I Love Albania

    BORSH      Borsh is a massive beach and at 7km, is the longest unbroken stretch in Albania. Everyone enjoys the dramatic vista as they come into town from the coastal road. The village is rather large thanks to the industry that has developed around the many olive groves in the area. Despite this, one of the best parts of Borsh is that it is still largely untouched by tourism development. The village is backed by high mountain peaks which add to the ambiance of this laid back village.                 : What are the top attractions to visit in Borsh? Borsh Beach Kalaja e Borshit Borshi Castle                 : What are the best day trips from Borsh? Riviera Tour Borsh-Qeparo-Himare-Porto Palermo-Vuno-Dhermi-Llogara Saranda Jeep Safari Adventure Hiking Borsh Albania. How to reach Borsh ? From Tirana bus station take a big bus or fargon (minibus) towards Sarandë. Jala (Jale) and Borsh is between Vlorė and Sarandë.

      DHERMI      One of the longest beaches on the Albanian Riviera, Dhermi is a tourist favourite for those looking for a slightly more upscale experience. Just up the hill from the beach is the village, filled with wonderful stone houses which bring to mind an idyllic bygone era. The beach itself is a pebble beach surrounded by coastal pine forests. You have the choice of enjoying the main beach that comes complete with amenities and people watching, or head to the outer lengths where the beach is more pristine and quiet. While you’re there, be sure to check out Hypapante Church, Panagia Monastery, The Pirates Cave, and Gramata Harbour.                 : What are the top attractions to visit in Dhermi ? Dhermi Beach Pirate's Cave Grammata Beach Canyon of Gjipe Saint Theodore Monastery                 : What are the best outdoor activities in Dhermi ? Dhermi Beach Pirate's Cave Canyon of Gjipe How to reach Dhermi ? Tirana International Airpor

     The Blue Eye 👁 SYRI KALTER      This is one of those natural wonders that captures our imaginations. And, okay, technically it’s not a beach – it’s a natural spring. But since it’s discovery travellers have been visiting and marvelling at The Blue Eye, trying to unlock its secrets. Water bubbles up to the surface at a surprising rate. No one actually knows how deep it is, as divers have only descended to 50 metres. And if those two facts are not intriguing enough, The Blue Eye is gorgeously, brilliantly blue. And no one knows why. Locals call it Syri I kalter and love to tell you the legends and origin myths surrounding the spring. Located near Muzinë in Vlorë County, the area around the spring is a nature reserve full of old oak and sycamore trees. This is a place for slowing down and enjoying Mother Nature to the fullest. : How deep is the blue eye in Albania? fifty metres The Blue Eye (Albanian: Syri i Kaltër ) is a water spring and natural phenomenon o

       KSAMIL      Just south of Saranda is the unofficial capital of the Albanian Riviera. Ksamil is often the first and most exciting day excursion. The beaches here are some of the only sandy beaches in the country and there are generally less people there. Many of the beaches are privately owned and charge a small admissions fee but it’s the perfect spot for those looking to be centrally located. There are three small islands just off shore and make for a fantastic boat ride or swim through brilliant turquoise waters. This is the place that many Albanians come to during the summer months. And just across the channel is Corfu, the nearest Greek Island to Albania. KSAMIL The most popular things to do in Ksamil with kids, are: Mussel Tour Bora Bora Beach Vivar Kanal See all kid friendly things to do in Ksamil What are the best outdoor activities in Ksamil? The best outdoor activities in Ksamil, are: Ohana Beach Bar Neasden Lane Beach Vivar Kanal Ksamil B

     SARANDA      Located in the south of Albania is Saranda. It’s a small town of about 30,000 and is one of the most visited places in the country. Though it’s not the best on offer when it comes to the beaches, it does make a perfect base camp to explore several beaches and other tourist stops like Butrint, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is where everyone starts. The food is good and cheap, it’s easily accessible, and has that ideal Mediterranean climate that holiday-ers crave. Enjoy a walk along the promenade and head up to Lekursi Castle for some fantastic views of the gulf. Nightlife in Saranda Walk the Xhiro. The classic promenade where young people spend the whole evening strolling. Go in the clubs along the beach. South of the town you can find the Mango Beach, one of the best clubs of all Albania. Romping in a club or in a night club. Relaxing with a beer. I Love Albania 

          What are the main Business in Albania? The country is rich in natural resources, and the economy is mainly bolstered by agriculture, food processing, lumber, oil, cement, chemicals, mining, basic metals, hydro power, tourism, textile industry, and petroleum extraction. The strongest sectors are energy, mining, metallurgy, agriculture, and tourism. Export goods:      apparel and clothing, footwear; asphalt, metals and metallic ores, crude oil; cement and construction materials, vegetables, fruits, tobacco Main export partners                   Italy 52.1%                                                           Kosovo 8.7%                                                           Germany 5.0%                                                           Greece 4.2%                                                           North Macedonia 2.8

      Albanian Visa for Visitors Entry stamp in Passport Visitors to Albania must obtain a visa from one of the Albanian diplomatic missions unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries or are qualified for visa-free entry. Entering with a passport is required. ... Passports must be valid for at least 3 months from the date of arrival. Holders of passports of the following 86 jurisdictions can enter Albania without a visa for a maximum stay of 90 days. All European Union citizens 🇪🇺 European Union * Bosnia and Herzegovina,North Macedonia,Montenegro,Liechtenstein,Kosovo,San Marino,Singapore,South Korea,Switzerland and other all European Union citizens may enter using a national ID card or Irish passport card. Air Albania Albanian Passport      I Love Albania

            The traditional dress of Albania uses wool, cotton, and silk, with embroidered patterns and symbols like the silver and gold Albanian eagle . Other symbols are pagan in origin and include moons, stars, suns, and snake s.  Each region has its own traditions and would be happy to explain the subtle differences.  If you’re looking for a good gift to take home, try buying a pair of Opinga – the traditional shoe worn by both men and women . Clothing for women consists of bright and colorful embroidery and rich  in detail. Older women still commonly dress in traditional wear. Clothing for men includes a white kilt, called a Fustanella and long pant, called Tirqe that are worn with a long sleeved jacket or vest and a white felt hat, called Qeleshe . I Love Albania wool, cotton, and silk, with embroidered patterns and symbols like the silver and gold Albanian eagle

      In Albania Raki is the national drink, but be warned! Raki can be produced by almost every fuit. This drink can be consumed before or after the meal and sometimes even in the morning while having a coffee. Alcohol by volume 40 - 50 %. Raki      Raki made out in the villages is equal to about three normal drinks.  If you’ve travelled in the Balkans, you’ve probably come across rakija or rakia.  But the Albanian versus is quite unique.  It’s an old school moonshine made from grapes that is incredibly strong. You’ll find it in most bars but be sure to pay attention to its source.  If it comes out of a repurposed plastic bottle or plain glass jug, you’re liking getting a home-brew likely to put hair on your chest (as the saying goes!).     Albanian Raki           I Love Albania

        Tirana , the capital is surprisingly sheik. For a country that’s had some stark years, the truly Albanian spirit can be seen in modern Tirana.  You might expect it to be dominated by grey concrete (like other Post-Communist European cities), but there’s a ton of green space and lots of colour. The inspiration behind the reinvention of the city is Edi Rama.  A painter and a politician, Rama was mayor of the city for 11 years (2000-2011).  Though some have criticized him for not paying more attention to infrastructure issues, most agree that the effects of having a lively city go a long way towards motivating people and inspiring even more change. I Love Albania

        Bunker is a defensive military fortification designed to protect people and valued materials from falling bombs or other attacks. Bunkers are mostly underground, in contrast to blockhouses which are mostly above ground.        Albania has over 750,000 bunkers spread out across the land.  They are hard to miss and can be a nice car game (Be the first to spot the bunker!).  They were all built during the dictatorship of Enver Hoxha in order to protect the country from an invasion.  An invasion which never actually happened.  Most are a bit of an eyesore and many Albanians dislike them because they are a reminder of 50+ years of isolation.  But a few have been repurposed into cultural museums, artistic canvases, and business ventures. Bunkers I Love Albania

          Currently, there are more Albanians living outside the country than living inside it.  As you travel around the Balkans, you’ll see tons of qeleshes – the brimless felt hats that are a part of traditional Albanian dress. The estimates range from seven to ten million Albanians living throughout Europe, primarily in Macedonia, Montenegro, Kosovo, and Greece. Only three million Albanians actually live within its borders.

         McDonald's Corporation is an American fast food company, founded in 1940 as a restaurant operated by Richard and Maurice McDonald , in San Bernardino, California, United States.         Tirana, the capital of Albania has a lot of things in common with other European capitals – except one.  It’s one of the only capitals without a McDonalds (another is Vatican City).  Tirana is the heart of the country with a vibrant and youthful atmosphere.  Post-Communist transformation is most apparent here.  It’s practically unrecognizable from its old self.  Primary colours decorate the buildings, more public squares and pedestrian streets, as well as new business and shopping. Check out Blloku where there are great bars, as well as the grand boulevard with interesting relics from the Ottoman Empire. If you’re in Tirana and find yourself craving an American style hamburger, check out Kolonat , an Albania fast food chain that has a logo suspiciously similar to McDonald’s.

                    The highest point in Albania is Maje e Korabit , or Golem Korab .  At over 2,700 metres, this peak sits directly on the border with Macedonia – making the highest point for both countries.  Golem Korab attracts many tourists, particularly outdoor adventurers.  From June to September, hikers and climbers make their way to this great peak for the challenge and the natural surrounding beauty. Maje e Korabit           Mount Korab is a physical border between Macedonia and Albania, where two climates collide - the mountain continental climate from Macedonia and the mediterranean from Albanian side, a nature fact which makes this hiking adventure to be a truly unique experience. This tour is a beautiful single day hiking adventure into the wild and remote mountain range of mount Korab, where the wilderness and the magnitude of the mountain will be really felt. Korab Technical details: Total length - 18km Vertical difference - 1314m Average time of the t

                The Ottoman Empire was a state and caliphate that controlled much of Southern Europe. The Albanian government has seen a lot of change.  The government declared independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912 .  Then, in 1939 , the country was successfully invaded by Italy.  Shortly after that, in 1944 , Communist loyalist took control.  For the next several decades, Albania aligned itself first with Russia (until 1960) and then China (until 1978).  Finally, in 1991 , the people were able to end 46 years of strife when they once again declared independence and established a multi-party democracy. Not surprisingly, the new government has faced some pretty incredible challenges like high unemployment, corruption, and a crippled infrastructure.  They’ve come a long way thanks to the indomitable Albanian spirit.

Sunday, May 10 Mother's Day 2020 in Albania 🇦🇱       Mother's Day is an occasion which is celebrated in various parts of the world to express respect, honor, and love towards mothers. The day is an event to honor the contribution of mothers, acknowledge the efforts of maternal bonds and the role of mothers in our society. Start her day by offering breakfast in bed,give her Flowers,give your Mom a Day Off,throw a Surprise Party,Spend a Day Together,Surprise her with a Lovely Gift,pamper her. This is a day to recognize and celebrate motherhood, along with all the wonderful things mothers do for us in our lives and in society. why Mother's Day is celebrated on different dates ?     Mother's Day falls on different days depending on the countries where it is celebrated. It is held on the second Sunday of May in many countries, such as Australia, Canada and the United States. It is held exactly three weeks before Easter Sunday in the United Kingdom. Don’t

         In 1995 a law was passed requiring citizens to pay taxes on traffic-lights in their home towns. The residents of Shkodra were taxed, just like all cities, but staged a protest.  Their reason?  Shkodra has no traffic lights.  It’s one of the oldest cities in Europe and the fifth largest in Albania. With a wonderful Old Town worth visiting, history buffs will love the restoration that’s happening.  Also, the Rozafa Fortress offers incredible views over the lake. About Shkodra      Shkodër or Shkodra is a city in northern Albania. It is written as Scodra in Latin , Scutari in Italian , İşkodra in Turkish , Скадар in Serbian and Skoutari in Greek .  Shkodra, it is one of the oldest cities in the country, founded in the 4th century B.C. as the center of the Labeat tribe of Illyrians known with the name Scodra. The earliest signs of human activity in the land of Shkodra can be traced back to the bronze age . The favorable conditions on the fertile plain, around th

     The heroine of Albania is Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu .  Better known to the rest of the world as Mother Teresa .  She was born in Skopje, which is now a part of Macedonia , and is one of the most beloved religious figures of the 20th century. She is the only Albanian to win a Nobel prize.                             Mother teresa's quotes There are no great things, only small things with great love . Happy are those. Peace begins with a smile. Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies. Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier . Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless. If you judge people, you have no time to love them. If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one. Each one of them is Jesus in disguise. Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love. I have found the paradox that if I love

        The country endured an occupation by Italy just prior to World War II. After the collapse of the Axis powers, Albania became a communist state, the Socialist People's Republic of Albania, which for most of its duration was dominated by Enver Hoxha (died 1985).         When the communist era ended in 1991, there were roughly three million people in the country but only 3000 cars.  Communism isolated the country and for a long time, only Party officers were permitted to use cars.  In the years since, many more cars have come into the country, and the national preference appears to be Mercedes .  Blame it on the late start in getting behind the wheel, or just cultural proclivity, but be warned, Albanians have a reputation for being some of the worst drivers on the planet.  Not only are the roads in less than ideal condition, and not only are the cars barely drivable (think no headlights), but the drivers themselves seem to be following individualized rules of the r

              You’re likely to notice a large number of scarecrows in odd places .  Albanians believe that a scarecrow placed on a home or other building while it’s under construction will ward off envy from the neighbours. Sometimes you’ll see a teddy bear serving the same purpose.  The odd part is that the scarecrow or the teddy bear will be impaled on a rod or hung by a rope like a noose.  Some also say that these talismans bring good luck     The common form of a scarecrow is a humanoid figure dressed in old clothes and placed in open fields to discourage birds such as crows or sparrows from disturbing and feeding on recently cast seed and growing crops. In the United States , immigrant German farmers made human looking scarecrows called “ bootzamon ,” which later changed to bogeyman . They were dressed in old clothes with a large red handkerchief around their necks. Native American tribes across North America used scarecrows or bird scarers, mostly adult men. In

   The majority of Albanians are Muslim .  About 70% at last count.  A 2011 census shows that about 60% of Muslims are practicing Sunni and Bektashi Shia , making it the largest religion in the country.  About 17% are Christian , which makes it the second largest religion, and another 17% are either undeclared or atheist.       Islam in Albania mainly arrived during the Ottoman period when the majority of Albanians over time converted to Islam and in particular two of its denominations: Sunni and Bektashi (a Shia-Sufi order). Following the Albanian National Awakening ( Rilindja ) tenets and the deemphasizing of religion during the 20th century, the democratic, monarchic, and later the communist governments followed a systematic dereligionization of the Albanian nation and national culture. I Love Albania

        When an Albanian is agreeing with you, he or she will shake their head, and when they are disagreeing with you they will nod.  Be warned and avoid confusion.  Yes means No and no means yes. Interesting Facts about Albania Psychological facts about nodding head Psychologists believed that just as smiling can make a person feel happy, nodding could encourage positive thoughts. It isn't that simple, say psychologists Richard Petty of Ohio State University, Columbus, and Pablo Briñol of the Autonomous University of Madrid in Spain. Petty and Briñol asked undergraduates to listen to various radio editorials through headphones while either nodding or shaking their heads. As expected, students who nodded during an editorial that made convincing arguments agreed more strongly with what they had heard than those who shook their heads. Surprisingly, students who listened to an editorial that made poorly reasoned arguments had the opposite reaction: Instead o

                     In the evenings, the locals like to walk .  But it’s not just a walk.  Known as xhiro , it’s an official evening walk where every resident comes out to stretch their legs and catch up with their neighbours.  In many towns, the roads close to cars for certain hours! Apartment blocks empty and everyone gathers at various places, walking and talking until nightfall. evening walk                          Evening Walk Benefits        Simply walking more often can help you lose weight and belly fat , as well as provide other excellent health benefits, including a decreased risk of disease and improved mood. In fact, walking just one mile burns about 100 calories . 1. You are in the peak period for body temperature. 2. Muscles are warm and flexible. Perceived exertion is low. You may be able to work out harder or faster. 3. Evening exercise can help regulate the amount of food you feel like eating for dinner. 4.Stress relief after a day at work, s