Page 45 - Cross Country Travel Guide 2019

There’s a lot to like about the Balkans – Marcus King guides the way

Croatia
With azure waters, countless islands and
historic towns, Croatia’s coast draws millions

of tourists each year and was ranked in the
top 20 most popular destinations in the
world. It has penty of possibilities for visiting
pilots as well.
Acro World Champion François Ragolski
explored the Dalmation coast by boat and said,
“We found that paragliding isn’t very developed
here and in places is prohibited but there are
plenty of opportunites. The take-offs are often
improvised or scrubby and the vegetation and
sharp rocks didn’t make it that easy for us.
“Our favourite spots were Komiza on Vis

pictured) and Bol. There isn’t an easy landing
at Vis but it’s a stunningly beautiful place. Bol
has an easy landing on the famous Peninsular
Beach but a tricky cliff-like launch. Once up
you will be rewarded with spectacular flights
over the sea and the possibility of soaring the
whole island.”
pjkflumen.org
Photo: François Ragolski

Albania

The coastal site of Vlora has become well
known after hosting the FAI Accuracy
Paragliding World Championships and a
round of the Acro World Cup. But Albania
is a mountainous country with many more
possibilities for paraglider pilots.
Korça lies in the southeast and was one of
the first sites to be opened for paragliding.
Take-off at Morova is a ten-minute drive

from the city and is at 1,300m ASL, 400m
above the large landing field. The site has
great potential for cross-country flying with
a range of mountains that can be followed,
making it easy to rack up the kilometres
while exploring. The large flat-bottomed
valley means the site is beginner friendly.
The welcoming city of Korça is famous for

its food, music and brewery where you can
taste the best Albanian beer. This all makes
for a good vacation spot for pilots looking to
go beyond Europe’s more usual destinations.
paragliding.al
Photo: Alket Islami

BALKANS CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 45