I think I can consider myself a glass half full kind of guy. Even in this case, where the glass half full (of a gorgeous red wine) came with the (also gorgeous) moussaka that likely messed up my bowels and cancelled my beach plans today.
Loving the vacations, but I can't say I'm not very disappointed on how Albânia is choosing to treat its riviera. Yes, you have gorgeous views, waters are a vivid beautiful blue... but the thing is, most beaches look like this:
Most beaches are private, meaning that you can't just go to the beach after an exploration day, lay down your towel and relax. Nope, you either have to search thoroughly for the very little public spaces present - again, that don't exist in most beaches - or pay to have your bed and umbrella... that stretch all the way to the sea shore, meaning there's almost no "beach" in sight.
Maybe the experience after peak season is completely different. It's just incomprehensible for me how you deprive locals from enjoying their beaches, and create a worse tourism experience. But well, I guess money talks. And after letting this reality sink in... well, one just have to accept things as they are and make the best of it! Because you do have tons of nice stuff!
Food is awesome and still very affordable. As an example, a great meal at seaside can cost less than 15 euros.
The natural beauty is incredible, and easily explorable with a rental car or even by public transportation. Crystal clear mountain waters, anyone?
Plus, you do have some beaches farther from the cities where one can still enjoy a beach day in (almost) its pristine form... and I'm hoping to confirm that tomorrow!
Meanwhile, time to take a lazy vacation day, enjoy the public beach at my current location (which is not that bad!), read, and write some postcards.
If I don't have to go running back to my accomodations, that is! 😂😂 Fingers crossed!