“Sweety, Where will we go this year?”
“The same place we go every year, honey.”
Those of us who can still remember the 90s (you’re still young no matter what your knees are telling you), will recognize this as a twist on the famous line from Pinky and the Brain (one is a genius and the other insane). Funnily enough, this conversation, in one form or another takes place in many of our homes as we realize that we did not in fact plan for the summer. So, because we did not plan, what do we do? We fall back on our comfort zone: we go where we know and where we’ve been before. It’s easy, its familiar and we know what to expect. What if there was another way? A detour from the well-trodden path but still close? Places on the sea, and near the mountains? A skip away from beautiful lakes welling up with waterfalls and short trip from ancient cities? If you would like that then follow me on this little trip along the Adriatic coast.
Albania
Start your journey in the southern seaside town of Sarande, where the mountain hugs the gently curved shorline. Enjoy the scrumptious gifts of the sea in the little restaurants that pepper the bay. After your refreshing drink to help digest the heavy meal, take a short trip to the nearby roman ruins of Butrint and take a stroll through history.
As you wind your way north along the country, explore the stone city Gjirokastra so named for the unique architecture of its buildings and its castle. Along the route, make a stop in Vlore, because you can never have too much sun and sea when it is summertime. You could also take a rest in Tirana, the capital that ties together this beautiful country and walk the city for a day to get in touch with the vibrant spirit of this place.
You can then make your way north, through the bunker speckled countryside that serve as a reminder of the adversities faced by the Albanian people as they sought their freedom and provide a stark contrast to the serenity of the country in the present day.
Every step you take, you will feel welcome. You can have coffee at any café and find yourself sharing laughs with the people there, experience not only the warmth of the sun, but the friendliness and generosity of the people. I remember my first morning there, the owner of the apartment I was renting surprised me with a scrumptious breakfast that brought a big smile to my face.
Montenegro
As you make your way north, and wave goodbye to Albania, you will find yourself on the beautifully rugged coastline of Crna Gora, The Black Mountain. Along the coastline you will find yourself gravitating toward the historic city of Kotor, where you will feel as if you have travelled back in time while keeping all the comforts of modernity and if you’re feeling a bit adventurous, you can go up mount Lovcen to get some cardio work in before you come back down to feast on the bounties of the Adriatic.
As you drive along the winding roads hugging the mountains and kissing the sea, your head will be continuously turned by the stunning vistas on both sides peppered with little towns and ancient buildings right next door to modern developments and all the creature comforts you could ask for.
In Montenegro, you will feel small not only because of the scale of the mountain but also because the people seem to have been scaled up by about 10%; I have never felt as short as I did when I went to Montenegro. Don’t worry, you have not shrunk, its everyone else that is just very tall. Once you have had your fill, make your way north and soon you will find yourself at the doorstep of Croatia.
Croatia
When you come into Croatia through its southernmost point, you will quickly find yourself knocking on the doors of the walled city itself, home to centuries of history and seat of the Iron Throne: Dubrovnik. There is a reason that this city is one of the most visited towns along the Adriatic coast; it strikes a balance between centuries of history and a stunning seaside vibe that is quite unmatched anywhere else. You can relax with a drink in a fancy café as you gaze out at the sparkling Adriatic sea while in the shadow of a castle that has stood for centuries.
As you make north, you can stop at any of the innumerable little towns with their own spots of history, beauty and spirit, or you could hop on a boat and skip between the islands and partake of their bounties of food and comfort. Make a stop in Split, and breathe in the lavender infused air of the city, and delight your senses with the sights and sounds of this vibrant town. The morning after you’ve partied the night away, you can head upwards in search of the Pula Colosseum for a little more history, or you could find your way towards the beautiful waterfall lakes of Plidvica; walking through that nature reserve can be described as an ASMR experience of its own.
A lot of people skip Zagreb, the capital, but I am not one of them. This city has a charm all its own, and with its endless events and activities going on makes for an entertaining and enjoyable stop along your journey. You can enjoy your coffee in the square as happy people stroll by, and as the sun sets explore the lively and fun nightlife of the city.
Once you’ve had your fill of this beautiful country, you can take a brief drive north towards the final stop in our little excursion.
Slovenia
A more serene country than this I have not yet been in. I like to stop for a little in Ljubljana just to stroll leisurely along the river and take in the sights of the town. This country is almost like a relaxing massage of the soul. When you settle in, you will find yourself loosening up and relaxing almost unconsciously.
Just driving along, you will feel like you are inside a painting that is a feast for your eyes; the mountains (the alps cross into Slovenia) and the countryside form a beautiful landscape upon which you can delight your senses.
You could stop at Piran for a last taste of the Adriatic, or explore the national park at Triglav, or even venture inside the breathtaking stalagmite caves at Postonja and venture inside the mountain itself. I personally never miss a stop at Bled or Bohinj. Both lakes are surrounded by mountains along their sides that taper down towards the waterline where you can rest your soul before returning back to reality.
Embark on this journey, that’s just a short way off the trodden path, and you will return rested, content, and with a lot of stories to tell about food, mountains, beaches, nature, caves and even a little bit of history.
You can follow Mohammed El Soukkary’s culinary adventures at @Diplocook on Instagram.
