Actress Min Ji-young shares thoughts on motorhome travels

Isabel and Sascha Bozzale from Unna spent 11 months and €32,000 converting a van into a camper. They embarked on a week-long trip across Albania, visiting Shkodër, Berat, Gjirokastër, and Tirana. Albania was chosen for its allowance of wild camping and scenic landscapes.

Sascha and Isabel Bozzale from Unna completed an 11-month self-build of a camper van and set off on their first trip to Albania. The project cost €32,000, made possible by living rent-free with parents. The route includes Shkodër, Berat, Gjirokastër, and Tirana, with wild camping on the coast and rafting in the Osum Canyon.

A motorhome itinerary through Albania has been published, covering the coast from Shkodër to Butrint. Key stops include Rozafa Castle, Karavasta Lagoon, the Apollonia archaeological park, and the UNESCO-listed city of Berat. The article notes that Albania follows the 'Besa' code of hospitality, and about one-third of the population speaks Italian.

The article outlines two ways to reach Albania from Italy: by sea (ferry from Trieste, Ancona, Bari, or Brindisi to Durrës or Vlorë) or overland via Croatia, Bosnia, and Montenegro. Key stops include the Theth Valley, Lake Shkodër, Tirana, Pogradec and Lake Ohrid, as well as the coast with Divjaka-Karavasta National Park and the Llogara Pass. Distances (about 1000 km from Trieste to Durrës) and ferry durations (8–20 hours) are provided.

Travelers in a motorhome share their experience driving on Albanian roads. The country has a few well-maintained highways and paved roads between major cities, but most roads are unpaved, and Google Maps does not always indicate the surface type. A paved road can suddenly turn into a rough dirt track, and on highways you may encounter horse-drawn carts, herds of animals, and dogs sleeping on the road. Traffic rules are largely theoretical: solid lines are ignored, speed limits are only enforced during police checks, and overtaking is allowed on either side.

Albania remains a popular destination for campervan travelers. Wild camping is permitted, but mass tourism is already noticeable on the coast. The average cost of a campsite night is €15, with budget options starting from €10.