Must See Destinations In Albania

Here are my top reasons for why you should visit Albania

And here are some of my favorite Albanian destinations:

• Butrinti, Albania: UNESCO recognized ruins
• Bylis, Albania: The ancient city of Bylis
• Dhermi, Albania: The beautiful Albanian Rivera 
• Durres, Albania: A port city with so much more
• Fier, Albania: Apollonia Archeological Site
• Gjirokaster, Albania: A fortress and a military museum
• Kruja, Albania
• Petrela, Albania: Pellumbus Caves
• Shkoder, Albania: Rozafa Castle
• Ventian Mask Factory
• Thethi, Albania: The Albanian Alps
• Tirana, Albania: The capital city has a lot to offer
• The Communist War Memorial
• Valbona, Albania: Getting away from it all on the other side of the Alps
• Vlore, Albania: The Ruins of Orikum
• Voskopoja, Albania: Churches, churches, and more churches

And my favorite Albanian experiences:

• Anniversary Party:  November 2012 marked the 100th anniversary of Albania's independence and the entire month was one big black and red party.
• Arts: Whether touring a local ceramics studio where each piece of pottery is hand thrown and painted in traditional motifs and colors or visiting a mosaic artist in his studio arts are alive and well in Albania.
• Bunkers: Learning about Albania's Communist past through their quirky, concrete mushrooms.
• Coffee: Albanians love their coffee and regardless of where you are in the country, you are never far from a cafe.
• Communist Past: Albanians are only gradually beginning to talk about their Communist past. This exhibit at the National History Museum is both chilling and thought provoking.
• Food: The slow food movement has come to Albania but traditional Albanian food has always been both organic and slow
• Music: Traditional folk music tells the story of the country's rich history
• Olives: Albania is full of olive trees and attending an olive pressing was one of the highlights of my time there.
• Raki: The burn of this national fire water comes in making it (burning it) and drinking it.
• Exploring the wild: Getting off road and seeing rural Albania is like going back in time.
• Wine: Where there aren't olive groves there are vineyards and Albania has a developing wine industry. Visiting a small but growing winery is always fun.