I rolled into Vlore full of excitement for my two-night stay — visions of seaside hikes and sunshine dancing in my head. But alas, the trail I had planned to conquer was closed. Apparently, the sea cliffs have become a little… unstable. Safety first, they say!
Then came my “charming” apartment manager — who greeted me with all the warmth of a wet sponge. According to her, it was my fault I got lost because the address on Booking.com was wrong. Go figure. She also suggested I cancel my booking and pay her directly because she could give me a “better deal.” Hmm, no thanks — I’ve seen that plot twist before!
And just when I thought things couldn’t get more entertaining, I discovered that the electricity goes off every day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Perfect if you enjoy no running water, uncooked meals, and a washing machine room that only unlocks at 9 a.m. Timing really is everything.
Vlore does have a strong Italian influence — the food, the language, and, unfortunately, a touch of Italian rudeness and impatience. And yes, my delightful host turned out to be Italian too. Fitting, really!
On the bright side, you can catch a ferry to Italy from Vlore for just €55 — not a bad escape plan if you fancy swapping one coastline for another. I skipped the restaurant that doubles as a budgie and cockatiel seller … but I did enjoy some wonderful meals elsewhere: avocado toast with eggs for breakfast, and later, grilled bream with charred veggies and eggplant drizzled with orange. Delicious!
One thing I’ve noticed across Albania — every town is buzzing with construction and roadworks. It’s as if the whole country’s in renovation mode. Tomorrow, I’ll cross the border into Greece and head toward Volos — fingers crossed for power, politeness, and a little less drama! ⚡🇦🇱➡️🇬🇷
