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The Last Wild River in Europe.

The Last Wild River in Europe

People are rising up to protect Europe’s largest wild river—the Vjosa.
This waterway runs untamed from source to sea, embracing a mosaic of habitats and cultures that have been tied to it for thousands of years.
Vjosa Forever chronicles the ongoing struggle to secure the future of this unique river system, from political uncertainty and opportunistic greed to the hope of creating a Vjosa National Park.
With an Albanian election in April of 2021, river-lovers, local citizens and global conservationists fear that this “Queen of Europe” faces its greatest danger yet.
At this historic moment, people everywhere have an obligation to speak for the Vjosa; to keep it running wild, forever.
The worldwide famous actor Leonardo DiCaprio showed again his support for the Vjosa River in Albania, asking the Albanian government to not allow the construction of dams in “one of Europe’s last wild rivers” as he has previously called the river.
“The Vjosa River, its species, and the livelihoods that depend on them are under constant threat of destruction from dams sign the petition to ask the Albanian government to support Vjosa National Park,” wrote DiCaprio on hist Twitter account.
“Albania’s Vjosa River is the largest wild river in Europe.
From the mountains of Greece to the Adriatic Sea in Albania, it spans 300 kilometers, completely free of artificial barriers, like hydropower dams.
The rivers and streams that are tributaries of the Vjosa are home to more than 1,100 wildlife species, many of which are threatened,” wrote DiCaprio to his 47.9 million followers, adding that “Vjosa is the crown of the #BlueHeartofEurope# and people across Albania want to protect it forever.”
According to DiCaprio, by creating Vjosa National Park Albania would have the very first wild river park in Europe
November 25, 2023 Blog

The Balkan Name

The Balkan Name

I hear many tourists who say: I want to visit the Balkans. I want to go to the Balkans, or the Western Balkans. I understand everyone very well because in all searches you will find the name Balkan. But who is the truth?
The name “Balkans” was decided by a stupid German Geographer. The peninsula where we live in old sources of antiquity was called the Illyrian peninsula (Albania Today). In Ptolemy’s texts it gave a mountain range crossing the peninsula called the Chains of the World.
In the middle of the 18th century, a German geographer named Zeune was visiting this area. Among others, he is looking for a mountain range, which he cannot find. At the part where it goes towards Vardar there is a big mountain range and he asks a Turkish shepherd, what is the name of this area and the Turkish shepherd said: this area is called the Balkans.
Zeune, the German Geographer was convinced that this was the mountain range that crossed the peninsula that we should call the Balkans.
Balkan means honey and Blood in Turkish.
The Turkish shepherd who collected a lot of honey and killed a lot of wild animals from the mountain where he lived, jokingly gave this name to the German geographer, Bal-Kan. This mountain has a lot of honey and blood, the shepherd said and thats why we have this name.
“The Balkan” area includes several countries such as Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Bonsia&Herezegovina, Albania, Montenegro, Macedonia, Kosovo, Greece and in this group there are also Bulgaria, Romania and even Moldova but the name Balkan is wrong because all these countries are not related to the research of a stupid geographer but the real name of this area is: South-Eastern Europe.
November 25, 2023 Blog

You should never visit Albania, if?

You Should Never Visit Albania If?

– You would see unique places of indescribable beauty.
– You would see wonderful and nice beaches.
– The mountains are very high, who can climb them.
– You would see the findings of the highest known ancient civilization.
– You would have the chance to experience our way of live.
– You would taste our famous Albanian food.
– It’s not like the country even has any history.
– You call that iconography? Albania, please
– Those sunsets are so boring.
– The water is so dirty you can’t even see the dolphins swimming through it.
– A country that has prices like New York or London, haha. Forget it.
100. Finally, you would get addicted and you would feel the need to migrate here, just as many Europeans and other northern-Europeans did. That’s why you should never visit Albania.
– Should you skip Albania?
November 24, 2023 Blog

10 Interesting Facts About Albania

10 INTERESTING THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT ALBANIA

  • For years, the small country of Albania was cut off from the world, but today, it has become an increasingly popular tourist destination. It attracts beachcombers, foodies interested in unique traditional cuisine, and history buffs looking for rich cultural heritage.
  • 10 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT ALBANIA
  • 1. In the evenings, the locals like to walk but it’s not just a walk. Known as Xhiro, it’s an official evening walk where residents come out to stretch their legs. In many towns, the roads close to cars during certain hours. Apartment blocks are empty and everyone gathers at various places, walking and talking until nightfall.
  • 2. When an Albanian agrees with you, he or she will shake their head, and when they disagree with you, they will nod. Be warned and avoid confusion. Yes means no and no means yes.
  • 3. Albanians believe that a scarecrow placed on a home or other building while it’s under construction will ward off envy from the neighbors.. Ha! Sometimes you’ll see a teddy bear serving the same purpose. The odd part is that the scarecrow or the teddy bear will be impaled on a rod or hung by a rope-like a noose. Some also say that these talismans bring good luck.
  • 4. When the communist era ended in 1991, there were roughly three million people in the country but only 3,000 cars. Communism isolated the country and, for a long time, only party officers were allowed to use cars. In the years since many more cars have come into the country, and the national preference appears to be Mercedes.
  • 5. The heroine of Albania is Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu, better known to the rest of the world as Mother Teresa. She was born in Skopje, part of Albania for a long time but, since 1913, part of Macedonia. She is the only Albanian to win a Nobel prize.
  • 6. In 1995 a law was passed requiring citizens to pay taxes on traffic lights in their home towns. The residents of Shkodra were taxed, just like all cities, but they staged a protest. The reason? Shkodra has no traffic lights.
  • It’s one of the oldest cities in Europe and the fifth-largest in Albania, with a wonderful Old Town worth visiting. History buffs will love the restoration that’s happening. Also, the Rozafa Fortress offers incredible views over the lake.
  • 7. Tirana, the capital of Albania, has a lot in common with other European capitals. It’s one of the only capitals without a McDonald’s (another is the Vatican City). Tirana is the heart of the country with a vibrant and youthful atmosphere. Post-communist transformation is most apparent here.
  • It’s practically unrecognizable from its old self. Primary colors decorate the buildings, and there are more public squares and pedestrian streets, as well as new business and shopping. Check out Blloku, where there are great bars, Archaeological Park.

  • 8. Albania has over 750,000 bunkers spread out across the land. They are hard to miss and can be a nice car game (be the first to spot the bunker!). They were all built during the dictatorship of Enver Hoxha to protect the country from an invasion – but an invasion never happened.

    Most bunkers are a bit of an eyesore and many Albanians dislike them because they are a reminder of 50+ years of isolation. But a few have been repurposed into cultural museums, artistic canvases and business ventures.

    9. Tirana, the capital, is surprisingly chic. For a country that’s had some stark years, the true Albanian spirit can be seen in modern Tirana. You might expect it to be dominated by grey concrete (like other post-communist European cities), but there’s a ton of green space, and, of course, lots of color. The inspiration behind the reinvention of the city is Edi Rama, a painter and a politician.

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    10. Raki is the national drink, but be warned! Raki made out in the villages is equal to about three normal drinks. If you’ve traveled in the Balkans, you’ve probably come across rakija or rakia, but the Albanian version is quite unique.

    It’s an old-school moonshine made from grapes and it’s incredibly strong. You’ll find it in most bars but be sure to pay attention to its source. If it comes out of a repurposed plastic bottle or plain glass jug, you’re liking getting a home-brew likely to put hair on your chest (as the saying goes)

September 24, 2020 Blog