We're packed and ready to wing our way to the UK and Albania in time to join up with fellow travellers for the 27 August start of our Redspokes Albania trip.
Our 14 day journey covers an amazing sample of Albanian culture and scenery starting off with an incredible trip across Komani Lake, described as a breathtaking lake set amidst fjord like scenery comparable to that of Norway. We then continue through mountainous areas with Ottaman stone built buildings crossing Roman trade routes working our way to the Unesco listed Macedonian town of Ohrid supposedly built with 365 churches - one for each day of the year. Heading further south we meet up with the Vjosa Roiver one of the few remaining wild rivers in Europe and take in some welcome thermal springs. We also and visit the town of Gjirokaster, birthplace of Enver Hoxha the hardline communist ruler from 1945-85 who ruled over an era of secret police and internment camps and who's paranoia is evident today throughout the countryside with the remains of the 700,000 one man concrete bunkers built to prevent external invasion !
Like any good Redspokes trip we do a fair bit of cycling spending 11 of our 14 days on bike covering over 800 kms with a fair bit of climbing including one day with 2050 metres and finish off with a memorable descent from the Llogara pass !
All in all it should be a fantastic trip ( ...although temperatures a few degrees less would be appreciated !)
Our 14 day journey covers an amazing sample of Albanian culture and scenery starting off with an incredible trip across Komani Lake, described as a breathtaking lake set amidst fjord like scenery comparable to that of Norway. We then continue through mountainous areas with Ottaman stone built buildings crossing Roman trade routes working our way to the Unesco listed Macedonian town of Ohrid supposedly built with 365 churches - one for each day of the year. Heading further south we meet up with the Vjosa Roiver one of the few remaining wild rivers in Europe and take in some welcome thermal springs. We also and visit the town of Gjirokaster, birthplace of Enver Hoxha the hardline communist ruler from 1945-85 who ruled over an era of secret police and internment camps and who's paranoia is evident today throughout the countryside with the remains of the 700,000 one man concrete bunkers built to prevent external invasion !
Like any good Redspokes trip we do a fair bit of cycling spending 11 of our 14 days on bike covering over 800 kms with a fair bit of climbing including one day with 2050 metres and finish off with a memorable descent from the Llogara pass !
All in all it should be a fantastic trip ( ...although temperatures a few degrees less would be appreciated !)
Sounds like a magnificent and ambitious journey hope you have as many easy downhill freewheeling times
ReplyDeleteTo make the uphill struggles worthwhile.
Looks like a great trip, hope all goes well. Look after Kev for us especially on the steep bits. I shall look forward to reading about your adventure as always. Bon Voyage
ReplyDelete