We arrived in the port city of Sarande to begin our two-day visit of Albania. We first traveled by bus to Butrint, traversing an intriguing landscape of beachside hotels, half-finished houses, Communist-era bunkers, and cultivated fields. Once at the National Park of Butrint, we toured the archaeological site along forested paths, taking in the complex mix of material dating from the Hellenistic to Ottoman eras. The weather was perfect, and the rain from the previous evening left behind shallow pools that reflected the site’s ancient ruins and lush vegetation.
Departing Butrint, we traveled to Lekuris Castle, originally built in the 16th century by the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. We were greeted upon arrival by a musician in Albanian dress, playing a traditional Albanian flute. We had a light snack in the restored castle and enjoyed spectacular views from the terrace. Heading back to the ship, we spent an afternoon under sail, with several guests taking the opportunity to climb along the bowsprit with guidance from Sea Cloud’s expert sailors. Photo Instructor Jose Calvo offered a talk on key aspects of photography, and we concluded our day with a maritime buffet on the Lido Deck.
