Albania

Albania is the unsung rebel of the Balkans—mysterious, fiercely proud, and just waiting for the rest of the world to catch on. We love Albania because it’s raw and real: rugged mountains dropping straight into turquoise seas, ancient Greek ruins hidden next to Communist-era bunkers, and beaches that feel like you’ve stumbled onto the set of a movie nobody bothered to tell you about. Forget the tourist script—here, grandmas still make the best raki, and hospitality isn’t a trend; it’s a way of life. If you want to feel like a true explorer again, Albania’s your backstage pass.