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For the past five years Croatia has been a tourist hotspot for very good reason. The Balkan state has a beautiful coastline, historic villages and very favourable prices. So favourable in fact that its picturesque capital, Dubrovnik, starred as the fictional ‘Kings Landing’ in the hit TV show Game of Thrones. Quite the cinematic coup. However, since landing that high-profile role, Croatia can no longer claim to be Europe’s undiscovered gem. It is well and truly discovered. Which means Croatia needs to pass that honour on to its underrated southern neighbour: Albania.
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Bordered by Greece to the south with it’s own enviable Mediterranean coastline, Albania is country with an incredibly diverse landscape. From balmy beaches to snow-capped mountains, hot springs to UNESCO World Heritage-listed archaeological sites, it is a naturally beautiful nation emerging from a turbulent history to embrace peace and prosperity (they’re also hoping for EU membership in the near future).
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Before you book your ticket, know that 50 years of communist rule didn’t made things easy for the Albanians – they only transitioned to a free-market economy in 1990. Visit the Museum of Secret Surveillance in the capital, Tirana, to get a peek behind The Iron Curtain and an understanding of what they went through. Under the regime there wasn’t much investment in infrastructure, so don’t expect Albanian roads, buses and trains to operate at the level they do in Germany or France. That said, the trade off for a trip that’s a little trickier to navigate is affordability – you can eat in great restaurants and sleep in nice hotels for half of what you’d pay in neighbouring Greece or Croatia. If you haven’t got much time and want things to run smoothly, enlist a travel agent to deal with the nitty gritty logistics for you. You’re going to want maximum time to take in these views. Below, we’ve rounded up some of the must-see places worth travelling to Albania for.
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Apollonia, Fier Archaeological Museum
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Qeparo, Himarë, Vlorë
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Theth National Park, Albanian Alps
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Borsh, Himarë,Vlorë
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Himarë, Vlorë
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Shishtavec, Kukës
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Çarçovë, Gjirokastër
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Koman, Shkodër
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Shkopet, Lezhë
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Porto Palermo Castle, Himarë
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Gjipe, Himarë
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Theth, Shkodë
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Valbonë Valley National Park
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Koman, Shkodër
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Korçë
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Langarica Canyon
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Mount Cikes (Maja e Çikës), Ceraunian Mountains
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Benja Thermal Baths (Llixhat e Benjes)
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Piqeras, Vlore
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Castle of Krujë
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Porto Palermo Beach, Himarë
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Skenderbe’s Castle, Krujë
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Berat, Osum River
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Himarë
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The Plaza, Tirana
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Sarandë
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