Butrint, Albania: The Fall of Troy, The Founding of Rome, & A Load of Old Bull

At Butrint, in southwestern Albania, we discovered tranquillity, jewel colours, fecund nature, and a sense of history that rustled through the trees like a whisper from the past.

Gjirokastra to Butrint, & St. Nikolas’ Monastery, Albania

Appearances can be deceptive. In some ways, the articulated lorries made us feel a little better. Clearly, the narrow, winding mountain road could take large traffic. In other ways, however, it tested our nerve. Albanian drivers have no qualms about nipping around lorries, or even other cars already overtaking them, on blind bends, regardless ofContinue reading “Gjirokastra to Butrint, & St. Nikolas’ Monastery, Albania”

Albania Overland – Bashtovë Fortress and Beautiful Berat

On our last night at Buona Vila, we shared whisky, raki, and stories. Like so many countries we’d been warned not to visit, Albania was already revealing itself as a jewel. Lido, Spartak, and Ayesha had welcomed us like family at their wonderful beachside retreat, and we were reluctant to leave, but such is theContinue reading “Albania Overland – Bashtovë Fortress and Beautiful Berat”