IT IS NOT RIO DE JANEIRO, IT IS NOT MARANHÃO AND THIS IS NOT BRAZIL - I AM TALKING ABOUT ALBANIA!!!!!!!

No, no, no, no...you are not in the wrong blog!!! :) This is Rafa writing about a place that is not Brazil but it is a place that no one never think about travelling and it is one of the most beautiful countries in the so called Eastern Europe.

ALBANIA, in my opinion a fantastic PEARL in the Adriatic and Ionian Sea, right in the Mediterranean...

While people think about Greece...or exploring the beautiful italian coast...right there there is a tiny country full of culture, full of music and incredible natural beauties!!!

ALBANIA HAS ALL CHANCES TO BE ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR DESTINATIONS IN EUROPE.

Why staying in Nice, Cannes or Montecarlo full of old and luxurious buildings when you still can enjoy a long coast line exactly like the first roman conquerors visited THOUSAND OF YEARS AGO!!!???? You can specially enjoy this paradise in Vlore, more precisely in Dhermi.

In Albania you can still have it...

Visiting ancient greet cities and villages in Buprint part of the UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE...butrint, ancient Buthrotum, a port from Hellenistic to Ottoman times, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in south-west Albania. Situated on the Straits of Corfu, and surrounded by a picturesque lagoon, it is one of the most remarkable archaeological sites in the Adriatic Sea region. The Port of Saranda is the nearest place where you can reach this impressive site. The region is full of hills, river valleys and lovely nature landscapes where we can have incredible hikes!


Trekking in the surroundings of beautiful Korab Mountain, the waterfall in the middle of the mountain is absolutely gorgeous as you can see on you tube in this link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkMu41K284k - the fauna and flora in this regiuon is plenty, a great opportunity for hikers and bird watchers.

Well, one of my missions here will be promoting Albania for brazilian travellers and also using my contacts in all Americas in order to open their eyes for this promissing european destinations. Also with some contacts that I have in the country, trying to bring albanians to visit Rio de Janeiro, land of incredible beaches, football and super parties like New Year's Eve and Carnaval....

BRAZILIANS IN ALBANIA AND ALBANIANS IN BRAZIL!!!

I think it is very possible!!!

The photos were kindly provided by my Facebook friends Pravllo Vreto and Discover Albania

You can join them in the following profiles: Pravllo (http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.194231723933764.49604.181474138542856#!/profile.php?id=100002303259465) and Discover Albania (http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.194231723933764.49604.181474138542856#!/profile.php?id=1549647157)

Rafael Torres Lopes

Tour Guide and Travel Planner

A friend of Albania

PARATY - HISTORIC CENTRE HOSTEL - FULLY RECOMMENDED BY RAFA

Location is perfect, it stands right in the heart of the HISTORIC CENTER of Paraty!!! The neighbors cannot be any better..The Hostel stands next door to the CASA DA CULTURA and to the COIN CRAFT MAKER, the uruguayan (and brazilian at heart) Marcelo Dalto who has his own workshop called ATELIER ARACATI - His work is simply amazing!!! - PLEASE VISIT HIS BLOG - http://www.moedasearte.blogspot.com/

The Staff - FIRST CLASS...Glaucio and his people will always make sure that you will feel at home. Breakfast is simple like all HOSTELS, but it has a personal touch, the guests are always very well cultured people and the environment is simply very cool.

The House for sure is one of the old CASARÕES of Paraty - These are very old colonial houses preserved as a National Patrimony...the architecture is typically portuguese, meaning that the house has way more than 200 years. So space is fully guaranteed and the room is simply very pleasant, clean and comfortable!

The image speaks for me....cozy ambience...very warm when it is cold and completely cool when it is hot...equipped by ceiling fan and air conditioning, private bath room and very comfortable beds. All the with a price that you can really afford and you will be located in a prime region of the village. Right in the Center and close to the Pier where the boats leave for you to explore the marvelous and various islands of Paraty.

The HISTORIC CENTRE HOSTEL has a PATIO where you can commute with other people, a large table where you can chack your emails with two computers they offer and FREE WIFI - this is very important!!!

This is also the place where you will have your breakfast which I live very much and you can have the Bob's company...the dog of the house!!! : ))))))

I just have very good reasons for us to stay at HISTORIC CENTRE HOSTEL...it is a place for all ages..there is not a specific age group profile to stay there, no matter who you are, you will be treated like a very dear relative for the folks in the place. Very handy because you are close to the stores, to the cultural centers, to the main square Praça da Matriz, to the main lovely restaurants and to the Pier that allows you to choose many different boats for you to explore the islands.

Personally, I think the place is absolutely gorgeous...pleasant environment. You will love to stay there!!! You can book a place for you by adding their facebook profile which is http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/profile.php?id=100000765868330 or you can write an email directly to historiccentrehostel@hotmail.com and also do visit their webpage which is http://www.historiccentrehostel.com/ing%20index.htm

You see??? There is no way to escape...make your reservation as soon as possible, and way in advance because the look for private rooms are very competitive!!! You request the dates way in advance upon deposits.

Thanks Glaucio for the warm welcome and excellent services that you provided for me, Marcone and Terrence...RIO DE JANEIRO AND CHAPEL HILL WILL ALWAYS RECOMMEND YOUR PLACE!!!

Rafael Torres Lopes

Tour Guide and Travel Planner

Madly in love with Paraty