Situated in North east of Albania, Shishtavec is one of worlds best kept secrets. Secret meaning that this place lies like the forests of amazon rarely visited and stepped from any traveller since 1945.
The Stalinist dictatorship of Enver Hoxha of that time, has kept these remote parts af Albania as Europe's Secrets within a Secret. During the fall of communist era these remote parts of Europe have had their downfalls specially Albania, Albania described by modern Capitalist States of Europe and its neighbours as the European North Korea(enigma) until the early 90s. These remote beautiful places have not been the main task to the political parties in powers that came and went with their promisess, but the place is a boom, In the late 90s a lot of Albanians emigrated first they emigrated to the near by neigbours such as Greece Macedonia Italy, In the late 1998 and early 1999 Kosovan exodus escaping the Serbian regime and ethnic cleansing brought few tourists in the area mostly aid workers and Jornalists and also there were few ski championships and there have been most of the residents ambasadors of european countries, people that have travelled the world and i could say they are the biggest critics in this industry. People of district of Shishtavec also migrated as they saw the chance of escape and emigrate. Imigration (Gurbet)is the way of life and it has been for few centuries and at the beginni people emigrated in Ex Alexandria Istanbul of now days, the way of life was becoming harder people went allover the world in the late 90s almost any male over the age of 14 has left this gourgeous town.
An elder was saying that we have always been left on the side by the goverments but it looks like people here have taken their fate on their own hands,they have emigrated and are building this huge mosque as it was a symbol to our town appart from that my heart cries, cries becouse once this town was buzzing and now this beatiful gourgeous place is dying. Its streets and oasis where young used to meet and talk are ghost haunted, there are a lot of tourists he repeats,
In the early 19th century Gorani People from District of Shishtavec were master cooks and bakers. And known by almost anyone in the regions arround as they had their own shops as bakers or master pastry cooks, In the Enver Hoxha era they were an example of hard working people, with great knowledge and education and a welcoming hospitality which is part of their own culture. Promisess from all the goverments that in near future Shishtavec will be made an Olimpic Village as many people want it, but until now its an amazon on its own way NATURAL UNTOUCHED WELCOMING.

Shishtavec is situated in the north eastern Albanian city of Kukes and in thre cross borders of ex republics of Yugoslavia and in the northern corner of Albania.
Summer in Shishtavec is a boom there are not so many shops that you would go shopping and buy gucci or a beach where you will lie and be burned by the sun but there are traditional weddings to see and still the place is where you will be amazed of its natural resources views natural oasis its mountanious region its wild hills and wild animals where you will be amazed of what you will see such as traditions that have gone for centuries. Gorani are traditionally hospitable and there are fun weddings uswell where you can enjoy watching horse racing the traditional wrestling olimpic games strained as fun and laughter different tours to the a range of mountains near by and excursions.
Between Kosovo Albania, Macedonia is Shishtavec or the Gorani community as they call them selfs on the left there is Novosell and in the back is a town called Borje on the back to the Kosovan part is Krusevo they have an expeptional culture you will expect to be welcomed and where someone voluntarilly will give you an idea of the local area. There will be plenty of activities you will be loving the place the mountains animals and you will be so attracted to a natural beauty that you will remeber all of your life that you will mention every day.
You can organise trips your self or you will be accompanied by by specialist or a volunteer will help you to see the Shar Mountains The Korab mountain which is 25 km away the natural lake or you can, and will go camping in one of the best places near the beatiful natural lakes. You will also have the opportunity to do horse ridding fishing if it is winter you will love the snow in the heart of this big village there is A Morrava Hotel where you will experience the best of the traditional Gorani and Albanian cuisine where you will enjoy your meal in a nice and romantic way, you could enjoy your cuppa or a rare grappa in one of the taverns with such beatiful view to mountains. The best part of this trip will be a trip to the Morning stone which it has been a secret since people as people have come in life since the age of Stone Heng the morning stone lies in front of this beatiful place and each time the sun rises it seems as it comes out of that stone.
Great spectacular and really amazing natural and lively place
PS do not forget a photo camera is cumpolsory becouse you do not want to miss the great views.


[ edit ]