Come to Gramsh

Note: The photos in this article are all natural, no editing or colour emphasizing.

I had the opportunity to get to know more the Gramsh municipality during the “City Branding” course, one the nicest classes of this academic year. This is a municipality, which includes the city of Gramsh and 9 other incredible surrounding villages (Sult, Tunjë, Pishaj, Poroçan, Kukur, Lenjë, Skëndërbegas, Kodovajt, Kushovë). It is such a potential and rare beauty, located so close to the capital, but still in a wild state and quite unexplored by most of the Albanians.

In a collaboration within the two, Gramsh municipality and Co-PLAN, institute for habitat development are organizing NATYRA FEST #EjaNeGramsh (#ComeToGramsh), a festival of activities in the nature on the weekend of May 26^th – 28^th. This activity aims to create a bond between the citizens and the nature, create new alternative ways in order to get to know the city, its culture and tradition, as well stimulate local businesses. The initiative, which intends to promote Grams as a touristic destination, is also a social project: a great opportunity to support the local community in their economical development in accordance with basic principles of sustainable tourism.

Natyra Fest #EjaNeGramsh will bring the party in the city of Gramsh and the administrative units, in a Folkloric Festival, a fair of the local specialties and various fun activities in the nature.

Gramsh comes closer to tourists through a diverse touristic offer, still undiscovered, concentrating on spots like the Waterfal of Sotira, Holta Canyon, Kabashi Cave, Dushku Lake, Grabova, the Black Lake, Sineci Canyon, Castele of Kodroni, Tëvoli, Rovie and Kukuri.This city offers an amazing opportunity for hiking, trekking, camping, rock climbing, offroad rally, ciclying, caving, canyon exploring and enjoying nature in every way possible. Through this initiative we wish to convert tourism in the local economical drive, especially regarding adventure tourism and sports activities.

There are two ways for you to be part of NATYRA FEST, depending from your preferences you can choose which better suites you:

Pre-book the itinerary you want through the partner clubs of NATYRA FEST:
1. High Albania Summit Club – Contact Person Fisnik Muça

Discover Albania Club – Contact number 069 658 3870

Outing Albania

My Albania Nature Explorers – Contact number 0698897808

AST – Elbasani – especially suitable for people wanting to start the journey from Elbasan
Exploring the Cabashi Cae on May 27^th (and May 28^th depending from requests) – Contact number – Leonard Toska 0686408448

For everyone who wants to organize their own journey, we have prepared orienting materials which will help you:
1. Plan and get a transportation mean 4×4 inside Gramsh and the surrounding destinations
2. Book a hotel in the city or in vicinity
3. Enjoy the local food
4. Get to know some of the itineraries and destinations you can visit in Gramsh

For all those who wish to come and spend the weekend of May 26^th-28^th in Gramsh, the program is as follows:

Day 1 – Fridy (26.05.2017)

First stop on the way on the Gramsh “Belvedere”, by the lake – quite an opportunity to take photos
Arrival in Gramsh and settling in the hotel/inn/tents. Visit at the Fair with locl productions in the city square. Free afternoon for walking and cycling near the lake of Banja and opportunity to enjoy the sunset.
Festival of Traditional Music in the Palace of Culture
Party with a DJ by the lake (near the “Etjoni” restaurant)

Day 2 – Saturday (whole day) (27.05.2017)

Breakfast and shopping at the fair
Choosing the itinerary (for those coming independently from the clubs)
Starting the chosen route: hiking, trekking, camping, rock climbing, cycling. Caving, road rally, canyon exploring and water sources, visit to the bee growers of the area, visiting the castles, etc.
Going back to the hotel/tent in the afternoon
Dinner at the fair/restaurant
Party in open air by the lake

Day 3 – Sunday (28.05.2017)