Drive fron Athen to Tour S Albania

Hello

In early August we plan to drive from Athens to S Albania for a tour of about 7 days.

We plan to enter via Gjirokaster, see a bit of coast, Berat, Korce %26amp; out via Thessalonika.

Any advice as to best route (not easiest!) places to stay %26amp; eat!

Also places that are worth a visit.

We are interested in historic places, agriculture %26amp; beekeeping %26amp; countryside. (contacts welcome!)

All advice appreciated

Thanks

C in Kent UK

|||

For a start I would suggest considering entering from Perat rather than Kakavije . This would allow you to do the drive of the Vjoses valley including Permeti. Perhaps jump up to Tepelena and then to Gjirokastra if possible stay in the Ali Pasha room of the Hotel Kalemi.

Then by the %26quot;Blue Eye great place for a picnic, to Saranda ,Butrint and up the coast . Good stops would be Qeparo, Himara , Dhermi and Palermo castle. Vlore ,Apollonia and Berati.

Durresi (ruins) to Tirana . We stayed at bujtinashqiptare which translates to Albanian hostel. This is NOT Freddy%26#39;s Hostel though the owner has that name also. This was the cause of a great deal of confusion for us personally. The email address is bujtinashqiptare1@yahoo.com

This is the write up in Tirana in your Pocket.

Good budget accommodation in rooms spread across three buildings just north of the city centre. The rooms are basic but comfortable; facilities vary from room to room but all have private bathroom and TV. Also at Rr. Urani Pano 9/1 and Rr. Mehmet Brocaj.

8 rooms (singles €12, doubles €16, triples €25)

Tirana to Elbasan ,buy fruit up in these mountains it was the very best we found in all the country. Pogradec isn%26#39;t much but Driloni a few miles on toward the border with Macedonia is very lovely and Tushemisht just at the border offers good hotel on the lakeside. Korca ( you can also download Korca in your Pocket from the web). Visit the village of Darde Eat at one of the places in Boboshtice on the way, the church of ST. Mary%26#39;s in Mborje and the Archeology site a bit south at Kamenice .

This is more or less what we did in 7 days with a

car . We spent another 10 days without in the North

If you can try to get to Kruja. I not sure in your time frame it is possible but of all the cities we most liked Shkoder. Lastly the Albanians are a wonderful people . Warm , welcoming and helpfull.

I can be reached at nimrodjoh@yahoo.com if you want specific info. Allow me to suggest buying a guide

book. Bradt or the Blue guide are the two best.

Yours Nimrod