Readers of A Luxury Travel Blog will no doubt have traveled extensively around the world and were among the first to venture into uncharted waters. But where in the Mediterranean offers you the opportunity for a fresh yacht charter experience, one that will envy friends and family?
We are delighted to offer readers a guide to yacht charter holidays in Albania, where the thriving charter industry is eager to welcome visitors to the Adriatic and Ionian coasts. Here, charming coastal towns, natural beauty and incredible history are ready to be explored from the comfort of your private luxury yacht.
The country, which borders Montenegro to the north and Greece to the south, remained isolated during the communist era, which ended in 1991. Since then, tourism has flourished in parts of the Balkans, but until recently Albania retained its mystery. . Albania has a coastline of 476 km, where sandy beaches face the azure sea on one side and forested hills on the other. Charterers will undoubtedly be attracted by the peace and tranquility that contrasts with some of the more vibrant Mediterranean countries and resorts.
It may be quieter, but like other Mediterranean destinations, Albania has its own Riviera in the south of the country, running from Vlore to Sarandë. Vlore Bay is home to a new marina, making it the perfect place to take a luxury yacht charter. Arrive a few days early and enjoy the atmosphere and history of Albania’s third largest city. There is plenty to see and do, and the beaches have been revived with the addition of modern hotels, bars, restaurants and nightclubs.
Wake up to the exciting prospect of meeting your yacht, captain and crew for a relaxing cruise along the coast where one beautiful sandy bay after another awaits. If this is your first time chartering a yacht, we recommend that you take weather conditions, local customs and your chosen route into account when preparing. You should cover up where necessary, and when not on the beach you may want to dress more modestly. Exploring ruins and walking rocky coastal paths may be on your bucket list, so sturdy footwear is essential. It can be cool on deck at night when anchored offshore, so bring something warm to enjoy relaxing evenings on board. Most locals in the larger towns and cities speak English, but if you’re interested in the Albanian language, it is unique to the country, gender neutral, and not considered a close relative of other Indo-European languages such as French or Spanish . So good luck, or in Albanian… paç dik!
The undulating Ionian coast south of Vlore is perfect for exploring by yacht and upon request the crew can take you ashore on the tender for a beach picnic. Or arrive under your own power on a kayak or paddleboard (usually available on board) for a closer look at the cliffs and caves. Your captain will likely be local and have endless recommendations for places to anchor, but some of the fascinating stops along the way include the spectacular Gjipe Beach, formed by a creek in a deep gorge; Grama Bay with hundreds of ancient inscriptions that sailors carved into the rocks long ago and in the 4th century; and Jalë, where the communist government had their summer residence and now offers fantastic views.
The center of the Albanian Riviera, Himarë has a traditional seaside feel with a promenade, plentiful Greek-style tavernas and an old town, built on the hillside, that bears the marks of a rich history. End the day with a walk to Himarë Castle, an impressive Bronze Age citadel, with spectacular sunset views over the sea and nearby islands, before returning to the yacht for a nightcap.
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Porto Palermo is home to the castle of the same name, which sits on an island connected to the mainland by a small strip of land. The now ruined castle was built by Ali Pasha Tepelena, a 19th-century Albanian ruler and Ottoman warlord, and is a popular tourist attraction with beautiful sea views.
A visit to Butrint National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Ramsar Wetland site of international importance, is a must. The park perfectly combines history and wildlife with the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Buthrotum, side by side with hundreds of animal, bird and marine species. The city’s ruins offer the chance to see the carefully preserved amphitheater and well-maintained floor mosaics. The theater was built in the 3rd century BC, possibly on the footprint of an older theater and expanded during Roman times. They built private boxes for the upper class above the two entrances and enlarged the structure to accommodate the city’s growing population at the time. In the west of the park are the rocky islands of Ksamil, which are only accessible by boat and are home to short-beaked dolphins and bottlenose dolphins. It’s always exciting to see a pod of dolphins dancing in the water, so ask your captain if he’d like to take a trip to the islands in hopes of seeing these mischievous creatures in action.
Sarandë is the ideal final stop on the Albanian Riviera and the town is located on a horseshoe-shaped bay, lined with beaches and a promenade. The 16th-century Lëkurësi Castle sits on a hilltop above the town and is worth a visit alone for the views over the valley, the mountain range and the Ionian Sea with Corfu on the horizon. The beautiful Natyara Restaurant is located on the way to the castle and offers equally fantastic views from its panoramic terrace.
If you have time to extend your charter holiday, consider continuing on to Corfu, which can be reached in less than an hour from this part of Albania. For even longer cruises, consider the Ionian islands of Kefalonia and Zakynthos. Whatever your itinerary, the onboard crew will provide you with first-class service, plenty of entertainment and culinary delights to make your experience unforgettable. Most yachts are equipped with an abundance of water toys that the crew launches when the yacht is at anchor and will provide you with hours of fun. If you prefer a more leisurely pace, meals and drinks will be served during the charter, according to your own taste. Yacht charter chefs are extremely versatile and enjoy creating authentic Albanian cuisine, which is heavily influenced by locally grown and farmed ingredients and fresh produce from the sea. Alternatively, they can cater for those who prefer a choice of international flavours, have special dietary requirements or have children who only eat chips!
There are numerous yachts now including Albania on their itinerary and there is a choice of both sailing and motor yachts. As in most areas of the Mediterranean, the warmest and driest months are July and August, when temperatures will be in the mid-twenties and there will be very little rain. If you plan a sailing trip, you may get better conditions in the spring and autumn seasons, when the weather is a little windier than in mid-summer.
We’re sure this authentic part of the Mediterranean won’t stay quiet for long, so add Albania to your wish list for summer 2024… your next great travel story awaits.
Trina Howes is president of CharterWorld America. CharterWorld is a luxury private yacht charter company that creates outstanding vacations with outstanding yachts at great prices – worldwide.
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