People in Tirana and Durres lit up when we mentioned that we were going to Saranda later. At the same time, we were well aware that the city is one of Albania’s most touristic cities. So we were excited about this beautiful, southern Albanian coastal village. Getting in In this post I have written about our crazy bus trip to Sarande. However, most foreigners fly …
How to get from Greece to Albania without car
We have spent a lot of time figuring out how to get from Greece to Albania without your own car. There is not much information about this on the web, so here is a modest contribution: Ferry or bus? After all, no trains run across the border, so it was completely out of the question that we could travel by train. We therefore had to …
Zakynthos, the Enchanting Island in the Ionian Sea
The Greek islands are something special. Our choice fell on Zakynthos by chance, as the island is in the north of Greece and we had to continue to Saranda in Albania afterwards. A choice we did not regret. Getting in (from Patras) Our first challenge, however, was figuring out how to get to the island. We assumed that we could sail from Patras and therefore …
Choosing the right Airbnb and booking.com Apartment
On our current European trip alone, we have stayed in 24 apartments that we have booked through (sponsored content) Booking.com or Airbnb. In addition, there are probably twice as many overnight stays on our previous trips. In all modesty, we would like to say that we have some experience in booking apartments. We have collected some good advice for you who are about to book …
Patras, Greece’s unknown third largest city
We had not heard of Patras – or Patra as the city is also called – before we decided to make a stop on our journey between Athens and the port city of Kyllini. The choice fell on Patras by chance. The city is located on the Peloponnese peninsula, 215 km west of Athens. It is beautifully located by the Gulf of Corinth. Read what …
10 Things You did not know about Albania
Albania was isolated from the outside world for 40 years. Whether this is the reason why the country is different from many other countries in Europe, I cannot say. But it probably plays a role. If you are interested in Albania or if you are also wondering, read along here in our 10 fun facts about Albania: 1. Small bikes It is noticeable that there …
Top 5 Things to do in Athens with Active Kids
Let it be said right away: Athens is a noisy and not particularly kid-friendly city. Still, we – and the children – had a lovely week in Greece’s capital. Read along here and get our ideas for activities with kids in Athens. 1. Changing of the Guard at the Syntagma Square On a daily basis every full hour there is a change of guard at …
Train Travel in Greece, October 2023
September’s storm and floodings in Greece had major consequences for train travel in the country. It also affected our journey from Thessaloniki to Athens. Damaged train tracks and as a result… bus (again) Before the trip we had read on the Greek railways website that the train tracks between Thessaloniki and Athens were damaged and that you had to travel the route by bus. By …
Skopje- The Strange Capital of North Macedonia
We had read about Skopje before we arrived. And hadn’t gotten the best impression… The city has undergone a transformation in recent years, which is a bit special. We were excited to see, how we would like it. Getting in We arrived by bus from Pristina (link to our blogpost about Pristina here) to the central bus station, where the almost deserted railway station is …
Navigating the Emotional Maze of Train Travel Trials in North Macedonia
When reading about train connections in North Macedonia online, everything sounds promising. Most sources claim that the country has a well-developed rail network and a smoothly operating train system. However, in practice, the reality is quite different. Explore our experiences with train travel in North Macedonia here. Travelling from Ohrid to Bitola (and further on to Skopje) We are willing to go to great lengths …