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Zins - One visit The place to be in Durres is this beautiful restaurant on the beach with stunning views of the Adriatic Sea. You can enjoy a lazy afternoon soaking up the sunshine, which has a great beach club vibe. The food was delicious. We opted for Sushi, along with deep-fried shrimp and spring rolls, and were not disappointed. We were also spoilt with a 10-year Barolo wine for great value. The service was exceptional and we were very well taken care of throughout the day by Perparim, he was very attentive. To finish the day, we enjoyed cocktails and a magical sunset. It's a great place to meet friends, listen to music, have a shisha, and socialise.

Envy Hotel - 2 nights We couldn't leave Durres without experiencing this stunning hotel across the road, a brand new boutique hotel just recently opened in early 2021. Beautiful Italian design exudes luxury. The rooms are heavenly, we loved the music playing in the bathroom. The Artwork displayed in the hotel is also the owner's collection. Staff throughout the hotel are absolutely gorgeous and you feel at home, there is a family vibe and everyone works seamlessly together. A special thank you to the lovely Redona who manages the hotel and was an absolute star, she was very helpful and made sure your stay exceeded all your expectations. The restaurant just opened, we were the first customers and enjoyed the most wonderful dining experience. The food was exceptional with a fabulous selection of vintage Italian wines from the owner's collection. Service is also excellent. Breakfast is available throughout the hotel, your room, the lounge, the rooftop, and the restaurant, providing flexibility and where you are most comfortable. The rooftop is perfect for morning coffees and afternoon cocktails. You have 360-degree views over Durres, so it's the perfect spot for sunrises and sunsets. The team also delights you with incredible cocktails and little treats. This is the ideal hotel for a weekend getaway. It is wholly luxurious, and with only six rooms, you will be guaranteed your own space.

Pampas restaurant - Three visits The New Pampas restaurant is located on the waterfront in Durres. First, the warm welcome you receive when you arrive makes you know you will be back. This is a new restaurant from Bar Restaurant Pizzeria Pampas, a great beach club restaurant in Durres. The food was exceptional; we enjoyed many dishes and were incredibly impressed. Excellent seafood, pasta and pizzas were on another level. It is the perfect restaurant for a long lazy lunch, dining all day long with delicious food. Quality wines, especially French wines, also have a selection of half bottles. You will be blessed with stunning sunsets to make your dining experience more memorable. The team is beautiful, full of smiles, and provides the best service. Thank you, Pampas Restaurant, for the incredible dining experience, your kindness, generosity, food, team, and wines. You made our visit to Durres one that we hold close to our hearts.

LA Suite Boutique Hotel - 4 nights A beautiful boutique hotel located in a quiet alley in the centre of Tirana in the business area on Jul Variboba Street. You are steps away from everything and only a short walk into the Blloku, the city's heart. This is a luxury hotel, and the rooms are beautiful, exactly as the pictures describe. They are very comfortable and spacious, with high-quality finishings and linen. Each room has a large balcony to enjoy the fresh air. The hotel has a lovely restaurant and cafe, and the staff are delightful. You receive breakfast with your booking, which can be delivered to your room. It is a la carte, and there is a great selection available. I recommend the LA Suite Hotel for your stay in Tirana and booking directly with the hotel for the most competitive price.

100° Lounge Bar - 1 visit A great nightspot for a drink and shisha, located in the heart of the business district in Tirana. The team is warm and friendly and makes you feel at home. We enjoyed our evening relaxing in this bar with a few G&T's listening to great tunes. They were also kind enough to play our wedding song, Lola's Theme, by Shapeshifters. Great value for everyone, cheap drinks, and lots of cozy spots to relax with your friends, we were also gifted with a shot from the owners, just incredible hospitality in Tirane.

Sapori Veri - Two visits An excellent Italian deli and wine shop with a great selection of Italian meats, pasta, sauces, wine and chocolates. They also serve fresh-made sandwiches with delicious fillings. It is located on the corner of a busy street where you can enjoy the sunshine whilst sampling the beautiful Italian wines and watching the world go by. The owners were incredibly kind, warm and friendly. Excellent value and great prices.

Casa della Pasta - 1 visit It is an excellent place to have a quick and cheerful lunch in the park at Taiwan Komplex. Lovely outdoor dining to enjoy the park views and watch the world go by is perfect on a sunny day. We enjoyed a delicious authentic pizza with good service and excellent value pricing.

Klinika dentare Dr. Erta Xhanari - 1 visit After three years of travelling, we were well overdue for a visit to the dentist. After much research, we found Dr. Erta in Tirana. Like most visits to the dentist, they are always stressful, so it was important we find a gentle and caring dentist. Dr. Erta Xhanari is an excellent and knowledgeable dentist with a great facility with es and clean equipment. She made the visit completely painless. We had a checkup and cleaning, and she was very efficient and relieved our stress with her excellent English and bedside manner. Her nurse was also lovely; you know you are in good hands. I recommend visiting Dr Erta for peace of mind and a health check on your teeth. It's very affordable—only $40AUD for a checkup and cleaning. It's easy to book by emailing directly. She was very responsive and was able to schedule us in a few days. Don't be alarmed by the entrance to her clinic. You will be pleasantly surprised as you enter.

Amorino Lounge Bar - 1 visit It is a hidden gem across from Taiwan Pool, a quaint little lounge bar with splendid views of the mountains and Tirana. Escape the busy streets and enjoy a Gin & Tonic on the cute balcony on Level 1 to enjoy the views of Tirane. Very impressed with the Gin & Tonics for only $3AUD, served in a balloon gin glass with garnish. The lounge bar is very clean, with lovely decor and your drinks served with a smile.

La Vita e Bella - 1 visit The generosity and kindness of the Albanians is incredible. Wayne and I have been walking by this new restaurant for the past month and checking in to see when it will open. It looks fantastic! We dropped in yesterday to see how they were progressing. It was still one week away, but they were testing and finalising the menu, so instead of sending us away, they invited us in to enjoy a glass of wine and a snack on the house (we just needed to be seated around the corner where it wasn't obvious they were serving us). The food and wine were divine, and we also experienced amberjack fish for the first time, which was super impressive; even Wayne loved it!! The service was impeccable, warm, and friendly, and you truly felt like family. There is a fantastic outdoor dining space for long, lazy lunches or dinners and areas to lounge and enjoy an afternoon wine in the sun. The restaurant indoors is beautifully designed. Upstairs, there are private dining rooms great for celebrations and functions. These rooms are equipped with balconies, restrooms, and a personal entrance, so you don't have to walk through the main restaurant. After our snack, we visited the new restaurant for a tour and met the owner and the kitchen crew. We were so impressed with the stunning renovation, unique artwork, and quality decor that we wished we had stayed longer in Tirana. We had a magical day and genuinely love the culture and incredible kindness we receive from the beautiful Albanians.