Though, the way to Tirana wasn't easy (almost 3 days on the road) and I felt it even better when I got my bus ticket from Thessaloníki to Tirana.. Stories about the country, Albanian people..well, one can hear all that stuff almost in every corner of Europe, but probably the perceptions/stereotypes are way too strong when it comes to neighbrouring states (Greece, Italy). Albania? why? what are you going to do there? questions posed almost all the way through from Tbilisi to Tirana and indeed it made an influence on my pre-arrival expectations.
But luckily Albania was warm enough! with extremely hospitable people (like in most of the south European states), beautiful nature, cheap prices and many other minor things that made it amazing for me.. not to delve into the EYP forum, which was itself an unforgettable one, country made an overall good impression on me... So already considering to visit it back in near future..
P.S. didn't mention anything about Greece.. the country I absolutely loved, but as far as I've already made a decision to go back there for the upcoming summer (hope some EYP sessions coming up there =) so exploration of Balkans will start from Ellada
