If you go to the map above, zoom in to the Lungomare Seafront pROMANADE, the Apt block is just across the road and north ...up the road from Novus Traditional Restaurant, past the Luxe Market HASO & bar and just around the bend after the Adriatik Restaurant... on the same side... - got that? :)
September 15th-16th 2024
We flew from Birmingham Airport (1st 3 pics) where we had stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn which was in walking distance of the Ryan Air baggage check in. (We did a test run the day before so we knew how long it would take us!)
We had to be at the check in /security by 4:30am as our tickets /passports needed to be verified. Flight was scheduled to depart at 6:15am and security was busy.
We boarded the flight and took off a few minutes late which we were told they would make up on this direct flict to Tirana. We arrived on time at Tirana and made our way off the plane to the immigration electronic stations and went strait through after scanning our US passports and having automatic photo taken.
We retrieved our baggage easily and were out the door where it was tipping down with rain! Apparently is had been raining quite hard on and off for the last week, which is unusual for this time of year. Rain was forecast the coming week but temps were going to be in the mid 70s to 80...maybe a bit humid.
Our AirBnb host, Genti, in Vlora had ordered a transfer for us, down to Vlora which took 2 hrs with a short stop for lunch.
Our host was waiting for us and took us up to the apt. on the 10th floor (top). Spacious apt with high ceilings and an angled view towards the Bay.
There are 3 restaurants right near us...Italian Pizza and Pasta right outside our building entrance, a traditional Albanian restaurant called Adriatik and another local cuisine restaurant, Novus Traditional Restaurant as well as two bars less than 100yds. The nearest supermarket, a local Haso chain is less than 50yds.
The night was rather noisy as we went to bed early having been up early to catch the flight. Apparently they eat a late lunch and restaurants are open late until after midnight...not sure if that is because its the near the end of the tourist season and they have been used to that for the summer or if its always like that - bit like Spain. A lot of supermarkets are also open until after midnight.
Bed was a bit harder than we were used to but there was a single sofa bed in the bedroom which was softer. The next night we used one of the small double sofa beds in the living room to see what they were like!
Genti our host bought us a new microwave and also brought around a Rice Cooker and another kitchen knife. He advised us where the best/cheapest veg/fruit market was and restaurants nearby and told us to ask him if we needed anything :)
The next day we went to the local supermarket to check it out and bought some basic supplies.
Wine is about the same price here as in UK which is expensive to me! Beer is cheaper here, bit like Portugal and Spain - about $2.75 for 2 liters (3.5 pints). They have a history of wine making dating back to the Bronze age, about 3000 year ago! Click on link HERE to learn more about Albanian wines!
Click on a picture to enlarge:
