First Impressions of Valbona, Albania! 🇦🇱

[@bpo-3466]

So.... in a nutshell. I' ve just turned 34, and had a beautiful baby boy recently, so me and my spouse did not have much time for each other and for traveling.... She came up with the idea of Albania, what I had not much knowledge of up until 2 weeks ago. Opened Google maps, and boom there it was. Then I opened KZbin and boom there was your chanel James..... Just finished watching every single video on your chanel, closing it with this one, dancing on my nerves about when the next video will drop..... 🥰 2 weeks passed, I have a plane ticket after a very, very long time, some currency in my pocket I have never heard of (LEK) and enough knowledge of the country, the culture (thanks to you) and basic Sqip phrases and sentences, that I already feel like I' ve known this country for a very long time... And I am going to sit on a plane with my son for the first time, which is also a FIRST with him, of which I am hoping to experience a lot more of! I've always had high hopes, so now Albania has to live up to them! Or I need to change.... 😛 Anyways, the trip is coming very soon and I just wanted to thank you for your amazing talent and work you put into this channel, covering almost everything I was curious about. Keep on rockin', looking forward to your next video! 😎

[@JamesLeithart]

Wow. I'll rank this as one of my favorite comments of all time. Thank you so much for taking the time - not only to write the comment but even more to watch all my videos! I really, truly appreciate it. You are the kind of person I made all those videos for, and to hear that they are still hitting their mark even though some are almost 6 years old gives me immense joy. Congratulations on the birth of your son, and I hope that this is the first of many trips he has the privilege of taking with you. I love Albania, and I hope your journey here will give you a small sample of why that is. Please feel free to reach out to me on instagram @jamesleithart if you have questions!

[@bpo-3466]

The pleasure was all mine! You really have something amazing going on here... 🤗 @@JamesLeithart

[@blaugranasii]

Valbona is the small Swiss of Albania👏🏻🤩🇦🇱 that's what we call it great video

[@I_am_who_I_am_who_I_am]

That my friend is Albania, our ancestors have shed rivers of blood for. But in those mountains there's hundreds of thousands of Byzantine, Ottomans and Serb corpses. A small sacrifice for our glorious venerated mountains.

[@sefo1968]

I found your chanel long ago i like how u show the truth of it me as an Albanian from Kosovo living in Germany i love to see these parts of albania where i never been to i mean we have so much places where i would like to go just like hining in the Mountains and forgot about my Problems I wish u a good time in our lovely contry

[@JamesLeithart]

thanks for sticking around!

[@LuxCorStudios777]

3:50 And Alexander looked out and wept for there were no more worlds to conquor

[@DayoClinckspoor]

I recognize so much of the road you've taken, and it's amusing how you've stopped at the same spots I did. It's really wonderful to see it all in this season again. great video. keep em coming ;)

[@JamesLeithart]

I didn’t realize you took that route! But also, I’m eagerly awaiting whatever videos you’ve got cooking.

[@ManiX207]

actually impressiv video - came across this since i m traveling next week to said place ^^

[@aureliogj7966]

Those views were just majestic James, my dad comes from there and he would always tell me tales of his childhood running up and down those mountains with his friends when he was a kid and getting into all sorts of mishaps so this video was special to me

[@JamesLeithart]

wow that’s so fun. i’m glad it can help you visualize your dad’s stories

[@Bluesky0201]

Wonderful video excellent description of the area and hopefully you enjoy Albania to the fullest. Enjoy life and put yourself in the neutral as a car and let life take you wherever it takes you enjoy and have a wonderful life. Cheers 🥂

[@the.randomstuffguy]

Long journey u did for this video James good job again!! ❤❤

[@JamesLeithart]

Thank you! 😃

[@DritaVjerdha]

Nji mrekulli e natyres se Alpeve Shqiptare. ❤🇦🇱👌..bravo per viidjon e nji niveli te lart 🤗👏👏👏👏

[@alexandrobossiano]

19:28 bro you put background music as you are in other planet. the mountains look frighteningly huge like in Everest. 15:11. Nice video

[@JamesLeithart]

thank you! thanks for watching

[@ranwill]

I haven't been to Valbone yet. But I've been to nearby Theth and the views are incredible

[@JamesLeithart]

I enjoy both! Will hopefully return to Theth this spring

[@bloom7204]

wow • absolutely stunning views; cool hotel • really nice video

[@JamesLeithart]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@albanodoko9540]

Wow bro just wow paradise on earth

[@BlueRidgeRider]

Hello from North Carolina! I’m really enjoying your videos. We were both a bit down after the election and wondering if there might be a better place to live out our retirement years. At first it was various Central American countries but thanks to KZbin’s algorithm Albania showed up. It quickly moved to the top of our list. We will be visiting in April for two weeks just to have a look around. We are excited about it! We mentioned it to some neighbors and their reactions were pretty predictable. “Where is it?” and “Aren’t you scared?” Your videos have a different perspective and a different feel than most of the touristy ones. I hope you are taking care of your mental health.

[@JamesLeithart]

That’s my primary reason behind showcasing Albania! Showing it off in a way that’s not typically seen in the public eye

[@xhoi96]

Amazing views bro/// although im Albanian i never been to this places... great work, keep it up.....

[@marafarnham595]

Nice views 😊 thank you James! ❤️

[@JamesLeithart]

Glad you enjoyed

[@user-yc2br2ln2r]

Waw beautiful views

[@dashd5778]

Give also Dibra mountains a chance, pretty sure you will not regret! I'd suggest May tho!

[@gregf9160]

That was amazing, James. Thanks for sharing 🤗🤩

[@JamesLeithart]

My pleasure!

[@elviragolaj8000]

Shqiperia ime e bukur Faleminderit per kete video🇦🇱🇦🇱🇦🇱🇦🇱💗💗💗

[@gyangodfred9608]

First viewer. I love your videos James❤

[@JamesLeithart]

well done being first! thanks for watching them always, man

[@gopisemes]

Great video James...good work

[@JamesLeithart]

Thanks 👍

[@MattBingham-c8r]

keep it up sir thanks fr this!!!!

[@JamesLeithart]

Most welcome

[@albusha5150]

Great video. There is a mountain there part of Albanian Alps called Iron Peak mountain because at its peak there are some iron polls on the rocks as if in the old times the sea water level was up there and ships were anchored at those polls. The locals will tell you that's where Noah anchored his Ark and in fact name Nue or Ndue is a very popular name in those areas and we all know how one or two letters change words or names. So if you can when you go back there best in summer make sure you climb up there and see for yourself.

[@JamesLeithart]

wow! interesting story. i’d like to see that myself for sure

[@ErikStensland]

I used to drive that road from Kukes to Fierza all the time when I lived in BC, but back in the 90s it was unpaved and crumbling. Sometimes sections would be washed away or covered in mud and logs. It was always an adventure. I can’t believe they paved it!!! When I lived there, there were only the ruins of a hotel and no paved road. Wow, it’s a different world!!😮

[@JamesLeithart]

it’s a completely different place! even in just the few years ive lived in the country there have been massive changes! also, there was a downed telephone pole while i was driving that road but i didn’t film that part…

[@ErikStensland]

@@JamesLeithart, I'd love to come back and see it. Hope you are doing well and settling back in.

[@iliadmalka]

Ppl always ask us why you Albanians are so proud , well , here u have it why , but dont get me wrong its not that we feel proud for the beauty of this land couse i think the entire earth is preaty , but its the blood that we have paid this land off for centuries , and im glad u enjoing it...nice vid. Respect.

[@souniewalters6655]

God bless you all beautiful people n country ❤❤❤

[@iliadmalka]

@@souniewalters6655 thanx a lot , and bless u too for having a positive thought for us , and for our amazing lands.

[@majusl6424]

Thanks brother 🙏

[@holyrs1575]

Nice shots my man

[@JamesLeithart]

Appreciate it

[@aussietomik84]

Një video shumë e bukur ;)

[@JamesLeithart]

faleminderit

[@ErvisaH-q9r]

Nice video !!!!!

[@JamesLeithart]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@bexhetgorenca2825]

ALBANIA PARADISE ALPS SPECTACULAR 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@Flavor88]

Great footage James. Love the video and the narration. Such a beautiful country. It just needs a little more investment and to create a more refine work culture. Since Albania has not been visited much, the locals lack the culture to welcome foreigners properly and employers don't usually provide any training. I have always felt welcomed every time I travel, easy going people. Keep up the traveling and vlogging. You are helping all Albanians. Cheers.

[@JamesLeithart]

thanks for watching! and sharing your valuable insights

[@weigenli4704]

Great videos, is it easy to drive from Tirana to Valbona, which road did you take?

[@JamesLeithart]

I was prepared for this! My journey took me from Tirana to Valbone, so that’s the only thing i can answer about. I drove the mountain road through Albania to get there, but took the road through Gjakova in Kosova to come back. The route through the mountains took me about 2.5 hours longer, because the road was windy and narrow. It had some breathtaking views though! So if you have plenty of time (and don’t get carsick) I’d recommend that road for its beauty. For speed and convenience, the way through Kosova is good.

[@GezimGjoka-e9d]

That big moting he is very high they have snow up Jun

[@illyrianbloodline]

welcome

[@AlyssaHusi]

I live in tirana so i know all the places😊

[@BBZM]

You should try meditation James.

[@tony232cool]

now that all industries in albania are totally destroyed we can gladly watch how foreigners visit the natural beauty of our country, while we are forced to flee and look for a job. this is insanity. 500 factories destroyed many of them brand new technology at the time!