We had to be out of our cottage in Berat by 10:00am, and it was exactly 10:00am when we drove the car out of the parking garage.
It was the first rainy, overcast day we've had for a while, although the rain was mostly over by the time we started driving. It's not a long distance from Berat to Vlorë... only about 87 kms (54 miles), but a lot of it was on a slow going road that went through several villages so it took about an hour and forty five minutes. And we weren't in a rush anyhow... our new apartment had a check in time of 1:00pm.
Not much to see along the way, but here are a few photos...
Left over monument from the communist years.
Scenery along the way.
A house built like the front of a ship.
It's made of concrete!
And it's for sale, as you can see from the Shitet sign on the bow.
Salt production.
Coming into the outskirts of Vlorë there is a huge salt flats area. Then the main part of the downtown area. But our apartment is on the beach stretch a bit south of the main part of the city.
Growing grapes.
We were still a bit early, so we found a place to park near the apartment and went for a walk along the walkways near the beach. We will have miles of walking to do here, although it's all totally flat so it doesn't really give you much in the way of exercise unless you really pick up the pace.
The big beach in Vlorë.
Apparently the Vlorë beach is absolutely packed in summertime.
Lots of apartments and hotels.
On a long term basis, you can rent an unfurnished beachfront apartment here for well under $300 USD a month.
We are paying 2,300 lek ($25 CAD, $20 USD, €17) per night for a one week stay. Of course our place is furnished!
Living room.
Kitchen.
Washing machine.
Bathroom.
Bedroom.
View looking towards the beach.
View looking inland.
Not bad. It'll do for a week. We have three different day trips we want to do from here, and the rest of the time we will relax and walk the waterfront.
The clouds have moved on, and they are calling for blue skies and sunshine the next few days, although breezy. Highs of between 16C to 20C (61F to 68F).
Yesterday's drive, 87 kms (54 miles).
Where we are right now.
Only 80 kms (50 miles) across the water to Italy.
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And in Canada...
Weather is very similar to Ottawa this week!
ReplyDeleteYes, it certainly is at the moment. :-)
DeleteEven though it is more of a flat region it looks like more exploring to do.
ReplyDeleteBe Safe and Enjoy the area.
It's about time.
It is not quite as pretty or interesting in this area as around the Berat area but there is certainly some exploring to be done. :-)
DeleteLooks like a lovely place to stay and explore! Enjoy and be safe!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like it will be a nice one week stop. We certainly thought the area around Berat was prettier and more interesting but I know that we will still enjoy our time here in Vlorë. :-)
DeleteWhat a deal!
ReplyDeleteWe think so too! :-)
DeleteStarted following you after reading your post on Senior Nomads FB site... love your photographs and updates. Am working from home at the moment and after my daily session in front of the computer, your posts are a joy to read and keep me inspired! Can't wait to travel again
ReplyDeleteThank you for following along with us and for taking the time to comment. We are glad that you are enjoying our posts and pictures and we hope that you will find some helpful information from our posts while being entertained. :-)
DeleteI know that you that you will find interesting things to do and see! Take care,Rawn
ReplyDeleteYes, I have no doubt that we will find some interesting things to do and see here. Just walking along the beach will be nice. :-)
DeleteGreat location and apartment. Wow, didn't realize how close to the heel of Italy you are! Enjoy your beach and nice weather. No beach for us this morning and it's quite stormy here in Destin FL!
ReplyDeleteThe apartment is in a great location. We can go to bed at night and can only just hear the waves coming in. And we get some nice sunsets from the balcony too. :-)
DeleteVlorë is pretty much the closest you can get to Italy while in Albania. There is a ferry that leaves the port here that goes to Italy.
I hope you are have better weather today and that you didn't receive any damage from yesterday's storm.
I know you aren't beach people but the calm of of the sea is a lovely thing. I'd love it there. Enjoy your stay.
ReplyDeleteWe don't mind the beach every once in a while, so we will enjoy our time here for the week. When we go to bed at night, we can only just here the waves coming in, if it was warmer at night we would hear them better with the window open but the nights are still a little to chilly for that.
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