On our trip to Albania, in June, we planned to visit the archeological site of Byllis. It was not easy to discover this place on the map of Albania. However, gathering internet data about cultural monuments in Albania, we succeeded in finding some information about this ancient city, whose remains are situated north-east of Vlore, […]
Balkans
ALBANIA: THE CHURCHES OF VOSKOPOJA
On our round trip through the southern part of Albania last month, we were very curious to visit Voskopoja, as this village was once the largest town in the Balkan region, after Istanbul.
LAKE OHRID – MONASTERIES, TROUT AND THE BAY OF BONES
Two weeks ago we visited Lake Ohrid in Macedonia. Of course, the town of Ohrid itself is the most popular tourist resort on the lake and all tourists coming from Western Europe (and in particular from the Netherlands) are interested in seeing the beautiful monasteries of St. John Kaneo, Plaošnik, the church of St. Sofia […]
THE MYSTIC MONASTERY OF ARDENICA
I have visited many Orthodox churches and monasteries all around Europe. They were often drenched in gold-leaf and full of precious icons, but none of them could match the beautiful icons and frescoes in the church of Ardenica. The monastery of Ardenica is standing on the highest hilltop overlooking the plains of Myzeqe, in the […]
ALBANIA: BLUE EYE, A PLACE OF LEGEND AND BEAUTY
I have visited Albania several times, but I still believe that one of the most beautiful and peaceful places in this country is “Blue Eye”, a water spring with blue water that bubbles from a stunning and more than fifty meter deep pool. Blue Eye, known in Albanian as Syri i Kaltër, is located on […]
BERAT: THE TOWN OF A THOUSAND WINDOWS
During our trip through Albania in May we also visited Berat, one of the country’s most beautiful towns. In 2008 it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as it is a rare example of a well-preserved Ottoman town. The road from Tirana to Berat is in rather bad shape. Most people use furgons, […]
TIRANA – CITY OF CONTRASTS
The first impression you get when entering Tirana, the capital of Albania, is the absolutely chaotic traffic. Cars, bicycles, pedestrians, lorries and donkey-cards are approaching you from all directions, using their horns at all times. There are hardly any signposts and drivers do not respect any traffic rules on the numerous roundabouts (probably most of […]
RURAL ALBANIA
When you travel to Albania, it is always a challenge to get off the beaten track, as only then you can learn more about the way people live here in their authentic environment. Last weekend we visited Tirana and Elbasan, but when we wanted to continue to the white town of Berat (UNESCO World Heritage […]
THE TREASURES OF ZLATIBOR
Most inhabitants of Podgorica have visited the idyllic area of Zlatibor in southwest Serbia at least once. It is situated mid-way on the road to Belgrade, at an altitude of 1,000 meters, and many Montenegrins spend their winter holidays there. I have been a fan of the Čigota wellness program in Zlatibor for several years […]
A VISIT TO OHRID, MACEDONIA
Are you already planning your next holiday trip in 2013? Maybe you could visit the charming town of Ohrid in Macedonia. It is easy to reach from Podgorica, as the road through Albania has been improved a lot. I spent a few beautiful days there in May last year, a period when the town is […]