A Day Trip from Greece to Albania?
Greg N.
I'll be on a 4-week motorcycle vacation in Northern Greece shortly. I
have considered to include a day trip into Albania, just to get a taste
of the country - which might lead to longer trips in the future. I
thought there might be somebody here to advise me.
I know very well that there is no well developed tourism infrastructure
in Albania yet. Roads are said to be poor, supplies (food, gas,
lodging) might be scarce, and rumor has it that the country is not
entirely safe for tourists. Therefore, I'm planning my first day trip
like so:
- enter the country with a full tank so I can return without refueling
- take enough food and water with me
- enter the country in the morning, return to Greece before dawn
According to the map, I might cross the greek/Albanian border at
- Skala/Konispol (not sure there is really a border crossing there)
- Ktismata/Kakavi
- Kristallopigi/Bilisht
From one of these border crossings, I consider a trip towards the
Albanian town of Vlodre at the southwest coast - as far as half a day or
half a tank of gas (whatever turns out to be more restrictive) will take
me.
I have a number of questions, here goes:
Which one of the routes described above is the better one, considering
road condition and scenic value? Is there a worthwile destination in
reasonable proximity to the border that I should aim at instead? How is
the city of Korce in the southeast corner of the country, for instance?
Is such a day trip a reasonable and halfway responsible thing to attempt?
I'm an EU citizen, so, as far as I know, I don't need a visa - my
passport will do... Right?
What papers are required for the motorcycle? I have my license, the
vehicle title, and an international insurance card. Is that enough?
I should be able to make do without any money during that day - I'll
probably exchange some at the border though. Is there anything I need
cash for, like road tolls? Besides, will I have a chance to get some
EUR accepted anywhere - for buying gas, for instance?
I'd appreciate all hints and tips from knowlegeable people.
Should somebody prefer to email me directly, write to
ghn (at) coolhaus.de
Thank you,
Greg Nga
Patrioti Shqiptar
I will try to answer your questions:
"Greg N." <yodel...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:b9mcu3$jooog$1...@ID-102826.news.dfncis.de...
If u want to go to Vlora then go through Corfu-Saranda cross border, for the
moment u can leave the tank to the greeks under custody, for there is no
need of it in albania, in any case u can rent any of the native tanks there
:-)
> Is such a day trip a reasonable and halfway responsible thing to attempt?
If u go from Saranda is worthy such a trip, much more things to see, a tip
is for ex Butrinti town is an old city more than 2500 years old with still
an functional amphitheatre.
> I'm an EU citizen, so, as far as I know, I don't need a visa - my
> passport will do... Right?
Right.
> What papers are required for the motorcycle? I have my license, the
> vehicle title, and an international insurance card. Is that enough?
I think yes.
> I should be able to make do without any money during that day - I'll
> probably exchange some at the border though. Is there anything I need
> cash for, like road tolls? Besides, will I have a chance to get some
> EUR accepted anywhere - for buying gas, for instance?
Well, for the moment u don` t need to pay any tolls, but for bensin yes, so
np they will accept euro, just be carefull to know before the course rate in
order not to be faked by some "cheap benzin sellers".
In case u go to Korca I can advice u to take the Regency Korca hotel, is a
nice one and affordable price. Korca is a city called between albanians "the
small Paris". Very nice city.
> I'd appreciate all hints and tips from knowlegeable people.
>
> Should somebody prefer to email me directly, write to
> ghn (at) coolhaus.de
>
> Thank you,
> Greg Nga
Enjoy your Trip and feel free to write me any of your comments.
Patrioti
Greg N.
thank you for your advice.
Can you comment on the road condition of the major roads? If I took,
for instance, the following hops:
krystalopigi - korce
korce - perat
perat - tepelene
tepelene - kakavi
Can you describe, for each of the above hops: Will I be on acepptable
Asphalt? Or Asphalt with many blemishes? Or dirt, gravel and mud?
I estimate the total distance of this route close to 300 km. What
driving time should I plan for this? In other words, what average speed
can I plan for?
Will there be gasoline available along this route?
Can you comment on the safety issue? Consider the article at
http://www.telpress.it/ata/1997%5Cmay_97%5Chdarch04.htm#04 which says,
"...Three people were killed and three other hurt in a gun battle
between two rival groups near the Kelzyre town, Southern Albania, on May
2 [1997] afternoon. Buses and cars on the Permet-Kelcyre-Tepelene road
continue to be the target of looters...". Are such incidents still
common these days?
Thank you,
Greg
nightworker
> I'll be on a 4-week motorcycle vacation in Northern Greece shortly. I
> have considered to include a day trip into Albania, just to get a taste
> of the country - which might lead to longer trips in the future. I
> thought there might be somebody here to advise me.
>
> I know very well that there is no well developed tourism infrastructure
> in Albania yet. Roads are said to be poor, supplies (food, gas,
> lodging) might be scarce, and rumor has it that the country is not
> entirely safe for tourists.
Partly true, everything is changig but like everywhere in the World
you must be carfull, especialy when you don't know the country
and you are alone.
> Therefore, I'm planning my first day trip
> like so:
> - enter the country with a full tank so I can return without refueling
> - take enough food and water with me
> - enter the country in the morning, return to Greece before dawn
>
> According to the map, I might cross the greek/Albanian border at
> - Skala/Konispol (not sure there is really a border crossing there)
> - Ktismata/Kakavi
> - Kristallopigi/Bilisht
> From one of these border crossings, I consider a trip towards the
> Albanian town of Vlodre at the southwest coast - as far as half a day or
> half a tank of gas (whatever turns out to be more restrictive) will take
> me.
> I have a number of questions, here goes:
>
> Which one of the routes described above is the better one, considering
> road condition and scenic value? Is there a worthwile destination in
> reasonable proximity to the border that I should aim at instead? How is
> the city of Korce in the southeast corner of the country, for instance?
>
> Is such a day trip a reasonable and halfway responsible thing to attempt?
I'll suggest: entrering to Saranda (from Corfu or Konispol (didn't know
there's a enetery point there!!!)). Direction Himara till Llogara
and eventually if you see that you have enough time to come back
you can make your way to Vlora (count between 1 and 2 hours from Llogora to Vlora).
Llogora is a good place to take your breathe and lunch time (the spot
is a pass that goes up to 1000m, southside you have a view over
Corfu and northside you see the bay of Orikum, small sad city close to Vlora).
Advise: be carfull while driving, the roud is a little bit difficult, specilay
in Llogara.
> I'm an EU citizen, so, as far as I know, I don't need a visa - my
> passport will do... Right?
>
> What papers are required for the motorcycle? I have my license, the
> vehicle title, and an international insurance card. Is that enough?
Legally that's enough!
> I should be able to make do without any money during that day - I'll
> probably exchange some at the border though. Is there anything I need
> cash for, like road tolls? Besides, will I have a chance to get some
> EUR accepted anywhere - for buying gas, for instance?
If you bring food with you (specialy water!!!), normally
I don't see any reason to have albanian cash (we call it LEK).
Roads are free of charges.
Anyway if you decide to change money, 50€-100€ are enough,
for any imprivous problems (gas-out, water-out :-)
> I'd appreciate all hints and tips from knowlegeable people.
>
> Should somebody prefer to email me directly, write to
> ghn (at) coolhaus.de
>
> Thank you,
> Greg Nga
Have a good trip!
ldevries
i was in albania last week, drove from vlora to sarande taking the
coastal road, it's a lot better than 5-6 years ago and very beautiful.
the other roads you mention i've not been recently, but average you
can drive 40 kms per hour on albanian roads. lots of gasstations
everywhere, except for the rural areas of course.
the advise to take the boat from corfu to sarande: excellent idea! you
can take the ferry from igoumenitsa to corfu and the smaller ferry to
sarande (3 times each day).
sarande has a lot to offer, many new hotels, we ran out of leks but
no problem at all to pay in euros!
i would consider to stay longer than a day...
have fun,
lydia
Patrioti Shqiptar
"Greg N." <yodel...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:b9nnl3$lak7o$1...@ID-102826.news.dfncis.de...
> Patrioti,
>
> thank you for your advice.
>
> Can you comment on the road condition of the major roads? If I took,
> for instance, the following hops:
>
> krystalopigi - korce
Is a good road, always on asphalt, recently there was done the highway from
Korca to Kakavija under the EU commitment.
Speed depends if there is traphic or not and also from the police patrol, be
aware that u will be stopped meny times if u are moving on foreigh plates
car, for this is the favourite "hunting car" for policeman to gain some
money, just as for a "coffe" they say.
> korce - perat
Until Librazhd is in a good quality always on the standart.
After depends how But I think still ok.
> perat - tepelene
Good one.
> tepelene - kakavi
Some part Asphalt with many blemishes, and some part a good one (accetable)
.
> Can you describe, for each of the above hops: Will I be on acepptable
> Asphalt? Or Asphalt with many blemishes? Or dirt, gravel and mud?
>
> I estimate the total distance of this route close to 300 km. What
> driving time should I plan for this? In other words, what average speed
> can I plan for?
40 to 80 km/hour but depends a lot on the trafic. Otherwise feel free, but
not more than 120 km/hour, it is dangerous in such streets.
Keep always some small albanian lek on the way for the policemen, usually
not to loose time with some "hard-heads". Otherwise the Tepelena Area is
really a nice one. But Berati is one of my favourites so have a look here
before http://www.beratmonument.org.al/anglisht/main.htm
tepelena .......... http://www.geocities.com/andi1657/fototp.html
Korca Hotel ...........
http://www.regencyalbania.com/accommodations/rooms.html
Korca City .............
http://www.korcavizion.com/galeria/index.php?imgdir=Korcacolor
> Will there be gasoline available along this route?
Mainly Yes
Except in the deep rural areas.
> Can you comment on the safety issue? Consider the article at
> http://www.telpress.it/ata/1997%5Cmay_97%5Chdarch04.htm#04 which says,
> "...Three people were killed and three other hurt in a gun battle
> between two rival groups near the Kelzyre town, Southern Albania, on May
> 2 [1997] afternoon. Buses and cars on the Permet-Kelcyre-Tepelene road
> continue to be the target of looters...". Are such incidents still
> common these days?
>
> Thank you,
> Greg
This article is 5 years old, and really out of date. Security is of course
not 100 % (as everywhere else in the world) but the government is doing a
good job, and considering u are coming as a turist, surely they started to
pay more attention to the security, as this is the first obstacle for
foreigners to come to Albania.
So don` t worry so much about that, just be aware not to move alone on the
late night on the suburb areas. Better be carefull than regret.
In case u need a map of albania I can give u that, but not by mail, for it
is huge, I could give u the web adress where u can download it.
All the best and in case u will do some photos send us some :-)
Patrioti
G D
should have some small ? or $ bank notes in case that some policeman may
find your passport or motorbike not "regular".
Also i remember that last year there were some huge waiting queue at the
greek border.
So if you don't want to wait like an idiot for a coupe of days because of an
computer problem (???) in the greek border, i would advise you to avoid the
last week of August.
Don't forget to have a map with you !!!!
Don't rely on the roadsigns because i don't think there are so many.
Have a good trip !!
regards,
Xhimi
"nightworker" <nightw...@yahoo.fr> a écrit dans le message de
news:703ebe59.0305...@posting.google.com...
> Anyway if you decide to change money, 50?-100? are enough,
Greg N.
> In case u need a map of albania ... I could
> give u the web adress where u can download it.
Hey, sure, that would be great. Post the address here or mail it to me:
ghn(at)coolhaus.de
> All the best and in case u will do some photos send us some :-)
If things work out as planned, I'll post all the photos on my web site
and announce it here. I will also notify you personally.
--
Greg N.
Greg N.
> ... be aware that u will be stopped meny times if u are moving
> on foreigh plates car, for this is the favourite "hunting car"
> for policeman to gain some money, just as for a "coffe" they say.
If I get stopped, do I "tip" the whole team, or every single officer?
What would be an appropriate tip (per officer)? 50 Lek? 500? 1000?
And another question:
Will there be an immigration fee (I'm an EU citizen)? I might decide to
do several such day trips in a row. Will there be a fee every time?
Thanks,
Greg
Patrioti Shqiptar
> Patrioti Shqiptar wrote:
>
>
> > ... be aware that u will be stopped meny times if u are moving
> > on foreigh plates car, for this is the favourite "hunting car"
> > for policeman to gain some money, just as for a "coffe" they say.
>
> If I get stopped, do I "tip" the whole team, or every single officer?
> What would be an appropriate tip (per officer)? 50 Lek? 500? 1000?
enough one officer, usually the one who is stoping u.
200 lek will be enough.
> And another question:
>
> Will there be an immigration fee (I'm an EU citizen)? I might decide to
> do several such day trips in a row. Will there be a fee every time?
As Far As I remember there is a 10 Euro fee each time u cross the border .
> Thanks,
> Greg
U` re wellcome
Patrioti
Greg N.
> U` re wellcome
And another question: Which are the parts of the country (van you name
some villages or towns) where Greek language will help me to
communicate? I do speak some Greek, and I might want to go to places
first where this is of help.
--
Greg N.
Patrioti Shqiptar
Like : kakavija, korca, gjirokastra.
Soon I will put the map on a zip format on the web, just need to reorder it.
---
Patrioti
"Greg N." <yodel...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:ba926i$qo5dn$1...@ID-102826.news.dfncis.de...
Greg N.
Thank you. I'll be on my way on Monday, May 26th. Wish me luck.
Cheers,
Greg N.
email: ghn (at) coolhaus.de
G D
Once you're back, don't forget to tell us how was your trip in Anlbania.
See ya.
"Greg N." <yodel...@yahoo.com> a écrit dans le message de
news:bae8jq$se1tj$1...@ID-102826.news.dfncis.de...
Halilermial
my opinion it's safe
1. Don't take lots of money with you as a percusion ,you need to exchange Euro
in albanian money,would be much easier for you,be careful.
2. The way that I'd prefer is to Kakavi,majestic senery,careful though not the
best roads,that way goes through the city Of Vlora,if you choose the other
way,wich goes through Korca that's shorter but not as beautiful nature,but is
shorter ,Korca is a great city.Don't Worry for gas there is plenty
3. I think you'll enjoy this trip ,just don't travell night times you never
know.
My absolute favorite is from vlora,you will see the nature there it takes your
breath way,I did the trip last year,but by car
Something you might take in consideration is that during the summer in the
border is very busy with the Albanian comming from Greece back home for vacatin
and may be busy and take time
I think your documentation you'll be allright
hope you have a nice and safe trip
Write me when you com back and tell me if you found the senery as great as I
think
Good Trip
from Cosset G
Greg N.
questions about the feasibility of a motorcycle tour from Greece to
Albania.
I have returned fom my trip safely. I had no problems whatsoever. I
was stopped by the police a few times, but they did it more out of
curiosity than anything else, it seems.
I went from Kakkavia to Gjirokastra, then up the Drino valley through
Carshove to Korca, and from there through Progadec at the Ohrid lake
into Makedonia.
The tour took me the better part of three days and was very enjoyable.
I have written a detailed travel report, it can be seen on the web at
http://hothaus.de/greg-tour-2003/ - Although it is written in German,
the pictures might interest some of you.
Thanks to all. Maybe I will be back for another visit soon.
Greg N. wrote:
> to Patrioti and all who provided valuable information in this thread:
> Thank you. I'll be on my way on Monday, May 26th. Wish me luck.
--
Greg N.
Patrioti Shqiptar
Patrioti
"Greg N." <yodel...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:be2esd$g2ng$1...@ID-102826.news.dfncis.de...
Greg N.
> Can u send me some photos that u did there.
Patrioti, I have created a detailed travel report which contains a
number of photos. I is on the web at http://hothaus.de/greg-tour-2003/
--
Greg N.
Patrioti Shqiptar
Patrioti
"Greg N." <yodel...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:be9og3$2ild4$1...@ID-102826.news.dfncis.de...
++
"Greg N." wrote:
> I went from Kakkavia to Gjirokastra, then up the Drino valley through
> Carshove to Korca, and from there through Progadec at the Ohrid lake
> into Makedonia.
>
> The tour took me the better part of three days and was very enjoyable.
>
> I have written a detailed travel report, it can be seen on the web at
> http://hothaus.de/greg-tour-2003/ - Although it is written in German,
> the pictures might interest some of you.
So how was Pogradec (note spelling) and Macedonia?
Greg N.
> So how was Pogradec (note spelling) and Macedonia?
Here is what my travel diary says about Pogradec:
"Around noon, I am arriving at Pogradec at the Ohrid lake. The town is,
so far, the cleanest I've seen in Albania. Tidily maintained beach,
green shore promenade, beautiful people. However, there are heaps of
trash at the beach east of the town, near the macedonian border. The
seashore abused as a dumpster! Difficult to swallow."
Southern Macedonia appeared to be a peaceful, beautiful, clean and
pleasant place. I did not see much of the country (basically only the
lake, Struga, Ohrid and Bitola, but what I saw, I liked very much.
--
Greg N.
++
"Greg N." wrote:
> ++ wrote:
>
> > So how was Pogradec (note spelling) and Macedonia?
http://www.popovashapka.com/macedoniainfo/history/20vek_mala-golo.htm
http://albanie.free.fr/Pogradec.htm
http://www.geocities.com/spiritofalbania/pogradeci.htm
interesting:
>
>
> Here is what my travel diary says about Pogradec:
>
> "Around noon, I am arriving at Pogradec at the Ohrid lake. The town is,
> so far, the cleanest I've seen in Albania. Tidily maintained beach,
> green shore promenade, beautiful people.
Since there is no crossing there, you can only see it from Macedonia and
only recently, last decade, have there been some hefty cultural exchanges.
> However, there are heaps of
> trash at the beach east of the town, near the macedonian border. The
> seashore abused as a dumpster! Difficult to swallow."
I'm trying to visualize how the water is at that pint, i.e. what direction
it goes. Dumping trash is a big problem in all of former Yugoslavia becuase
there are no longer the streetsweeper and cleaners so outside the perimeter
of a hotel or beyond someone's steps or if it is not in a charshija or a
main street (even then) there is trash. I have never had the pleasure of
visiting Albania so I don't know the situation there but I do know one young
priest from Pogradac (now serving in Macedonia).