This morning, we set out nice and early for Berat Castle, which is the main attraction in Berat. To get to the castle from downtown, you can take a steep but beautiful 30-minute walk up a cobblestone alley. Or, you can take a taxi to the top. Because the castle[…]
We have now made it to Berat: the third city we’ve visited in Albania, and the first non-coastal one. This city’s historic center, known as “the city of 1000 windows”, is a UNESCO world heritage site due to its beautifully preserved Ottoman-style homes. We are staying in Hotel Berati: a[…]
Today, it was time for us to return our trusty rental bike to its home in Himarë. There was a small traffic jam as we waited for a herd of goats to cross. On the way, we stopped in to visit Himarë’s old town: a historic district that includes the[…]
As we wrap up our time in the Albanian Riviera, I wanted to write a general appreciation post for Dhërmi. When I was researching this trip, I heard a lot about Ksamil, but not as much about the many other villages along the coast. We chose to visit Dhërmi on[…]
Today, we set out for Gjipe: a small beach near Dhermi, Albania that’s surrounded by canyons. To get there, you can drive to a parking lot at the end of the paved road, and then continue on foot for about 30 minutes. Welcome to Gjipe! Crystal clear water and beautiful[…]
The coastal town of Dhermi, Albania is close to Llogara National Park, which has some impressive mountain hiking. Yesterday, we rode up there and attempted the Maja e Qores hike, which is (ostensibly) a ~10km out and back. We followed Build & Board Travel’s instructions for accessing the trailhead (thank[…]
Actually, you can’t. But you can rent one in Himare! We said goodbye to Ksamil yesterday, and took a taxi up to Dhermi: a village about two hours north along the Albanian Riviera. Dhermi shares some similarities with Ksamil, but it is quite a bit smaller, and, inexplicably, even more[…]
At its heart, Ksamil is a beachside resort town, designed for sunbathing, swimming, and enjoying the beach vibes. The beaches are all lined with sunbeds, and as of 2023, the going rate for a pair of beds and an umbrella was around 2000 Lek per day (~20 Euros). However, I[…]
Today was another beautiful day in the paradise that is Ksamil, Albania. We packed up early and headed to the beach for a quick breakfast before some paddling. I wasn’t sure what the kayaking would be like here, because we couldn’t find any real sea kayaks for hire. However, we[…]
The whole time James and I were planning this trip, we would tell everyone that we were going to Albania. And people would look confused and say, “Why?” But I don’t think folks were actually picturing Albania when they asked us that. Because this is Albania. The journey from Corfu,[…]