Welcome to Hello Graciemo

A Family | Travel | Lifestyle Blog

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T R E N D I N G

A Quick Guide to the Alsace Christmas Markets

Almabtrieb: A Festival for the Cows Coming Home

Polignano a Mare, Puglia

Charming Christmas Markets in Germany

Baden-Baden’s Charming Christmas Market

HItscherhof Farm: A Quaint Pumpkin Farm in Germany

D I S C O V E R

Food

DISCOVER MY FAVORITE FOOD FINDS AND RECIPES

Life in Germany

DISCOVER OUR LIFE LIVING ABROAD IN GERMANY

Destinations

LEARN MORE ABOUT WHERE WE’VE VISITED

Hey Ya’ll!

Mo, here! Thank you for stopping by and taking an interest in my blog and travel journal! Please join me and my family as I write about our travels and tips, adventures in life, food, motherhood, and navigating living in another country.

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hellograciemo

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Scenes from Albania 🇦🇱 | the ancient city of

Scenes from Albania 🇦🇱 | the ancient city of 📍 Gjirokaster
We ended our Day 3 Roadtrip through inland Albania by visiting the “Stone City” of Gjirokastër after visiting the thermal baths of Benja.
Meander through the cobblestone streets and marvel at the stone buildings throughout the city that makes it look like a fortress.
Admire and shop through the bazaar and buy some of their beautiful handmade rugs made locally in a small town of Fier, Albania.
This hilly city has gorgeous views from above and a castle that is one of the largest in the Balkans.
We only had a few hours here, but it was worth the stop and sunset views.
Highly recommend this beautiful city for a day trip from Sarandë.
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Circa July 2023
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#albania #gjirokaster
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Albania • Gjirokaster • Ancient City

Friendly Reminder… We’re slowly approaching t

Friendly Reminder…
We’re slowly approaching the Holidays, and in Germany that means the return of Christmas Markets!
Are you ready?
I’m slowly starting our list to visit this year, and will need some inspiration.
**What Christmas Markets have you been to that you recommend? Comment below 🙂
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I’ve got a few markets I’ll be recommending in the next few weeks! Stay tuned!
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P.S. **89 more sleeps till Christmas!
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#christmasmarkets #germanchristmasmarket #froheweihnachten
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Germany • Christmas Markets • Holidays

Manifesting my Gilmore Girl season! Celebrated th

Manifesting my Gilmore Girl season!
Celebrated the last day of Summer picking flowers from the Blumen field (pick your own field) and starting the Fall season with a PSL!
Fall is here (I know I’m just a day late 🙂 and I’m so excited!
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Comment below if Fall is your #1 Season! 🙋🏻‍♀️
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Fall • PSL • Favorite Season • Pick your own flower fields • Life in Germany

O’zapft is! | Munich Oktoberfest Donned on the

O’zapft is! | Munich Oktoberfest
Donned on the dirndl for its 4th year debut, and this time to the biggest Oktoberfest celebration!
Finally made it to München’s (Munich) Oktoberfest this past weekend and I’m so glad to check it off the bucket list!
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#munichoktoberfest2023
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Munich • Oktoberfest • Dirndl • Prost!

Albania 🇦🇱 | Permet Thermal Springs Also k

Albania 🇦🇱 | Permet Thermal Springs
Also known as 📍 Llixhat e Bënjës,
or the Thermal Baths of Benja
If you find my previous stills post from Albania you’ll find more info on this location. I’ll also add highlights from this place in my stories under Albania.
This was well worth the visit during our inland venture into Albania!
Not only did we find the thermal springs here, we were also fortunate enough to discover an ancient ottoman bridge ( 📍 the Katiu Bridge) just right next to it.
Highly recommend this stop if you venture into inland Albania from Sarandë!
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Are you adding this to your Albania bucket list?
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#Albania
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Albania • Hidden Gems • Thermal Springs

📍 Bad Dürkheim Wurstmarkt | Rheinland Pfalz, G

📍 Bad Dürkheim Wurstmarkt | Rheinland Pfalz, Germany
How to enjoy the Largest Winefest (Bad Dürkheim Wurstmarkt) in the World with kids?
Come Early during the day!
It’s the last weekend of the Bad Dürkheim Weinfest, and what’s better than enjoying the fest with the kids?
📅 The last weekend dates are from September 15-18, 2023.
Usually the fest takes place on the 2nd and 3rd weekend of September every year.
📖 Bad Dürkheim Wurstmarkt has been going on for over 600 years in Germany and was once known as Michaelismarkt to commemorate Saint Michael.
🎡 Since then, it has expanded to what is today the Wurstmarkt (yes, that means Sausage market in German), but it is one of the best festivals to attend in Germany.
🍷 Though wine and food are the main event, there are rides, games, small vendors selling gifts, and, of course, wine tents to enjoy the local wines.
👧 If bringing your kids, get there when they open and enjoy the Winefest before the crowd joins the party.
This is the best time to bring your kiddos, who can enjoy the rides, the food, the games, and more.
It’s also the best time to enjoy drinking your wine without the parties later in the day and evening. And, believe me, though the German fests are quite fun, I have heard the partygoers get crazy!
This was my second year attending (last year, 2022), and the kids and I enjoyed the early fest on a Friday morning.
Our first year (2019), we enjoyed the day fest with friends, and although it had not gotten too rowdy yet, the wine tables were starting to fill up later in the day. I have never stayed past 3 p.m. to see the night partyers, but have heard of them.
***Have you been to the Bad Dürkheim Wurstsmarkt? Any tips you’d like to add for families?
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#baddürkheimerwurstmarkt
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Bad Dürkheim • Biggest Wine Festival in the World • Bad Dürkheim Wurstmakrt with kids

Memories | DisneyLand Paris Shared in stories, bu

Memories | DisneyLand Paris
Shared in stories, but I felt it deserved a spot on the feed.
Will cherish all the fun memories with my family from this trip ♡
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#disneylandparis #mickeymouse #magicalplaces
Disney • DisneyLand Paris • Family Fun

***Sound On 🔔*** Almabtrieb | A homecoming cel

***Sound On 🔔***
Almabtrieb | A homecoming celebration
Details and Tip ⬇️
Every year, between September through sometimes mid-October, is the sweetest homecoming celebration of the cattle drive coming home from a summer in the Alps.
The cows are uniquely decorated in floral headgear and evergreen wreaths picked from the Alps.
The cowbells clang in the background as the cows descend from the mountains, keeping the evil spirits away.
After the homecoming parade of the cattle, a celebration commences in the village, marking the end of Summer.
Last year, we checked off a huge bucket list by visiting our first almabtriebs.
We were fortunate enough to visit three events in one day and in two different countries.
It was the most magical experience ever!
I hope to make it out to an event this year, but it’s not likely with our schedule. So, this year, I’ll reminisce.
📍 Here are the three locations we visited:
↠ Gargellen, Austria
↠ Sankt Gallenkirch, Austria (15
minutes from Gargellen)
↠ Vaduz, Liechtensteinein
We went the weekend of September 3, 2022
****I’ve got a blog post about our experience and where you can find these events and the dates; see the link in bio.***. Not all dates may be accurate.
***Tip: check the local Facebook page for the farmers hosting the cattle drive and/or the local Tourist information office for exact dates
🐮🤠Have you heard of Almabtrieb? Are you planning to attend one this year?
There’s a few that happened last weekend and are taking place this weekend and so forth!
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P.S.: did you catch that one cow that bumped/shoulders me in the middle of the reel? You could here me squeal alittle 😂. Don’t worry, no one was harmed. These cows are very sweet!
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#almabtrieb
Almatrieb • Cows • Alpine Fest

Le Long weekend escape | 📍 DisneyLand Paris Af

Le Long weekend escape | 📍 DisneyLand Paris
After living in Germany for almost 5 years, we finally made it to one of the Happiest Theme Parks on Earth, but in Europe!
The last time we visited a Disney Park was when the girls were still little (both at DisneyLand California and Disney World Florida).
Definitely smaller than the two in California and Florida, Disneyland Paris still brought big smiles to both my girls. And, I relished every bit of the wonder in their eyes for all the magical things. (I captured a few candid moments).
It also felt so much different this time around. The girls were old enough to get on every ride they weren’t able to when they were younger. Of course, we did all the classic rides and all the thrilling rides (expect for me).
I literally thought Crush’s Coaster was a Peter Pan ride only to realize once I was on the ride…🤢, I can’t hang anymore on these thrill seeker rides 😂.
I basically walked by myself around the park while I waited for them to get off the too-intense- for- me rides.
I didn’t mind. I actually enjoyed the quiet moments of exploring and people watching.
I know the husband enjoyed the quality time with the girls.
We came at an ok time (first weekend of September, long weekend) as the crowd was there, but it wasn’t too terrible.
The weather was perfect the first few days, and hot the last day, but the breeze and shade were both a nice welcome.
I’m glad we could check this off the bucket list before my oldest heads off to college and the youngest starts being charged an adult ticket next year 🤪.
It was a much needed long weekend getaway 🙂
How was your long weekend? Where did you escape to or what fun things did you find locally?
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#disneylandparis #labordayweekend

Costco | 📍 France - *watch till the end for our

Costco | 📍 France - *watch till the end for our finds*
Details ⬇️
Yes, there are two Costcos in France, both near Paris!
Our second time visiting this Costco, we have never had an issue entering and purchasing products with our active U.S. membership card!
What’s the French Costco like?
↠ The store is set up to look like any other Costco, with the same products being sold.
↠ However, not everything will be on the floor that you would normally see back home, just certain products.
↠ The good news is you’re in France, so you’ll find French products you won’t normally find back home.
↠ Non-food items are similar to the ones in the States (but EU-compliant for voltage).
↠ Food items are a mixture of U.S. goods and some French brands. Unfortunately, I haven’t found my beloved chicken salad.
↠ Price: Similar, but perhaps a little more? I haven’t been back to the one in the States to compare.
↠ They also have a hearing aid distributor, optical shop, Tire auto & car batteries, food samples!
****Don’t have a Costco membership? I haven’t tried this, but I read on their online site for France that you can have a Day Pass to visit. Just inquire with the customer service when you arrive. **However, a Day Pass will not allow you to purchase products from their store. Find more here: https://www.costco.fr/pass-visite-2023
You can walk around and sample their food.
I didn’t see anyone asking for a membership card at the food counter, so maybe you could also eat there?
Is it worth the visit?
If you are visiting Paris and are near one of the two Costco, maybe?
We were in the area the two times we visited, and since we still had our U.S. membership, we thought it worthwhile to shop there. Just bring a good cooler with you :).
(More in comments for location)
**Have you visited a Costco outside of the States? Comment below; I’d love to hear about your experience!
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#costcofrance

***I have been dying to use this song since last y

***I have been dying to use this song since last year when I missed posting in August and here I am, a day late. 🤪.
But I can’t let August slip away without sharing some of our favorite moments.
An ode to you August!
August | You were much more magical than I imagined this year!
You’re not really my favorite month, but this year was an exception.
We spent the whole month staying local and relaxing before the new school year. And, we didn’t mind.
From corn mazes next to rolling hills of grapevines, to hiking to a beautiful location, celebrating another Kerwe in our village, photo ops against the sunset by the Heather field, trying new restaurants, a quick overnight to Frankfurt, experiencing Summer, Fall, & Winter in one month, we got to explore new places we haven’t visited and realized how much beauty we have in our own backyard.
We also started started Soccer season again with a brief hiatus, preparing for college things (stressful), Senior year, and the start of Middle school.
Our Summer may have been laid back after July, but we made August the best yet this year!
Now, I’m ready for all the Fall things! See you next year August!
How was your August?
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#august #lifeingermany #germany🇩🇪
August | Life Abroad | Summer in Germany

Rheinland Pfalz, Germany 🇩🇪 | 📍 Mehlinger

Rheinland Pfalz, Germany 🇩🇪 | 📍 Mehlinger Heide
In late August, there is a beautiful natural reserve area where the Heathers grow and show off their pink/purple flowers like a carpet laid across the landscape.
This 400-hectare nature reserve was once a military training area during WWI and WWII.
It became protected land in 1992 partly because of the growth of the special floral and fauna that developed due to military use.
We finally had the opportunity to visit.
Although we didn’t get to hike, we were there solely to take photos among the Heathers, and I could see why many people like to visit this place.
The Heathers’ colors aren’t truly vibrant, but against the sunset, it’s still magical.
I eventually would like to go back and hike the trail one day.
If you’re in the Rheinland Pfalz area, love flowers of all sorts, and are looking for photo location opportunities, this is a pretty area to visit.
Google coordinate for parking: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Zhin9j77HuWEjNrx6?g_st=ic
You’ll have to walk a ways to get to the open field and cross over a bridge over Hwy A63.
It is a wonderful place for photo ops; we saw a couple in their wedding attire getting photos done there. Go there at sunrise or sunset (sunset preferably) 🥰.
#rheinlandpfalz #mehlingerheide

Albania 🇦🇱 | Hidden Gem: Permet Thermal Spri

Albania 🇦🇱 | Hidden Gem: Permet Thermal Springs
In my previous Albania post, we visited the ancient Katiu Ottoman Bridge.
You’re not going to be disappointed if you visit this Ottoman bridge because right next to this bridge is a thermal hot spring!
This is📍 Llixhat e Bënjës, aka the Thermal Baths of Benja near Permet, Albania.
It is a natural bath with a temperature of 24-28 degrees Celsius (75-80 degrees Fahrenheit).
Very warm and comfortable during our visit.
I noticed three thermal springs during our visit, and they are all right next to the bridge (one is suitable for small children).
⭐️Tips for enjoying the thermal baths:
↠ The baths are perfectly safe to
bathe in.
↠ Limit time in the hot spring to at least 15 minutes.
↠ Remove jewelry because the
water is rich in minerals, which
may tarnish jewelry.
↠ Wear water shoes.
↠ Stay hydrated.
↠ Check the weather and water
current before your visit.
↠ There can be a sulfur smell, but
we barely noticed.
📍The easiest way to get to the Hot Springs is to travel up a short, winding road from the small town of Permet. After 3 or 4 miles, you’ll find the ancient Ottoman bridge (Katiu) on the Langarica River.
You can cross the bridge (not supported and slippery if wet) to get to the Thermal Springs directly next to the bridge. You can also walk across the shallow river (just be mindful of the current).
We also put 📍 Llixhat e Bënjës on our GPS, bringing us to this location.
Google coordinate: https://goo.gl/maps/w472KVBhzKgBiZR59
It’s free to visit the bridge and springs.
Parking is also free but located on bumpy dirt roads.
There is also a small cafe near the parking lot.
There are no showers, and the public bathroom was closed on our visit.
This was the highlight of our Albanian inland road trip! So worth the visit!
Are you adding this to your Albania list?
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#albania #përmethotsprings

Rheinland Pfalz, Germany 🇩🇪 | Rodalben, Germ

Rheinland Pfalz, Germany 🇩🇪 | Rodalben, Germany
***(more below for name and location)
Sometimes, I get so caught up in traveling to other cool countries that I forget we have many amazing gems in our own backyard.
It’s been a long while since we’ve hiked in our region in Rhineland-Pfalz, and I have forgotten how beautiful the hiking scenery is here!
This weekend, we joined my friend @ Kaiserslautern & Beyond (follow her on her FB page) for one of her hikes, and she was kind enough to show us these gems!
This hike was by far one of my favorite hikes here! The videos and photos doesn’t do it justice, you just have to see it for yourself ♡
It’s an easy hike, and after last week’s rain, the waterfall and forest were showing off its beauty.
I can’t wait to return when the Fall colors peak!
***If you’re looking for more details on this hike and many more cool hikes in Rhineland-Pfalz, Germany, you can find & follow my friend’s page on this link. She has much more detailed hiking information on her page; see ⬇️
https://www.facebook.com/KaiserslauternAndBeyond
Thanks, friend! This hike was so good for my soul!
Location & name of hike: Bruderfels & Bärenhöhle hike Rodalben, Germany
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#rodalben #hikingingermany

Albania 🇦🇱 | Ottoman Bridge I have a thing

Albania 🇦🇱 | Ottoman Bridge
I have a thing for Ottoman bridges.
The first bridge we ever visited was the Stari Most in Mostar, Bosnia, and I was instantly fascinated, that I wanted to find more.
While researching Ottoman bridges in Albania, and there are several apparently, this particular one popped up and was the closest we could visit from our location (coming from Sarandë).
Set in the Langarica Canyon, this is 📍the Katiu Bridge (Ura e Kaduit) near Permet, Albania
The Ottoman stone arch bridge dates back to 1700 and is almost 7 meters high. The stone is about 500 years old.
It’s such a beautiful bridge, and you can cross it, but be careful; there are no railings for support, and it can be slippery when wet.
We drove 2+ hours one way from the Blue Eye near Sarandë for this location.
I was worried we’d be driving out there in disappointment as I hadn’t seen many posts regarding this site, but man, were we blown away!
Stay tuned for my next Albania post for a surprise find.
Have you visited an Ottoman Bridge before? Which has been your favorite?
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#albania #KatiBridge

Albania 🇦🇱 continued… watch till the end f

Albania 🇦🇱 continued… watch till the end for an amazing view & the location! (Also some roadside drama).
So worth the long road trip for this view!
And, yes, we actually saw a fist fight between two people while we were stuck in the cattle traffic jam 😳.
More details to follow on this location in my upcoming Albania posts!
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#albania🇦🇱
Albania | Hidden Gem Albania | Road-trip Albania

Kerwe! Our village just finished its annual Kerw

Kerwe!
Our village just finished its annual Kerwe; at least, I think it’s over? They could still be partying, lol.
What’s a village Kerwe ⬇️
↠ From Thursday to Monday (sometimes maybe even longer), in August for one week, our village throws several awesome parties that can last all night to the wee hours of the morning.
↠ Each village & city also has their own Kerwe
↠ From my understanding, it’s the villages’ way of celebrating another good year before the Holidays begin.
↠ Kerwe also celebrates the coming of age of the local youth (Straußjugend) finally old enough to drink (16 yr).
↠ A “kerwestrauß” is also hung up to hang in the village all year round.
(FYI: the clip in the reel with the kerwestrauß is old from 2019, but our village still does this)
↠ The kerwestrauß, is a large pole made of a thousand different color paper cuttings (looks like a feather duster) that has been put together all year by these same young village folks and finally hung up on one of the fest days.
↠ The young folks are also responsible for protecting the kerwestrauß from the nearby villages from stealing them.
↠ During the kerwestrauß event, the young folks also read aloud a roast or highlights of the most embarrassing moments from any of the locals throughout the year that happened in the village.
↠ Kerwe is one of the highlights of all the villages that celebrate this!
↠ Lots of food, carne rides, beer, music, and more.
↠ It’s such a fun way to celebrate Fest season with our village!
Have you gone to a village kerwe? What were your thoughts?
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#kerwe

The dreaded day, the First Day of School, has comm

The dreaded day, the First Day of School, has commenced. Normally, I’m ok, but this year has hit me the hardest!
As some of you may know, I have a Senior this year and my youngest has started Middle School.
For the first time, I was not able to take both girls to school at the same time.
My Senior had a Sunrise event, and I had to scramble to grab her First Day of School photo in the dark outside at 5 AM on our front doorstep, and the husband took her to school.
I was pretty sad I couldn’t take her on her last, final First Day of School. Plus, she didn’t get her sibling photo with her little sister.
Additionally, I’m pretty sad my youngest is starting Middle School. It felt like yesterday she had just started Kindergarten.
Can you tell I’m a wreck? I’ll be ok, really.
It’s just bittersweet knowing this is my last year taking my oldest daughter to school (college will be another ballpark), and that my youngest isn’t really so little anymore.
So, despite no siblings’ first day of school photos together, I found a few photos I captured over the summer that I adored.
I loved them too much not to share.
I hope everyone has a wonderful First Day back to school, wherever you are and whenever you start ♡.
And, if you’re struggling like me this year due to a Senior or college kiddo(s) in our home, a kindergartner, or just having a tough time sending your kids back to school, hugs to you!
I know we all need it.
Are you excited for your kids to return to school, or are you struggling like me this year because of all the changes?
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#momsofteens #life

An August night in a CORN MAZE LABYRINTH in Deutsc

An August night in a CORN MAZE LABYRINTH in Deutschland.
Details ⬇️
There’s a cute small village called 📍 Raumbach, Germany, in Rheinland Pfalz, where you can find a small corn maze field open late in the evenings.
It’s set in the countryside, where you’ll be met with the amazing backdrop of rows of grapevines on hilly slopes against the village of Raumbach.
📍 Maislabyrinth Raumbach is open from July 21-October 31, 2023.
Opening hours: Thursdays & Fridays: 4-10 pm; Saturdays 2-10 pm; and Sundays 10 am-8 pm
Entrance fees: Adults from 17 years: €4,50; Children 5-16 years: €3; Children under 5: Free
Find 5 stations in this corn maze, where you can fill out a paper (find at the kiosk when you enter & pay) and submit your answers at the end.
These stations were quite challenging to find too.
After the maze, you can enjoy homemade snacks and drinks from the kiosk and find local handmade items in their farm shop.
Find more of their events here: https://www.maislabyrinth-raumbach.net/events
Happy Exploring!
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#cornmaze #maislabyrinth #rheinland_pfalz
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Rheinland Pfalz Fun | Corn Maze | Germany | Family Fun

Part 2 of the 📍 Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër) Alban

Part 2 of the 📍 Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër) Albania, near Sarandë.
In Part 1 (a few reels back), I explained that we had questioned whether or not it was worth visiting the Blue Eye b/c of 1.) the crowd, 2.) swimming is not allowed in the Blue Eye itself.
After leaving the tourist portion of the Blue Eye, we were so hot and disappointed we had walked all this way for a quick 5 minute viewing.
Leaving disappointed from the tourist portion, we walked back over the wooden bridge we came in from, as if to walk back to the car. My husband immediately turned left after the bridge towards the 📍 Blue Eye Restaurant, motioning for us to follow.
It was then that we discovered an area that made the trip to the Blue Eye absolutely worth the trek!
Behind the restaurant, we found people swimming in the Bistricë River!
After that hot, 2 km walk to the Blue Eye from the parking lot, having been disappointed about the crowd, and not being able to swim in the actual Blue Eye, you can only imagine my excitement when we saw several people taking a dip in the water! We were elated!
I didn’t see any signs by the restaurant that swimming in this area was prohibited. And, it didn’t seem like any of the staff at the restaurants were bothered or telling people to get out.
We followed suit! Let me tell you, that water is ICY COLD!!! But, oh so refreshing!!! I found that this natural spring water is 10-13 degrees Celsius year round!
My family, although hesitant to take a dip in icy cold water, was glad they did it.
That July summer Albanian heat is no joke. And, the thought of walking back to the car in that heat, was not appealing. But after that dip, we didn’t seem to mind the trek back.
Plus, the surrounding scenery was just mesmerizing! I could sit there forever and just admire the entire scenery of the lush green landscaped against the flowing blue/green turquoise water of the Bistricë River.
⭐️So, there you go! Our honest opinion of what made the trip to the Blue Eye so worth it!
Are you now considering visiting the Blue Eye in Albania and would you take a dip in this ICY, Cold water? Isn’t it beautiful? Comment below ⬇️
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#blueeyealbania

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