Albania | FindPenguins

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Trip start
June 16, 2025
Albania Traveler
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Day 1 arrival
June 16 in England ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C
Early start this morning from Heathrow but flight on time so all well .
First impressions of Albania are that it is trying hard to shake off its past communist image with lots of building going on , including a new facade to airport .
2.5 hour drive to Vlore, not particularly inspiring scenery but quite green and some interesting salt flats .
We are on sea front in Vlore . 4 star -Albanian style hotel ! But people very nice and want to impress . Have a nice herd of goats in field opposite my room . Interesting group of people on trip!Read more
Traveler Bit Brutalist
6/19/25Reply
TravelerDo a lot of brutalist!
6/19/25Reply
Traveler Does not look over-touristed so that’s promising.
6/19/25Reply
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Albania Traveler
Day 2
June 17 in Albania ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C
This morning we traveled to a small former monastery reached by a wooden bridge .
Saw one of the 75000 nuclear bunkers built by the dictator who was paranoid the west was going to drop nuclear bombs on Albania. Then into the city of Vlore . Not the most interesting place I’ve been too but the old area had some interesting mosques and statues commemorating independence at some point in time .
Grey skies this afternoon but opportunity to relax with book on beach as still very warm . Nice walk along the prom this evening returning from restaurant.Read more
TravelerIt looks a very large group.
6/18/25Reply
Traveler30 of us!
6/18/25Reply
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Albania Traveler
Day 3 - Boat Trip
June 18 in Albania ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
Early start with a boat trip first to Sazan island . Lots of old defunct Russian miltary hardware littered around . I opted not to walk up to the ruined village ( I believe I didn’t miss much ) but instead had a pleasant swim in the Ionian Sea. Island about to be leased to Donald trump company so luxury resort can be built here !
Then on to look at a large cave - formerly used by pirates and then lunch on a nice beach and another swim .
Lots more bunkers littered all over the peninsula.Read more
TravelerI do like a good boat trip and a swim in the sea.
6/19/25Reply
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Albania Traveler
Day 4 - Berat
June 19 in Albania ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C
Long drive to the UNESCO site of Berat. Had a walk around the castle which is a wall really on a hill with a village inside . Interesting churches . Learnt about the history of Albania which really comprises through the centuries of them being regularly invaded by the Italians , Slavs, Greeks and Turks. Followed by a strong liaison with Russia .
Then on to the Pupa winery, 3 wines and raki ! Lovely lunch . Then back to Berat to see the old town , it’s known as the City of a thousand windows. Also went in an old mosque . Very hot day !Read more
TravelerLovely view of the country side. Also the pictures and carpets .xx
6/19/25Reply
Lovely. Did you like the raki? A bit like rocket fuel, we thought! [Judith Bolton]
6/20/25Reply
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Albania Traveler
Day 5
June 20 in Albania ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
Free day today . So I took myself off to a hotel further away from the city where the water was cleaner and had a day next to the beach . Nice to sit and read my book .
This evening was a traditional meal followed by traditional dancing and yes I joined in! The music was quite catchy and the dress was very Greek .Read more
Looks lovely and peaceful. 😎 [Jane x]
6/21/25Reply
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Albania Traveler
Day 6
June 21 in Albania ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
Today we headed over the mountains south to a different part of Albania ( and if I’m honest what I expected Albania to look like ) through the Llogara National Park - lovely mountains and glorious beaches . We stopped at the top of the mountain pass to see the panoramic views , with paragliders and corfu in the distance .
Then on to Ali Pashas castle at Porto Palermo- not a nice chap killed both his sons and ordered that his wife be killed on his death so no other man could have her , but built a pretty impressive castle for her when she was alive.
Nice lunch then a look around the seaside resort of Himare. Then on to an early supper in another vineyard and more wine tasting .Read more
TravelerLovely views of the mountains and beaches
6/22/25Reply
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Albania Traveler
Day 7 Apollonia
June 22 in Albania ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
Today for me was a highlight as we visited Apollonia , about an hours drive away . We saw the Byzantine church on the site and the Roman ruins built 2000bc . They realise that there is so much more to excavate, acres in fact . What we saw was great and the museum had some of the best antiquities I’ve seen .
What was a surprise was that there was another bunker right in the middle of it , but that’s Albania for you!!
We then went to a family bakery for the local delicacy of barek ( filo and spinach pie) .
Back to the hotel and I spent a few hours on the beach followed by our farewell drinks and mealRead more
TravelerLooks like you have had a fabulous trip. Safe journey home xx
6/23/25Reply
Safe journey home xx [Jane]
6/23/25Reply
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Trip end
June 23, 2025