Travel and Leisure blog
If you want to see the most of what the Yucatan has to offer, then you need to visit Tulum. The Mayan Ruins are amazing, and there is plenty to do. If you want to skip the ultra-touristy places and tourist traps aren’t for you, and if you want to avoid Tulum for this reason, […]
When the weather starts to cool down and summer dwindles, I’ll find myself looking forward to autumn. I spend my summers on the Croatian coast these days, and just after the US Labor Day in early September, I’m starting to look forward to all the autumnal recipes, including the butternut blue cheese lasagna that I […]
When in Berat, Albania, you must try the Vienez, also known as Viennese steak and Biftek steak. Delicious, thinly flattened meat is stuffed with walnuts and cheese, rolled up, battered, and fried until crispy golden brown. The first time we tried it, we had to order two more because we were blown away by its […]
Nestled in the heart of Albania, Berat is a city that perfectly encapsulates the country’s rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant culture. It is known as the “City of a Thousand Windows” due to its distinctive Ottoman-era houses with large, closely set windows. Beyond its historical allure, Berat is also a gateway to some of […]
Oshaf is a traditional dessert based in Gjirokastra. It’s made with fresh sheep’s milk, dried figs, and sugar and finished to a creamy custard with the cooking and cooling process. Oshaf, also known as “shaft me qumësht,” is a traditional Albanian dessert made primarily from sheep’s milk and dried figs. This simple yet flavorful dish […]
If you are looking for some ideas on what to do in Albania, we have one for you. Take a road trip from the coastal city of Sarandë to the historical heart of Albania, Gjirokastër. Make a few stops along the way for a full day of fun. End the day in one of the […]
We were with my in-laws and husband at Maison de Chefs in Vlorë for a lovely beachfront dinner. The seafood was phenomenal! Of course, I had to archive the sauce they put on the John Dory for later. I’ll share it one of these days, but the salad was the showstopper that night! It was […]
Albania’s coastline stretches along the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, offering various landscapes along the route south, ending in Ksamil. This travel guide takes you through Albania’s must-visit coastal towns and cities. We will start from Vlorë and then head south for a fun road trip and guide for where to stay along the coast. We […]
The Albanian city of Vlorë is nestled between the sparkling waters of the Ionian Sea and the rolling hills and mountains of southern Albania. Vlorë is a combination of historical depth with modern charm, including all the amenities of a coastal town—where culture, nature, and culinary delights collide—a Lungomare with beaches, cafes, restaurants, and plenty […]
The southern mountainside seafront city of Sarandë, Albania, is a typical seafront European city with beach bars, hotels, and a Lungomare along the coast. It’s a very busy tourist city currently under major construction. I’m writing this in 2024 to let you know what to expect. The current situation in Sarandë is based on a […]