Unforgettable "Balkan Express"
So, "Balkan Express" 19.05 - 30.05. 2016. A group of 13 people (it turned out to be a lucky number), aged 15 to 66 years. However, a friendly team of like-minded people.
The photos from the camera have not yet been unpacked, the skin has not yet cooled down from the hot Albanian sun, and I again want to go to Albania.
"To Albania? " - Protracted silence on the telephone... "Yes, to Albania! " Well, let's go. . . How lucky we are that we chose this tour, that we chose Albania.
Thank you, FEERIA!
What do we expect from travel? First of all - impressions! Preferably a professional guide. Desirable - comfort. Of course, safe movement.
In this tour, all the components of a successful tour have developed into a wonderful journey. The clear, professional work of the host of ALER Travel and, above all, its administrator, Tatyana Bayraktari, inspires respect and great gratitude. Tatyana's constant attention to the promotion of the tour is beyond praise.
The soul of the whole journey was, of course, our guide, our leader - Irina Troyanova. A person who loves Albania, his job and people. A man with an open mind and sincere heart. A man of great dedication. Is it possible to imagine in other tours and in other countries the opportunity to use transport and guide accompaniment on a day off from excursions, so as not to sit still, but to see something else new? Thank you. ALER Travel generously gave us such tourist joys. Judge for yourself:
5th day. Free time in Vlore. It's hot on the beach. Irina suggests not to sit in the room at noon, but to visit Vlora again. Our wonderful driver Luan is willing to take us (note, this is not optional). Of course we are! In Vlore, we went up to the Kuzum Baba viewing terrace, bought fruit, traditional coffee, and back to the beach when the sun softened its rays.
Day 8 Free time in Ksamil. In the morning - a fabulous beach, as if descended from the photographs of the Seychelles. But it's baking. And again, "Shouldn't we go? " Of course, go! And Luan does not mind (how wonderful he is, our modest driver! ). We decide to return to Butrint again (the day before we were there on an excursion), take a ferry and see the fortress of Ali Pasha Tepelensky. The fortress is small, inside - the smell of mowed grass and mowers sitting in the shade, looking with surprise at the tourists climbing the walls. The fortress was examined, the pictures were clicked, but I don’t want to return. And what is this church on the far hill you can see? Let's go see? Let's get there! “And they went, scorched by the sun! ” Irina, as a flagship, is ahead. And they came and discovered a small, parish church, standing, as it should be, on a high hill, built in 1831. The church was closed, but there was a prudent window in the door, through which they both saw and photographed the interior of the church. And later they found out that it was dedicated to the ancient testamentary prophet Elijah. Such an interesting journey was presented to us on our free day.
And a visit to the ancient Elbasan on the last day of the tour on the way to the airport, which is not included in the program at all! And a meeting at the airport by the host on the day of arrival (surprise! ) - with a loaf and a glass of amazing Skanderbeg cognac, which immediately warmed our tourist soul. A farewell evening in a restaurant on the shores of Lake Ohrid!
Throughout the trip, we felt welcome and dear guests, who were given much more than what was indicated in the program by attentive and generous hosts.
But why am I not writing about Albania?
Having visited this country, it seems to me that Albania is the Cinderella of Europe. Before our eyes, she turns into a beautiful princess with a rich history of the ancient land. Albania is hardworking, friendly, welcoming people. Albania is delicious, organic and inexpensive food. Albania is mosques and churches peacefully coexisting on the same square. Albania is incredible - scarlet poppies, the same scarlet as on the famous icons of Onufri. Albania is seas and mountains, lakes and fertile valleys.
Albania must be seen, felt and loved!
? Lyudmila Musinskaya.