Albania
Albania is a country in the European Balkans that has a varied climate and geography. Albanian people are friendly and helpful, and very proud of their traditions. As a part of the former Ottoman Empire, Albania has a long history, and is an architectural and cultural melting pot with great food and ancient monuments.
Our Experience
Albania has so much to offer in terms of geography, culture and food, that it's difficult to simplify it enough to put into words. The place has been inhabited for a long time-as a matter of fact, you can have a cup of coffee across the street from a 2700 year old amphitheater in the coastal city of Durres while hundreds of people walk by never giving it a second thought. People in Albania are used to encountering their ancient roots on the daily. The beaches are lovely and unspoiled, with a few different cities to choose from for the sun worship experience. Durres, previously mentioned is the second largest city in the country but very manageable as far as big cities go. It has a lovely walking promenade with great views of the Adriatic sea, affordable seafood galore, and a glamorous yet earthy vibe. Vlorë is a great option for the smaller beach town experience, with a much wider expanse of walkable and swimmable beach and a more relaxed vibe. Sarandë and nearby Ksamil are great in the summer for a party atmosphere, full of youngsters railing to be wild and free while the warm weather lasts. There is always something going on in Sarande when the weather is warm, and even when summer passes it's still a nice, chilled out place to hang out, with lots of good food and warm Albanian hospitality. For those who don't like beaches, there are plenty of beautiful mountain towns with trees and older sites and architecture to keep you fascinated. Berat, Gjirokaster,
Albanian food is hearty and substantial when it comes to flavor. There are a variety of pastries, breads, lovely seafood recipes, grilled meats, soups and stews. It's difficult to stay slim in Albania with all the good food available. Luckily the country is quite hilly, so you'll have an opportunity to burn off those extra calories. Restaurants in Albania range from extremely cheap to extremely expensive but in general it's very possible to get a very nice meal in a very nice restaurant for much less than you would pay in the U.S. or Western Europe. Albania is definitely affordable for most westerners, even those on a tight budget. For more information on Albania. Check out the link below.