And we’re away—road trip time!

What do you actually know about Albania? Did you know there’s an Albanian Riviera? And what even is a Riviera? Is Albania the new Croatia for tourism?

Communists kept the country completely sealed off until 1991, which makes you wonder… what were they hiding? And more importantly—what’s it like now? Should you visit?

My friends and I set off on a girls’ van life road trip to find out. Along the way: markets, chaos, questionable driving situations, and a lot of laughs.

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Prefer to Watch?

Where We Stayed (and Why It Was Great)

We kicked things off staying at Villa Luffy, just outside town. It’s a brilliant little setup—olive groves, visiting chickens (not theirs, apparently), water and grey water at each site, and power for a few vans.

It’s about a 10-minute walk into town, and we felt completely safe—even walking back late at night. There are supermarkets nearby, and getting into the main city is easy—just hop on a bus for about 40 lek. Cheap, simple, and runs late.

Honestly, a great base to start exploring from.

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Markets, Mishaps, and Learning on the Road

We stumbled across a local market—always a win—and I’m travelling with my friend Sue, who is teaching me all sorts of things… including that I apparently don’t understand currency conversions or how my own power setup works.

Turns out I can run appliances directly when plugged in without the inverter. Who knew? (Not me.)

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Enter the Chaos: Driving in Albania

From there, we hit the road toward Vlorë, marking the start of the Albanian Riviera—but not before I got completely distracted and detoured to Durrës.

Driving here? Absolute chaos.

There might be road rules… but they feel more like suggestions. Cars stop wherever they want, people walk into traffic, others just park in the middle of the road and turn on their hazard lights like that makes it all okay.

At one point, there’s a guy literally begging in the middle of the street while traffic flows around him. I’m trying not to run him over while also navigating potholes and near misses.

To be clear—I didn’t hit him. I hit a pothole… and possibly brushed a truck mirror. Minor details.

But here’s the thing: it works. No one seems angry. No one’s yelling. You just have to be assertive and go with the flow.

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Durrës: Worth the Chaos

Durrës is wild—but in the best way.

It’s packed with history: a massive Roman amphitheatre that once held over 20,000 people, ancient ruins scattered through the city, and modern life built right on top of it all.

I couldn’t even properly stop to explore because parking was… optimistic at best. But even just driving through, it’s clear this place is something special.

Chaotic, lively, full of history, and absolutely worth a visit.

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The “Water Crossing” Incident

At one point, I found myself doing what can only be described as a water crossing… in the middle of a city.

At that moment, I decided it might be time to leave.

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Heading South to the Riviera

Eventually, I made my way south to Vlorë, officially the start of the Albanian Riviera.

Fun fact: a Riviera is basically a coastal region with a lovely climate—and honestly, this one reminds me a bit of the Gold Coast back home.

And after all that chaos?

Bliss.

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Pizza, Beer, and Pure Joy

Sunshine, waterfront views, a cold beer, and an incredible pizza (with sesame seeds on the crust—game changer).

I’ve been cold for so long that just sitting in the sun felt like a luxury.

This—right here—is why I’m doing this trip.

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The Simple Joys of Van Life

Supermarket right next to the van. Perfect.

Dinner sorted: chocolate, chips, noodles, and beer. All the essential food groups covered.

What’s Next?

There’s so much more to show you that I’ve had to split this into multiple parts.

Next up: more of the stunning Albanian coastline, great people, amazing food, and a look at how quickly this place is developing into a must-visit destination.

If you’re even thinking about Albania—do it.

And come along for the ride.