Ioannina
Greece
A memorable lakeside city with very few tourists and a wide variety of cheeses, local dishes, and jewellery to choose from. In my opinion, this is one of the calmest and perhaps the best city on this journey.
The island on the lake is stunning. The rustling of the pine trees, the calls of the seagulls, and the absolute quiet of the lush Mediterranean forests create an exquisite cocktail of peace.
The hostel feels like a forgotten home, with an antique table standing proudly in the kitchen. Everything feels old yet familiar. I like this; escaping the busy beaches of Albania is an absolute blessing.