The Travel Guides have set their sights on one of Europe’s best kept secrets, venturing into Albania for a Mediterranean getaway that proves you do not need a fortune to experience paradise. The journey began in the capital city of Tirana with a stay at Castle Konti, a flashy ten year old replica castle that sets an eccentric tone for the trip. To dive deeper into the local culture, the team attended Albanian Night, where they traded their usual attire for traditional costumes and joined in on immersive dance performances.
The group balanced their cultural festivities with some sobering history during a visit to the House of Leaves, the former headquarters of the secret police under dictator Enver Hoxha. After reflecting on the resilience of the Albanian people, things took a more culinary turn at a turtle farm in the hills outside Tirana. While some members of the crew learned the art of distilling fiery raki, others braved more daring delicacies, including lamb intestines and a whole roasted lamb head served as the centerpiece of the meal.
Heading south toward the stunning Albanian Riviera, the team settled in Saranda and explored the crystal clear waters of Ksamil. Though paying for sunloungers is a far cry from Australian beach culture, it remains a fraction of the cost found along the French coast. The relaxation was short lived however, as the guides quickly pivoted from sandy shores to high energy celebrations at a foam party at Foga day club.
Adrenaline fueled activities dominated the final stretch of the tour, ranging from paragliding off mountain peaks to tearing up the water in high speed jet boats. While Janetta thrived in the air and Matt and Brett enjoyed playing James Bond on the waves, Mark had a slightly less graceful descent from his flight. The adventure wound down in Gjirokaster, where the group spent their final hours mastering traditional embroidery and old school coffee brewing before heading home with unique souvenirs and memories of an affordable Balkan odyssey.
