I was looking at a list of the top 10 least visited countries in Europe,  Most of my favorite countries are on that list.  I’m not sure what that says about me or the list, but it is a clear indication that people get drawn to the known, and not venture to the unknown.

With that exact thought in my mind, I ventured to Kosovo.  I’m the first to know that we can all have our experiences with a vacation, country, or adventure.  It might be different for someone else who goes at a different time, stays somewhere else, or finds the wrong restaurant or experience.  I don’t know if I’m lucky, or I make my own luck, probably a bit of both.

There is some cool street art around if you search it out. It is something I like to do.

Much like Moldova, I was open-minded for Pristina, and Kosovo, but I wasn’t sure.   I arrived from Armenia, via Vienna courtesy of Austrian Airlines. I was greeted by a windy gray day in Pristina.  My hotel was near to the airport, so I was on arrival in minutes.  Fifteen minutes later I was in a taxi to Pristina.

Thank You Aro Muric

This is where things started swinging my way.  ​Pjeter, the taxi driver spoke word perfect English, this was going to make life easier.  What do I know about Kosovo,, Aro Muric ,the ex-Burnley goalkeeper, he’s from Kosovo. I mentioned this to my driver and his face lit up, we then talked football for the next 15 minutes of the ride to Pristina.  He told me of his love for Newcastle United, Shearer, Solano, Given, and Bobby Robson, ​and of the recent cup glory and him being such a fan. He knew of Burnley and the English Championship League.  This was surreal.

As we got closer to Pristina he gave me several tips and directions.  Set me on a path that was sending me to such a great day.  As I said, maybe have luck on your side. He dropped me at the newborn monument which was unveiled in 2008 on the day Kosovo formally declared its independence on 17th February 2008, making it Europe’s youngest country!

Then I set off for the National soccer stadium, known as the Fadil Vokrri Stadium., Based on my usual rule, there will always be a security weak spot.  Sure enough, I found it.  Stealthily I sneaked in for some photos but apparently got spotted as a star of CCTV. He let me out but padlocked the gate behind me.  Funny how that always happens, there can’t be many national soccer stadiums you can sneak your way into?

Cathedral Tower for Amazing Views

The next hour or two everything just fell into place.  I​ may have gotten lucky in Pristina, ​but everything knitted together perfectly. I found the cathedral, and the library too, but impressive buildings within a stone’s throw of each other. I also made my way up the Cathedral Clock Tower. The views were immense, the only challenge was it was so windy that I nearly got blown off the top.

Edi 2 – Restaurant Magic!

I got hungry, so I went to see what would fall into my lap.  Something always does.  I turned down a few, they just didn’t seem right, but then I found ​Edi 2.  I liked everything about it.  I wish this was my local.  The food, – I had the house special, the Specialitet Zhuri, the Peja beer, the price, and the service. all 10/10, I’d like to say I would go there again.  I wish.

I dived in a taxi and headed back to my hotel.  I’m only here for 1 day, but what a great day!​  A great day!
Maybe you could come here and enjoy it as much as I did… if you are lucky!