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Albania

Albania is a beautiful and historic landwith a most welcoming people. She hasone of the oldest flags and tongues inEurope, and preserves traditions andculture unadulterated by the outsideworld for centuries. Her long coastline iswashed by the Ionian and Adriatic seaand hides some wonderful beaches. Themountain scenery is stunning; not fornothing do the Albanians know their landas Shqiperia - Land of the Eagles. Herewas ancient Illyria; and here too that greatRoman road, the Via Egnatia, began itslong march east to Constantinople.

Some scars of the past remain - notablythe many infamous concrete bunkers -but these are insignificant compared toAlbania's many treasures and naturalbeauty. Our cultural tour will show youmuch of what the south has to offer.

Built on top of a Roman port (whichsurfaces here and there) Saranda is todaya large modern town of some 33,000inhabitants. It is, truth be told, not theprettiest - recent unregulateddevelopment has resulted in a plethora ofhigh rise buildings, many unfinished. Butbefore writing Saranda off do take intoconsideration the many plus points to astay here.

Look outwards, not inwards. Saranda is setin a beautiful horse-shoe bay, fringed withpebble beaches and has lovely views tonorthern Corfu. The town has anattractive palm-lined promenade andthere are many restaurants, cafes andshops, all of which give a warm welcome.On a hill above the town 16th centuryLekursi Castle is worth a visit for the viewsalone, and you can dine there.

Saranda is a very good base forexploration and has two UNESCO WorldHeritage sites within striking distance.Ancient Butrint is just a 20 minute to thesouth and should be seen. Theatmospheric and historic small town ofGjirokastra is an hour's drive to the northeast, and en route you can pass by theunusual Blue Eye spring.

For some fine beaches not too far fromtown, go to Ksamili near Butrint. It is a 15-20 minute drive and there are regularbuses. It is a popular spot for locals, has anumber of pretty small bays and beaches,and several islets just off-shore which youcan be taken to by boat (or even swim,some are so close). Good fresh fishrestaurants too.

The Albanian Riviera to the north enablesa stunningly scenic drive high above thesea, passing close to a number oftraditional villages. The road has beenimproved and it now takes only an hourto the small beach resort of Himara,where you can have lunch and a swim.This is one of the last significant stretchesof undeveloped coastline in the Med.

Albania is still rough around the edges sodo not expect the sophistication andservice you are used to receiving incountries that have been hosting northEuropeans for years. Although on a fastlearning curve, Albania is still one of thepoorest countries in Europe, so you willneed to go with an open mind.

That said, we believe a week herefollowed by a week at one of our Greeceresorts makes for an intriguing andcontrasting holiday experience.

Albania is now opening up to tourism and a visit here offers afascinating insight into a country that was closed to the worldfor much of the twentieth century.

Albania

ALBANIA INFORMATIONGetting to AlbaniaSunday flight Gatwick or Manchester to Preveza(Birmingham flights on request). Then 3 hours bytaxi (please note, on arrival will be one taxi fromthe airport to the Greek/Albanian border andanother taxi from the border to Saranda. Thereturn will be one taxi all the way Saranda toairport (or Greek resort if twin centre). An entryvisa is not required for UK passport holders. Forflight details see page 253.

Multi Centre OptionsAlbania can combine with Lefkas, Meganissi,Parga, Sivota, Hidden Greece Fly Drive, Sailing.Transfer times Saranda to Parga or Sivota c 2 hrs.Lefkas and Meganissi transfers will be via theairport. For multi-centre information see page 8.

Car HireSee page 250 for details.

RepresentativeWe have a local agent in Saranda who can giveany information and assistance required.

GeneralAlbania is 1 hour ahead of the UK, so 1 hourbehind Greece. Main towns have ATMs and thelocal currency is the Lek, but there are restrictionson taking Lek out of the country and may bedifficult for exchange so we'd recommend takingthe bulk of your spending money in the form oflow denomination Euros, which are widelyaccepted, and try not to be left with wads of Lekon the last day. Prices are generally lower than inGreece (we estimate by c 20%).

Recommended ReadingAlbania by Gillian Gloyer in the Bradt Travel;Guide series.

Blue Eye Spring, near Saranda

Saranda

Albania

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The Seaside is a little out of thecentre - a 25 minute walk or a shortbus ride - but this may be no badthing as the area, although still intown with restaurants nearby, isquieter and the beaches lesspopulated.

You are not actually on the sea here- in typical Albanian fashion thereare new buildings between thehotel and the sea now - but it is onthe sea side of the main road (whichis perhaps what they mean!). Andyou do get super sea views from theupper floors and, especially, the roofterrace.

The hotel has some style and ispersonally run and friendly. It has 29rooms, a mix of twins and doublesserved by a lift. They are attractivelyif simply furnished and comfortable,and all possess AC, TV, fridge,modern walk-in shower, hairdryerand a balcony, most with good seaviews.

There is a lovely roof-terrace bar,fashionably furnished with sofas andbright cushions (Wifi here), and awell regarded restaurant adjacent.Views are superb from this crow'snest position.

It is a 2-3 minute walk down a slightincline to the pebble beach here,which has a beach bar/cafe behindit, and you will find a good choice ofrestaurants within a 5-10 minutewalk of the hotel.

Centrally located in Saranda, set alittle back from the seafrontroad/promenade and an organisedpebble beach, the Brilant is amodern, comfortable town hotelwith good views from its upperfloors.

It has 34 rooms on its 6 floors,served by a rather fancy lift. Roomsare rather nicely done, with woodenfloors and warm decor. All possessdouble or twin beds, AC (central),TV, Wifi, fridge, nice modernbathroom with walk-in shower,hairdryer and balcony, and most are

spacious enough for a sofa-bed. TheSuperior sea view rooms are on thetop floor and we think worth payingthe extra for their panoramic viewsover Saranda and the bay to Corfu.

It is a minute's easy walk to theseafront road and the beach just theother side, and there are plenty ofrestaurants, cafes and shops nearby.Being so central there is a risk ofsome noise from a high seasonnightclub during July and Augustwhen Saranda is busy with thedomestic holiday market.

Brilant Hotel Saranda

The Hotel: 3 Stars PlusBed & BreakfastAir ConditioningFree Wifi

The Hotel: 3 Stars Bed & BreakfastAir ConditioningFree Wifi

Sea Side Hotel Saranda

Guideline price £ per personPrice based on 2-sharing a Standardroom for 7 nights including flightsfrom Gatwick and transfers. Prices forregional flights, single rooms andlarger parties on request.

Low Season Jul/Aug

Brilant Hotel £777 £906Please contact us for a firm costing.

Guideline price £ per personPrice based on 2-sharing a Standardroom for 7 nights including flightsfrom Gatwick and transfers. Prices forregional flights, single rooms andlarger parties on request.

Low Season Jul/Aug

Seaside Hotel £791 £876Please contact us for a firm costing.

Beach below Brilant Hotel

Albania

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Private ExcursionsFrom SarandaAs stated, Saranda is an excellent base fromwhich to explore this fascinating and historicarea. We can pre-book a range of privatetours to the best sites with your own guideand driver, picking you up from your hoteland avoiding the crowds. They do not costthat much more than a shared groupexcursion. Prices are per person (minimum 2persons) and include lunch.

Butrint & Lekursi Castle £45 ppAlbanian Riviera, Villages and Himara £67Blue Eye & Gjirokaster £69

We offer an in-depth 6-day tour with yourown guide and driver. The tour includes anovernight in Saranda at either end, coveringthe highlights of this fascinating region –three places on the tour are UNESCO WorldHeritage sites. The tour can be combined asa two-centre with Greece, with a week basedat any of our accommodation in Lefkas,Meganissi, Parga or Sivota. We can also offera shortened 4-day tour by missing out Tiranaon days 4 and 5.

ItineraryDay 1: Flight to Prevesa (Sunday). Transfer toSaranda and overnight.

Day 2: Guided tour to ancient Butrint. Visit toBlue Eye spring en route to Gjirokaster forovernight.

Day 3: Walking tour of Gjirokaster, includingthe castle and museum. Drive to Berat.Walking tour and visit to icon museum.Overnight Berat.

Day 4: To Tirana via Durres. Sightseeing tourof Tirana including the National Museum.Overnight Tirana.

Day 5: Drive to historic Kruja and explore thetown, castle and old bazaar. Overnight Tirana.

Day 6: Turn west towards the sea. VisitArdenica Monastery and the famous site ofApollonia. Then head for the coastal town ofVlora for overnight.

Day 7: Scenic coastal drive along theAlbanian Riviera to Himara, where you canhave lunch and a swim from the lovely beachhere. Afternoon drive to Saranda forovernight.

Day 8: Transfer to Prevesa Airport or to aGreek resort for your second week.

Notes on towns and main sites Butrint. Ancient Buthrotum. Important andimpressive Greco-Roman city, now a UNESCOWorld Heritage site, south of Saranda on abluff of land half-circled by a large lake.Inhabited continuously from the 7th C BCuntil abandoned in 18th C. Impressivecyclopean walls and deep well within thegate, reminiscent of Mycenae – but mostexcavated remains are Roman.

Gjirokaster. This fascinating and historicsmall town is also on UNESCO’s WorldHeritage list. Largely medieval, with somelovely architecture to admire reflecting thetown’s wealthy past, it is built on a hilloverlooking valley and mountains. Excellent

views from the large castle above, whichhouses a weapons museum! Some goodrestaurants in the narrow cobbled lanes ofthe old town.

Berat. Another member of the UNESCOclub, Berat is called ‘the town of a thousandeyes’ because of the many-windowed oldhouses that crowd above the river Osrumand up the hill. High along the ridge is a 14thC citadel, its walls enclosing no fewer thatfourteen small painted churches (hence thepresence of the famous Onufri iconmuseum). The Turkish influence may be seenin the town’s three mosques and tekke, alsoworth visiting.

Ardenica. 12th C monastery converted intoan inn, it occupies the whole of a rockyoutcrop amid pine and cypress trees and is alandmark visible for miles across the plain.The church, dedicated to the Virgin, ischaracteristically Greek, and has amagnificent iconostasis and high-qualitywall-paintings.

Apollonia. Another most importantarchaeological site. Founded in 588 BC byGreeks from Corinth, it rose to become arenowned cultural centre in the Romanperiod. Memorable are the elegant façade ofthe Bouleuterion and the great Stoa. Belowstands the beautiful 13th C church ofShenmari, built out of the antique stone.

Private Cultural Tours Of Southern Albania

Price GuidePrices are per person and include flightsfrom LGW (supplement for MAN andBHX), transfers, 3 star BB hotelaccommodation for 7 nights, 6 lunches(days 2-7), entrance fees. It is a privatetour with your own guide and driver.Single room supplement will be quotedon request.

2-3 persons Low Season from £1478 July/August from £1580

4 plus persons Low Season from £1269 July/August from £1547

We can also offer a shortened 4-day tour,as above but taking replacing Days 4-5(Tirana) with an extra 2 nights in Sarandaon BB at the start or end of the week.

2-3 persons Low Season from £1282; July/August from £1394

4 plus persons Low Season from £1066July/August from £1332

Gjirokaster

Ancient Butrint

Berat