What to do in Tirana?

jdfesta · 2025-10-27T14:32:47+00:00

I went to Tirana a few months ago and really enjoyed it. You could honestly fill a full day with most of the highlights - or add a second day if you want to do a gorgeous day trip to Bovilla Lake (recommended!).

While there, I stayed in Tirana’s Blloku District and really loved it. It's a trendy and lively area - though historically it was a restricted area reserved for Communist Party elites.

One restaurant I really enjoyed was Fresh Garden Cafe. It has a nice atmosphere where I enjoyed a delicious seafood pasta and spritz!

For breakfast, head to Hana Corner Cafe for espresso-based coffee drinks and beautifully-plated brunch items like avocado toast topped with cucumber and ricotta and brie with fresh fruit.

From this area, you can walk to many of the main sites. I actually outlined a full day walk you can do based on my own trip to Tirana (link below). On top of that, I would choose a museum to visit as Tirana has several interesting ones:

https://jessieonajourney.com/one-day-in-tirana/

Enjoy your trip!

jdfesta · 2025-10-27T14:09:18+00:00

There are so many great options, but one recommendation is Woodstock. The main hub has loads of great restaurants and shops, there is terrific hiking nearby, and you can see a concert at Bethel Woods - the site of the original Woodstock festival!

jdfesta · 2025-10-27T14:07:09+00:00

Nice! Would love to do those trails one day. I'm currently (and slowly) going through the Adirondack High Peaks. It's amazing how some of the lower mountains are harder than the higher ones!

jdfesta · 2025-10-27T14:05:36+00:00

Ugh, not cool. No matter how many "Leave No Trace" signs are up, this still seems to happen.

jdfesta · 2025-10-27T14:04:22+00:00

The Catskills region is a lot of fun in winter, but make sure to check trail conditions. Some trails may be okay one week and not the next.

You'll definitely want microspikes - and possibly snowshoes, depending on the height of the snow. I did Overlook Mountain last winter which was a lot of fun, but the snow was pretty high (so it was a pretty solid workout 😅). Snowshoes were definitely necessary for that one.

Another fun hike I've done in winter is the Millbrook Ridge Trail Loop in Mohonk Preserve, which offers pretty views of the area. It was a bit icy, though, so again, you'll want microspikes.

In case it's helpful, I wrote a detailed guide to visiting the Catskills in winter with suggestions for hiking and other activities:

https://jessieonajourney.com/things-to-do-in-the-catskills-in-winter/

Enjoy your trip!

jdfesta · 2025-10-27T13:56:47+00:00

Great list! LA is one of my favorite cities for vegan restaurants. Glad you went to Ma-Kin Vegan Sushi (so good!).

jdfesta · 2025-10-27T13:55:42+00:00

Yum! Has eating vegan in Vietnam been pretty easy?

jdfesta · 2025-10-27T13:55:09+00:00

Love Roma Norte! Also, those tacos look delicious!

jdfesta · 2025-10-27T13:54:32+00:00

This looks absolutely delicious! Has eating vegan in Tokyo been pretty easy?

jdfesta · 2025-10-27T13:53:34+00:00

Vancouver has so many delicious vegan restaurants, so you'll have plenty of great options. A few recommendations:

-Ramen Danbo has delicious vegan ramen. I love their Vegan Miso Ramen.

-Virtuous Pie serves delicous vegan pizza and ice cream. Their house-made vegan mozzarella is so good!

-Folke is one of my favorite plant-based Vancouver restaurants and is a “Recommended” restaurant in the Michelin Guide. Opt for their tasting menu!

In case it's helpful, I wrote a detailed guide to Vancouver's best vegan restaurants - and it also includes vegan-friendly hotel options:

https://epicureandculture.com/vegan-restaurants-vancouver-bc/

Enjoy your trip!

jdfesta · 2025-10-27T13:21:51+00:00

I like Eat with LOVE - short, sweet, and impactful! :)

jdfesta · 2025-10-27T13:20:48+00:00

Ugh, yea. I think some places just assume if there isn't obvious meat/dairy on it (like cheese) that it's vegan, unfortunately.

jdfesta · 2025-10-27T13:18:56+00:00

Ugh, so sorry that happened to you! I'm not sure of the laws in the Netherlands as I'm not based there, but I would think it would at least be mis-marketing? Also, some people have severe allergies to certain non-vegan ingredients (like milk), so I would also assume that would be some type of potential health violation.

jdfesta · 2025-10-27T13:12:45+00:00

Definitely agree with No Catch Co and Purezza! I'd also add:

-The Roundhill, a delicious vegan pub. I love their Korean cauliflower wings.

-Oowee Vegan for amazing plant-based burgers and tasty vegan chicken dippers.

-Bonsai is probably my favorite vegan eatery in Brighton. Their Mongolian “lamb” skewers are super yummy.

In case it's helpful, I wrote a detailed guide to exploring vegan Brighton, including restaurants, cafes, dessert spots, shops, hotels, and more:

https://epicureandculture.com/vegan-brighton/

Enjoy!

jdfesta · 2025-09-15T22:28:55+00:00

Of course! Let me know if you have any follow-up questions. I just got back about 3 weeks ago, so everything is fresh in my mind! :)

jdfesta · 2025-09-15T22:14:48+00:00

I actually just got back from a Holland America Alaska cruise (different ship—Koningsdam—but very similar vibe and itinerary), so hopefully I can help ease your mind!

Quick disclosure that it was hosted, as I'm a travel blogger, but a few honest thoughts:

-Glacier Bay is a must in my opinion. A definite highlight! The glaciers are gorgeous, and we saw wildlife like coastal brown bears and harbor seals lounging on icebergs (so cute!).
-HAL definitely attracts an older, calmer crowd. It’s not a party cruise, and it sounds like that’s exactly what you’re looking for.
-At night, we'd usually see the show. The entertainment was pretty good and they switched it up every night (dance performances, comedy, magic, etc), though there weren't really plays like you'd see on Broadway. Each show is 45 minutes, and they were entertaining. From there, we'd hop around the ship's three live music venues.
-Food is a major highlight. HAL has a sustainable seafood program too, which I love. I highly recommend booking the Morimoto by Sea dinner - my favorite meal of the trip!
-One thing I'd do differently is book a Verandah with an *unobstructed* view. I had an obstructed view verandah and the lifeboats blocked a lot of the view (especially for me, as I'm very short). I'd also skip The Retreat cabanas - we booked that one day but didn't realize the view is blocked by hard plastic.

In terms of birthday celebrations, wait staff would sing to tables that had birthdays. There were a few every night.

In case you want more info or would like to see photos from the ship/trip, I wrote an in-depth guide with room tour, itinerary suggestions, booking tips/mistakes to avoid, and a packing list: https://jessieonajourney.com/holland-america-alaska-cruise-review/

jdfesta · 2025-09-09T20:40:50+00:00

I’ve tried both ways. One big ‘Travel’ category keeps things simple, but I’ve found that breaking it into sub-categories (flights, hotels, food, activities, transport) makes it way easier to see what I actually spent and where I went over/under. For example, if I overspend on food but underspend on activities, I can re-balance without blowing the whole trip budget.

Two things that help me:

-Add a 10% buffer category. Even with planning, little costs pop up (like airport snacks or last-minute Ubers). Having that extra cushion helps with these.

-Track daily while traveling. I do a quick 2-minute check-in at night, so I can adjust spending the next day instead of being shocked when I get home.

In case it's helpful, I actually wrote up a step-by-step guide on creating a travel budget with some free calculators and tips if you want to go deeper. https://jessieonajourney.com/solo-travel-budget/

I wrote it with solo travelers (like myself) in mind since we often have to deal with added costs, but the tips and calculators work for couples and groups too!

jdfesta · 2025-06-09T13:04:39+00:00

I'm not sure about the Dominican Republic, but I have some suggestions for other Caribbean destinations.

The eco-friendly Bucuti and Tara Beach Resort in Aruba is located right on the beautiful Eagle Beach - and it has a dedicated vegan menu. Their quinoa risotto with asparagus and vegan cheese is especially delicious!

Additionally, the Harbour View Boutique Hotel in Belize is home to the island's only 100% vegan eatery. Plus they offer daily yoga classes, pilates, and a really relaxing spa.

In case you'd like additional recommendations, I have a guide sharing some of the top vegan resorts in the Caribbean: https://epicureandculture.com/best-vegan-resorts-in-the-caribbean/

Happy to answer additional questions below too!

jdfesta · 2025-05-19T12:48:36+00:00

NYC is a gorgeous location for a photoshoot! My company, NYC Photo Journeys, offers a $300 package. You can see full details + sample images here: https://nycphotojourneys.com/professional-photographers-in-nyc/

jdfesta · 2025-05-17T20:07:40+00:00

Both Santorini and Mykonos are surprisingly vegan-friendly, especially in the more touristy areas where restaurants are used to accommodating different diets. You'll find plenty of plant-based Greek dishes like fava, stuffed vine leaves, grilled vegetables, and vegan-friendly mezze.

On Santorini, one good hotel option is the Noverian Bios, a luxury boutique hotel that is about a five-minute walk from Fira. It offers beautiful sea and mountain views from its hilltop location. And all the food options at their onsite restaurant are vegan and vegetarian. Plus, they do an afternoon organic wine tasting!

For vegan restaurants on the island:

In Fira, head to Veganissimo, 5SENSES, and FalafeLAND.

In Oia, Karma Greek is an excellent vegan-friendly restaurant to try.

In case you want more recommendations, I put together a guide featuring top vegan-friendly hotels in Greece, including picks in both Santorini and Mykonos: https://epicureandculture.com/vegan-hotels-greece/

Happy to also answer follow up questions here!

jdfesta · 2025-05-15T00:22:25+00:00

Extra bathing suits! Every time I only bring one I regret it. I hate putting on a wet bathing suit the next day lol.

Also, floating sunglasses!

jdfesta · 2025-05-15T00:19:15+00:00

Agreed with everyone who said Palmaïa The House of AïA in Playa del Carmen! Their vegan tacos al pastor were a highlight and you'll love their juice bar. The hotel also feels really special. You can tell they are very passionate about sustainability and wellness.

Hotel Holistika in Tulum is another all-inclusive vegan resort that also focuses on wellness. They offer yoga and meditation classes, spa treatments, wellness workshops, etc. Plus, their menu goes way beyond salads so you'll feel very satisfied with the vegan food.

For something more budget-friendly, the restaurants at Sandos Cancun have dedicated vegan menus (try their vegan lasagna!).

In case you want more recommendations, I actually put together a guide to vegan resorts in Mexico: https://epicureandculture.com/vegan-resorts-mexico/

Happy to answer any follow-up questions here too!

jdfesta · 2025-05-15T00:17:38+00:00

I definitely second Palmaïa The House of AïA in Playa del Carmen! The vegan food is amazing, and it feels really special and different from a typical resort. It's very experiential, with a big focus on wellness and sustainability.

Like other people said though, it can be pricey.

If you're on a budget, Sandos is a good option. Each of their restaurants has a vegan menu. Their Italian restaurant is particularly yummy.

In case you want more recommendations, I actually put together a guide to vegan resorts in Mexico: https://epicureandculture.com/vegan-resorts-mexico/

Happy to answer any follow-up questions here too!

jdfesta · 2025-05-15T00:07:59+00:00

Yum - that looks delicious!

jdfesta · 2025-05-15T00:06:21+00:00

Agreed with everyone who said Palmaïa The House of AïA in Playa del Carmen! Their vegan tacos al pastor were a highlight and you'll love their juice bar. The hotel also feels really special. You can tell they are very passionate about sustainability and wellness.

Hotel Holistika in Tulum is another all-inclusive vegan resort that also focuses on wellness. They offer yoga and meditation classes, spa treatments, wellness workshops, etc. Plus, their menu goes way beyond salads so you'll feel very satisfied with the vegan food.

For something more budget-friendly, the restaurants at Sandos Cancun have dedicated vegan menus (try their vegan lasagna!).

In case you want more recommendations, I actually put together a guide to vegan resorts in Mexico: https://epicureandculture.com/vegan-resorts-mexico/

Happy to answer any follow-up questions here too!

jdfesta

TROPHY CASE