Albania - Tirana and Korce with Mom
Dec 27th, 2007, 08:50 AM
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Albania - 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 '06 and rented cars often, but don't know if the driving 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
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 '06 and rented cars often, but don't know if the driving 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
Dec 29th, 2007, 06:12 PM
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hi beth, here is may friends reply:Re: Albania trip
Rule #1 --- NEVER drive there. It is not safe. They do not obey traffic signals.. Look 3 times before you cross the street. They drive on the sidewalks... be very careful! You can probably get a good driver at one of the better hotels. eg. Rogner, Tirana International...( I did not like the Sheraton... terrible service and attitude.)
Diplomat is just fine.... but a good 20 minute walk from the Skanderbeg Square (centre of Tirana). Hotel Mondial is about the same distance... very nice.... rather Italian in design and service and food. Both are around $80-130.-- USD per night.
My favourite hotel is a little hotel called The Grand, which is located right in the Bllok area.... right in the centre of the city, 2 blocks from the Rogner. Rogner has great lunch and indoor cafe, and tables by the pool. Rooms are outrageous.... about $220.00 - 300.00 USD. The Grand is about $150.00 USD Prices have really gone up in the past 2 years. There is a tiny local restaurant on the same street, New Era... you can have a great lunch or dinner for about $12.00. Breakfast is included in the hotels.
I wouldn't take a bus to Korca. The ride is about 4-5 hours,if the person has all 4 wheels on the ground. The curves in the mountains can be treacherous if you don't have a very good driver. Do a test run around the city. Driving in Macedonia is certainly easier and the terrain is also. No comparison.
The Regency in Korca is the 'big' hotel... about $100.00 per night. Ask relatives to get you a better rate. There is another place next door, but it is run down..bed bugs, too!. Take both plug and voltage adapters with you in both areas. Bring Tylenol... they don't have it.
Korca has changed a lot in the past few years.... so many people have left for Tirana in search of work. So sad.... it really used to be a special place. It is still enjoyable.. but now not a lot to do. Pogradec is 40 minutes away. Breath taking! right on Lake Ohrid. Go to Shen Naumi.... (Saint Naumi)... great little hotel right on the water... wonderful traditional food and special fish! About $40.00 per night. I stayed there and had the driver go in to Korca.
The driver is about $120.00 round trip to Korca and I always pay for their gas and food. Lodging too if they don't have friends or relatives there to stay with.
Go to the website, "In your pocket"..... and also pick up a copy at the Adrion bookstore right in Skanderbeg square. Tells you everything you need to know! While in Tirana, you should visit Kruje... and have lunch at the famous castle and walk the cobblestone roads where Albania has defended itself against the centuries of invasions. Great souvenir shops."
Hope it helps!
Rule #1 --- NEVER drive there. It is not safe. They do not obey traffic signals.. Look 3 times before you cross the street. They drive on the sidewalks... be very careful! You can probably get a good driver at one of the better hotels. eg. Rogner, Tirana International...( I did not like the Sheraton... terrible service and attitude.)
Diplomat is just fine.... but a good 20 minute walk from the Skanderbeg Square (centre of Tirana). Hotel Mondial is about the same distance... very nice.... rather Italian in design and service and food. Both are around $80-130.-- USD per night.
My favourite hotel is a little hotel called The Grand, which is located right in the Bllok area.... right in the centre of the city, 2 blocks from the Rogner. Rogner has great lunch and indoor cafe, and tables by the pool. Rooms are outrageous.... about $220.00 - 300.00 USD. The Grand is about $150.00 USD Prices have really gone up in the past 2 years. There is a tiny local restaurant on the same street, New Era... you can have a great lunch or dinner for about $12.00. Breakfast is included in the hotels.
I wouldn't take a bus to Korca. The ride is about 4-5 hours,if the person has all 4 wheels on the ground. The curves in the mountains can be treacherous if you don't have a very good driver. Do a test run around the city. Driving in Macedonia is certainly easier and the terrain is also. No comparison.
The Regency in Korca is the 'big' hotel... about $100.00 per night. Ask relatives to get you a better rate. There is another place next door, but it is run down..bed bugs, too!. Take both plug and voltage adapters with you in both areas. Bring Tylenol... they don't have it.
Korca has changed a lot in the past few years.... so many people have left for Tirana in search of work. So sad.... it really used to be a special place. It is still enjoyable.. but now not a lot to do. Pogradec is 40 minutes away. Breath taking! right on Lake Ohrid. Go to Shen Naumi.... (Saint Naumi)... great little hotel right on the water... wonderful traditional food and special fish! About $40.00 per night. I stayed there and had the driver go in to Korca.
The driver is about $120.00 round trip to Korca and I always pay for their gas and food. Lodging too if they don't have friends or relatives there to stay with.
Go to the website, "In your pocket"..... and also pick up a copy at the Adrion bookstore right in Skanderbeg square. Tells you everything you need to know! While in Tirana, you should visit Kruje... and have lunch at the famous castle and walk the cobblestone roads where Albania has defended itself against the centuries of invasions. Great souvenir shops."
Hope it helps!
Dec 31st, 2007, 05:00 AM
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danon -
fabulous information - thank you so much. The recommendations are invaluable and give me some good perspective as I begin to make plans. Give your friend my most sincere thanks
Beth
fabulous information - thank you so much. The recommendations are invaluable and give me some good perspective as I begin to make plans. Give your friend my most sincere thanks
Beth
Jan 28th, 2008, 04:02 PM
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Beth, I'm late getting into this thread, but I can attest to the driving skills (or lack of same)of Albanians. We rented a car last spring and drive through Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia and Kosovo.
By far the worst drivers were the Albanians. No road rules, they go 100 mph and pass whenever they want. The other drivers just make three lanes out of two. Cars (mainly black market Mercedes) share the roads with donkey and horse carts. There were many crosses alongside the roads which didn't surprise me.
The roads were terrible, especially in the northern part of the country. Manholes not covered, some had no tarmac. The worst, though, was when we drove from Berat to Tirana. On the map, it appeared that there was a straight main road from Elbason to Tirana. Lo and behold it was a switchback mountain road with no guardrails. Busses and cars coming around the turns at high speeds. By the time we realized it, we were committed and I was a basket case.
I would agree that a driver is definitely your best choice.
Having said that, Albania was an adventure that I wouldn't have missed for anything. I wasn't prepared for how third world it is, though, especially arriving directly from Dubrovnik which is drop dead gorgeous. Despite the language barrier, Albanians were among the most friendly people we encountered throughout the Balkans.
I hope you'll post a trip report when you return; I'd love to hear your impressions. It's a beautiful country with a lot of catching-up to do.
Have a wonderful trip!
By far the worst drivers were the Albanians. No road rules, they go 100 mph and pass whenever they want. The other drivers just make three lanes out of two. Cars (mainly black market Mercedes) share the roads with donkey and horse carts. There were many crosses alongside the roads which didn't surprise me.
The roads were terrible, especially in the northern part of the country. Manholes not covered, some had no tarmac. The worst, though, was when we drove from Berat to Tirana. On the map, it appeared that there was a straight main road from Elbason to Tirana. Lo and behold it was a switchback mountain road with no guardrails. Busses and cars coming around the turns at high speeds. By the time we realized it, we were committed and I was a basket case.
I would agree that a driver is definitely your best choice.
Having said that, Albania was an adventure that I wouldn't have missed for anything. I wasn't prepared for how third world it is, though, especially arriving directly from Dubrovnik which is drop dead gorgeous. Despite the language barrier, Albanians were among the most friendly people we encountered throughout the Balkans.
I hope you'll post a trip report when you return; I'd love to hear your impressions. It's a beautiful country with a lot of catching-up to do.
Have a wonderful trip!
Mar 30th, 2009, 01:50 AM
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Hi Beth
I am an Aussie living in Tirana. I have lived in the UK for 6 years before too. I've been travelling around Albania a lot over the past 2 years.
At first I was afraid to drive, but Ive hired a car a few times, and now Ive got the hang of it. I havent driven to Korce yet, but I will soon. So far I have driven from Tirana to Saranda, both via Vlora and via Gjirokastra. I've also driven to Elbasan. The roads have improved a lot over 2 years and the government are spending more and more on fixing roads.
Of course, if you can afford a private driver, this would be the best option, otherwise renting a car should be ok.
There are many choices for hotels in Tirana now. The Diplomat is quite nice. I would stay in the Grand Hotel as well (depending on budget).
If you need to know anything else, just let me know.
Best Wishes
Fiona
I am an Aussie living in Tirana. I have lived in the UK for 6 years before too. I've been travelling around Albania a lot over the past 2 years.
At first I was afraid to drive, but Ive hired a car a few times, and now Ive got the hang of it. I havent driven to Korce yet, but I will soon. So far I have driven from Tirana to Saranda, both via Vlora and via Gjirokastra. I've also driven to Elbasan. The roads have improved a lot over 2 years and the government are spending more and more on fixing roads.
Of course, if you can afford a private driver, this would be the best option, otherwise renting a car should be ok.
There are many choices for hotels in Tirana now. The Diplomat is quite nice. I would stay in the Grand Hotel as well (depending on budget).
If you need to know anything else, just let me know.
Best Wishes
Fiona
Aug 4th, 2009, 12:50 AM
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Korce is beautiful, but I´d take a bus. trains are grim, and driving through Albania if you´re not born to it can be very hazardous to your health.
Buses are cheap and they go everywhere!
http://bestalbaniahotel.com/hotel-kocibelli-korce-hotel
Buses are cheap and they go everywhere!
http://bestalbaniahotel.com/hotel-kocibelli-korce-hotel
Oct 13th, 2010, 04:10 AM
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at www.hotel.com.al and www.hotels-in-tirana.com are the best accommodation types of Albania, to book hotel online in albania is the best possibilities.
Oct 13th, 2010, 04:12 AM
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At www.tirana-hotels.al are all tirana hotels with all information of each hotels.
Oct 13th, 2010, 04:18 AM
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at www.shkodra-hotels.com are all shkodra hotels with best facilities for your accommodation in shkoder hotels albania, we offer hotel tradita in shkodra, hotels kolping in shkodra, hotel grand europa in shkodra, hotel kaduku in shkodra, hotel colosseo in shkodra, hotel natyra ramzma in shkodra albania all online booking.
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