New Europe's most wanted beaches

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The throngs of tourists jostling through Greece and Croatia are too busy boarding crowded ferries and waddling through sweaty crowds to notice the other country right there, ostensibly sandwiched in the middle. Albania, a little-visited but comparable Ionian coastal paradise, shares many of the same attractive qualities as its more famous neighbors.

 Along the Albanian Riviera, with its clear, blue waters, there are many beaches, interspersed with hidden caves that rise like cathedrals from the coastal cliffs. Small coastal towns whiten under the Mediterranean sun, promenades bustle with cafes during the day and bustle with revelers when the sun goes down. In addition to the beaches, the quaint, well-preserved towns each possess their own character and ancient charm, their windows scanning the landscape like a thousand eyes, gazing at the colored hills. The fat nourishes leafy vines and silver-green gnarled olive groves. . Strong agricultural lands and rich seas produce ingredients for fresh, flavorful dishes that are edible evidence of Albania's multicultural influence. Roman stone ruins crumble beside alluvial rivers, while in the capital the ruins of fallen regimes coexist with the dynamic spirit of a modern metropolis.

The obvious advantage of traveling to Albania is that tourists going there are not as excited as those going to Greece or Croatia, there is more space on the beaches and in hotels and restaurants. Even during summer on the Albanian Riviera, you can find empty beaches and attractive and affordable last-minute accommodation. The number of visitors to Albania's coastal towns pales in comparison to peak season levels in Dubrovnik or Santorini, two beautiful locations that are attracting many tourists. Best of all, Albania is affordable: money goes much further here than in other more popular destinations.

In northern Albania, a dense chain of abandoned mountain peaks rise in solitude, bisected by clear rivers flowing through their lonely gorges. Known as the Cursed Mountains, the dark intensity of the name suggests the area has more to offer than its breathtaking landscape. A deep local culture has existed for centuries, isolated in this remote corner of the Balkans. Although much has changed here since the people of the area live and everything according to the laws of the Kanun, a tribal document that defines the rules of conduct that everyone must adhere to, the traditions in This continues, less publicly than before. . but continues to inform local sentiment.

 Tour operators in this mountainous region offer well-organized trips connecting small villages on treks through magical and diverse terrain, with clear turquoise lakes transparent and sparkling waterfalls. The trails are bursting with wildflowers and shared with roaming cows and goats, offering stunning vistas at every turn. After your hike, you can relax in charming guesthouses nestled in postcard-perfect valleys, surrounded by high peaks. Food is fresh and locally grown, and even before it appears on the dinner table, it can be observed in the form of vegetables growing in carefully tended gardens or plump, chirping chickens. Clucking on the grass.

Albania's history is one of the fiercest in 20th-century Europe. After a wartime invasion and subsequent occupation by the Italians and Germans, the communists took control, pushed the country into complete isolation from the rest of the world, comparable to North Korea, until its "collapse in 1991. The isolation is still visible today." – the countryside is shrouded in ghostly domes of concrete bunkers and lacks recognizable international channels – and explains why Greece and Croatia are more familiar with the global collective consciousness. The country has spent more time than Albania perfecting its Balkan coastal tourism industry, thanks to government policies that have granted its citizens basic personal freedoms and allowed outside influence. outside - social realities that have been denied by Albanians for nearly half a century.

 In Albania, a guest is as precious as gold

In Albania, especially in the north of the country, there is extreme respect for guests and hospitality towards tourists. Albanians are welcoming, friendly and open, which is remarkable for a country long isolated from the rest of the world. One of the benefits of visiting a country with such hospitable people (besides feeling welcomed and cared for) is that their kindness can also inspire visitors to take notice of you. than.

 The capital's cafe scene is unparalleled

Tirana is a city that seems like the kind of place people will be nostalgic for once prices go up and people move there. As the progressive and modern center of Albania, there is plenty to do and see in the capital. Visitors will immediately notice the abundance of beautifully designed, classier cafes. Open, airy and decorated with plants and thoughtful décor, these cafes encourage visitors to spend hours in their inviting embrace. Bars and restaurants line the streets of trendy, vibrant neighborhoods, where there are many perfectly furnished, affordable apartments for rent right in the middle of it.

Skanderbeg Square, a large square surrounded by cultural and government buildings, is located in the city center. Bunk'Art is a multi-story underground bunker, originally built as a hideout for government elites, then converted into a museum of art and history. The Tirana Pyramid, a strange brutalist pyramid built to glorify a dictator's ego, has undergone renovations and been renamed an arts and cultural center, only Newly completed in June 2023.

 Nowadays, escaping underground is no longer necessary to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. You can find respite in the Grand Park of Tirana, which is truly as large as its name suggests, spanning 230 hectares and including a botanical garden, historical monuments and an artificial (but very Real). The Datji Ekspres cable car takes visitors 1,600 meters above the city to the top of the mountain for panoramic views.

Although Albania struggles with social problems like every other country, it has some interesting progressive ideas. Christians and Muslims in Albania practice religious tolerance and live together peacefully. They did an impressive job (certainly by 2023 standards) of respecting everyone's beliefs, even going so far as to celebrate each other's holidays. It is not unusual to see a church and a mosque next to each other, a clear symbol of the harmonious relationship between two historically opposed religious groups.

 Why now is the time to visit Albania 

Where Greece and Croatia are familiar and predictable, Albania leaves room for surprises. Perhaps now is the time to discover a part of Europe that has not yet been reduced to a caricature of itself or a reflection of current global tastes that undermine local identities. Depending on the actions of the Albanian government and the EU over the next few years, Albania could become Europe's next hotspot, and if so, rising prices and quality of tourism infrastructure are just a few steps away. time problem. equal. with Greece and Croatia. Currently, Albania is barely in the spotlight, which makes it clear that it's a great time to go.