Albania

Types of trips: History, Geographical, Archaelogical, Relaxation, Hiking, Exploration

Best known for: Location by the Adriatic Sea, Butrint World Heritage Site, Mother Teresa, Landscapes/Scenery

Why Go?: Albania is a country only just beginning to attract general tourism and is mostly free of intensely urban areas; just 45 miles from the coast of Italy, it's firmly part of the Mediterranean without the hustle and bustle of its neighbour Greece - a great place to go to experience South Europe at a slower pace.

Fact File

Population: 3,000,000

Capital: Tirana

Language(s): Albanian

Ties to the UK?: Increasingly popular holiday destination

Landscape: Mostly mountainous with flatter terrain near the coast in the west, with big lakes and sometimes snow in the higher areas.

Climate/Seasons: Generally a temperate Mediterranean climate, but cooler in the mountains which often means heavy snow in the winter. Generally quite mild, with the southern regions markedly warmer than the north.

When to Go: The summer period of May-September will have the best weather for a visit, but there can be quite high peak temperatures over 30°C to consider!

Reasons to Visit: One of the less heavily tourism influenced countries in Europe, Albania has huge amounts of natural beauty and ancient archeological sites of wonder; it's a country seemingly untouched by modern pressures, and is beautiful for it. 

How to Get There: The capital Tirana has a good airport, but you can also travel into the country by train or boat from nearby countries such as Italy, Macedonia and Greece. The country doesn't have the best internal public transport network so make sure you're aware of timetables before you arrive!

Places to Go: Tirana, Korçë, Vlorë, National Historical Museum, Sarandë (for the Albanian Riveria), National Art Gallery of Albania

Famous People: Mother Teresa (through heritage), Fan S. Noli, Bleona Qereti, Inva Mula

Natural Wonders/Wildlife: Mount Dajt, Lake Skadar, Butrint National Park - known for having a very biologically diverse animal and plant population

History: Involved in WWII

Architecture: Et'hem Bey Mosque, Skanderbeg Square, Durres Archaelogical Museum, Bratko Museum

Culture: Folk music, Elaborate wedding traditions, Albanian literature

Sport: Football, Basketball, Futsal

Events: Film festivals, summer and autumn music events

Watch Out For: City roads can have very fast traffic and should be treated with caution by both pedestrians and those in vehicles, and you should be aware of pickpocketing risks in busy areas.

Medical Issues: No specific vaccinations are required, but some boosters may be advised; check here for up to date general advice or consult your GP.