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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Albania

31 replies

Holdingtherope · 22/09/2019 14:30

Aibu to tell you all how amazing Albania is. In an attempt to get a new country a year decided to get ferry over from Corfu to Albania. Initial idea was to stay for the day. We ended up loving it so much we decided to cancel Corfu accommodation and stY here for a week.

We stayed in Serande for a couple of days then came up to Ksamil. The coast is gorgeous, people are amazing, no brits and sooo cheap.

Go mumsnetters go! Anyone else been?

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Original poster
Holdingtherope · 22/09/2019 14:31

Pics!

Albania
Albania
Albania
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smemorata · 22/09/2019 14:31

What's the food like?

Original poster
Holdingtherope · 22/09/2019 14:34

Much like Croatia or Greece. For lunch today we had Seafood Liguine and Greek salad. Including drinks it was £10.

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smemorata · 22/09/2019 14:35

Sounds good!

Waxonwaxoff0 · 22/09/2019 14:38

Looks amazing! I'm also trying to see as many new countries as I can. Putting this on my list!

HopeIsNotAStrategy · 22/09/2019 14:40

True story:

The scene is a busy school morning, and child is sitting at kitchen island eating breakfast. Mother enters stage left in a rush, looking for PE kit or some such guff.

DC: Muuuuuummmm, where’s Albania?

Mother, crossly: Wherever you left it!

Exit stage right.

This is the sum total of my knowledge on Albania. 😊

Original poster
Holdingtherope · 22/09/2019 14:40

It’s so amazing! Everyone reacted with shock when we said we were going! It’s so underrsted

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makingmammaries · 22/09/2019 14:40

Albania is adorable. I went in 1989 before the regime fell and again in 2017. Tirana is an amazing place, only the pollution in winter is awful.

Original poster
Holdingtherope · 22/09/2019 14:41

I was thinking about the winter is it bad?

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I8toys · 22/09/2019 14:41

Ooh I love going to interesting countries. Going to Bucharest, Transylvannia and Bratislava next year - Albania is now on the list!!

Original poster
Holdingtherope · 22/09/2019 14:43

I have done Bratislava but would love to go to Romania. I feel like I am in Thailand or Bali. Ksamil is just filled with different beaches. We have another week here and doing a beach a day!

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Shagged · 22/09/2019 14:43

I'd love to go

Do any of the budget airlines fly there?

swingofthings · 22/09/2019 14:46

Oh no, don't shout it too loudly! It is a stunning country, with amazing people, a little jewel above Greece, but one that would be so much better not turning into a holiday resort for people who only care to lounge around a pool drinking too much alcohol.

Sauvignonblanket · 22/09/2019 14:47

Just looked - Whizz Air flies to Tirana from Luton...

MrsMaiselsMuff · 22/09/2019 14:48

I know people are happy to overlook these things, but Albania's human rights record is abysmal. Domestic violence is acceptable, as are attacks against gay people and the Roma community.

Whatever floats your boat!

Original poster
Holdingtherope · 22/09/2019 14:49

We flew Ryanair Manchester to Corfu then got ferry. Seemed cheapest way to get to the south

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Original poster
Holdingtherope · 22/09/2019 14:59

Mrs - where do you holiday?

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Original poster
Holdingtherope · 22/09/2019 15:29

Travel broadens the mind, it doesn't close it. Even if I don't agree with customs or attitudes it's always good to question why things might be that way.

I have read about Albania and learn lots about the culture - it doesn't mean I or anyone travelling there has to agree with the politics.

Do you agree with all the policies currently held by our current government? By your reasoning, you better find a country with a president or prime minister 100%in line with your own ideals.

I personally would avoid Somali and Dubai (as a woman) but Albania no.

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Nixen · 22/09/2019 15:43

We did the ferry from Corfu too! Have you been to Butrint? It’s really beautiful

Asta19 · 22/09/2019 15:53

So many of these countries are under rated. I’ve just had a few days in Estonia and it was really lovely. Tbh I often visit Eastern Europe to buy my cigarettes! The money I save on not buying them here pays for the trip and then some. But I don’t want all these places to become overrun with tourists! The stag/hen parties are bad enough.

Original poster
Holdingtherope · 22/09/2019 16:02

Nixen was thinking about doing it but can it be as beautiful as the coast?

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Nixen · 22/09/2019 16:20

@holdingtherope we thought it was stunning, and very interesting. Let me see if I can post a pic or two

Nixen · 22/09/2019 16:21

Hopefully this works!

Albania
Albania
surlycurly · 22/09/2019 16:29

I've been trying to go for a couple of years. My plan was to go to Corfu and then get the ferry over, stay for a week and then get the bus to Thessaloniki and then fly home. The only thing that's put me off is the accommodation isn't that exciting unless you can get a car and I wasn't planning to. The sea looks as gorgeous as I thought it would though. Glad you're enjoying it!

makingmammaries · 22/09/2019 16:30

The winter isn’t bad except in Tirana, because polluted air accumulates in The Valley there. But it won’t be swimmable. I’ve swum at Durres in April and it was, er, refreshing.