Maritime museum

Maritime museum of Montenegro, Kotor

Kotor, Montenegro is an ancient trade and harbour city. It is therefore no surprise that seafaring plays an important role in the history of the city and that there is a museum dedicated to this at the historic city center: the maritime museum of Montenegro (Pomorski muzej Crne Gore). It is not a very big or modern museum, but it is worth a visit if you’re interested in the topic or want to learn a bit about the history of the city.

Continue reading “Maritime museum”

Town of cats

Kotor, Montenegro

If you like cats then Kotor, Montenegro might be a good destination for you. They are everywhere in the old town, the citizens love their cohabitants and care about them. They add their special cuteness to the atmosphere of this nice place. Additionally the Italian name for the town is Cattaro – a funny coincidence.

Continue reading “Town of cats”

Bus from Albania to Montenegro

Bus transfer Albania-Montenegro

I did not use long distance busses very often in the past. Within western Europe you would simply take a train. Only once I went by bus to Zagreb, Croatia because it was cheap and I wanted to try it. If you’re on the balkans the situation changes totally and as there are only a small number of railway tracks the long distance busses become means of transport #1. And I must admit I also enjoyed it.

Continue reading “Bus from Albania to Montenegro”

Sveti Stefan

Sveti Stefan, Montenegro

The adriatic island Sveti Stefan near Budva, Montenegro is named after the Saint Stephan and was converted in the 1950s and 1960s into an island full of hotels. It is a wonderful place connected via a dam to the mainland. On the island you can find a church also named Sveti Stefan and formerly there was also a casino giving the island the name of the adriatic Monaco.

Continue reading “Sveti Stefan”

Lake Skadar

Bus transfer Albania-Montenegro

It is the biggest lake on the balkans: Lake Skadar, located between Montenegro and Albania. It is 48 kilometers long and 14 kilometers wide and receives its water mainly from the river Morača running through Montenegro. To the adriatic sea there is only one connection, the river Buna, which also forms the natural border between the two countries.

Continue reading “Lake Skadar”

Hotel Colosseo

Hotel Colosseo, Tirana

If you’re travelling by long-distance bus to or from Tirana, Albania and without a too tight budget – then the hotel Colosseo might be a good option. It is a nice four star hotel at one of the streets leading to the city center and the Skanderbeg square. If you’re walking on foot to the bus station for busses going to the north (behind ‘Pallati Sportit Asllan Rusi‘) you’ll need about seven minutes. To the city center it is less than 15 minutes on foot.

Continue reading “Hotel Colosseo”

Surrounded by mountains

I love Tirana

Getting to Tirana, Albania was a great experience. I selected this place as I was last time in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina and it felt as the logical next step. Western Europeans have strange prejudices about Albania, most often connected with organized crime and corruption. And some days before my flight a plane of my chosen airline was blocked at the airport of Tirana and the money transported with it was stolen. Not a good omen.

Continue reading “Surrounded by mountains”

Enver Hoxha

Villa of Enver Hoxha, Tirana

At Tirana, Albania it is hard to not get into contact with the history of former communist dictator Enver Hoxha. He was born in 1908 at Gjirokastra and as his family was wealthy he studied at France and Belgium. There he got in contact with communist ideas and when he returned home he first worked as a teacher for the French language.

Continue reading “Enver Hoxha”

Fascism & Communism

Bunk'Art, Tirana

The regime of Enver Hoxha made sure to create enough bunkers throughout the country. But where would the government flee to in case of an attack on Tirana, Albania? In the eastern suburbs of the capital city you can find the answer: a giant fallout shelter. Close to the Dajti Ekspres you can find a long tunnel through a mountain and when leaving the tunnel and passing some buildings you can find the bunker entrances.

Continue reading “Fascism & Communism”