Albania/Montenegro/Kosovo November-December 2021

Europe » Albania » West » Tirana
January 7th 2022

Published: January 15th 2022

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Kathy & Bernie Dougherty

Kathy Bernie

February 2020. We are still in Tucson, Arizona, well, often anyway. We continue our wanderings and enjoying our adventures. We haven't lived outside the US in awhile, but have lived in: Guatemala, Ecuador, the Netherlands (twice), Germany (twice) and South Africa. We have now traveled to well over 100 countries, but that doesn't mean we plan on stopping any time soon. ... full info

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Peja, Kosovo

In the bazaar there were wonderful traditional craftsmen; this cradle maker was amazing

Peja, Kosovo

Shop window - modern take on traditional clothing. Evidently traditional weddings are making a come-back, but with updated clothes.

Peja to Prizren, Kosovo

On the drive from Peja to Prizren was an Ottoman bridge, circa 1600 - not in use, but still in really good shape

Gjacova, Kosovo

On our way from Peja to Prizren we stopped for lunch in this lovely vineyard town

Prizren, Kosovo

Roman bathhouse from 1400s in center of Prizren

Prizren, Kosovo

Prizren had its castle too - not much remaining; more impressive from below

Kruja, Albania

From Prizren, Kosovo we drove back into Albania and the rest of our time was spent there. In Kruja at the local castle was the museum of Skanderbeg, Albania's hero for keeping the Ottoman Empire at bay for many years. He was eventually defeated and Albania was ruled by the Ottomans for several hundred years.

Kruja, Albania

In the museum of Skanderbeg, the hero of Albania, Bernard got to sit in his desk. Sanderbeg was a soldier, but also a scholar

Korça Bazaar antiques

Korça, Albania

Korça, Orthodox Christian Cathedral

Korça, Albania

Korça's museum of icons is said to the largest of its kind in the world

Pogradec, Ohrid Lake, Albania

We had been to Ohrid lake a few years ago, but on the N. Macedonia side

Berat, Albania

Barat is also known as the City 1001 Windows. Our guide told us that on one tour he kept pronouncing 'windows' as 'widows' as in "See how there are 1001 widows stacked on top of each other."

Berat, Albania

Barat Castle has people living in it, restaurants, etc., so still a 'living' castle

Baret, Albania

We loved our hotel in Berat as it was in the old city - this was the walkway to our room

Vlora, Bektashi Tequ

Bektashi Tequ - Bektashi is an off-shoot of Islam, but much more tolerant and the area around Vlora has the most of anywhere else. The Tequ is their mosque

Zvërnec Island, Albania

On our way to Llogara National Park we stopped at the ancient Monastery of St. Marry (13th Century). It isn't a functioning monastery now, but the chapel still functions. Lovely setting.

Zvërnec Island, Albania

Flamingos migrate through this area in the spring and fall. We actually saw a few stranglers at a distance

Llogara to Sarande, Albania

On the drive from Llogara to Sarande we stopped at Porto Palermo Castle, one of Ali Pasha's many strongholds. Most of the castles in Albania were first started by the Greeks or Romans, then the subsequent invaders built upon them. Could date from BC to 1800 AD

Sarande, Albania

Sarande is on the Albanian Riviera, on the Ionian Sea. The north part of Albania's coast is on the Adriatic Sea and the southern coast is on the Ionian Sea.

Sarande, Albania

In the middle of town are the ruins of a Jewish synagogue and an Orthodox basilica

27th January 2022

Jill Sare
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fascinating journey!
You guys find the most interesting, off-the-beaten-path destinations! Beautiful photos! Hope you are both feeling 100% now. Stay well!!

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Albania/Montenegro/Kosovo November-December 2021

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