Statue of Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg, the national hero of Albania. Credit

Tirana Photograph © by Dj Tironci

Vlora Photograph © by Dj Tironci

Bulqizë Photograph © by Alo

Located in Southeastern Europe, Albania shares borders with Montenegro, Kosovo, the Republic of Macedonia and Greece. The country has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the west and a coast on the Ionian Sea to the southwest.

Still relatively unspoiled by globalization, visitors to Albania find an intriguing mix of civilizations and cultures. Over the centuries the culture of Albania has been influenced by Greek, Roman and Turkish civilizations.

The country boasts turquoise seas, beautiful sandy beaches, snow peaked mountains, rivers, lakes and beautiful forests.

Albania is emerging from decades of isolation and remains an unspoiled tourist destination. The country is not a holiday destination where all of the comforts and services found elsewhere are available, it does however offer adventure in some of the most rugged and beautiful locations in Europe.

Albania is located in the land of ancient ILLYRIA, which after its final conquest by Rome in167 BC, provided the famous Praetorian Guard and even some of Rome's emperors. The central theme of Albania's history is one of struggle and suffering endured by a fiercely independent people resisting the waves of conquest that swept across Europe.

The country's greatest triumph under the direction of its leader and military genius, Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg, was the destruction of huge Turkish armies sent by the Sultans to conquer Albania.The county's greatest sorrow was almost 500 years of subjugation to the Turks following Skanderbeg's death in1468.

Albania is recovering from its recent past and is developing new economic activities including a growing tourism industry. Visitors can enjoy walking tours in the spectacular mountains in the south of the country, which boast attractive lakes and historical sites dating from the Greek, Roman and Ottoman empires.

Visitors can also, enjoy sunbathing and swimming on the beautiful isolated beaches of the Adriatic coast..