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Let's Go To Albania!
Home to the last deserted beaches in Mediterranean Europe
In search of the road less travelled can prove a tricky business. What is one to do when Budapest, the new Prague, becomes as thronged with backpackers as Vietnam, the new Thailand? (or was it the new Cambodia?)
Bringing things closer to home, the recent buzzword in quirky but cool travel is Croatia. Home to the partying port of Pula and Byron's "pearl of the Adriatic," Dubrovnik, it has more than enough to justify its position as Europe's playground.
The problem, however, as with all these diamonds in the rough, is that once their beauty secrets are out, there's no turning back. Croatia is now in danger of descending into the same highrise chaos as its Iberian neighbours. In the end, there are no winners.
It is with this in mind that I tentatively write the next few paragraphs. For the past ten days, I have been lounging in glorious sun drenched isolation. Where I hear you ask? Albania.
Yes, Albania! - but keep it very close to your chest; don't tell your neighbour; don't spout it to your hairdresser - Albania, only recently rid of its hardline communist past, is home to the last deserted beaches in Mediterranean Europe.
With a landscape largely unchanged since the ancient Greeks patrolled these shores, deserted beaches such as Dhermi and Drymades, both only a few hours on the bumpy road from the curious capital, Tirana; one could be forgiven for developing a sudden form of agoraphobia, such is their seclusion and your absolute privacy.
The locals that you do stumble across are very friendly, clearly not used to the sight or concept of tourists. One is as likely to be ignored as approached.
Bringing things closer to home, the recent buzzword in quirky but cool travel is Croatia. Home to the partying port of Pula and Byron's "pearl of the Adriatic," Dubrovnik, it has more than enough to justify its position as Europe's playground.
The problem, however, as with all these diamonds in the rough, is that once their beauty secrets are out, there's no turning back. Croatia is now in danger of descending into the same highrise chaos as its Iberian neighbours. In the end, there are no winners.
It is with this in mind that I tentatively write the next few paragraphs. For the past ten days, I have been lounging in glorious sun drenched isolation. Where I hear you ask? Albania.
Yes, Albania! - but keep it very close to your chest; don't tell your neighbour; don't spout it to your hairdresser - Albania, only recently rid of its hardline communist past, is home to the last deserted beaches in Mediterranean Europe.
With a landscape largely unchanged since the ancient Greeks patrolled these shores, deserted beaches such as Dhermi and Drymades, both only a few hours on the bumpy road from the curious capital, Tirana; one could be forgiven for developing a sudden form of agoraphobia, such is their seclusion and your absolute privacy.
The locals that you do stumble across are very friendly, clearly not used to the sight or concept of tourists. One is as likely to be ignored as approached.
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21:04 IST, 24.Jul.08
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