The Travel Wire: Albania seizes its moment in the sun

[The Travel Wire #51] Sarajevo, a little walk across Tokyo, Turku, and more travel reads.

Travel reads

• Sarajevo [The Unplugged Traveler]
“There were the Middle Eastern tourists who come in part for Sarajevo’s mosques and Ottoman history, but perhaps more for the refreshing temperatures and– if the line of ladies crowding the aisles of Cosmetic Market at 9pm on a Saturday night are any indication—for the shopping.

And then there were the Europeans and Americans who, if the results of my constant eavesdropping were any indication, were almost uniformly there for the war.”

• Albania seizes its moment in the sun (archive) [NY Times Travel]
“Gorgeous beaches, unspoiled nature, unusual historical sites and low prices have made this former “hermit state” one of Europe’s newest destinations.”

• So, uh, I walked through Shibuya [Craig Mod]
“A little walk across Tokyo thinking about just where this all goes.”

• Twenty seven hours on the Aussie dog [Chris Arnade Walks the World]
“From Townsville to Alice Springs, by Greyhound.”

• Sleeper hit: how Europe is revelling in the return of the night train [The Guardian]

• Daytrip: Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina — Beautiful but heartbreaking [Brent and Michael Are Going Places]

• Why Finland’s oldest city prides itself on its future legacy [Wallpaper]
“Rediscover Turku, a city of islets and saunas, which is growing and changing with tradition, sustainability and climate as its guides.”

• Across a country on foot [Scott Monaco]
“114 kilometers and 144,868 steps exploring Liechtenstein.”

• The French Riviera’s picture-perfect car-free island escape [BBC Travel]
“A brief ferry ride from the glitz of the French Riviera, the Hyères Islands offer an idyllic escape into protected pine forests, unspoilt beaches – and one of France’s most unique communities.”

• Conversations on the Shatabdi Express to Aurangabad, India [Intrepid Times]

• Festa de Gracia: The neighbourhood festival of all festivals [The Local Insider]
“Catalan creativity is at its highest in August in this Barcelona barrio.”