Most people I talk to assume they'll work until 65 or 67. Not because they want to, but because the numbers demand it. The mortgage, the bills, the council tax, the car, the food shop that keeps creeping up. The salary covers the life, and the life requires
Albania wasn't on my list. Not at first. When I left my career at 58 it opened up possibilities of a richer life abroad. The usual places came up: Portugal, Spain, Thailand. Albania was not on the radar for a Brit. Other people were talking about it but
After a month in Vlorë, the things that stayed with me weren't the ones I expected. Not the famous history or the Riviera access. The moments that defined this place were quiet, and personal, not checked off a travel list. These are the five things I'd
I expected to eat affordably in Albania. I didn't expect to eat this much healthier. After a month in Vlorë, I was cooking fresh ingredients more than I ever did at home, spending less than I would in the UK, and eating better food. Here's what
Vlorë has one bay but half a dozen completely different beaches along it. I want to help you navigate them. Most visitors don't explore the full extent of the city beaches. I spent a month walking, scooting, and sitting on every section of it. Here's what
A step-by-step photo guide to reaching Kuzum Baba, the 70-metre hilltop viewpoint above Vlorë. The path is tricky but the panoramic views are worth it.
The intercity bus from Tirana to Vlorë costs 700 LEK and takes under three hours. It's not easy to navigate the first time, this post and photos show exactly what to look for.
As a lifelong English tea drinker, I expected to struggle in Albania's coffee-obsessed café culture. Instead, I discovered çaj mente, and it became a genuine health bonus.
Planning to stay in Vlorë for a few weeks, not just a holiday? Here's the essential overview with links to the detailed guides.
I visited Vlorë in September and October. The tourists had thinned, the sunbeds had vanished, and the city felt like it belonged to the people who actually live there.
Vlorë is compact and easy to navigate, but where you base yourself matters. Here's an honest breakdown of the main areas and what each offers.
Vlorë doesn't have a buzzing digital nomad scene yet, but the right cafés exist if you know where to look. Here's where I worked and where I found people to talk to.