Day 689 - Tirana, Albania to Corfu/Kerkyra, Greece

EuropeGreeceAlbania
Written By Chip Walter

Walking Corfu From the Dock to the Cavalier Hotel

View of the Old Fortress in Corfu from the rooftop restaurant at the Cavalier Hotel

We would spend the next four nights in our charming hotel in Corfu, the Cavalier. But getting there wasn't easy. We piled off the ferry we found in Sarandë. It was growing dark as we crossed from the mainland to the ancient island where the ancient Greeks had fought one of the largest naval battles in history thousands of years ago. We thought we'd surely find a taxi to take us to our hotel, but in that we were wrong! There were taxis, but everyone of them was parked and dark.

We began walking the mile and a half to the place our GPS located, bags on our backs and hauled on our rollers. Most of it up hill in the city's dark streets. Half way along the trek Cyndy called out to me (I was about a block ahead of her), "If I could catch you, I'd wring your neck!" We laughed and kept walking and at last made it to our hotel, which was quite lovely and located near a small park with the Adriatic Sea at out back. And, upstairs, was a rooftop garden restaurant with a spectacular view of the city's famous and ancient citadel. After the long day we had had, it was exactly what we needed. The food was delicious!

Recommendations

If you’re setting out for the Balkans and Adriatic Regions of Europe, please consider some of these recommendations.

Featured
Guesthouse Imperator
Guesthouse Imperator

A great place located just next to Split’s Old Town with walking access to Croatia’s unique heritage, including Diocletian’s Palace and St. Domnius Cathedral. Visitors will also find excellent shopping and dining nearby.

Emilana’s Gelato
Emilana’s Gelato

“Gelateria Emiliana is a small ice cream shop selling Italian-style gelato, both denser and richer than the usual run-of-the-mill ice cream on sale in the generic ice cream shops. The interior is pretty, the location even more so, but what really sets Emiliana apart is its palette of tastes  dominated by fresh and nuanced tastes of their gelato. Whether you are in for something fruity, something nutty or just or classic chocolate,, Gelateria Emiliana has it all. Don’t forget to drop by and give them a taste while you roam the mazy streets of Split’s Old Town.”

Bokeria Kitchen & Wine Restaurant
Bokeria Kitchen & Wine Restaurant

“Evoking by name the spirit of Barcelona’s world famous La Boqueria market, Bokeria is one of the first establishments in the city that had combined the experience of a restaurant together with that of a wine-bar. It boasts of a spectacular interior design that makes it one of the most recognizable places in the city. The food at offer is seasonal, best described as Bokeria’s own modern take on the pan-Mediterranean cuisine. The extensive wine lists promises a good time even if you just visit the place for some fine Dalmatian wine and tapas.”

Chip Walter
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Day 688 - Tirana, Albania