Gamti Mountain & Bovilla Lake: Hiking Tirana’s Turquoise Reservoir
Key Takeaways Bovilla Lake is the turquoise reservoir that supplies Tirana’s drinking water — about 15–16 km (and one slow […]
The Blog
Stories, guides, and local perspectives from 21 years of living in Tirana.
The Best Rooftop Bars in Tirana — A Local’s Guide to Drinking With a View
Key Takeaways Tirana grew up before it grew polished — and the best reward for all those towers is the
The Canadian Who Gave Us Back Our Own Books: Gheg Literature, Told Through Robert Elsie
A foreigner buried in Theth spent his life translating northern Albania’s Gheg literature — Fishta, Bogdani, Migjeni — back into reach. Here’s the tradition, told through him.
Albanian Blogger
One Night in Shkodra — Albania’s Most Underrated City Woke Up
I’ve been coming to Shkodra for years. Not as regularly as I should, but often enough to notice something that
One Night in Shkodra — Albania’s Most Underrated City Woke Up
An unplanned night in Shkodra — a sold-out play at the Migjeni Theatre, a packed boulevard, the old bazaar after dark, and why Albania’s most underrated city is about to get much bigger.
The Albanians Who Have Lived in Sicily for 500 Years — And Are Now Calling Us Home
Five Sicilian villages have spoken Albanian since 1488. Now their mayors want a direct flight from Tirana. Here’s the story of the Arbëreshë — and why I think you should put one of their towns on your travel list.
The Albanian Plis: History, Meaning, and the Fight for UNESCO Recognition
The white felt plis cap is Albania’s most iconic headwear. After 12+ years of campaigning, here’s why it deserves UNESCO recognition — and what you need to know.