Cultural & History

"Untouched" is the word that comes to mind when thinking about Albania. In fact, the country doesn’t even have a McDonald’s. Albania may not be famous, but it is welcoming, intriguing, and safe. It is also very affordable compared to Western Europe. This is why this oft-overlooked Balkan country is an inviting destination for travelers looking for a unique holiday. Visitors to Albania always leave feeling nostalgic. Albania's reputation stems from its former dictatorship but the country is moving toward greater integration with the rest of Europe. For half of the 20th century Albania was under the rule of the dictator Enver Hoxha. His paranoia kept the country isolated from most other countries in Europe. As a result Albania was off-limits for casual tourists. Now is the perfect time to take a trip to Albania and the welcomes are as warm as they come.