Central Balkans Explorer: 12 Days on the "Egnatia Route"

Tucked away in a little visited corner of Europe lie Albania, is a charming and delightful country that few people know much about. For years Albania was a closed society, ruled by the iron fist of Communism, but since the end of the Cold War it has been showing curious travelers its many charms, The location of Albania between some of Europe’s most important empires has left them well endowed with a wealth of attractions from the Illyrians, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman eras. The region is home to a wealth of old Turkish architecture which sits side by side with elaborately decorated Orthodox churches and from more recent times the civic buildings of Communist era, as well as impressive Roman ruins and well preserved historic towns. This part of Europe is also blessed with incredible scenery with imposing mountains, pristine lakes and traditional villages tucked away in pretty valleys. But as with many countries it is the people who leave perhaps the most lasting impression.