Send your clients to Tirana before the secret gets out- TTG media

TTG, world’s very first weekly travel trade newspaper, found in 1953, based in UK unveils Tirana as a must go destination. Abra Dunsby, the author of this article shares her empathy about the capital city of Albania. Everyone who visits Tirana gets overwhelmed from the energy of the people in the city, a youthful energy, its excellent food and complex history.

Here it is a unique and funny description of our city: “Take the hipster bars and stark Communist buildings of Berlin, throw in the charming chaos and wreckless drivers of Naples, then add a sprinkling of Ottoman mosques – mix it all together and you’ve got something that resembles the city of Tirana”.

As she explores the city’s attractions, the Skanderbeg square, National Museum, and the Pyramid she takes the chance to taste our delicious food, Baklava dessert and Byrek (cheese pie). Albania’s proximity to Italy has brought a Mediterranean flavour to its dishes. “Everything is organic here – farmers can’t afford the pesticides,” explains our guide Ivan when I comment on the food quality. It’s very affordable too – a pint of local beer costs the equivalent of less than a pound.  “Despite Tirana’s past, the capital’s forward-looking attitude is admirable, and there’s energy in the air.” says Abra.

But what’s more interesting about Tirana, it’s its history.

The city has seen its fair share of hardship, enduring 40 years of Communist totalitarianism under dictator Enver Hoxha, leaving Albania one of the poorest countries in Europe. Unsurprisingly, Tirana is keen to reinvent itself. It’s evident in the Brutalist architecture, which, under artist-cum-prime minister Edi Rama’s instruction, has recently been pepped up with bright paints. The city’s Blloku area was once off limits to everyone except Hoxha and his party members. It’s now the trendiest, most expensive part of town, filled with clubs, rakia bars and cafes.

Despite Tirana’s past, the capital’s forward-looking attitude is admirable, and there’s energy in the air.

 “I was won over by its warts-and-all wackiness, food and friendly locals. The tourist brigade is yet to descend upon Tirana. Send your clients before the secret gets out.”

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