We got a chance to go to Albania in June'24.
We drove from Tirana to Theth to do the Valborne trek. The air was to reach the Montenegro-Albania peak: Zla Kolata.
Location: Peak
The drive was stunning, through narrow roads that were only open during the spring and summer months.
We stayed at this stunning Guest House with beautiful views.
Location: Molla Guest House.
The trek was the trickiest we had ever done.
Luckily there was shade through the forest.
The 1795 meters peak!
On the walk back we were shattered.
The lone church in Theth.
We also went to Berat. The white Ottoman Houses were lovely when the lights came on.
The place gets extremely dry and hot during the summers. You can see the almost dry river.
We also walked about the town and went up the Berat castle. Get a taxi! Don't walk up!
Their food has a touch of Greece and Italy.
We also went up the Gjirokastra Castle and this time we drove there, rather than make the legs work madly hard!
Albania was part of the Soviet Union and you can see it through these castles and the soldiers standing next to the big guns! Some soldiers are really surprised: "That's a big gun!"
The Gjirokastra town from top of the castle.
We reached Sarande and then visited many beaches. The beach mafia is mad. You have to pay €30 for 2 beds and you get a drink. There is no place to put your towels, so one ends up giving €30 for the day. Good luck!
Atleast the drink was strong!
...and the sunset was gorgeous.
Off we then went to Tirana and we visited the spring pools.
I had never seen such a geographical event in my life. A river was formed right from that hole in the ground and it is surreal when one visits this place.
Tirana was decent city break and we loved walking around the Mother Teressa square.
The Bengalis of India, still call her "Ma".
Albania is visiting for it's mountains, but the beaches are average.
