A short drive to the outskirts of Tirana, under the shadow of the Dajti Mountain Range, sites the Qendra e Solidaritetit Fundjave Ndryshe. The NGO behind the project, headed by energetic and bright-eyed Arber Hajdari, has been working tirelessly for some six years to bring much-needed aid, support, and on-the-ground assistance to vulnerable families and […]
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It’s been a while since my last post, and for that, I apologise. I started 2020 intending to travel extensively in the region, conducting interviews each week, and writing on The Balkanista more than ever before. Then the pandemic struck and I was left with the task of raising a toddler, working, and trying to […]
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At the top of a hill, somewhere between Fier and Lushnje sits the Albanica Winery, home to the Prifti family, a small guesthouse, kantina, and vast vineyards. To reach your destination, you have to drive up a winding hill, pass through a forest, and cross a small ridge before you descend to the winery which […]
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Located a 20-minute drive from Tirana, Fustanella Farm sits below the castle of Petrele overlooking a picturesque valley. An organic restaurant, Fustanella uses seasonal ingredients that are grown in the grounds of the farm. Meat, for the time being, is sourced from local farmers. The menu changes daily and is based on what’s good, fresh, […]
Continue ReadingIt’s been a while since I have made any observations about life in Albania. Here are a few lighthearted, tongue in cheek things I have noticed during my 2.5 years here. Take an Albanian with you when trying to get anything done that involves a government department, anything legal, or the post office. Even if […]
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One of the most common New Year’s resolutions is to travel more and explore the world. If you are one of the people that pledged to do just this in 2020, then you should really consider putting Albania on your list. Nestled in the heart of the Balkans, bordered by Greece, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Kosovo, […]
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A trip to Kosovo has long been on my agenda, after all one cannot call oneself the Balkanista and only have visited Albania and Macedonia so far. Autumn is perhaps my favourite season in this part of the world due to the abundance of rich colours that punctuate the landscape, combined with a faint smell […]
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I first visited Mrizi i Zanave when I was around six and a half months pregnant, during a small window of good health in between extended periods of bed rest. Since then, we have returned and vowed to go again and again. To me, it is like a paradise- clean country air, eagles circling overhead, […]
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Did you know that Tirana has the highest number of coffee shops per person compared to anywhere else in Europe? It is no secret that Albanians take their coffee very seriously and that pretty much any important decision, meeting, or discussion takes place over a cup of something hot, strong, and caffeinated. With literally hundreds […]
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After I moved to Albania, one of the adjustments I had to make was adapting to the different kinds of flavours, ways of cooking, and of course, ways of eating. Albanians love their food and with the Albanian palette, simplicity is key- bread, olives, oils, cheese, meat and tomatoes are found on dinner plates across […]
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