About

My hope is that this blog highlights Albania as a travel destination for everyone. The cost is very reasonable to stay and to have fun while experiencing all that Albania has to offer.

In this Blog I will focus on travel tips, food, culture, history, how to plan your trip, how to travel with children and where to stay. The goal is to give you the information you need to truly visit like a local, with spotlights on beaches, farm to table restaurants, wineries, nightlife, music and a whole lot more.

Why I Started This Blog

My name is George. I grew up in Massachusetts and until I was 33 years old, I had never traveled outside the United States. In 2008 I met the love of my life through a mutual friend at work. She is from Berati, Albania and at the time we met she had been in America for only 2 years.

The first time I visited Albania was in 2010. It was also the first time I left the United States. I was intrigued with the cultural, the Albanian way of life, the quality and variety of the food, the history and language. The people of Albania are very hospitable. They have a strong sense of morals and integrity.

Untapped Travel Destination

Albania is an untapped travel destination with so much to offer. The coastline and beaches are similar to the tropics with warm clear water. The landscape is picturesque with lots of mountains, valleys and lakes. The cost of a trip and out of pocket expenses are reasonable and it is a safe country to visit with children. I want to share what I’ve experienced visiting Albania like a local.

The Food

The food in Albania is naturally organic. There are no add preservatives. The freshness of the food is unlike anything I have experienced at home. There are so many varieties. Restaurant meals are served family style and laid out like a smorgasbord, everyone at the table can taste a bit of each dish! The freshness is unmatchable especially at farms where they prepare food from the daily harvest or slaughter. In many cases the fruits and vegetables they are serving are harvested that day.

Tips For Traveling With Children

I will provide a list of tips for traveling with children. A simple tip that made our last trip a lot easier was to bring our Amazon fire stick in case of bad weather the kids can watch most of the same programs as they do at home. Look for many more tips in blog posts.

Travel Anxiety

During the first few trips I had experienced extreme travel anxiety. I managed to get through the first trip not knowing or understanding what was happening. By the second trip in 2011 it was paralyzing. In 2011 and in 2012 I learned how important it was to face this issue head-on and overcome it especially since I wanted to continue traveling. Because of the love for my wife, her family and Albania I was determined to overcome my fears. In 2016 we made our first trip back to Albania. It took a bit of focus, but I was easily able to clear my mind and focus more on enjoying the experience.

Learning The Language

During the first trip in 2010 and immediately when I returned home, I practiced Albanian with anyone who would practice with me. One word a day. In just a few years, through the help of a police officer from Berati living in America, my wife, her sister and parents and many others I am able to speak Albanian semi-fluently and easily communicate with the locals. Learning a language is one of the most rewarding accomplishments I can think of. I highly recommend learning this or any other language you wish. There are plenty of free applications to help. Speaking the native language comes in very handy when traveling. If you are interested in learning Albanian please visit the resources page for few recommendations.

Visit Like A Local

My personal experience traveling to Albania was a bit different than that of a typical vacationer or backpacker. When I visit, I visit like a local. We stay in apartments rented through Airbnb. We eat in the local restaurants. We meet friends and family at local cafes. We truly visit like a local.