Albanian Riviera SEAFOOD & PASTA!! Ancient Orik & Byzantine Monastery | Vlore, Albania

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On the afternoon and evening of my epic 13th day in Albania, I continued my exploration of the southern part of the country. Come with me as I explore more of the Albanian Riviera!

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My afternoon began on the road just outside of Vlorë, one of the prettiest cities along the Albanian Riviera. I was looking forward to touring some attractions and historical sites!

Our first destination was Orik Archaeological Park, which is in the middle of a military zone. Orik played an important role in the civil war that took place between Julius Caesar and the city of Pompeii between 49-48 BC. Archaeologists have unearthed a number of ruins there.

I got to see the fountain and the ancient steps, which are still intact. Parts of the park have been excavated, but there’s still a lot that hasn’t been unearthed. There’s a northern gate that’s in ruins, and pottery has been found there as well.

Next, we saw some houses that had been carved into the rock of a hill. They date back to the 3rd century BC! The houses are paved with bricks, and all of them contain a well. The roofs of the houses had a system where the rainwater would drain down into the well.

The well was dry when I visited in August. In the middle of the city is a huge, wide stairway that’s bordered by houses.

Next, we left Orik passed through Vlorë on our way to St. Mary’s Monastery, which is located on Zvërnec Island. It’s a typical Byzantine church. There’s a lot of red, and the monastery has a rotunda and lots of beautiful paintings. They’re depictions from the Bible.

Then, we drove 20 minutes through an oak forest back to Vlorë. We parked at our hotel, the Bologna Hotel, which is next to the port and sea. The meeting point of the Adriatic Sea and the Ionian Sea, with the mountains in the background, is so gorgeous! There’s a super long boardwalk all along the shore.

After walking for 20 minutes, we made it to the public beach. There are also private parts for hotels and restaurants. Then, we made it to Restorant Joni, a beautiful restaurant on the beach.

We ate outside, where there were lots of white tables. We started with some white wine and bruschetta. I loved the fresh , moist tomatoes and the olive oil on it! Then, we had infinite fish on a huge seafood platter. We had quiches with shrimp, tuna, crudo shrimp, sardines, figs, and more. The crudo with the lime and oil sauce was unreal!

The fresh crudo was too good. It’s rare in most places, but is common in Albania. Next were the sardines, which were super spicy and full of flavor. I loved the lemon and oil.

The shrimp quiche was creamy, crispy, and golden brown on the outside. The shrimp took it to the next level! The grilled tuna had a little salt and lots of pepper, and was so flavorful. The blackened salmon was also super good. I loved the mix of flavors in this platter. Some were spicy, some were zesty, some were salty. The prawns were super salty! What a meal!

Back in the kitchen, I got to see how Chef Joni makes a seafood pasta made with salted fish eggs! He showed me a huge monkfish and told me that they only use fresh fish, nothing frozen.

Back at the table, I tried the gnocchi with vegetables with more white wine. The wine was tasty and the gnocchi was super creamy. I loved the carrots and asparagus in it. There was also some cured meat shaved on top. Then, we toasted to my final night in Albania.

Then, we walked along the boulevard, which was packed. What an incredible day in southern Albania!

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About Me:

My name is David Hoffmann. For the last 12 years, I have been traveling around the world in search of unique culture, food, and history! Since starting David’s Been Here in 2008, I have traveled to over 1,100 destinations in 77 countries, which I welcome you to check out on my YouTube channel, travel blog, and social media sites.

I focus a great deal on food and historical sites, as you probably have seen! I love to experience the different flavors that each destination has to offer, from casual street food to gourmet restaurant dining. I’m also passionate about learning about the local history and culture.

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