Communist Albania Tour

DESCRIPTION

Albania is a nation with a strong ethnic identity. Despite having a wealth of natural beauty, hospitable locals and an abundance of history from ancient to modern, it’s a country less travelled and very underrated. The modern history of Albania has been far from pleasant. Albania was sealed off to most of the world under the rule of Enver Hoxha, following his death and the collapse of communism the country descended into civil war. Since then, it has become incredibly safe for travel with a lot to offer and is progressing towards a brighter future and trying to shake off the stigma left from its dark past.

Our Communist Albania tour starts in Tirana, the capital of Albania. Here we’ll explore the shocking history of a communist regime that was one of the most brutal, secretive and isolationist during the Cold War era. We then traverse through the Albanian mountains, passing villages infamous for vendettas and blood feuds, beaches guarded by ghost bunkers left from the Communist regime, and abandoned naval bases.

ITINERARY

Friday 15th July – Tirana, Albania

Arrival at your convenience into Tirana – the largest and the capital city of Albania.
Pre-tour meeting and get-together with YPT guide and other travellers at the lobby of Freddy’s Hotel at 6:00pm to go over the tour itinerary and plans for the coming days.
Dinner at a tradtional Albanian cuisine restaurant where they specialise in lamb and sheep’s head.
Drinks at YPT’s favourite Hemingwar Bar where they specialise in unique cocktails
Overnight in Tirana

Saturday 16th July – Tirana

Morning

Breakfast at the hotel before an extensive walking city tour of Albania, you will see many relics of the communist regime, including the bizarre and foreboding pyramid that was originally opened as the Enver Hoxha Museum – the long-time leader of Communist Albania and was later used as a NATO base during the 1999 Kosovo War. It’s also perfect for climbing up for those who are brave enough!
Pay a visit to one of Tirana’s best-kept secrets: a collection of hulking Soviet statues hidden beneath an alleyway. While it is not allowed to enter, as always, we can get around it and allow you to get some great photos of Tirana’s former Lenin and Stalin monuments!

Afternoon

Lunch at one of Tirana’s many great restaurants, see the former home of Enver Hoxha from outside. Currently closed to the public, it is now facing a KFC.
You will then head to the infamous house of leaves, this was the surveillance centre that the communist authorities used to spy on the population of Albania, foreign embassies, and the rare foreign tourists that dared to enter the country back then.
Head to one of the vast former government bunkers of the Hoxha regime, this is where the running of the country would have been coordinated from in the event of an expected nuclear war and is a great insight into the advanced paranoia of the regime.
Round off the day in a spinning restaurant overlooking all of Tirana with drinks.
Dinner and overnight in Tirana.

Sunday 17th July – Albania coastline – Tirana

Morning

Grab breakfast in the hotel before beginning our much-loved beaches and bunkers tour where we will be heading to the stunning Albanian Riviera, Albania boasts an array of untouched Mediterranean coastline, minus the mass of tourists.
First, you will head to a local museum run by a friend of YPT. Nestled in a courtyard in the middle of Tirana, he has managed to save many relics of Communist Albania from destruction. You can enjoy a morning coffee, Albanian jam and a Raki as we converse with the museum owner surrounded by old Communist memorabilia.
On the way, we will stop at the family farm of a hospitable Albanian family. Their farm is home to a mass of ammunition and artillery bunkers from the Communist era. Today, the family uses them to brew wine. You will be invited to their shaded dining area next to a private lake before being treated to as much mouth-watering Albanian food, wine, and Raki as you like.

Afternoon

You will then reach the coast where you’ll have the chance to hike on cliffs above the azure blue waters of the Adriatic, explore the mass of abandoned Communist bunkers dotted along the coast, and finally, we spend a few hours at the beach for people to relax, grab a few beers and take in the views.
Drive back to Tirana for dinner and drinks.
Overnight in the hotel.

Monday 18th July – Berat – Tirana

Morning

After breakfast, we’ll drive south to the city of Berat.
On the way, you’ll explore abandoned communist industrial centres, oil mining towns with Mig fighter jets in the street, and much more that we can’t list here.
After a city tour of Berat, enjoy a traditional Albanian lunch of cow brain and intestines (or a more normal option if you prefer!).

Afternoon

You will then head back to Tirana, but you won’t be driving! Instead, you will then board one of Albania’s decimated trains leftover from the communist era. You will gain access into the drivers compartment through our local contacts and if you’re lucky, he’ll let you take over the controls for a few minutes.
Return to Tirana for an evening meal and drinks.

Tuesday 19th July – Secret Naval Base – Tirana

Today, you will be meeting the Albanian Mafia. We will head North to a pre-arranged meeting spot and enjoy lunch with some reformed members of one of the most infamous criminal organizations on earth. Our guide will translate everything.
Then, you will head to the abandoned naval base on the coast littered with Chinese torpedo ships. Entry is forbidden, so if we are caught we will be kicked out.
Return to Tirana for a farewell meal and drinks.

Wednesday 20th July – Tirana