Albanian Riviera

Location of Albanian Riviera

Albanian Riviera (Albanian: Riviera shqiptare/Bregu) is a coastal area in the County of Vlorë running along the Ionian Sea under the Ceraunian Mountains in Southern Albania. It should not be confused with the Albanian coastline as a whole, which includes both the Riviera, and the flat coastline of central and north Albania. Traditionally, the region begins south of Llogara National Park, continues down along the coast through the villages of Borsh, Himara, Qeparo, Piqeras, and ends at Lukovë.[1] The Albanian Riviera was proclaimed as the 2012 Top Value Destination by Frommer's.[2]

The region gained international attention after the 2009 reconstruction of the coastal road SH8, the 2010 tour stop of DJ Tiesto in Dhermi,[3] and the filming of a Top Gear episode featuring a breath-taking car pursuit along the winding coastal road.[4][5]

The area is a major nightlife, ecotourist, and elite retreat destination in Albania. It features traditional Mediterranean villages, ancient castles, Orthodox churches, secluded turquoise beaches, mountain passes, seaside canyons, coves, free flowing rivers, underwater fauna, caves, and orange, lemon, and olive groves.

In 48 BC during his pursuit of Pompey, Julius Caesar set foot and rested his legion at Palase. He continued onto Llogara Pass in a place later named Caesar's Pass. As part of the regional master plan,[6] the World Bank and other institutions are financing local infrastructure projects,[7][8] including the renovation of roofs and facades of traditional houses overlooking the Riviera and the construction of water supply and treatment plants.[9][10] The whole coastline of Albania is over 320 km long and administered by the National Coastal Agency.

Beaches

Panorama of Albanian Riviera from Llogara Pass overlooking islands north of Corfu.


Traditional village of Dhermi along the Albanian Riviera

The Riviera includes beaches of the following settlements:

Landmarks

Gjipe Canyon ending into the sea
Çika Peak seen from the coast
Porto Palermo Bay
The riviera is also known as a nightlife destination
Borshi Castle

Accommodation along the riviera consists mainly of guest houses, bed and breakfasts, and wood cabin complexes. There are many camping areas, beach clubs, and some resorts while the rest of the coast is mostly unspoiled. Some owners of these facilities organize tours along the coast and the nearby area as part of their accommodation packages. These include visits to cultural sites, and sailing, paragliding, hiking, kayaking, and underwater diving activities. The trendy bars of Tirana's entertainment district, Blloku transfer along the Albanian Riviera during the peak summer months.

Below are some historical and natural landmarks:

Ports and Marinas

See also

References

  1. ↑ Gloyer, Gillian (2008). The Bradt Travel Guide Albania. Bradt Publications UK. p. 199. ISBN 1-84162-246-X.
  2. ↑ http://www.frommers.com/micro/2011/top-destinations-2012/top-value-destination-albanian-riviera.html
  3. ↑
  4. ↑ Driving in Albania – Top Gear – BBC YouTube (8 June 2011). Retrieved on 19 October 2011.
  5. ↑ High Speed Albanian Police Chase – Top Gear Series 16 Episode 3 – BBC Two. YouTube (8 February 2011). Retrieved on 19 October 2011
  6. ↑ http://www.mppt.gov.al/previewdoc.php?file_id=136
  7. ↑ http://siteresources.worldbank.org/EXTINSPECTIONPANEL/Resources/AlbaniaICZMCPManagementResponseFinal.pdf
  8. ↑ http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/2010/03/17/000020953_20100317103239/Rendered/INDEX/535540ISDS0ALB0integrated0coastal0rev.txt
  9. ↑ http://www.mppt.gov.al/previewdoc.php?file_id=1362
  10. ↑ http://gradst.hr/~pavasic/albania/Interim%20Report%20Final.pdf

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Albanian Riviera.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Albanian Riviera.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Coastal Albania.

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