Albania

Albania: 3 Must-Visit Landmarks

Albania: Top Three Landmarks to discover in this up and coming European country.

Albania, As Seen By an American Basketball Player

Basketball in Albania from an American perspective. Jakobi Bonner shares his story about living in this relatively unknown country where rivalries are fierce.

Tips for Hiking the Peaks Of The Balkans Trail

The spectacular wild, rugged borderlands of Montenegro, Albania, and Kosovo are traversed on the newly established Peaks of the Balkans Trail.

Albania: Wide Open and Wild

Albania was wild open when Ed Placidi visited many of the beach resorts like Ksamili beach, Shkodra with its center of grand promenades, and the crags of Valbona.

Hitchhiking in Albania

Hitchhiking through Albania. Jayne Dear meets a young Turkish women who isn’t afraid to hitchhike–and they tour the whole country by thumb.

Dhermi, Albania: The Hidden Seacoast of Europe

An island off the coast of Dhermi, Albania.

Albania has a great charm of its own, and it was heavenly to be so isolated, but will Dhermi, Albania’s innocence be trampled on when its secret is out?

West Balkans by Train, Bus and Ship

Super traveler Max Johnson visits the West Balkans (once called Yugoslavia), with stops in Durres, Albania, Belgrade, Serbia, and Podgorica Montenegro.

Albania’s Remote Northern Mountain Region

The amazing view from the top of the ridge, looking back toward Valbonë Valley.

Hiking in the dramatic and steep ‘Albanian Alps’ in the north of the country, Michal Kranz learns that his perception of Albania changed after a visit.

Gjirokastra Castle Albania: Layers of History

Gjirokastra Castle sits atop a hill in rural Albania, it’s a trip through history to explore it and the nearby village.

Nagorno-Karabakh, Heart of the South Caucasus

Lying at the crossroads between East and West, Nagorno-Karabakh is a self-proclaimed landlocked nation located at the heart of the South Caucasus.

Albania by Bike Photo Gallery

Albania by Bike A photo gallery by Melissa Adams Read the story about the bike trip in Albania

Albania: Crossing a Balkan Land by Bike

Albania: Biking where it’s old and in some ways, new, past horse carts, country farmers, striking mountains, and enjoying fresh grilled trout en route.

Albania: The Tail Wags the Dog

GoNOMAD’s David Rich visits Albania and finds friendly people, great historic sites and unspoiled beaches.

🌏 What You’ll Hear in This Episode

Dharavi’s Origins — How British-era industrial growth drew migrants who built thriving cottage industries that still power the neighborhood today.

Inside the Local Industries — From plastic recycling and metalworking to garment workshops, bakeries, and the centuries-old pottery district of Kumbharwada.

Workers sort, shred, wash, and process plastic into pellets used to make everyday products.

Metalworkers hammer and weld pots, trays, and household goods.

Potters sculpt diyas, water pots, and planters by hand.

These industries generate about $1 billion annually, according to Mohammad.

Life in the Neighborhood — Families living in compact homes, children attending school at high rates, and a vibrant social fabric full of shared meals, rooftop greetings, and cricket in the alleys.

Why “Slum” Is the Wrong Word — Krishna explains why he prefers “community” or “neighborhood,” emphasizing Dharavi’s sustainability, entrepreneurship, and constant evolution.

Progress and Change — Better sanitation, more community toilets, improved roads, and expanded educational support from NGOs.

How to Visit Respectfully — Krishna’s essential advice: no photos, dress modestly, listen to your guide, stay curious, and treat Dharavi as a living community—not a spectacle.

Pop Culture Connection — Danny Boyle spent extensive time in Dharavi before filming Slumdog Millionaire, which went on to win eight Oscars.

🔗 Links

Read more great travel stories on GoNOMAD:https://www.gonomad.com

Explore more episodes of the GoNOMAD Travel Podcast:

(podcasts.apple.com in Bing)

Learn about Inside Mumbai Tours:https://insidemumbaitours.com

Learn about Reality Tours & Travel:https://realitytoursandtravel.com

Follow GoNOMAD on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/gonomad

Subscribe so you never miss an episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gonomad-travel-podcast/id1650912321 (podcasts.apple.com in Bing)

Mohammad Sadique, Founder of Inside Mumbai Tours

Mohammed lives in Dharavi and has been a tour guide for many years. With the income from his tours, Mohammad has managed to pay to complete his secondary education. He is continuing his studies at the University of Mumbai in Sociology. He hopes to complete his degree and progress to master’s level study.

Krishna Pujari, Co-founder of Reality Tours & Travel

When he was 13, Krishna moved to Mumbai. He worked in restaurants during the day and went to night school to finish his education. His passion and dedication led him to team up with Chris Way to start Reality Tours & Travel. Krishna loves meeting people and giving back to the community. He makes sure the tours are run responsibly and really benefit the community.

Mentioned in this episode:

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