06/05/2026
Two weeks, three countries, and more airports than I can count later, I just got back from a trip that still doesn’t feel real.
My fiancée and I spent our vacation moving through a pretty full route across the UK, Italy, and Albania.
We left from Philadelphia on the 13th and headed to London, where a 10-hour layover gave us the chance to explore the city for the first time. From there, we continued on to Tirana that same day.
After all of that travel, the pace slowed down a bit. We spent a day in Tirana walking around, exploring local family-owned shops and businesses, and relaxing at a few cafés.
Then we flew into Bari and made our way to Monopoli, where we took in the stunning coastline, deep blue water, and rocky beaches tucked between the cliffs of southern Italy.
We stayed there for three nights before heading back to Bari for a night, then returning to Tirana to pick up a car and drive down the coast of Albania.
In Himarë, we explored some incredible beaches and took a boat tour through secluded beaches and caves. We even met another couple from Philly along the way.
From Himarë to Sarandë, we visited the Langarica Canyon hot springs, which are natural hot springs built into what feels like a natural hot tub.
Our Airbnb in Sarandë had a beautiful balcony view of Corfu, and it was honestly one of the prettiest views I have ever seen.
It was a lot of movement, a lot of airports, and a lot of hours on the road, but the experience was beyond worth it.
I’m grateful for the time away, the change of pace, and the chance to share it with someone who makes even the long travel days feel easy.