"himare" a Himare Travel Page by eni83

HIMARA BEACH:
Himara Beach is beautifully situated between rocks that fall diagonally in the sea. The contrast between the white beach and the clear seawater make for a very panoramic view. Accommodation is mainly in local family dwellings, as well as in a variety of small hotels. The people of Himara are well known for their traditional hospitality which makes Himara a great year-round destination for all sea lovers.
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HOW PEOPLE BELIVE:
Some people believe that Himara has been founded by the Greeks as a trading outpost on the Chaonian shore. Little else is known of the Chaonians, except that the men wore white kilts (which are still used to this day, a type of dress also referred to as fustanella). Their music was also referred to as "sheep bleating" in a comment by Aristonmachus, probably referring (derogatorily) to the polyphonic musical traditions of the region which survive to this day on all of the area called Laberia. This type of singing is only in Albanian and recocgnised by UNESCO as world cultural heretage.
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LANGUAGE:
Himarė is a multilingual society where a great number of people are bilingual in Albanian and Greek. As an anektode people say that the region sings in greek and cries in Albanian. The Crying being songs of sorrow or to the dead (Kenge Vaji). Other languages are spoken as well, especially Italian, French and English. In the late middle ages the rich families adopted an extensive Italian vocabulary being that from the trade and as a class division.
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RELIGION:
Himariotes practice Orthodox Christianity and Byzantine Catholic faith which are particularly strong in this region. During the centuries the church control has alternated between The Vatican and the Patriachana with a number of Italian (mainly Arbereshe) priests have contributed in the education of the young.
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CULTURE:
Himariotes are a culturally homogenous people, regardless of their linguistic diversity. While some of them may speak Albanian at home and others Greek, the cultural aspects of their life are pretty much the same throughout.

Llogara Park
About 40 km to the southeast of Vlora, this Park is where the Adriatic becomes the Ionian sea. Near the Llogara Pass, a number of very interesting tree shapes due to wind currents can be observed. Ask for “Pisha Flamur” (Pine of the Flag).

From the Llogara Pass, visitors can see the Ionian sea, the sharp slopes of Vetėtima (Lightning) mountain and a good part of the “Albanian Riviera.” It is a great spot for air sports as well as a wonderful climate due to the combination of
mountain and sea air. Llogara Tourist Village perfectly blends in the landscape of a high pine forest, which is a National Park. During the stay in this tourist village, visitors find themselves in the midst of evergreen trees and numerous fresh waters springs as well as dear, foxes and birds of different kinds. The sea and the beach are not too far away and during the hot summer you can breathe the fresh air of the mountains and during the winter you will not miss the snow. Near the village you can climb the Llogara Pass at 1207m over the sea level, where you will enjoy the opportunity of seeing rare magnificent mountains landscape, the forest and the blue waters of the Ionian Sea. The park of Llogara has a significant importance both as a tourist destination and as a transit bridge to the Ionian coast. It has great potential for the development of eco-tourism, air sports, excursions and trekking. It is a climatic place because here are lively mixed both mountain and marine fresh air. For the air sports fans this park offers accommodation possibilities.