Albania - any good?
Discussion
Has anyone been on holiday to Albania? Someone was waxing lyrical in the pub the other week and the pics looked great but I can't remember where they said they stayed.
Some resorts look like a five hour drive from Tirana and some look like they are a ferry ride from Corfu.
Any recommendations?
Some resorts look like a five hour drive from Tirana and some look like they are a ferry ride from Corfu.
Any recommendations?
Pincher said:
Has anyone been on holiday to Albania? Someone was waxing lyrical in the pub the other week and the pics looked great but I can't remember where they said they stayed.
Some resorts look like a five hour drive from Tirana and some look like they are a ferry ride from Corfu.
Any recommendations?
Go to Greece or Montenegro.Some resorts look like a five hour drive from Tirana and some look like they are a ferry ride from Corfu.
Any recommendations?
)Went a few years ago, only saw Tirana and some of the surrounding area but it's a country developing at a rapid rate with some huge investment going on.
Naturally stunning, it's mainly a mountainous country except for the coastal area and when you head inland by about 20 miles.
Architecture is a mixture off Ottoman, Italian, communist and some very modern dramatic buildings.
You will see some genuine 3rd world poverty in places, along with subtle hints of the mafia if you are observant enough. Food, weather and people are fantastic. Meals were around £5 and beer was £1.50 for the local stuff (rather bland tbh) homemade wine was £5 for a litre in a local restaurant. Nightlife was surprisingly vibrant with plenty of swanky cocktail bars etc but the locals really do not drink much, everyone smokes like an absolute chimney including bus drivers and waiters.
Naturally stunning, it's mainly a mountainous country except for the coastal area and when you head inland by about 20 miles.
Architecture is a mixture off Ottoman, Italian, communist and some very modern dramatic buildings.
You will see some genuine 3rd world poverty in places, along with subtle hints of the mafia if you are observant enough. Food, weather and people are fantastic. Meals were around £5 and beer was £1.50 for the local stuff (rather bland tbh) homemade wine was £5 for a litre in a local restaurant. Nightlife was surprisingly vibrant with plenty of swanky cocktail bars etc but the locals really do not drink much, everyone smokes like an absolute chimney including bus drivers and waiters.
I guess if you've done the usual med locations it's somewhere new, but it depends what you want from a holiday. If it's nice hotel, pool, beach, few bars/restaurants - there's got to be better places in the usual Euro haunts.
On the other hand, if getting out and about, and exploring a little further than a typical package excursion, why not? I suspect though, even going slightly left field for a holiday, there's loads of other places a bit more proven. I'm always up for something new but, Albania? - just doesn't appeal.
On the other hand, if getting out and about, and exploring a little further than a typical package excursion, why not? I suspect though, even going slightly left field for a holiday, there's loads of other places a bit more proven. I'm always up for something new but, Albania? - just doesn't appeal.
I've spent a few weeks in Albania in 2023 and I really enjoyed it. The coastal parts aren't really my thing but some of the areas are surprisingly nice, lots of |Italians have started to holiday there including the Italian PM I believe.
Albanians can be a bit enthusiastic and noisy so choose your resort/hotel carefully
The countryside is lovely, mountains, lakes etc The food and drink is cheap and good, plus the locals are truly lovely if you're lucky enough to get to know some. Just don't agree to a traditional Albanian breakfast......
Albanians can be a bit enthusiastic and noisy so choose your resort/hotel carefully
The countryside is lovely, mountains, lakes etc The food and drink is cheap and good, plus the locals are truly lovely if you're lucky enough to get to know some. Just don't agree to a traditional Albanian breakfast......
Please stay out of the sun, as it appears to have sapped your SOH. That is assuming you had one. We went to the Melia hotel in Durres last year, it was actually a really nice hotel and they seemed to care about the experience.
Probably not hurt by the fact that it was the miss universe pageant!
We mentioned to guest services about the music being the same 8 songs around the pool, so they made us a new playlist.
We also complained that the sports bar atmosphere was ruined somewhat by the angry rap music that was being played every night, so they changed the bar staff
It’s funny, you run 15 mins down the beach and it turns into something out of an apocalypse movie, smashed up sun loungers and parasols etc.
Probably not hurt by the fact that it was the miss universe pageant!
We mentioned to guest services about the music being the same 8 songs around the pool, so they made us a new playlist.
We also complained that the sports bar atmosphere was ruined somewhat by the angry rap music that was being played every night, so they changed the bar staff
It’s funny, you run 15 mins down the beach and it turns into something out of an apocalypse movie, smashed up sun loungers and parasols etc.
https://cyclealbania.com/unesco-tour/
this was the tour I did in 2022.
Mid June TBH it was a bit warm, well organised, locals were friendly and we saw a massive variety within the country.
this was the tour I did in 2022.
Mid June TBH it was a bit warm, well organised, locals were friendly and we saw a massive variety within the country.
james6546 said:
We went to the Melia hotel in Durres last year, it was actually a really nice hotel and they seemed to care about the experience.
Probably not hurt by the fact that it was the miss universe pageant!
We mentioned to guest services about the music being the same 8 songs around the pool, so they made us a new playlist.
We also complained that the sports bar atmosphere was ruined somewhat by the angry rap music that was being played every night, so they changed the bar staff
It s funny, you run 15 mins down the beach and it turns into something out of an apocalypse movie, smashed up sun loungers and parasols etc.
The Melia is on the site of a Young Pioneers hostel from the Hoxja era, but has been nicely developed. IIRC, either side of it are state owned facilities that are not, as you suggest, the nicest. Probably not hurt by the fact that it was the miss universe pageant!
We mentioned to guest services about the music being the same 8 songs around the pool, so they made us a new playlist.
We also complained that the sports bar atmosphere was ruined somewhat by the angry rap music that was being played every night, so they changed the bar staff
It s funny, you run 15 mins down the beach and it turns into something out of an apocalypse movie, smashed up sun loungers and parasols etc.
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