When I go in bars and ask for a beer, I’m often greeted with the response, “A big beer?” This of usually accompanied by hand gestures meant to signify the presence of a large glass. Today I had the biggest glass of beer I ever drank in my life....
For Best Views in Saranda, Go to Lëkurësi Castle
Lëkurësi Castle offers the best views of Saranda (Sarandë) and the surrounding countryside. The walk from the town takes around an hour and it’s a steep climb, but it’s worth it. If you don’t like to walk it’s also possible to get there by taxi but walking the distance...
Butrint: The Most Visited Cultural Tourist Destination in Albania
Today I went to Butrint. It’s a national park located a few kilometres south of Ksamil. Butrint is the Albanian name. In English, it’s called Buthrotum. According to the map/guide I was given before I entered the park, Butrint is the “most visited cultural tourist destination” in Albania. For...
Ksamil Beach During the off Season Is like a Sleeping Beauty
Ksamil Beach During the off Season Is like a Sleeping Beauty waiting for the kiss of tourism to bring it back to life. Ksamil beach is near Saranda (Sarandë). The journey from Saranda takes around half-an-hour by bus. I went there today and the bus ticket only cost me...
Athens to Igoumenitsa by Bus (What You Need to Know)
If you are planning to travel from Athens to Igoumenitsa by bus there are some things you need to know. There are two bus companies that offer a service between Athens and Igoumenitsa. The first one is called KTEL Thesproias . The second company is KTEL Ioannina . Using...
Athens to Saranda: Putting My Feet up After a Long Day of Travel
A day starts for me when I get out of bed. It ends when I go to sleep. Sunday was a long day. I got out of bed at 4 pm in the evening and never went to sleep until around 8 pm on Monday evening. That’s 28 hours...
How to Avoid Paying ATM Withdrawal Fees While Visiting Greece
Until you know the best banks to use and the ones to avoid, escaping ATM fees in Greece is a bit like a game of Russian Roulette. Depending on which bank you choose, the fee for making a cash withdrawal from an ATM in Greece can range from €2.00...
Athens: A City Where Orange Trees Line the Streets
One of the first things I noticed when I came to Athens was all the orange trees that line the streets. To be honest, they are pretty hard to miss because they are often planted in the middle of the pavements. The pavements in many residential streets in Athens...
Why Do You Get a Glass of Water with Your Beer in Athens?
Since I arrived in Athens at the beginning of the month I’ve been to several bars and have often been given a glass of water alongside my beer. I am still trying to understand why this is. In Italy, it’s normal to get a glass of water with your...
Today I Had My First Taste of Greek Coffee
“What is a Greek coffee I asked,” as I stared down at the menu. The girl behind the counter smiled and said, “It’s like a Turkish coffee.” “Oh,” I said. “What’s a Turkish coffee?” Thus began my introduction to Greek coffee. I was in a snack bar at Monastiraki...