A place that is likely to stir up a variety of emotions given its history, especially recent; a country that at present is only recognized by 116 UN member states (Costa Rica being the very first back in February 2008 and Antigua & Barbuda the most recent as of a couple of weeks ago); and a piece of Europe that is well, well off the beaten tourist path…
Kosovo
As an easy day trip from Macedonia or Albania, Kosovo is certainly no Monaco or Andorra, and in order to say you’ve traveled there, you really need to spend more than a few hours in some of its cities. In fact, you need to spend more than a few days to fully comprehend what it’s all about and appreciate what it has to offer as a travel destination. No one can say they’ve truly seen Prishtina until they’ve felt the energy pulsating from it on a Friday or Saturday night. No one can say they’ve traveled to Prizren until they’ve watched life stroll by from Shadervan in the evenings and woken up to the sounds of morning ezan. While both are definitely not the most beautiful cities you’ve ever seen, give them a little more time and you will realize that what they lack in aesthetics they more than make up for with legendary hospitality and the feeling that there is absolutely nowhere else in the entire world like them.
And yet, there’s more. Peja to the west is set against the incredible beauty of Prokletije, the “Accursed Mountains” aka Albanian Alps also shared with Albania and Montenegro, empty castles and fortresses just chilling… So, with as much as there is to see and as small and manageable of a country as it is to travel around, I had an idea.
I’ve decided to offer a Blonde Gypsy tour through Kosovo and Albania in 2015. It’s a bit of a vague notice, but I figured I might as well make the option available in case people are interested to see the cool side of the least visited (and most contested) country in the Balkans as well as all the highlights of Albania. Get in touch with me if you’d like more info – I’d love to have you join!
[Note: Tour has successfully come and gone. If you’d like to hear what’s on offer this year, get in touch through my contact page!]
Leaving you now with a little fauxtography from my last visit to Kosovo for some inspiration and as an introduction to the two largest cities in country – Prishtina and Prizren.
Somewhere, Kosovo. Just after crossing the border from Macedonia.
The man, the myth, the Kosovo legend…Bill Clinton. Pristina.
Unfinished business. Serbian Orthodox Church circa early 90s in Pristina.
The most beautiful library in the world? National Library of Kosovo in Pristina.
Born February 2008 (according to 109 states) making it the second newest nation in the world (according to 109 states). Pristina.
Corner of Bill Clinton Boulevard and Robert Doll – meet me there. Pristina.
Trying to grand up the Grand Hotel Pristina
“Cultural capital” and “prettiest city in Kosovo” – Meet Prizren.
Patriotism in Prizren for Albania’s 100 year anniversary
On top of the world, on top of Kaljaja. Prizren.
Outrageously Ottoman Ura e Gurit // Stone Bridge. Prizren.
Anyone been to Kosovo and have recommendations for other places to check out on my next visit? All photos above shot and edited with an iPhone 4s.
16 Comments
Rachel of Hippie in Heels
July 22, 2014 at 7:20 pmHow exciting I had no clue you did tours! I would love to start that in India. I may have to e-mail you and pick your brain a little. I haven’t been to either place… too bad flights are so much this time of year or I’d try to come join you!
Larissa
July 25, 2014 at 6:29 pmAh, too bad as I’d love you to come! Yes, been doing joint tours with Nate from Yomadic but this is the first one I am offering on my own as he and Phill will be taking off on another adventure.
Alli
July 22, 2014 at 11:50 pmWow! This is so awesome. Really wish I could join you! Can’t wait to hear about any potential 2015 trips you have planned…I’m definitely in #FYL #YOGYPSY4Life ;)
Larissa
July 25, 2014 at 6:33 pmThat’s what I like to hear! Definitely already scheming for 2015 so keep those Southern eyes peeled. #FYA – I miss you!
jazzy
July 23, 2014 at 3:46 pmif u r going to Albania visit Berat.
Larissa
July 25, 2014 at 6:33 pmOk.
Shaun
July 23, 2014 at 5:13 pmSounds like a great trip! Definitely a part of the world I need to visit more of and would be great to have a tour guide that is familiar with the region. Not this time for me but something to keep in mind!
Shaun
http://www.thislifeintrips.com
Larissa
July 25, 2014 at 6:35 pmIt’s going to be a lot of fun – whether I end up doing it on my own or with a crew. Will be around this part of the world for a while so definitely something to keep in mind. We’re just getting started :)
Hanif Chatur
July 25, 2014 at 11:57 pmLarissa this trip looks freaking brilliant and your pics aren’t too bad either. PS #FYL
Larissa
July 28, 2014 at 10:17 am#FYH – see you there? :)
Craig
August 12, 2014 at 4:28 pmGreat pictures, makes me want to visit Kosovo; it’s a little strange and a little cool to see a statue of Bill Clinton.
Larissa
August 13, 2014 at 8:20 pmThanks, it’s an interesting place for sure! Would recommend it if you ever get the chance.
Tauli
April 2, 2015 at 5:22 pmWow! Great Pictures, great desciptions! My parents are from Kosovo, so if you like to meet the “real” Kosovo & Albania I would like to schedule something out!
Larissa
April 3, 2015 at 2:41 amThanks! I’ve definitely met the real Kosovo by now – visited five times in 2014 and have some pretty amazing friends there. Awesome place!
Anita
July 9, 2015 at 5:57 pmHe Larissa,
Great to read your blog, it makes me really happy to see that there are people out there that see the beauty that Kosovo and Albania has to offer. Since I am from Kosovo but living in Germany, I always try to convince everyone I meet to go and check out the interesting but still gorgeous country I am from. Most of the time people are surprised because they think of it as an islamic country that is not save, and it is really hard to show them that it is save even for foreigners! So I just wanna thank you for that, and of course for the honest way you write about it!
I hope you will have a great time overthere, and see even more beautiful places then you have already done, just one tip from my side: try to visit – Liqeni i Komanit! It is just amazing!
All the best, and looking forward to your new adventures!
Best,
Anita
Larissa
August 13, 2015 at 12:20 pmHi Anita,
Writing about the beauties of this part of the world is the least I can do after all the hospitality I have received from it. Now that I am a resident here, even more of a reason.
It’s funny (and frustrating) how so many people I’ve tried to explain to that Kosovo/Albania are the least Islamic “Islamic countries” you will ever visit still can’t understand – it’s only after people visit for themselves that they can realize this. Anyway, Liqeni i Komanit is actually on my schedule next week and I am really looking forward to it! Thanks for the nice message and glad to have you follow along – I’m looking forward to the many new adventures as well :)