• A long and rich history: owing to its location on the Adriatic Sea, Albania has long served as a bridgehead for various nations and empires seeking conquest abroad. In the 2nd century BC the Illyrians (ancestors of the modern Albanians) were conquered by the Romans and from the end of the 4th century AD they were ruled by the Byzantine Empire. After suffering centuries of invasion by Visigoths, Huns, Bulgarians and Slavs,the Albanians were then conquered by the Ottoman Turks in the 15th century. Gaining independence in 1912, it suffered under the turbulent times of the I and II WW, just to start it long communist rule until 90’.
• Many cultural sites: the country is blessed with many ancient sites and ruins, Roman and Byzantine buildings, Ottoman style towns, Unesco sites, top hill castles, museums etc, making it a small paradise for travelers interested to learn more about this country but also more of the history of Europe and the Balkans.
• Local traditions: while you travel from one place to the other, you will be impressed by the local traditions of this beautiful country. Traditional clothes inherited from the Illyrians with diverse patterns, Iso-polyphony music, different handicrafts, old ways of cooking several dishes, the old code of honour called “Besa”, marriages and funerals, will all contribute to an amazing trip.
• A landscape like no other: with dramatic high mountains, rivers, lakes and a long coastline, it is a must for nature lovers. Considering that the country is mainly a mountainous area, it offers some of the best European places to hike like the Northern Alps and the mountains in the South. On the other side, the Albanian coastline offers a combination of wide sandy beaches and more rocky and pebble travelling to the south. Home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe, the Albanian Riviera is perfect for swimming and sunbathing.
• Religious tolerance: having been pagans in Illyrian times, the ancient Albanians were first introduced to Christianity. Influenced then by the Romans, Byzantines, Ottomans, the Albanians now live as Muslims (Suni or Sufi) and Christians (Roman Catholic or Orthodox). The country is dotted with old churches built during different phases of the history, mosques since the 15th century and several tekkes of the Bektashi order. Being around 70% Muslim, the local population is mainly secular and surprisingly tolerant.
• Exquisite food, fresh and delicious: Albanian cuisine has blended the local flavors and dishes with others from the Balkans, Turkish, Italian and Greek, thus creating unique and tasty dishes. Meat is widely consumed but also fresh fish along the Albanian coastline. Albanian raki and wine are also widely consumed in most territory of the country.
• It is safe: travelling in Albania is safer than in most other places in Europe so feel free to wonder around and enjoy a beer or a glass of the famous rakia without worrying about your safety.
• Exceptionally friendly local population: every one in Albania will try to communicate with you even though they may not speak your language. Being a closed country for many years under communism, locals are curious and love to talk. They are hospitable and generous.
• Weather: the weather can vary from place to place but on the whole, the weather in Albania is amazing. Tirana is ranked as one of the sunniest capitals of Europe and the country as a whole experiences almost 300 days of sunshine a year. The summers are long and hot, the autumns and springs are pleasant and warm and the winters last for just a couple of months. Snow is common in the north and in the mountains but in the lower parts of the country, temperatures rarely register negative digits.
• It is easily accessible from all the countries in the region: whether you are in Italy (just across the Adriatic), Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia, or north part of Greece you can easily enter in Albania and in a short drive find yourself in one of the important cities of the country.
• Tirana: a completely transformed capital where 1/ 3 of the total population of the country lives. This city has still preserved a well-kept historic part but the rest is mostly modern. Enjoy a walking tour of the main square and boulevard, spend some time in the nearby mountain and mix with the locals in one of the busiest night life areas in the Balkans, the Block area.

Go with the flow, be opened-minded and you will be surprised ☺