What's the best bargain in Europe for beach lovers? Hip travelers say it's the Albanian Riviera, that stretch of Ionian coastline running from Llogara National Park all the way down to the Greek border. The Albanian Riviera combines crystal-clear waters, nearly pristine white-sand beaches with glimpses of Ottoman palaces, and other sites of historical interest. The charming resort town of Sarandë is a great place to find cheap hotel deals in Albania that offer top rooms at special discount rates.
The Albanian Riviera is just one of many reasons to visit this fascinating country. Tirana, Albania's capital, owes its wide, tree-lined boulevards to Ottoman architects. Visit the National Museum of History to view archaeological treasures that date back to Albania's earliest prehistoric settlements. The Fortress of Justinian, a few miles outside of town, are the remains of a citadel that dates back to the time of the Byzantine occupation in the 10th century.
Tirana's biggest appeal, though, are some of the most entertaining nightclubs, bars and discos in all of Eastern Europe. As a swinging party center, you'll find plenty of Albania hotels in Tirana. Expedia makes the search even simpler, connecting travelers with the best Albania hotel deals. You'll be able to locate hotels in Albania that offer reservations at great prices.
The town of Berat in southeastern Albanian was built on the remains of an ancient Illyrian settlement called Antipatreia. In the 15th century, under Ottoman Turk rule, Berat became a famous center for local handicrafts, especially woodcarving. Under communist rule, the town was turned into a kind of living museum. The rows of white Ottoman-styles houses hugging the rugged hillside has earned Berat the nickname "Town of a Thousand Windows." If you want to book Albania holiday packages or tours, Berat is definitely one of the places you'll want to visit.
The rolling hills of the interior portion of southern Albania inspired "Childe Harold's Pilgrimage," the poem that first made Lord Byron famous in the 19th century. This part of Albania remains much the same today as it was 200 years ago when Lord Byron and his faithful companion John Cam Hobhouse toured it on horseback.
The Bektashi monastery near Melan is open to the public, and a highlight of any trip to this region. Bektashi is one of the mystical Sufi orders of Islam and received much support throughout the reign of the Ottoman Empire. While southern Albania is seeing an increasing influx of visitors, tourism infrastructure is still developing, so reserve a cheap Albania hotel deal before you arrive.