It’s always in the last place you’d look, isn’t it? That thing you’re searching for.
Say you want to take a dip in the turquoise waters of the Ionian Sea but also have some Ottoman history to explore after you dry off.
Then again, perhaps you need find the most seamless destination to pair with Greece or one that offers a new twist on its sun-kissed charms.
Or maybe, you just want to see what happens when Balkan and Mediterranean cuisines collide and the explosion of flavors that they produce.
In that case, look no further, because you’ve just found Albania, and Travelive is already there.
Something That’s Hard to Come By
“What is it that confers the noblest delight? What is that which swells a man’s breast with pride above that which any other experience can bring to him? Discovery! To know that you are walking where none others have walked; that you are beholding what human eye has not seen before; that you are breathing a virgin atmosphere.” Mark Twain
America’s greatest humorist may have been known for his jokes, but Mr. Twain sure knew how to drop some wisdom here and there.
Of course, back in his times, true discovery was probably a much more common thing. In our day and age, however, with much of the earth chartered and within easier reach, finding something completely new has become a luxury.
Yet that is a luxury that Sanja and Kristal from Sales, Miracle from Reservations, and Nikol from Support recently got to experience on an internal FAM trip to Albania, which took them through some of the country’s most fascinating destinations.
What did they find? Well, let’s find out, so to speak.
Initial Findings
Every destination has a gateway, and in Albania, that title belongs to Tirana, the country’s vibrant capital.
A city of contrasts, Tirana carries itself with pride and dignity, boasting plenty of history and even more heart. And our team got to reveal it through some of its most insightful highlights.
At Bunk’Art 2, a former underground nuclear bunker turned museum, Sanja, Kristal, Miracle, and Nikol stepped into one of the country’s most difficult chapters, exploring Albania’s communist past through a place that once stood as a symbol of the regime’s anxieties.
Back above ground, the atmosphere shifted at Skanderbeg Square, where the country’s striking red flag flies proudly near a statue of its national hero, Gjergj Kastrioti. Surrounded by landmarks including the Et’hem Bey Mosque, the National History Museum, and the Palace of Culture, this is where Tirana’s proud heart beats with the pulse of both past and present.
Speaking of the past, beyond Tirana, Berat awaited our team as a town stuck in time and happy to be so. Known as the City of a Thousand Windows, its distinctive Ottoman-era houses climbing the hillsides in tiers and giving nightmares to window washers worldwide.
While there, they got a chance to explore the striking Berat Castle before setting off on a guided walking tour through the historic center, wandering down cobblestone streets that set a new standard for the phrase. All before getting a taste of the region’s wine and olive oil, because what Mediterranean escape is complete without both?
Looking a Bit Deeper
From Berat, the team headed further into the past at Gjirokastër, a city that dates back to the Byzantine era and flaunts Albania’s Greek heritage from almost 1,000 feet above sea level. Talk about standing tall and proud!
Known as the City of Stone, this UNESCO-listed town is certainly set in it, with Ottoman-era tower houses, slate-gray rooftops, and winding cobblestone alleys offering any budding geologist a perfect place to live. Overlooking it all, Gjirokastër Castle reveals sweeping views across the Drino Valley, while the Old Bazaar keeps local handicrafts close at hand for souvenirs.
After grabbing a few keepsakes, the team continued south toward Sarandë, making an obligatory stop at the renowned Blue Eye. Fed by a natural spring, this vivid blue pool is known for its jewel-like colors, almost inviting visitors to take a dip, though its famously cold waters may be best admired from the shore.
Along the Albanian Riviera, mountains descended toward secluded bays and crystal-clear waters. At Llogara Pass, boundless vistas united rugged peaks and the Ionian coastline. And once they reached Vlorë, the team also saw the Adriatic and Ionian seas meet to compare their turquoise hues.
All of this before Greek and Roman ruins revealed more of Albania’s layered past at Apollonia Archaeological Park, while the religious frescoes of Ardenica Monastery offered a glimpse into its timeless spirit. Meanwhile, at Zvërnec, a wooden bridge led the team across the lagoon to a tranquil island monastery surrounded by pine trees. And no, we don’t know if it creaked along the way or not.
Finally, Durrës brought all that history to the coast, with its Roman amphitheater giving Albania the perfect cue for a standing ovation.
Something Worth Holding Onto
Remember that destination you were looking for? The one where Ottoman history meets Mediterranean charm, mountain peaks give way to turquoise shores, and every turn reveals something unexpected?
We think Travelive’s team may have just found it.
And with a deeper understanding of the destination and fresh inspiration gained during the trip, Albania by Travelive is now better equipped than ever to help your travelers venture beyond the familiar and find their own reasons to fall for this fascinating corner of the Mediterranean.
So, if your travelers are looking for something new, contact Albania by Travelive at albania@travelive.com and give them a discovery worth holding onto.