Ready for a change of scenery within 3 hours of flying from Paris ? Embark for Albania : this treasure of the Mediterranean will certainly enchant you with its sunny coastline, its mountainous landscapes, its forests, its lakes, but also its preserved nature and its cultural heritage.
To start, visit Tirana, the capital of Albania. Far from its busy boulevards, venture into its colorful little streets, and do not miss the two museums named "Bunk'Art 1 and 2". Underground, in these huge bunkers, you will learn the troubled history of this country, which lived under the communist dictatorship from 1945 to 1991 : a visit necessary for any traveler wishing to learn more about Albania. Continue your visit by crossing the huge Skënderbeg square that used to be used for military gatherings, then head for the "Bloc", a young and dynamic neighborhood where people gather to party and have a drink, in restaurants and trendy bars. Take a tour of the Radio Bar and the Sky Tower : from there you will have a breathtaking view of the Albanian capital, the ideal being to sip a cocktail and admire the sunset ! The Clock Tower will also be an ideal spot to have a panoramic view of the city.
Take the direction of Berat, a pretty town on the banks of the Osum River, in the heart of a pleasant wine region. This "city of 1000 windows" is recognizable by its typical houses, clinging to a cliff. World Heritage Site by Unesco because of its monuments such as its castle, its fortress, its Christian neighborhood, its Muslim quarter and its red mosque, this village is to visit absolutely.
In the north of the country, on the border of Montenegro, is Skadar Lake. Sometimes blue, gray or silver, this largest lake of the Balkan peninsula straddling two countries is visited winter and summer, each time offering travelers landscapes of rare beauty. You can go around on a motorcycle, by car or by bike.
Located between Greece and Italy, Albania is a country with many influences, which enjoys an ideal location on the Adriatic Sea. Its southern coast, the Albanian Riviera, offers many well-known sandy beaches that invite you to swim and enjoy long lazy days. Guests can enjoy scuba diving, water sports, sailing or fishing. Between Vlora and Saranda, over a hundred kilometers at the foot of the mountains covered with pines, succeed beaches and beautiful coves. That of Dürres is certainly the busiest of the coast : 45 kilometers from the capital, it is the second largest city of Albania. Its port, its ancient city center and beaches attract more and more holidaymakers every year, curious to taste the Albanian dolce vita. A little further afield, swim in the beautiful coves of the Ionian Sea, from "Gjiri i Aquariumit", to Palasa Beach, passing through Grama Bay and Gjipe Beach. Finally the paradisiacal beaches of Ksamil will amaze you by their beauty, their clear water and their superb decoration. One thing is certain : you will not want to go back !
