Englischkolumne
Nine reasons to visit Albania asap!
How about taking a fall trip? What should the destination be? Let’s start by consulting “Lonely Planet” for advise – the most trusted travel guidebook publisher of all time. Surprise! Albania makes the 2019 list as one of the top 10 best values worldwide! But what does “best value” really mean? It is a ratio between quality and price, which says you can enjoy a great vacation in Albania that won’t cost as much as elsewhere. OK, so what are other reasons to visit Albania besides the cost factor? Here’s a list of my “only in Albania” favorites: 1. When it comes to natural beauty, Albania has everything your heart desires: magnificent mountain ranges, amazingly beautiful beaches – all less crowded than places like Greece or Croatia. 2. Albania is changing faster than fast. To experience its true uniqueness, you need to go asap! Yes, the country is still considered Europe’s final frontier, but it won’t be forever. 3. Calling all gourmets! Albania’s cuisine is a wonderful mix of Italian heartiness and Turkish delicacies. Try it – you’ll like it! 4. Albania is rich in history & culture. Rightfully so, the UNESCO has designated three spots here as World Heritage Sites: the ancient city of Butrint, where you can visit archaeological gems; the city of Gjirokaster, one of the few remaining examples of an old Ottoman town; and lovely Berat, the white city of a thousand windows. 5. Does a bunker road-trip sound enticing? The Albanian countryside is (still) dotted with tiny two-man bunkers. Thousands were built under Communism. They look like big turtles on the fields, in the parks, at the seaside. Looking for the most unusual of souvenirs? Take an alabaster bunker ashtray – it doesn’t get more unique than that! 6. Albanians are hospitable and generous. They are interested in all things European and treat their guests like family. 7. The best beverages are here. Coffee is delicious – the amount of time spent on each cup in a café can extend up to three hours! Raki, a version of moonshine, brags a one-of-akind taste. Cognacs come in Skanderbeg bottles (a freedom fighter & national hero whose gleaming helmet, adorned with a goat’s head, can be admired in the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna!) The last beverage to make our column today is salep, made from the roots of orchids and claiming aphrodisiac effects! Especially popular as cooler weather is approaching. 8. Interested in exploring some of the last remnants of a Communist era? Tirana is the place to be. Communist leader Enver Hoxha’s house is still standing, as well as numerous other pertinent locations. Enjoy the nightlife strolling in the trendy Blloku neighborhood, once restricted to top-level party members only. 9. If you fancy luxury cars from bygone days, on the streets of Tirana you’ll see practically every model of Mercedes produced since the 70s. How can this be? You’ll need to ask an owner. They love to talk about their vehicles! But take it from me, these cars outnumber every other kind here, two to one.
Thirty years after throwing off the shackles of an isolationist regime, Albania welcomes you with amazing natural beauty, friendly people, fantastic food, stunning beaches and more. But hurry! When word gets out about what Albania has been hiding, there will be no stopping a tourist invasion!
P. S.: Need a real change of pace but you don’t enjoy long flights? The airtime from Vienna to Albania is just over an hour. You can handle it! fall – Herbst publisher – Herausgeber ratio – Verhältnis elsewhere – anderswo besides – außerdem everything your heart desires – alles, was dein Herz begehrt less crowded – nicht so überfüllt uniqueness – Einzigartigkeit asap (as soon as possible) – schnellstmöglich frontier – Grenze heartiness – Herzhaftigkeit rightfully so – zu Recht so ancient – uralt/antik gem – Juwel/Edelstein enticing – verlockend dotted – übersät alabaster – Alabaster ashtray – Aschenbecher generous – großzügig to extend – ausdehnen moonshine – (schwarz gebrannter) Schnaps to brag – prahlen gleaming – glänzend to adorn – schmücken/verzieren to admire – bewundern remnants – Reste numerous – zahlreich pertinent – relevant to stroll – bummeln/flanieren restricted – beschränkt to fancy – schätzen to outnumber – an der Zahl übertreffen shackles – Fesseln stunning – umwerfend change of pace – Abwechslung You can handle it – du schaffst es!