Or you can travel south along the coast to visit beaches and UNESCO World heritage sites. Butrint is close to the city Saranda, Ksamil beach and Gjirokastra, therefore, you can combine your trip. Kind regards, Manon. Moreover, hotel stays are very affordable. There is a lovely restaurant inside the castle which overlooks the olive groves, the Petrela village and the river in the valley. The Canyon has rocky carbon formations and is around 2 km long. The city is a very cultural place, as it is the home to many artists, musicians, painters, photographers, poets and writers. Vlore also has a lot of history to offer. There is also a room which displays the traditional clothes used throughout Albania. Skanderbeg rebelled against the takeover of Albania by the Ottoman Turks. The Blue Eye of Theth is a great place to visit during your Albania holidays. The Bazaar was built over 500 years ago and it still has the cobblestone street and the medieval buildings. The bunker was meant to accommodate the local government during the attack that never happened. The ruins date back to the Bronze Age, and many houses were built within the old castles walls. 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. The city has beautiful stone houses, a traditional bazaar and cobble stone streets. This is partially due to the communist history when few people owned a car and partially because it is a flat city. Each of the lakes has something different to offer. Apart from being on the water, it gives you the opportunity to stop on one of the pristine beaches to go for a swim or to go snorkelling. The rocky bays can only be reached by boat or by a long steep hike. In his mind Albania was going to be attacked by nuclear weapons, therefore, he build thousands of bunkers across Albania. If you plan on visiting Ksamil beach during your Albania holidays, you can choose to fly to Corfu instead of Tirana. The streets are narrow and made of cobblestones. There is a beautiful Ottoman bridge close to the city of Permet. The canyon is absolutely gorgeous and the water is crystal clear. The beach is incredibly private, and it has beautiful clear blue water. Visitors to the country describe Albanians as warm and inquisitive, happy to see foreigners. And a gallery about the terror of the communism period with pictures of prisons, concentration camps and political murders. Afterwards, continue onwards to the canyon of the river or return to the village for a lovely lunch. It has 265 miles of stunning coastline, that touches both the Adriatic and Ionian seas. The rafting experience is best in the spring, because the water level is high due to snow melting into the river. During you Albania holidays, it is possible to visit a private island. Ordinary Albanians were not allowed in and the area was unmarked on most maps. Find out when and where we're flying, from each of our ten UK airports. There are many churches within the walls of the castle. There are a few small cafes on the route, where you can enjoy a cold drink and a picnic lunch. Please remember to bring some warmer clothes on your Albania holidays. We provide professional arrangements for: tours, events, venue selection, team building activities, shore excursions for cruises and more. Therefore, Albania holidays are still charming and authentic. Due to its hilltop location, it has a breath-taking panoramic view. The history of the site is fascinating and dates back to 50.000 BC. Which is where you park the car and set-off on an hour long hike to the waterfall. Therefore, Berat city became a museum city in 1961. If youre looking at holidays in Europe and want something a bit different, Albania hits the spot. If you will only visit one site, then you cannot miss the archaeological site of Butrint. From Tirana, you can either travel north if you are interested in a hiking trip across the Albanian Alps. Berat is one of the historical towns on the UNESCO World Heritage list and an absolute must during your Albania holidays. And do not be surprised, when they will invite you to their home. Then the adventure starts, from the village you will take a 2 km trail towards the black cave. From Nderlysa the hike to the Blue Eye takes about 40 minutes. He started a photo business and was assisted by Rrok Kodheli and Kel Kodheli. Book your Albania Planning Session via Skype now, by using my online scheduler. The experience is breath-taking, but also scary if you realize you start from 934m above the sea level. You can also walk through the low sea water to a second bay, which can only be reached via the sea. She was a British traveller, who wrote about Northern Albania in the book called High Albania. Here is my ultimate list of 99 reasons why you must put Albania holidays on your bucket list. Along the beach, there is a promenade with ice cream stands, restaurants and palm trees. All Albanian people own a traditional costume. The main attraction in the city is Skanderbeg Square, where you will find the monument dedicated to hero Gjergj Kastrioti Sknderbeu. The beach itself has lovely clear water and a pebble stone beach. Of course, the market also offers many souvenirs, like wallets, key hangers, post cards etcetera. The pyramid is a piece of heritage of Albania, but at the same time it reminds its inhabitants of the communist regime. And therefore, the Thermal springs are a great place to visit during your Albania holidays. The promenade has beautiful two story Venetian-style houses and it has a very Italian feeling. The main tourist attraction in Shkodra is Rozafa Castle. The city is close to the borders of Greece and Macedonia. If you are up for an adventure, you can go wild water rafting (or kayaking) on the Vjosa River during your Albania holidays. The museum shows photographs of three generations of the photographers from the Marubi family. The display shows one person from each invasion. Furthermore, Ksamil is a great place for snorkelling, because of the crystal clear water. Gjirokastra city is one of the most beautiful cities in Albania. And do not be afraid if you have never climbed before, because the instructors will provide you will professional equipment and expect instruction. The other two islands are a bit further away. The Cathedral is conveniently located near the central promenade in Korca. It has become a popular attraction to visit during Albania holidays, because of the 3-4 day hiking trip across the mountain pass. The village is very picturesque and it has many historic buildings. And best of all, travelling by furgon is very cheap. Moreover, the mountains are beautiful; There are enormous peaks, green valleys and old forests. The beach of Ksamil is how you image paradise. However, from the roof of the castle, you will have a superb view of the sea. The iso-poliphony style of Albanian folk singing was crowned by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage. However, in 1991 the communism ended, and the Pyramid was converted into a convention centre. Plus, the drivers usually stop along the way to let more people on the bus or to drop people off. The terrain is mountainous, with some snow falling in the highlands in winter and rain in the lowlands. The bay is mostly known for the Castle which is set on a little peninsula. It is in a very good condition, so you can walk on the bridge to take pictures of the landscape and river. She agreed to be built into the wall of the castle. After your swim, you can taken another trail that brings you back in a loop to the village. In fact, you will receive a brief introduction before take-off. Moreover, a wild river runs trough the village with fresh mountain water. You can hear the sound of the water crashing on the rocks and it feels very calming. 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. Moreover, it is the birthplace for the former dictator Enver Hoxha, therefore, it was well kept during the dictators regime. Butrint is a UNESCO World heritage site that you cannot miss during your Albania holidays. Starting from the ancient Illyrians until post-communism. Korca is an intellectual city and the home of the National Education Museum of Albania. You can find information about all these sites below. Close to Progradec, in the hillside you can visit the Royal Tombs of Selca. Berat city is one of the touristic highlights that you must include in your Albania holidays. You can spend a night in a traditional Guest House. The building of the museum was originally the first school of Albanian language. Where you can see old stone houses from the Ottoman period. There is also a rotating bar on top of the Tower hotel, which rotes 360 degrees in 45 minutes. The town has two beach sides; The beach to the north has the main promenade with cafes and bars. But Albanias beaches are more enjoyable, because they are not crowded. For the freedom of your own space and the perks of a package holiday, choose Jet2Villas. Your villa, return flights, 22kg baggage and hire car are all included to make things easier for you! Treat yourself to one of our ultra-luxurious holidays. If you like to travel off-the-beaten track, you should visit Korab during your Albania holidays. There is also a clock tower on the grounds and a lovely little caf. From the beach, you can look upwards to the mountain range and you will see the road winding all the way up to the clouds. The bazaar market is the perfect place to buy a souvenir from your Albania holidays. Its beautifully colourful architecture dates back to the Ottoman, Fascist and Soviet eras. The theatre is on the tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage. With accommodation, return flights, The Grunas Waterfall is one of the naturally beautiful places in Theth. He also united the leaders of local Albanian communities to fight together against the Ottoman regime. The spring is called the Blue Eye, because it looks like a human eye. The lakes were a touristic attraction for the locals during the communism for their natural beauty. The castle of Kruja is only a 45-minute drive from Tirana, and therefore, it is a popular destination for a day-trip during Albania holidays. From the city, you can climb up the hill and enter the castle. The cities of Berat and Gjirokastra both have a beautiful historical center. Other lakes are beautifully still and surrounded by trees. The house is well-preserved, and it was owned by the wealthy Toptani 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. The Castle is almost on an island, because it is only connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of land. One of the touristic attractions to visit on the Karaburun Peninsula is the Haxhi Ali Cave. The UKs bestselling monthly subscription magazine. You can reach the beach by driving from Saranda along the road towards Butrint for a few kilometres. There are colourful buildings all around, lovely boutiques and nice cafes. Gjirokastras historic buildings have been well preserved, because the city was named a museum city in the 60s. Inside the castle, you can enter the Museum of Arms. The little villages give you the change to read your favourite book, to go fishing or to explore a picturesque village. In the area, you can still walk past the former residence of Enver Hoxha, which is closed to the public. The Lura National Park is a nature park in the mountains of North Albania. The sandy beach is surrounded by steep cliffs and is a beautiful sight. The museum is inside a beautiful building from the Ottoman period. After the drive, you will arrive in the Pellumbas village, which is beautiful with amazing mountains around. Although to be frank the visit to the cold war tunnel is a little creepy. Many historians believe that the Albanian people are descendants from the ancient Illyrians. The small beach site is very quiet and private, and therefore, a great place to visit during your Albania holidays. If you have the time, try to stay until sunset. From the station the Cable car takes you up the mountain side to a height of 1000 meters above sea level. The Greek Corfu island is just across the sea from Ksamil beach. Moreover, the National History Museum has a gallery about the terror of communism. The grave site was discovered by archeologists in the late sixties. Albania was invaded by many neighbouring countries throughout the centuries. The theatre could hold 15000 18000 spectators, which is roughly a third of the capacity of the Colosseum in Rome. The historic city of Gjirokastra, the Blue Eye spring and the Archaeological park of Butrint are all nearby. Some of the hidden beaches, like Monastery Beach, require a hike. You can swim in fresh blue mountain water. The first part of the hike is a steep climb up towards the pass and after the pass you will hike down to the Theth Valley through a thick forest. Each letter has a specific sound and the sound does not change in the context, therefore, reading and writing Albanian is rather easy. Of course, it depends on where you are going in Albania. The Bunk Art Museum in Tirana was a large bunker built for government during an attack, but has now been converted in a museum about communism. Holidays Today in Albania There are no holidays in Albania today. The castle is located on the top of the hill and it has a stunning view of the Albanian landscape all the way until the Adriatic Sea. The locals mostly live of tourism and olive oil production. Pickpocketing and petty crime are practically non-existent. 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. It is possible to rent a rowboat and paddle around the little island. Once you reach the upper station of the Cable Car, you will be impressed by the breathtaking view. The language school opened in 1887, before that the Albanians only learned their language at home. From the Pellumbas village, you can hike to the Canyon of the Erzen river. I am an Albania Tour Guide, who organizes 1-day, 2-day or multiple day private tours in Albania. From the Cable Car you look down on farm houses, bunkers and treetops. Butrint is a beautiful park surrounded by water with excellent monuments inside the park. National Travel Health Network and Centre, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. The Blloku is the most upscale neighbourhood in Tirana, with lively restaurants and bars. The view is impressive, because the water falls down from a height of 100 meters. Korca is also called the little Paris of Albania, because of its beauty. By boat you can reach the touristic attractions: the Haxhi Ali Cave, the Gramata Bay and the Blue Cave. Click here for more information about Ksamil beach, Free Albania Planning Session via Skype / WhatsApp / Zoom. ALBANIA HOLIDAYS a leading Destination Management Company invites you to be part of a unique experience, discovering an unknown but fascinating country. The hike takes around 2-3 hours. Before the entrance, you walk through a long, dark tunnel in the hillside with scary music in the background. Be sure to plan a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage sites during your Albania holidays. Amongst the locals, the peak is called the crown and the lakes are the pearls of Albania. Dhermi Beach is 42 km south of the city Vlore. When I speak about my Albania holidays to my colleagues, they always ask me: Why should I visit Albania for holidays? The underwater cave underneath the surface is 249 meters deep. The most popular hiking trail in Albania, is hiking across the Valbona Pass. The Pyramid of Tirana was designed to be a museum about the communist dictator Enver Hoxha. The park also has seven slides and a separate pool for toddlers. The home has the traditional set-up, where the downstairs is for the livestock and the upstairs for the family. Moreover, the cave was one of the earliest prehistoric settlements. There is also some small caf and restaurants on the twin islands, so that you can enjoy a drink and food while you are there. During the communism, the area was restricted to the public. The latest plan is to change the pyramid into a technology centre for youth. The white houses date back to the Ottoman period. In the very south of Albania, you can visit the city of Gjirokastra, set in a valley between the Gjer mountains and Drino. Therefore, you should get on the minibus with the most people, because it will depart first. The aquapark is located next to the City Park Shopping Mall. The collection shows Albanias history in chronological order. The village of Palasa has traditional stone roads and quaint white houses. You can reach the lakes of Lura by first travelling to the city Peshkopi. 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. And as a highlight, you can enjoy the most magical sunset from the beach site. The castle is famous for a local legend. Korca is the hometown of the Korca Beer factory. Zekate House is one of the historic sights, that you can visit in Gjirokastra. The inside of the fortress is dark, as it has no courtyard. A tour to Albania, devised to explore a barely known destination and to experience its history, traditions and people. On the Albanian shores of the Lake Ohrid, you can visit the lake side town Pogradec. After the day of hiking, you will arrive in the mountain village Theth. And there is a small restaurant to serve you drinks and simple food. You'll have everything you need to search, book, and manage package holidays and flight-only bookings in one handy place. It is best to bring some food and drinks along on the hike, so that you can have a picnic once you arrive at the waterfall. Furthermore, it is possible to discover several sunken ships along the coast. Moreover, the last unrest in Albania was after the fall of the pyramid scheme in 1997, it is therefore more than 10 years ago. The museum has rooms set-up just like when the ministers claimed the independence. The promenade in the centre of the city is paved with cobblestones and along the street there are traditional houses from the 1800s. Holiday by Albania's pristine sandy beaches such as Vlora and Dhermi along the beautiful Adriatic and Ionian Sea coastlines. Along the street, you can buy handmade products, like wooden pieces, handwoven rugs and lace. The paragliding instructors will take you from the platform to the bottom of the mountain. Furthermore, you can book a rock climbing trip on the Dajti mountain. Because Albania is still new as a tourist destination and unknow to you, that does not mean it is not safe. You will see the beautiful flowers all over the historic town. There are routes and maps available, but it is also possible to hike together with a guide. The mountain range is surrounded by the Adriatic sea to the north and the Ionian sea to the south. Then upon entering the bunker, you see a bathroom where you can wash off the nuclear material from your clothes. The sea water is a nice temperature for swimming, usually between 20-23C in the summer. And with ABTA and ATOL protection for peace of mind included too, its a win-win. Coastal regions are peppered with laid back beach resorts, whereas inland youll find more mountainous landscapes, with UNESCO world heritage sites and tranquil national parks to explore. Albania holidays: Search for cheap holidays to Albania on KAYAK. The Sotira Waterfall is about 30 km from the city Berat. 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