Tag Archives: Albania
Travelling By Train Across The Balkans – ‘No Beards’
To set the scene, my book chronicles my travels around the Balkans with my regular travel buddy called Hamish. Albania had always been a mystical place to us, Europe’s outcast being neither east nor west. During our teenage years we used to try and get information about the place, but in those Internet free days […]
The Balkans – Europe’s Forgotten Frontier.
The above is the title for a two part BBC production hosted by Europe correspondent Katya Adler. The two part series visits Croatia, Romania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Albania, Kosovo & Serbia and focuses on the divisions that still remain there, the extraordinary beauty of the region and the battle for influence there between the EU, […]
Euro 24 Match Day 11 – Albania v Spain
Spain have already qualified and play footballing minnows Albania who have just secured their first ever tournament finals point. Albania Back in 2007 there was a small but fun network of trains in Albania. I took two from the now defunct Tirana Station, to Durres on the coast and north to Skhodra as we made […]
Euro 24 Match Day 6 – Croatia v Albania
The second round of matches get underway with a match between two Balkan nations. Croatia Whilst the Adriatic coastal towns and islands grab most of Croatia’s travel headlines, the capital Zagreb is also well worth a visit. It’s a laid back city with many fine buildings, a network of characterful trams and some great bars […]
Euro 24 Match Day 2 – Italy v Albania
Near neighbours today, separated by the Mediterranean. Italy I expect holders Italy to go far in this tournament but with my travels there being frequent I have loads of choice for posting. 2023 was my last visit for a train tour of the North West. Bologna – Rimini – (San Marino) – Modena – Parma […]
Tuesday Train – Tirana to Durres in Albania
In 2007 there were a few functioning train journeys in Albania. I did a couple including the one from the capital to the coastal city of Durres. Sadly nowadays trains in Albania are either not running or extremely limited. On my last visit in 2017 there were none. The going was extremely slow – an […]
The Volatile History Of The Balkan Peninsular
The Balkans region is a wonderful place to visit, being so full of history and contrasts. You can read about my travels there in my book available on Amazon. A brief history of the region appears in the book and is also shown below, giving you a flavour as to why this is such a […]
Monday Morning Blues – Lake Butrint in Albania
On my second visit to Albania in 2016 we took in the Roman ruins of Butrint in the south of the country. The site offers splendid views of Lake Butrint.
Monday Morning Blues – Strange Fruit, Azerbaijan
During my 2019 visit to Azerbaijan, I took a train to Seki and whilst there took a local bus to an area known as Albania (nothing at all to do with Balkan Albania). Noted for its striking hilltop situation and tranquil villages, I walked to the church in Kish and spent a good hour doing […]
Tuesday Train Journey – Pristina to Hani I Elezit in Kosovo
Words & pictures from my 2017 train journey from Pristina to Hani I Elezit in Kosovo
