the castle walls: the Skanderbeg Museum and the Ethnographic Museum. Moreover, the canyon is surrounded by cliffs and beautiful nature. Permet is a town in the south of Albania and it is only 30 km from the Greek border. You can swim in fresh blue mountain water. The best time to visit Gibraltar is between May and October the Mediterranean temperatures hover in the mid-to-high 20s, and theres usually not a lot of rain. I still remember one of my first trips to Albania, when a family I did not know invited me to their home to celebrate New Years Eve. Simply select your departure airport and the month you'd like to fly, then pick your perfect destination. The tower house was owned by a wealthy administrative family. Thats right, we pack our ABTA and ATOL-protected All Inclusive holidays with lots of good stuff to make your getaway nice and easy. Or you can drive along the river to Nderlysa, park the car and start your hike there. The Adriatic creases againstthe coast of Croatia andover 1,000 islands lie in its folds. The locals mostly live of tourism and olive oil production. It is worth having a look inside because it has beautiful mosaics, paintings and wooden lamps. Country-specific information and advice on possible health risks is also published by the National Travel Health Network and Centre and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office provides important health and safety information for British nationals travelling abroad. You will not be able to resist the azure blue water and the white beach, once you see it on your descent down from the Llogara Pass. How can I help you? You can also see stone carvers perform their craft. The market has a narrow cobble-stone street with wooden boutiques along the side. What exists in this post-communist country, is a relatively new and emerging scene to discover. Moreover, just of Albanias coast is Sazan island. The beauty of visiting Theth is the virgin and untouched wilderness. The Albanian language is spoken by 10 million people of which 3.5 million people in Albania and 3 million in the neighbouring countries: Kosovo, Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro. One of the highlights of the Albanian Riviera is the Karaburun Peninsula. KAYAK is a travel tool that searches package holidays to Albania on hundreds of travel sites to help you find the Albania The theatre could hold 15000 18000 spectators, which is roughly a third of the capacity of the Colosseum in Rome. And therefore, the Thermal springs are a great place to visit during your Albania holidays. If you will only visit one site, then you cannot miss the archaeological site of Butrint. But for what reason should you visit the Accursed Mountains? The sandy beach is surrounded by steep cliffs and is a beautiful sight. The main historic highlight is the Rozafa Castle on the hill, which was built by the Venetians in the middle ages. The main attraction in the city is Skanderbeg Square, where you will find the monument dedicated to hero Gjergj Kastrioti Sknderbeu. There is a parking space and some restaurants from where you can stop for refreshments. We recommend you visit your health professional at least 4 to 6 weeks before your trip to Albania, to check whether you need any vaccinations or other preventive measures. You'll have everything you need to search, book, and manage package holidays and flight-only bookings in one handy place. The family is restoring the house and they give tours. The Albanian love their national music and the traditional dances. The Canyon of the Erzen river is a beautiful place to visit during your Albania holidays. The ruins date back to the Bronze Age, and many houses were built within the old castles walls. The bridge crosses a bright blue river and is close to the Thermal Springs of Benja. The Greek Corfu island is just across the sea from Ksamil beach. You can also hike down through the bushes to reach the ocean. The Albanian people still have those old-fashioned, traditional values and they value honesty. If you are up for an adventure, you can go wild water rafting (or kayaking) on the Vjosa River during your Albania holidays. Since Himare has a large Greek community, there a wide choice of small Greek restaurants. The city was wealthy and had a famous school of philosophy. Or had a shower in a mountain waterfall. The National History Museum is the largest museum in Albania and definitely worth a visit during your Albania holidays. It is named so after the popular legend, that depicts the story of a young man who killed a snake at the edge of an eagles nest, to stop him from eating the egg. Bare in mind, that the ferry was actually was not intended for tourists. Firstly, the Karaburun Peninsula has many hidden bays inside the sea. For that reason, it is best to bring some water and some snacks along on the trail. It is the city, where Albania declared its independence in 1912. Albania holidays are cheap. Saranda is the largest beach city in the south of Albania. The small beach site is very quiet and private, and therefore, a great place to visit during your Albania holidays. To reach the Sotira Waterfall, you must travel to the town of Gramsh. Bunk Art a massive bunker that has been opened to the public. The Albanians are genuinely in love with foreigners visiting their country and very curious. There are a few small cafes on the route, where you can enjoy a cold drink and a picnic lunch. Flights from mainland Europe are between 1-3 hours only. After the communism, the original family became owner of the property again. Package Holidays from Jet2holidays. As the UKs second-largest holiday operator, Jet2holidays ATOL-protected package holidays and city breaks are more popular than ever! Over five million happy holidaymakers have enjoyed our 1,000s of 2 to 5-star hotels, along with return flights, transfers and a huge 22kg baggage allowance. The Cathedral is hard to miss because it is gigantic, and it dominates the centre of Korce. Moreover, Shkodra is the biking capital of Albania. In fact, they are proud of preserving their history and traditions. The street was created by a famous painter from Shkodra called Kole Idromeno. And then there is information about the terror, the concentration camps, the prisons and the murders. Moreover, you can also try the local speciality dish called flija. Viroi Lake is one of the most beautiful places to visit during your Albania holidays. But Albanias beaches are more enjoyable, because they are not crowded. Bear in mind that you must wear good hiking shoes, because the path down towards the river can be steep and slippery. The view from the castle across the valley is breath-taking. The Blue Eye Spring is a sight, that you must visit during your Albania holidays. One of the traditional dishes is the backed trout, called Koran fish in Albanian. After a quick visit to the monastery, you can descend the hill towards the beach. However, when the nearby river closed up due to an earthquake, the city was abandoned. The highlight of the visiting the castle are the stunning sea views from the hill. You will see that the beach is surrounded by rocky piers that surround the bay. Moreover, there is also a display about the people in Albania who were opposed to the communist agenda. The canyon is absolutely gorgeous and the water is crystal clear. The direct flight times to Corfu from Glasgow or Edinburgh is around 3 hours and 45 minutes and from London it The best part about driving yourself, is that you will have the opportunity to stop at any of the beaches of the Albanian Riviera along the way. Weve also got a super selection of hotels on our books 295 of them dotted around Albania in fact. So, whatever your budgets saying, theres bound to be something that suits. If its a three-star hotel, you can expect to pay around 28 a night, while four-star hotels typically come in at 36 per night. The bugs were placed in clothes, bags and closets to collect intelligence. And the house is even equipped with a small Turkish bath, which helped to heat the entire house. And do not be afraid if you have never climbed before, because the instructors will provide you will professional equipment and expect instruction. The lake is close to Gjirokastra. And it was also a broadcasting station for Albanian media. And then from Peshkopi, you can drive to the mountain village called Radomire. made solutions for groups & FIT-s, with a focus on the local elements: history, culture, traditions and way of life. If you like hiking, you must visit Theth during you Albania holidays. But the Byzantine empire built most of the castle in the 13th Century. The next morning, you can hike across the Valbona Pass to the mountain village of Theth. Each of the lakes has something different to offer. In the very south of Albania, you can visit the city of Gjirokastra, set in a valley between the Gjer mountains and Drino. Albania holidays: Search for cheap holidays to Albania on KAYAK. And do not be surprised, when they will invite you to their home. The main highlights are the old Ottoman Bridge, the thermal springs of Benja and rafting on the wild Vjosa river. The views are spectacular. You will be greeted by children from the village, who invite you to their home for an overnight stay. And when you wander further inside, you see a dozen of rooms that take you back to Albanias former communist regime; There is the dictators office, where you can hear him speak trough a phone. However, from the roof of the castle, you will have a superb view of the sea. Then there is a wall displayed that kept Albanias population from leaving the country. Because you can look down into the 60 meter deep canyon from the top. After the day of hiking, you will arrive in the mountain village Theth. The bay is mostly known for the Castle which is set on a little peninsula. There are routes and maps available, but it is also possible to hike together with a guide. When you will walk through the country, the Albanians will be exited to talk to you, because simply said there are not that many foreign tourists. The theatre is on the tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage. Registered Office: Enbrook Park, Folkestone, Kent, CT20 3SE. The canyon of Osum is a great place for a rafting or kayaking trip. Where you can see old stone houses from the Ottoman period. Just open a guidebook about Albania and it will shortlist the ferry journey in their top ten. Be sure to plan a day in Berat city during your Albania holidays. Nowadays, the castle is a popular sight to visit during Albania holidays. The Albanian language is one of the oldest Indo-European languages. Single cabins now available on 2023 winter cruises, Interest rates and costs of equity release. Be aware that the water pressure is very high and it takes serious paddling to stay on course through the streams and rapids. The ship had a hospital inside for transportation of injured people during the second world war. And that's why we match flights, hotels and transfers in your favourite resorts, and then pull them all together into one neat package just for you. Berat city is one of the touristic highlights that you must include in your Albania holidays. The site is on the tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage. Moreover, the Blue Eye of Albania and UNESCO World heritage Butrint are nearby. Albania uses the standard Euro plug and the Schuko plug, both two-pin. The traditional clothing from Albania is different from the other Balkan nations. Walking through either city is like visiting a real-life museum. About 8 km south from Himare is the Bay of Porto Palermo. The Albanians have a very welcoming culture. Both the Albanian Alps in the north of the country and Llogara National Park in the south offer excellent and varied trekking and mountain biking. On your visit you will be amazed by the natural beauty. However, the fact that Gjipe is more difficult to reach, makes it more private. By diving can discover the beautiful underwater creatures. The city was originally founded by Greek colonists from Corfu and Corinth. And finally, if you are up for the ultimate adventure you can book a paragliding experience. Visit villages and towns almost untouched by the passing years and sip a glass of local raki (strong alcoholic aperitif made with plums and grapes) at any bar or restaurant. She was a British traveller, who wrote about Northern Albania in the book called High Albania. The water is clear blue and you can walk across the beautiful arched bridge from one quarter to the other. Moreover, many of the old houses have been converted into coffee houses, restaurants and hotels for you to enjoy. 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