Albania, “My Beauty”

Mali i Çikës në pranverëÇika mauntine in springFoto_Edvin KASIMATI

<<Kanioni i Osumit, Skrapar Osumi Canion, Skrapar Foto_Brilanta KAdIllArI

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I am proud to represent Raiffeisen Bank that made possible the publishing of such an attractive brochure

showing the beauties of Albania. At the same time I would like to thank T.I.C.A. who came to us with this project.

I have to admit that I am impressed by the talent of all the young amateur photographers that have participated

in this competition and I hope all of you who will have the chance to have a look at these pictures will go and visit

the locations themselves.

Raiffeisen Bank has been supporting the developing of the Albanian economy as one of its priorities. We have

presented Albania in the European countries as a place with high potential with possibilities for investments.

This support goes in the same line with our policy but this time we would like to show another side, the most

beautiful side of Albania.

I hope you will join me in discovering these places. All over the country you will find Raiffeisen Bank branches and

our specialised staff will welcome and accommodate all your banking wishes.

I wish you pleasant adventures in Albania!

Oliver J. Whittle

Chief Executive Officer

Raiffeisen Bank Albania

I wish you pleasant adventures in Albania!

Albania, “My Beauty”

Organized by TICA http://www.tica-albania.org

and supported by Raifeisen Bank

www.raiffeisen.al

The aim of this publication is to promote tourism by discovering Albania’s ‘hidden’ and beautiful places and locations. The brochure offers incentives to an all year round tourism, inviting holiday goers and adventure seekers to spend their holidays in the touristic places of this

wonderful country, and its breathtaking nature.

TICA (Tirana Institute of Contemporary Art) supported by Raifeisen Bank is launching the first

ever publication of the “My Beauty” Photo Contest. This publication is designed to create a buzz around the ‘hidden’ touristic destinations of Albania by selecting the best photos depicting

Albania as “My Beauty”.

A special thanks to Raifeisen Bank and all partecipans in this photo contest from Tica’s team.

Edi Muka, Rudina Memaga, Arenc Haxhillari, Gentian Shkurti, Cecilia Tirelli, Stefano Romano.

Al

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, “

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Pamje perëndimore e Kepit të rodonitWestern view of rodoni CapeFoto_Alket ISlAMI

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geography

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Kepi i StillosStillo’s CapeFoto_Edvin KASIMATI

<< Mali i TomorritTomorri mauntineFoto_denis KOllAKu

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Albania borders Montenegro and Kosova in the north and northeast, FYR of Macedonia in the east, and Greece in the south. It is washed

by the adriatic and ionian seas to the west and separated from italy by the strait of otranto, 82 km in width.Albania surprises visitors with

the diversity of its landscapes, which change quickly and dramatically. Albania is a mediterranean country, but due to its particular geo-

graphical and geological features, a variety of landscapes intertwine. Landscapes range from typically Mediterranean in the west and sou-

thwest, to mixed in the central area, and mountainous in the inner part of the country. The coast has beautiful, virgin, and fine sandy and

pebble beaches. The country is adorned with numerous charming inland lakes, natural lagoons, reservations, hunting grounds, and spas.

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Climate

MartaneshFoto_Alban JAzExhIu

liqeni i dushkut, Gramshlake of dushku, GramshFoto_Besmir luMAnI<

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Borsh Foto_Ilir lloti

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Mediterranean climate, is the albania nature, but given its mountainous character and broken relief, it varies throu-

ghout the country. Albania is characterized by hot dry summers with bright sunny days, and generally mild winters

with abundant rainfall. The winters are cold and the summers chilly in the Albanian Alps in the northern part of the

country. Generally, the weather is sunny and hot from June to September, and cool and wet from October to May. Visi-

tors can enjoy the wonderful Albanian sights throughout the year. Notwithstanding, the best months to visit Albania

are April, May and June, as well as the period from mid-October.

Kisha e rodonit rodoni ChurchFoto_Arenc hAxhIllArI

GolemFoto_Erion xhArA<

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Karpen Foto_Alket ISlAMI

Kisha e PeshkëpisëPeshkëis ChurchFoto_Fation SAllAKu

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Mali i Tomorrit Tommorri MauntineFoto_Andi TEPElEnA

FekenFoto_Ardi SAlA<

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MOUNTAINS

RIvIeRA

LAKeS

JalFoto_Julinda dhAMO

Jezerc Foto_Gjergji BAlTAdOrI

Prespa e VogëlFoto_Albert VrAPI

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“My

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Me diellin në dorë With sun in hand, dhermi Foto_Saimir Kolaneci

KsamilFoto_Almir dErVIShAJ

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Mountains and hills make up two-thirds of the territory of Albania and extend from north to south. The most important mountainous

centers are Dajti, Llogara, Dardha, Bozdoveci, Voskopoja, Valbona and Thethi. They offer the opportunity to engage in numerous activities,

such as skiing, trekking, speleological expeditions, mountain biking, etc.

Skiing is especially developed in the area of Korça. In particular, Voskopoja has a well-known resort that has enjoyed increased traffic thanks

to the promotion by the Albanian Federation of Skiing. Albania has numerous locations where skiing and other winter sports can take pla-

ce, such as Shishtaveci in the district of Kukës, Korabi in the district of Dibra, the region of Puka, Grabova in the district of Gramshi, as well as

Razma, Boga, Thethi in the Albanian Alps, etc.. The Academy of Physical Education and Sports organizes every year skiing courses. The same

opportunities exist for mountain climbing and trekking in places like Thethi in Malësia e Madhe (the Big Highland) - the starting point for

the Albanian Alps; the ranges of Korabi and Lura in the district of Dibra; Valbona; Maja e Hekurave (Peak of Irons) and Kollata in the district

of Tropoja; Vermoshi, Boga, Thethi and Razma in the districts of Shkodra and Malësia e Madhe; Dajti in the district of Tirana; Tomorri in Berat;

the area of Vithkuq in Korça; the ranges between Përmeti and Gjirokastra in the southern part of the country. The spread of limestone for-

mations and the presence of karst have contributed to the creation of numerous caves throughout the territory of the country. They make

for very attractive sights with the wealth of stalactites, stalagmites as well as pre-historic and archeological objects.

Malësia e PezësPeza's higland Foto_Blerina hOxhA

OstrovicFoto_Ervin PAnIdhA

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Guri i Kamjes, PogradecFoto_Mario PAPulI<

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Kalaja e himares, pare nga livadhi Fortress of himara, view from livadhFoto_Arben CAnOlE

Burimi i ErzenitChurch in Muzine Foto_Endri PrESPA

Kisha e Muzines Church in Muzine Foto_Besmir lumani

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riv iera

ValbonaFoto_denalda KuzuMI<

The coast is one of the most important tourist destinations in Albania, amenable to a number of sports. It is 450 km long (including the

lagoons) and is overall clean according to Mediterranean standards.

The largest part of the coastal area consists of the Adriatic seashore, which begins at the mouth of Buna River in the north and continues

up to the Bay of Vlora in the south. The beaches of the Adriatic Sea are characterized by shallow waters, making them attractive destina-

tions for families. Significant parts of the seashore is surrounded by pine forests and lagoons that create opportunities for the promo-

tion of ecotourism, observation of seafowl, and for nature lovers in general. In the northern part of the Adriatic seashore, the beaches of

Velipoja and Shën Gjini (Saint John) are the most frequented, primarily by holidaymakers from the Northern Albania. In recent years, the

1918

Kepi i rodonit, Pamje nga lartëuper view of rodoni Cape Foto_Spartak MArKu

Verande ne dhermi Veranda in dhermi Foto_Petrit Seralil

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number of visitors from Kosova has increased. The most important and best-frequented beach, not only of the Adriatic shore but of the whole Alba-

nian coast, is the beach of Durrës, which merges with that of Golem. Other beaches are those of Karpen and Spillenja in the district of Kavaja - taking

their first steps in tourist infrastructure development, Divjaka in the district of Lushnja - famed for its ecosystem. The Adriatic shore has a number of

lagoons. The lagoon of Karavasta is the most beautiful and important. The Ionian seashore, otherwise known as the “Albanian Riviera” begins at the

Bay of Vlora and extends up to the cape of Stillo on the border with Greece. It is rocky, of a dramatic relief, and has small and intimate pebble beaches.

The Ionian Sea is renowned for the quality and depth of its waters. It is the preferred destination for young people, honeymooners, and water sports

enthusiasts. There are also many opportunities for diving. The main beaches are Palasa, Dhërmi, Jali, Spile of Himara, Qeparo, Borsh, Bunec, Krorëz, Saranda

and Ksamil. The Albanian coast provides all the necessary condition for engaging in a wide variety of activities and sports, such as swimming, rowing, motor

boat tours, diving, etc. One of the most salient examples is beach volley, organized under the exclusive supervision of the Albanian Federation of Volleyball.

Opportunities for scuba diving abound, with choice locations at the Cape of Rodon, that of Lagji, the area round the peninsula of Karaburun and the island

of Sazan, Dhërmiu beach etc.. They have a rich underwater flora and fauna. One can also encounter sunken ships, coral reefs and objects of archeological

value. The Albanian coast is an excellent destination for fishing. The National Association of Fishing, member of the Albanian Olympic Committee, organizes

amateur fishing sporting events.

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Perendim nga Manastiri ne dhermi Sunrise from dhermi monastery Foto_ramadan lumani

Shpella e Pirateve dhermi, Pirats cave dhermi Foto_Arenc haxhillari

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Grykderdhaj e nartësnarta embouchure Foto_Klodian VOKO

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Kalaja e Turrës, Kavajë Castel of Turra, KavajeFoto_Artionel lAME

Perëndim në Bisht Pallë,Sun rise in Bisht Palle Foto_Andis Ferra

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Shpella e haxhi Aliut në Karaburun haxhi Ali cave, Karaburun Foto_nils langu

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zvërnec Foto_Fation SAllAKu<

Kepi i rodonitrodoni CapeFoto_Enkelejd KArAnxhA

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livadh, himarëFoto_Alban JAzExhIu<

Kalaja e PetrelësPetrela CastelFoto_Ilir llOTI

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Kuajt e divjakes diviaka horses Foto_Saimir KOlAnECI

Gjiri i Jales, Vuno Jala bay, Vuno Foto_Andis FErrA

llogaraFoto_ErIOn xhArA

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national Park of llogoraFoto_ESA<

Air Sports from The Pass of llogoraFoto_delta<

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Gjiri i Jales, Vuno Jala bay, Vuno Foto_Andi TEPElEnA

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Pamje e Porto Palermos Porto Palermo view Foto_Ardi SAlA

Pamje e Porto Palermos Porto Palermo view Foto_hysen VAdEnJA

Kalaja e Porto Palermos Porto Palermo CastelFoto_hysen VAdEnJA

VoskopojëFoto_denis KOllAKu

Plazhi i potamit, himare Potami beach, himare Foto_Gjergji Baltadori

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Plazhi i PalasësPalasa beach Foto_Besmir luMAnI

dhërmiFoto_Arben CAnOlE

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liqeni i dushkut, Gramsh dushku lake (Gramsh district) Foto_Petrit SErAlIl

<liqeni i lurëslura lake Foto_ramadan luMAnI

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laKeSAlbania has many big and small lakes. The most important tourist destination among them is Lake Ohrid, located

in the southeastern part of the country. It has an area of 362 km2, one third of which belongs to Albania. This is

the deepest lake in the country and the whole Balkan Peninsula. The maximal depth reaches almost 300 meters.

The lake is inhabited by alcoran, a kind of trout unique to this environment. There are a number of tourist centers

in the area, such as Lini, Pojska, the town of Pogradec, Tushemisht and the karstic springs of Drilon.

The visitors to lake Ohrid come not only from within the country, but from abroad too. They usually stay in the

houses for rent in the area of Tushemisht.

Kanioni i Osumit, Skrapar Osumi Canion, Skrapar Foto_Brilanta KAdIllArI

Prespa e Vogël Micro Prespa lakeFoto_Mario PAPulI

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lumi i Bunës Buna river, ShkodraFoto_Enkelejd KArAnxhA

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Ky LIbëR U pROdhUA Me fOTOT AMATORe Të peRSONAve Te MepOShTëM

KOLANECI

CANOLE

LUMANI

SERALIL

LUMANI

HAXHILLARI

FERRA

LANGU

TEPELENA

SALA

BALTADORI

DHAMO

VRAPI

DERVISHAJ

HOXHA

PAPULI

KASIMATI

PANIDHA

PRESPA

MISHA

MARKU

VOKO

LAME

SALLAKU

KARANXHA

XHARA

LLOTI

JAZEXHIU

VADENJA

KOLLAKU

ISLAMI

Saimir

Arben

Besmir

Petrit

Ramadan

Arenc

Andis

Nils

Andi

Ardi

Gjergji

Julinda

Albert

Almir

Blerina

Mario

Edvin

Ervin

Endri

Ervin

Spartak

Klodian

Artionel

Fation

Enkelejd

Erion

Ilir

Alban

Hysen

Denis

Alket