By: Megi Llubani
“In the heart of the Mediterranean, on the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, Albania is fast becoming one of the world’s most interesting getaways. Still relatively unspoiled by globalization, tourists will notice an inspiring mixture of civilizations and cultures -making this European country truly unique.”
It comes as no surprise that the Albanian Riviera is by now widely known among foreign tourists. After all, according to Lonely Planet’s top 10 countries for 2011, Albania occupied the first spot.
“Not so long ago, when the Balkans were considered an ‘only for the brave’ travel destination only the bravest of the brave trickled into Albania. Since backpackers started coming to elusive Albania in the 1990s, tales have been told in ‘keep it to yourself’ whispers of azure beaches, good cuisine, heritage sites, nightlife, affordable adventures and the possibility of old-style unplanned journeys complete with open-armed locals for whom travelers are still a novelty”.
One of the jewels of this former secret is the beautiful Ionian coastline, which lies between Vlora (at Uji I Ftoht멠and Saranda. The way to Saranda is paved with all kinds of landscapes, mountains, canyons, a rich flora and fauna and the amazing blue horizon. Given these elements combined with Albania’s considerably frugal prices it seems only natural that the small Balkan venue has been receiving regular spots in tourist guides around the world.
Though the long drives to these southern destinations can be tiring, travelers are rewarded with the appearance of various gems offering respite for the weary.
The National Park of Llogara provides the first unforgettable stop. This park is about 1000 m above sea level and it stands in the border between Adriatic and Ionian Seas. The wooded mountain offers a breath of fresh air and summer breeze, welcome news during the often unbearable summer season. From the Llogara Pass, visitors can see the Ionian Sea, the sharp slopes of Vet쵩ma (Lightning) mountain and a good part of the Albanian Riviera. Adrenaline-rush seekers can even take advantage of paragliding which is offered from this location. After an exhilarating jump of the cliffs, enjoy the many restaurants and hotels.
Admittedly, after experiencing Llogara, it could be a bit upsetting leaving behind such beauties to continue your travels, but comfort will quickly come in the form of unspoiled beaches with white sand and crystal water combined with rocky cliffs and nature wonders. Immediately after leaving Llogara, Palas롢each will appear to the right– a long white line jewel of about 1.5 km which has unbelievably managed to remain untouched by hotels, bars, and mass tourism.
The ȩka Mountain looms large on one side of the village. The pride of the village is a 100 year-old plane tree around which the village centre is built. The village paints a charming picture: narrow roads paved with stone lead to quaint houses painted white, with small courtyards that are a burst of color with plenty of flowers and other shrubbery. It can serve as a landing strip for air sports enthusiasts.
Dh쳭i has an ancient history of creation. For example its name derives from Drimades, a Greek word that means Oak Forest. It is one of the oldest settlements in the area since it dates back to the seventh century, it was built atop of a few hills and has approximately 30 churches all of which have breathtaking view from the mountainside. You can find an open air-club called Havana Bar, but most importantly the sea here is crystal clear and it is thought to be one of the cleanest in the world. Walking through the beach you can find little pebble beach coves and rocky cliffs. From there you can get to other isolated beaches such as Drymades and Gjipe.
The most popular of beaches in Dh쳭i is Gjipe. The Canyon of Gjipe is situated between the villages of Ilias and Vuno. It represents a narrow strait, created by the activity of the brook flowing through its narrow pass. It measures over 800m long, 10-20m wide and possesses a few shallow caves. The cracks on the cliffs make it very difficult to climb down the walls of the canyon without professional equipment. Climbing up and down the Gjipe Brook is very dangerous because of falling rocks and is inadvisable. The scenery is amazing and close by is the beach of Gjipe with clean sand and sea, small caves and a rocky shore. To explore the canyon, drive towards the beach from the National Road (about 20 minutes) to Gjipe Beach and explore the bottom of the canyon from there. Accommodation and dinner is possible in the nearby villages of Vuno or Dh쳭i. For backpackers this is a perfect place to stay for the night, light a fire and hear the sound of the waves at night.
Though the places mentioned here are few in comparison to the many sites Albania has to offer, they provide magnificent starting points for further explorations. Serving as geographical landmarks, following this trail will guide you down the Albanian Riviera. So it back, buckle-up, and enjoy the ride.
