Durres is Albania’s largest commercial port, and it was already a hugely important port for the ancient Greeks as Epidamnos and the Romans as the city of Dyrrachium. Today it serves as the gateway to the interior and the modern capital of Tirane. Our focus, however, was a drive further inland to the dramatic limestone escarpment of the Dinar Mountains and the ancient medieval capital of Kruje. Home of 15th-century national hero George Kastrioti Skanderbeg, the castle houses two fascinating museums, many medieval walls and towers, and an active medieval market on its rugged cobblestone streets.
9/20/2024
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Sea Cloud
Kotorfjord, Montenegro
Sailing into Kotor, Montenegro is a breathtaking experience. As the ship glides through the narrow fjord-like Bay of Kotor, the towering mountains embrace the crystal-clear waters, creating a majestic natural amphitheater. The medieval town of Kotor slowly emerges, its ancient stone walls and red-tiled roofs a striking contrast against the lush green mountainsides. The air is filled with the scent of saltwater and pine trees, as the ship docks in the charming harbor. A short boat ride from Kotor leads to Gospa od Škrpjela (Our Lady of the Rocks), a tiny, man-made island steeped in legend. The island, crowned by a beautiful Catholic church, is said to have been created by sailors who laid stones in the water to honor an icon of the Virgin Mary. The church’s interior dazzles with intricate paintings and silver votive plaques, each one a token of gratitude for answered prayers. Surrounding the island is the calm, sapphire sea, reflecting the sun’s rays and the grandeur of the surrounding mountains. Visiting Gospa od Škrpjela offers a serene, spiritual pause, enhancing the timeless beauty of Montenegro’s Bay of Kotor.
