The main feature of Gjirokaster is its imposing castle stretched out like a lion across the mountaintop overlooking the valley. Its design and layout of the town is actually reminscent of the Alhambra Palace complex similarly designed in Granada Spain.Climbing to the top we had the choice of going into a museum for 200 Lek ($2) as well as castle admission 200 Lek ($2). We were short on cash in our last day so trying to stretch it out and skipping out on things. I...

Thursday morning we had to be up early for our morning bus from Berat to Gjirokaster, the second Unesco town in southern Albania. I woke about 4am not sleeping properly from the travel worry. We had to be on the 8am bus or else!Papi the guesthouse owner had prepared breakfast for us at 6am and we thanked him as we left early.We climbed down the cobbled steps to get to the bus stop. When one arrived it was packed to the door even this early and we barely got on wi...