As a bookend to my Balkans trip report, I want to reflect upon two joys of travel: journeying with a loved one and an evening cocktail.
What made the Balkans trip so fun was not just the new countries visited and the sites explored, but the company. In this case, my younger brother joined me and we had a remarkable time bonding.
Conversations and quality time are difficult these days, even though we don’t live all that far from each other in Los Angeles. We are both married with children and careers. My brother is an accountant and frequent domestic traveler, though usually within California.
So looking back, this was a precious time, one of a handful of amazing trips we have taken over the years. While I am perfectly fine traveling alone, traveling with others is even more fun.
And what made our trip together more fun was the evening cocktail, a ritual we initiated to encourage relaxation and conversation each evening.
A Cocktail Tour Of The Balkans
Over our trip, we enjoyed some superb drinks in each city. Here’s a sampling:
Sarajevo:
Dubrovnik:
Podgorica:
Tirana:
Pristhina:
In Thessaloniki, a rooftop bar called Fragile was recommended, that we particularly enjoyed.
In case you are wondering, I tend to like the sweeter, rum-based cocktails, while my brother tends to opt for more traditional drinks like gin and tonics, mojitos, or even just a beer (I detest beer…). My favorite cocktail is the Mai Tai.
CONCLUSION
These days, I don’t drink very much. It’s something my wife and I have eliminated from our diet for many reasons, though I still enjoy a glass of wine when I fly or cocktail when I travel. Regular readers know what a coffee addict aficionado I am. Back then, I still had not started drinking coffee. If I had to do the trip again (and I hope to one day), I would seek out the best coffee in each city.
Travel is not just about seeing new places, it is about spending time with those you love. This was a wonderful trip for exactly that reason.
Read more of my classic trip report through the Balkans
Introduction: Road Trip Through The Balkans
Review: US Airways A330-300 Business Class Philadelphia To Munich
Balkans Day 1: Sick In Belgrade
Balkans Day 2: Belgrade – Sarajevo
Balkans Day 3: Sarajevo – Dubrovnik
Balkans Day 4: Beauitful Dubrovnik
Balkans Day 5: Accused Of Espionage In Montenegro
Balkans Day 6: The Diverse Architecture Of Tirana, Albania
Balkans Day 7: Refreshment In Kosovo
Balkans Day 8: Racism In Skopje + A Pirated Hollywood Premiere
Balkans Day 9: Timeless Thessaloniki
Review: Hyatt Regency Thessaloniki
Review: Aegean Business Lounge Thessaloniki (SKG)
Review: US Airways A330 Business Class Frankfurt To Philadelphia
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Some of the evening shots were a bit blurry. Were you getting rekt from one cocktail?
Not at all. Just bad 2012 camera technology.
I miss all those late Friday drinks with friends
Evokes some wonderful memories of our carefree summers. Thanks for sharing. Let’s hope we can have them again soon and in a safe manner.
Yes, sometimes younger brothers can be a “bother” (your second paragraph), but we love them anyhow. Thanks for my laugh of the day!
Lol! Oops. (Though he can be a bother at times…)
My brother and I always talk of doing a brewery tour of Czechoslovakia. Said to have the finest pale lagers and pilsners in the world. I hope we can pull it off. Do any of you readers have any advice on this?
If you are ever in Prag, make sure to go to Kantýna. Not only the best steak I have ever had, but they have seasonally-available pale lagers brewed on site that are amazing.
I hope there is a resurgence of such practices (going out for drinks) after the COVID passes.