Albania

Southern Europe doesn’t end in Italy. All you need to do is hop a little further east, across the Adriatic Sea, and a treasure trove of hidden gems await in the Balkans. This trip allows you to discover the region’s finest riches across 11 culturally rich days in five distinctly unique nations. We start in Albania, with a spot of history in Tirana and natural beauty on Lake Ohrid. Then it’s over to North Macedonia for an epic boat trip down the fjord-like Matka Canyon. Get cultural in Skopje and meet Europe’s youngest country, Kosovo, in the city of Prizren. We’ll dip back into Albania to go hiking in the Albanian Alps, before reaching Lake Skadar and entering Montenegro. Marvel at the coastal, old world charm of Budva and Kotor, before we wrap up our adventure in Croatia, with an exploration of Dubrovnik’s iconic medieval streets.

Albania is slowly becoming the jewel of the Balkans due to its sparkling crystal waters, impressive mountains, and affordability for all types of travelers. Come with an open mind and a rough plan, and be ready to be submerged in a rich culture like no other in Europe.

Having spent nearly half of the 20th century isolated from the rest of the world, Albania remains somewhat a land of mystery, only recently making its way onto European travel itineraries as an offbeat and budget-friendly destination.

With Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influences, Albania’s rich culinary culture is attracting visitors from around the world. The country’s cuisine is born of the natural bounty of the Mediterranean, sitting just 50 miles from Italy across the Adriatic Sea. It shares dishes and ingredients with its coastal neighbors—Montenegro to the north and Greece to the south—as well as the landlocked Kosovo and North Macedonia to the east.