MONASTERY OF SAINT MARY
(Turn off from the National Road is approx 12 kmnorth from Saranda – approx. 15 minutes)
Before beginning your tour in the seaside resort town of Saranda, be sure to stop by one of the city’s numerous local markets or shops to pick up fresh produce to enjoy at a picnic lunch along your day’s journey. Then head north to the Church and Monastery of Saint Mary at Kakome Kakome. Located in the Bay of Kakome, head north from Saranda until you see signs for Kakome beach. Follow the signs by turning right towards the sea, traveling an additional 20 minutes (4.5 km) to the monastery. This is a fortified monastery, comprised of residential buildings situated in the two corners of the courtyard, and the church dedicated to Saint Mary in the center. The nave is cross-shaped and the church has a dome-shaped roof. The nave is preceded by an arched narthex, at the front of which is a bell tower. The frescoes of the church were produced by a painter named Mihal, according to a 1672 inscription inside the church.
PICNIC LUNCH AT THE BEACH AT KAKOME BAY
(Approx 1 km west of the monastery – approx. 5 minutes on secondary and dirt roads)
From the monastery, continue to Kakome Bay and beach to enjoy a relaxing morning and early afternoon on its beautiful white beaches. The deepness of the Ionian Sea can make it rather abrasive at times, resulting in a steep fall-off from the sea shelf near the shore and waves up to four meters high.
BEACH TIME LOUNGING IN BORSHWITH DINNER AND OVERNIGHT
(Approx 30 km north of the Kakome turn-off -approx. 55 minutes on the National Road)
Spend some hours lounging on the beach in Kakome, or begin to head to your final destination for the day, the village and beaches of Borsh, one of the Albanian Riviera’s biggest and most important villages. Known as Meandria in ancient times, Borsh has plenty of green fields, beaches and sea shore. The village is located on a narrow pit formed by the delta of the Borsh Spring which comes out of a rock in the middle of the village. Upon arriving in Borsh, it would be wise to locate accommodations at one of the family-run guesthouses in the village. Look for signs that read: ” dhoma me qira”, or “rooms for rent”. Then relax on Borsh Beach or head to one of the cozy local caf顲estaurants for a simple yet filling meal. Be sure to order some olives, grown and cured locally in the nearby olive groves.
CASTLE OF BORSH
The next morning, take time to visit the Castle of Borsh where the only mosque along the Riviera is situated. Be prepared for a 15-20 min steep walk uphill to reach the castle from the main road. The Borsh Castle is an ancient fortification originally built in the fourth century B.C. by the Epirote-Illyrian tribes. The castle was heavily damaged during the barbarian invasions of the fifth and sixth centuries A.D., and it was rebuilt in the Middle Ages at which time it took the name of Sopoti Castle, before becoming known as Borsh Castle. In 1417 the castle was seized by the Ottomans who later restored it in the 18th century. The castle occupies a surface area of 5 hectares and is surrounded by large stone blocks which are three meters wide. The Borsh Mosque is the only monument of the castle that is almost fully preserved. In 1769, the commander of the castle, a supporter of Ali Pasha’s, conducted massive works that enabled people to live inside the castle. The inhabitants then erected a mosque near the main gate of the castle.
TRADITIONAL CUISINE IN LLOGARA NATIONAL PARK
(Approx 50 km north of Borsh – approx. 115 minutes on the Vlora-Saranda National Road)
From Borsh, head north along the Ionian Coast, zigzagging up the Vlora-Saranda National Road to the Llogara Pass and the Llogara National Park Park.
As the road turns away from the sea and climbs up into the mountains, roadside vendors sell honey, beeswax, olive oil and local brandy ( raki) to passersby. As you reach the top of the mountain near the entrance to the Llogara pass (910 m above sea level), turn back around and enjoy the breathtaking views of the Ionian Sea. A few wise investors have built cafes and restaurants for travelers to enjoy the view over coffee or a traditional snack of yoghurt with honey and walnuts or ” kos me arra dhe mjalt”. On a clear day, visitors may be able to see the Greek island of Corfu in the distance.
As you drive northward into the mountains, travelers will discover a wide selection of traditional Albanian restaurants restaurants, featuring southern Albanian cuisine. All restaurants are open year-round, with some offering lodging at attached tourist villages, hotels, and campgrounds. Even though the restaurants are located so close between the two seas, locals will advise you instead to try the freshly roasted lamb, served family-style with fried potatoes and a variety of mixed salads. Fresh pastas, vegetables, and a variety of fish and meats are also readily available. If you are looking for a lighter fare, try the traditional Albanian travelers’ menu of rice pilaf and beef stew or ” tasqebap dhe pilaf”.
After lunch, continue north through the Llogara Pass (910m above sea level), watching for a small sign indicating the Flag Pine National Monument ” Pisha Flamuri”. A marvel of nature, this 100 year-old pine tree, 20 m high and 75 cm in diameter, is shaped by the strong winds blowing north from the Ionian Sea through the Llogara Pass to the Adriatic Sea, shaping the tree’s limbs into the form of a flag. Travelers may choose to then spend the night in one of the mountain lodges of Llogara Pass, or continue out of the mountains down to the coast, staying in a guesthouse in the town of Oricum or in one of the seaside hotels in the historic Albanian city of Vlora.
This article was the join work of World Bank, UNDP, and the Albanian Ministry of Tourism
