trip to Tirana and Korce with Mom

I am beginning to plan a trip for this coming June to Tirana and Korce with my 75 year old mother. She is a US citizen of Albanian parents, both from Korce, and has longed to visit her parents homeland for years. This June we will do it!

I am interested in your thoughts about hotels in either or both cities that would be comfortable for Mom (I am considering the Diplomat in Tirana and the Regency in Korce).

Also, getting to Korce. What aer your thoughts? I have read that the bus trip is 3-4 hours. Would a rented car or a private driver make better sense and be quicker? I lived in Macedonia for a while on %26#39;06 and rented cars often, but don%26#39;t know if the driivng is as safe in Albania as it is in Macedonia.

Any thoughts or ideas or recommendations will be most appreciated. Thanks and Happy New Year.

Beth

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My 82 year-old grandmother in law is from Korca and I have travelled there with her from Tirana several times. I would definitely advise having a private driver unless your mother is extremely sprightly for her age. Rental cars here are expensive and driving conditions are the worst I%26#39;ve ever seen (and I%26#39;ve been around!).

As for hotels, there are plenty of good ones in Tirana. The only limiting factor is your wallet. The Sheraton and Rogner are good, but expensive. The Diplomat is OK, but is kind of out of the way. In central Tirana I can reccommed the Hotel President or the Grand Hotel. In Korca, I%26#39;ve only stayed in a hotel once and it was fair at best. There are several new ones and it pays to ask around once you get there.

If you have other questions, don%26#39;t hesitate to shoot me an e-mail at sksintirana@hotmail.com.

Steve

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