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Friday, 03 September 2010

Featured Destination


Balkans
Greece and Albania: In the Kingdom of Ali Pasha

While travelling through the Balkans, Morelle Smith gets to know the infamous Ali Pasha, the “Lion of Ioannina.” First through the eyes of nineteenth-century writer Dora d'Istria and then through the impressive architectural heritage he left in Albania and Northern Greece. And she falls for his charms. And how could she not, knowing how fiercely Ali Pasha treated the women who turned him down? Full Story


Epicure


Balkans
Balkan Culinary Wars III: Other People’s Meatballs

Ćevapčići from Leskovac, köfte from İzmir or Bulgarian kebapche? Greek keftedes too, please!
Full Story



Routes Less Travelled


Albania
Albania: Four Reasons to Visit Europe's Least Known Country

Last fall, at the World Travel Market in London, I found myself wandering through the European stands and played a little game with myself. I decided to visit the stand of the country I felt least likely to visit next year and see if they could change my mind.

Albania was top of the list, as I had a picture of a country still recovering from its communist years, with a bleak capital of Tirana blighted by concrete architecture. Full Story

Albania
Byllis, Albania: Ancient City in the Sky
Albania
Albania: Monastery at Mesopotam, Photographed by Massimiliano Fusari

Curiosity Chest


Albania
Bunkers in Albania Converted into Hotels and Bars with Stunning Views

18 May 2010 | In Albania, projects to convert some of the 750,000 bunkers built during Enver Hoxha’s totalitarian regime and scattered all over the country into hotels, cottages and bars are underway. Full Story




Hidden Sofia


Bulgaria
Sklada: The Space that Stores and Showcases Contemporary Design

Its short manifesto, called “The diary of a Sofia neo-nihilist,” reads: “In reference to Sofia, nobody can claim anymore that it is a place of underdeveloped primates isolated from the world. Sklada turned all that around…” Full Story

Bulgaria
Before and After: A Tango Milonga in the Midst of Sofia
Bulgaria
Vlaykova: Sofia’s Old School Cinema

Hidden Bulgaria


Bulgaria
Bulgaria in 5 days: Shumen, South of Nowhere

Patriotic ruins, a Coca Cola-branded mosque, a “stud factory” and a capsule, containing a message for future generations: these are only part of modern Shumen’s surprising charms. Full Story







Balkan Coasts & Mountains


This July, Splash Around in Four Lakes and a Dam Throughout the Balkans

Balkans

As the summer comes into full swing and the temperatures in the region become unbearable, most travellers and holidaymakers to and around the Balkans head to the region's coastal resorts along the Adriatic, the Mediterranean, the Aegean or the Black Seas.
Full Story

The Blue Eye Water Spring in Southern Albania Beckons with Coolness


Balkan Towns


Gjirokastër: Albania’s Town of the Stones

Albania

The city of Gjirokastër in the southern part of Albania has several claims to fame. Besides being the birthplace of two of the most important Albanians – communist dictator Full Story