Summer Flight Timetable for Flights to Albania
(Version 5 Effective 05 March 2021)
TOP NATURE DESTINATIONS
Theth National Park
Theth National Park combines the beauty of mountains with majestic rivers, stunning waterfalls and lagoons as blue as one could ever imagine. No mere picture will do justice to its true beauty, you must experience Theth in the flesh!
“Paradise is here, my good man. God, give me no other paradise!” This passage, from Nikos Kazantzakis’ Freedom and Death, rings particularly true when you find yourself in the midst of Theth National Park. Surrounded by rugged mountains, enwreathed with nature of the highest magnificence, Theth may resemble a postcard but this is as real as it gets!
Nestled amongst the Albanian Alps, Theth National Park covers a vast and sprawling area of 26.3km2. It must be said that Theth is not for the weak-hearted, and we do mean that! Getting there is the trick and any enthusiastic tourist can choose one of two quite varied journeys. The first is the most comfortable, this route is by car and takes you through Shkodra. You do get the views from your vehicle but it’s not exactly the full Theth experience. That brings us to the second journey, this one is by foot, it’s much more demanding but unquestionably more rewarding. This 6 to 7-hour journey involves climbing the Valbona Pass by foot, and do not take it lightly when we tell you, it takes you mountain high (literally and figuratively).
You’ve arrived, and here begins the part where you may need to pinch yourself. Two spectacular peaks loom above Theth National Park: Jezerca and the Accursed Mountains. Once upon a time the latter was famed for housing nymphs, goddesses and other mythical beings. To the more cynical minded traveller these myths might seem farcical, but what cannot be denied is the magical and otherworldly views that inhabit Theth National Park.
The gorgeous spectacle of the Shala River flowing and meandering through the area, is truly something to behold. You’ll find water features aplenty in the vicinity and it goes without saying that the Waterfall of Grunas (or Theth) is an impressive sight with a 30m high cascade of plunging water. The rugged and narrow canyon of Grunas in close proximity adds to the magical atmosphere, with crystalline waters running through it for more than a kilometre. Upon crossing the canyon, a 30 to 40-minute hike will take you into the heart of the village Ndërlys. It’s in this village that you will discover Vaskat e Gurit (literally ‘Stone Bathtubs’), awe-inspiring rock formations carved out by the Black River set amongst crystal-clear turquoise waters. Post-hike, there is no better place to take a refreshing dip!
The Black River descending from the village of Kaprre, creates yet another majestic pool: The Blue Eye of Theth. With a rich-blue hue and surrounded by lush greenery, it’s a magical sight. A calm stream descends from the mountains above, an abandoned tower adds a finishing touch to this gorgeous and remarkable location. Do not fear, there are plenty of rest spots along your journey where you can relax and recuperate some energy. Roast lamb, warm homemade bread, cheese, yogurt, butter, honey and all manner of homegrown fruits and vegetables are there for your mid-hike cravings, masterfully prepared and served by the families of the nearby guesthouses. This is feel-good Albanian food & hospitality, of which you will never forget.
The Blue Eye, Saranda
As unexpectedly spectacular as the coast of Southern Albania is (and it is magnificent!) what you would expect to see there are sights reminiscent of the Mediterranean more so than the tropics. Yet, as we know by now, Albania is the land of the unexpected! The country hides its own small tropical paradise, aptly called the Blue Eye (in Albanian: Syri i Kaltër). Perhaps the most breathtakingly beautiful sight in Albania, the Blue Eye is located about a 30 minute drive away from the coastal city of Saranda on the road to Gjirokastra (all places to see, by the way!). Surely, the surprise factor adds to the beauty of the entire experience. To find the tropics in Albania is no small feat!
Perhaps describing the multidimensionality and depth of this surreal beauty is futile, but one must try! The landscape leading to the Blue Eye uncovers this anomaly of nature as you will find yourself surrounded by palm trees, wild ferns and tropical plants, as well as dense, mountainous forest vegetation of oaks and sycamores, all at once! This vegetation is kept lush and glorious by the spring flowing down the mountain into the Bistrica River. A total of eighteen springs are dispersed along the site! The fresh water spring from the Gjerë (in English: Wide) Mountain flows into the Blue Eye and creates a natural pool with depths of about 50 meters. Or, so they say! The actual depth has not yet been determined. Many divers have tried to get to the bottom of it, to no avail.
This Blue Eye is intense! As you look into the center of this pool, you will begin to understand where the place gets its name. The deep blue sapphire waters of the center form the pupil of the eye and are surrounded by the vibrant emerald greens, teals, and turquoise of the iris. The eyelashes are formed by the surrounding vegetation. The waters, though deep and blue, are so crystal clear that they reveal the rocks and vegetation at the bottom. The water maintains an “only for the brave” temperature of no more than 10o Celsius (50o Fahrenheit). During the summer, many challenge the cold water temperatures by diving straight into the centre of the “eye.”
The Blue Eye is an oasis of fresh air and cool climate, a tropical paradise that can rival any in Venezuela or the Maldives! In the summers, it provides a shelter from the relentless sun of the southern coast. Alternatively, after the cool dip into the Blue Eye, you will want to revisit the warmth of the Ionian, where the Blue Eye also flows into. Lonely Planet calls it magical and hypnotic, Atlas Obscura breathtaking and mesmerizing. Those who have had the fortune of seeing the Blue Eye have felt god-like and omnipotent. And so will you!
Trust me, to paraphrase Nietzsche, you will gaze long at this abyss and it will definitely gaze back into you but what you will find here is pure beauty!
Valbone Valley
The Valbona Valley is one of rivers, spectacular waterfalls, and endless forests under the shade of the surrounding high peaks. In this spectacular setting, organic, farm-fresh products and clear air seemingly add years to your life. This natural wonder offers a rare sense of tranquility and beauty, that is not to be missed by those looking for the most awe-inspiring of Albania’s natural treasures.
Nature has been wonderfully generous with the Valbona Valley. Located at the very centre of the Dinaric Alps, some of the most impressive peaks are located here, including Jezerca (2694 m) and Kollata (2556 m). Meanwhile, the crystalline Valbona River flows for approximately 50 km along the valley floor, surrounded by beautiful beech, oak, and pine forests. Valbona Waterfall, located not far from Gjelaj Village, is another must-see whilst in the area! The Bajram Curri road towards the village of Shoshan, will lead you to Shoshan Canyon which hides another beautiful waterfall within. Other must-sees include Vrella e Shoshanit, Xhema Lake, near the Kollata peak, Haxhia Cave and Dragobia Cave, where the great national hero Bajram Curri was killed. As you’ll see, beautiful sights crop up around every corner of this awe-inspiring region.
Similar to many areas of Albania, in these mountainous zones, excellent hospitality has also been inherited by generations of locals across the centuries! When the time to relax approaches, you’ll feel right at home in the traditional bujtina, guesthouses built and managed by local families. Roasted mutton sausage, delicious goat’s meat, fresh trout, homemade pickled assortments, and fresh cheese are some of the culinary staples here. The homemade liquors and wines that you’ll also be offered in abundance are also delicious!
Recently, Valbona has also become huge attraction during the winter months. Many tourists head to Valbona to get involved with winter sports such as skiing, or to simply admire Valbona’s snow-covered beauty. Fortunately, special tours of the entire region include the mountainous village of Theth, as well. This way, you can visit two of not only the region’s, but indeed Albania’s most sought-after destinations within one adventurous trip!
Osum Canyon
The Osumi Canyon is a river canyon in southern Albania, near the town of Çorovoda. The river, which passes through the town of Berat, flows through the canyon. There are many underground passages and unexplored caves throughout the length of the canyon.
During the spring, high water from melting snow makes it possible to explore the whole length of the canyon from the river. The rapids are Class II, so one does not need prior white water experience to navigate them. At the end of the summer, when the water is lower, the full length of the canyon is not navigable, but there are various walks with opportunities for swimming in various pools and streams.
The edges of the canyon have an unusual ecosystem that preserves the greenery on both sides of the canyon year-round. Mediterranean bushes like heath and briar flourish along with rich flora and fauna. On the slopes of the canyon, erosion has created pockmarked cavern walls with small caves. Some of the rock formations in the canyon have fanciful names such as the Cathedral, the Eye, and the Demon’s Door. The canyons are 26 km (16 miles) long, at an altitude of 450 m. They are thought to have been formed 2-3 million years ago by water erosion.
It is generally thought that many years ago the river flowed underground, but over time the rock above the river disappeared, creating the current form of the canyon. In the gulf of this canyon that passes Osum River in both its sides, water flows come from different villages which pass in a rock chain. The local inhabitants tell many interesting legends, such as those of Saint Abaz Ali. The canyon includes six narrow sections ranging from 1.5 m wide in the riverbed up to 35 m wide further up the sides of the canyon.
Gradeci Canyon, the most beautiful and spectacular canyon of the valley of Osumi, stands close to the cave. It is 4 km long, 40 m high, and in different spots, only 1.5 m wide. Its slopes descend rapidly into the river. To reach the other canyons of Osumi, you must journey southward. These other canyons are located 3 km south from the town of Çorovoda. They are magnificent natural objects with a total length of 15 km. In this area, you can practice water sports like canoeing, rafting and kayaking. There are also several spots that serve as small beaches, such as Varishta.
Lake Koman
The north of Albania has been enjoying well-deserved accolades from international and local tourists in the last few years. It is slowly but surely claiming its rightful place at the top of travel lists worldwide. No wonder, with fairytale places like Theth, Valbona and Shala River!
The spectacular lake, a reservoir in the Drin River, is actually also fed by both the Shala and Valbona rivers. Stretching for an area of 34 square kilometers, from Koman Village all the way to Fierzë Village, the lake is home to 13 different species of fish, crustaceans and amphibians. The mostly narrow lake is nestled among the mountains of the Shkodra and Kukës regions. It is incredible that such a beautiful place is the result of a reservoir constructed in 1978 near the village of Koman.
Koman Village is thought to have been the place where the transition between the Illyrian tribe to the Albanians took place. The transition is otherwise referred to as Koman Culture, which existed between the 6th and 8th century A.D. in this village. The details of the tombs in the area, including objects decorating the tombs like earrings and rings, point to a uniform culture and to the continuation of the Illyrians on to the 9th century.
The cross-lake trip from Koman to Fierza lasts for less than three hours and is hailed as one of the top travel experiences in Albania! The ferry ride offers the most wonderful moving panorama of the untouched landscape surrounding the lake. At times narrow and surrounded by canyons and at others wide and expansive, the view on the ferry is full of gorgeous twists.
