On the morning of my last day in Albania, I caught a bus from Berat to Tirana, the…
Times visited: 1
Cities visited: Gjirokastra, Saranda, Berat and Tirana
Villages visited: Ksamil
UNESCO sites visited: 2/4
In the midst of a busy university semester in 2017, I unexpectedly found myself with four days off in a row from both studies and work. I knew I had to make the most of the break – and I wanted to go somewhere new. With my heart set on Eastern Europe, I started browsing flights and quickly landed on an intriguing idea: Albania. At the time, I knew very little about the country, but the more I researched, the more excited I became. It seemed like the perfect hidden gem for a March getaway.
Though four days wasn’t nearly enough to see everything on my growing list, I was determined to make the most of every moment. I barely slept, caught early morning buses, and walked from sunrise to sunset. In that short time, I managed to explore four incredible cities and towns, visit the impressive archaeological site of Butrint, and catch a beautiful sunset in Ksamil. The pace was intense, but the experience was deeply rewarding. I met warm and welcoming people, and came away with a genuine appreciation for a country that remains one of Europe’s least visited.