Vlorë

Tourism in Albania is still in its infancy. Albania was under a communist regime which did not allow tourism to become established for a long time. It is a country of great natural beauty which includes sandy white Mediterranean beaches, rocky mountains, fertile plains, big and small lakes, natural monuments, and remote, pristine areas. Vlora, Albania (image under GFDL from Marc Morell used with permission) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Vlora, Albania (image under GFDL from Marc Morell used with permission) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Communism - Wikipedia /**/ @import /w/skins-1. ... A tourist boat travels the River Seine in Paris, France Beaches make popular tourist resorts Beaches make popular tourist resorts Tourism can be defined as the act of travel for the purpose of recreation, and the provision of services for this act. ... The Mediterranean Sea is an intercontinental sea positioned between Europe to the north, Africa to the south and Asia to the east, covering an approximate area of 2. ... This is a list of Albanian mountains. ...

Albania has an old history dating to the Illyrian civilization and there are many old ruins and other treasures reflecting the old civilizations. Due to its history, Albania is home to many different styles of architectural, religious and cultural influence. This article briefly outlines each period of History of Albania only; details are presented in separate articles (see the links in the box and below). ... This article is about an ancient civilization in southeastern Europe; see also Illyria (software), Illyria (character in the TV series Angel). ...

Syri i Kaltër (The Azure Eye) in Sarandë

Some of the most visited cities include: Syri i Kalter (Blue Eye) near Sarandë, Albania (image under GFDL from Marc Morell used with permission) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Syri i Kalter (Blue Eye) near Sarandë, Albania (image under GFDL from Marc Morell used with permission) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Photo of Sarandë (By Marc Morell) Syri i Kaltër, or the Azure Eye, is a well known natural cold water spring in Sarandë. (By Marc Morell) Sarandë (Albanian: Saranda or Sarandë, IPA or ; Greek: Άγιοι Σαράντα or Agioi Saránta ; Italian: Santa Quaranta, Forty Saints), is the capital of the District...

• Berat - the Town of a Thousand Windows
• Butrint - a UNESCO World Heritage site
• Durrës - the old port city of Dyrrhachium
• Gjirokastër - the Town of a Thousand Steps
• Krujë - ("Heroes city") home of Skanderbeg, Albania's national hero, and his castle (now a museum dedicated to him)
• Sarandë - The wedding city
• Tiranë - the capital
• Vlorë

Some of the problems keeping foreign tourism from flourishing in this beautiful country stem from the political instability. Pollution from illegal construction is ruining some of the most popular areas. Its proximity to Kosovo in the northeast means that unexploded ordinance may be hazard for unguided tours about the countryside. At present the security situation in Albania is thought to be improving [1]. Berat (Albanian: Berat or Berati) is a town located in south-central Albania at 40°42′ N 19°57′ E. It has a population of around 45,500 people (2003 est). ... Remains of an amphitheater (Photo by Marc Morell) Remains of a chapel Butrint (Albanian: Butrint or Butrinti) is a city and an archeological site in Albania, close to the Greek border. ... UNESCO logo The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, commonly known as UNESCO, is a specialized agency of the United Nations system established in 1946. ... Elabana Falls is in Lamington National Park, part of the Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves World Heritage site in Queensland, Australia. ... Durrës (Italian: Durazzo; see also different names) is the most ancient and one of the most economically important important cities of Albania. ... Gjirokastër, as seen from the Citadel. ... The castle of Skanderbeg Krujë (Albanian: Krujë or Kruja, Italian: Croia) is a capital city of the District of Krujë in Albania. ... Scanderbeg sculpture from the Museum in Kruje. ... Photo of Sarandë (By Marc Morell) Syri i Kaltër, or the Azure Eye, is a well known natural cold water spring in Sarandë. (By Marc Morell) Sarandë (Albanian: Saranda or Sarandë, IPA or ; Greek: Άγιοι Σαράντα or Agioi Saránta ; Italian: Santa Quaranta, Forty Saints), is the capital of the District... average temperature and precipitations in Tirana Tirana (Albanian: Tiranë or Tirana) is the capital and largest city of Albania. ... Vlora (Photo by Marc Morell) Vlorë (Albanian: Vlorë or Vlora; Greek: Αυλών/Aulōn (ancient), Αυλώνα/Avlóna (modern); Italian: Valona) is the second largest port city of Albania, after Durrës, with a population of about 85,000 (2003 estimate). ... Pollution is the release of harmful environmental contaminants, or the substances so released. ... Kosovo (Albanian: Kosovë / Kosova, Serbian: Косово и Метохија / Kosovo i Metohija), in English most often called just Kosovo, is a province of Serbia. ...

Furthermore, poor infrastructure greatly limits tourism. Electrical brownouts are still fairly frequent. Albania only has one true highway (connecting the capital city of Tiranë to Durrës) and most of the other roads, while improving, are in very poor condition. Independent bus and minibus (furgon) operators provide inexpensive transport between most large communities, but schedules and prices are not fixed. Train service is also limited and sporadic. A power outage is the loss of the electricity supply to an area. ... average temperature and precipitations in Tirana Tirana (Albanian: Tiranë or Tirana) is the capital and largest city of Albania. ... Durrës (Italian: Durazzo; see also different names) is the most ancient and one of the most economically important important cities of Albania. ...

Despite the above problems, Albania is making progress. Foreign tourists are not unknown. International hotel chains are established in Tirana and organised day trips are available from Corfu to Saranda and nearby Butrint. Club Mediteranee has proposed a developement between Vlores and Saranda but this lacks local support as it takes little care of villagers' rights. (This article is about the Greek island known in English as Corfu. ...

South of Durres, there is a long, uncoordinated beach development popular with Albanians. There are other, off-the-track beach areas, locally popular, with acceptable food and toilet facilities.

Tourist guidebooks rapidly become out of date in a changing situation.

See also

• Geography of Albania
• List of cities in Albania

Albania has a total area of 28,750 square kilometers. ... This is a list of cities in Albania: Apollonia Bajram Curri Ballsh Berat Bilisht Bulqizë Burrel Butrint Cërrik Çorovodë Delvinë Durrës Elbasan Ersekë Fier Fushë-Krujë Gjirokastër Gramsh Has Himarë Kamzë Kavajë Këlcyrë Klos Koplik Korçë Krujë Krumë Kuçovë Kukës Laç Lezhë Librazhd Lushnj...

External links

• Ministry of Territorial Planning and Tourism (official site)
• Article on Albanian tourism
• A New York Times article on Albania
• Albania at Lonely Planet
• Photo Albums: [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12]