Albania Episode 1: Extraordinary visit to Ksamil and discovery of the Butrint archaeological site!

#travel #albania #ksamil #history #butrint
Follow us on our new adventures in #greece and the #balkans on @Autourdumonde1 . Between history and gastronomy, this journey of several weeks will make you discover splendid places from the air. Please note that all images, even those taken from a #drone , are shot in #4k .
The ninth day of our journey through Greece and the Balkans, follow us on our first day out of Greece, arriving in Albania. In this episode, you'll discover with us the splendid landscapes and beaches of Ksamil, and together we'll visit the ruins of the archaeological site of Butrint, a city that was Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Angevin and Venetian before coming under Ottoman rule in Albania.
0:30 Introduction
0:52 Start of the day in Kalambaka and departure for Albania
1:58 Arrival in Albania
2:56 Rudimentary ferry to Ksamil
3:49 Welcome to the town of Ksamil
5:06 Boat trip to discover the islands
6:07 Stop at the twin islands
8:02 Discover the archaeological site of Butrint
11:18 6th-century basilica
14:40 Supper at Guvat's and end of the day
Introduction: departure
After a superb day discovering the Meteora region and its splendid monasteries, we're leaving today for a brand-new country, Albania. We will also be visiting three other Balkan countries: Albania, Northern Macedonia and Kosovo. The journey from Kalambaka to Ksamil is 220 kilometers and takes almost four hours.
Ksamil:
Ksamil is a seaside town in what is known as Albania's Southern Riviera. Here, the economy is focused on tourism, thanks to the mild temperatures and, above all, the spectacular turquoise sea and beaches. A sign that Albania is becoming a top tourist destination, Ksamil beach has been named one of the Guardian newspaper's top 20 holiday destinations. Ksamil is also located opposite the Greek island of Corfu.
Boat tour:
Like many tourists, we took the opportunity to go on a boat tour. The trip can be costly, so don't be afraid to negotiate the tour, which lasts around 1 hour. It has to be said that the four uninhabited islands opposite Ksamil are the main attraction of the area. In fact, some of them can be reached by swimming from the square. Renting a kayak or boat is therefore a "must" of the place.
The twin islands:
Ksamil's most famous islands are the Twin Islands, two islands that are actually connected to each other by a narrow belt of sand with dense vegetation. It's a real little tropical paradise.
Butrint:
A few kilometers from Ksamil lies the archaeological site of Butrint, an ancient city that was inhabited until the 19th century. As early as 44 BC, Butrint became a Roman colony and expanded considerably with the construction of a huge aqueduct. In fact, it was Julius Caesar who decided to establish a colony here. The site's most interesting monument dates back to Greek times: a relatively well-preserved theater. Surrounding it are Roman baths, the remains of a temple to Asclepios, an Agora and a chapel dating from the 5th century.
In the 5th century, the town became a bishopric, fortifications were built and important Christian structures such as this basilica were constructed. Other highlights include a 6th-century basilica, a baptistery, the Lion Gate and the citadel overlooking the site.
USEFUL LINKS :
Tourism in Albania :
albania.al/
www.euronews.com/travel/2023/...
htheface.com/society/how-alban...
Visit Ksamil :
ksamil.al/
thetravelfolk.com/things-to-d...
slowtravelblog.com/ksamil-alb...
The archaeological site of Butrint :
www.butrintfoundation.co.uk/
www.butrint.al/
www.visitsaranda.net/see/butr...
albaniavisit.com/destinations...
www.anadventurousworld.com/bu...
Hotel and Restaurant :
www.hotel-sunway.com/
/ sunway_hotel1
guvatrestau...
www.tripadvisor.ca/Restaurant...