Trying to find a souvenir from Albania that isn’t a fridge magnet can be harder than it sounds. I’ve lived in Albania since 2017, and my favourite finds include a handmade ceramic vase near Mrizi i Zanave and a pair of pupa I bought from a shepherd in Theth. The best ones are rarely in…
If you’re wondering whether Korçë is worth the 3-hour drive from Tirana, I was wondering the same thing before I finally went. I was pleasantly surprised, and I still think about the qofte I ate in a little restaurant in the old bazaar. Not everything lived up to the guidebooks though, and the famous brewery…
A common question for travellers coming to the Balkans is, is Albania safe? I have been travelling and living in Albania since 2017, so I feel I am equipped to answer this question! When talking about Albania there are so many negative misconceptions mainly coming from the movie Taken or events which happened in the…
If you follow my travel website Anita Hendrieka then you will know that I’m based in Albania currently. I have been living in Albania since 2017 and now I have a permanent residency visa. There’s an abundance of reasons why I choose to live in Albania. In my opinion, Albania is the best location in…
Working out how to get from Tirana to Saranda can be confusing, because there’s no train, the bus terminal is a car park on the edge of the city and the timetables change all the time. I’ve lived in Albania since 2017, and I’ve done this trip many times, by bus and by car. The…
If you’re planning the Theth to Valbona hike, you probably have a long list of questions about the trail, guides, water and where to sleep. I did the hike at the beginning of October, and it took us just over 8 hours because we kept stopping for photos and the drone. I’m not an avid…
Theth is one of the most beautiful places in Albania, but working out how to get there from Shkodër can be confusing. I had lived in Albania for two years before I finally made it to Theth, and the views on the way in took my breath away. The tricky part is that the van,…
Planning a trip to Theth can feel overwhelming when every hike, guesthouse and road update online seems to say something different. I spent two nights in Theth in October, hiked to the Blue Eye, bought a pair of pupa from a shepherd and then walked over the pass to Valbona. Theth is one of the…
Albania is one of the most beautiful Balkan countries because of diversity and hospitality. You can hike in the Albanian alps, relax in crystal clear waters or visit one of the many UNESCO sites and cities. As I have been living in Albania for 2 years now, I have plenty of great recommendations on places…
Planning a few days in Tirana and not sure what’s actually worth your time? I’ve lived in Albania since 2017, and Tirana is where I go for rakia at Komiteti, a traditional meal at Oda and the cable car up Mt Dajti. The city has had a huge makeover in the last few years, so…