Today your task is to arrive in Albania, pick up your rental car, drive to the beach, and recharge before exploring this beautiful and, in places, still wild country. 

Don't forget to get a SIM card (if you don't have an e-SIM), or perhaps withdraw or exchange money. While they accept euros in most places and cards in tourist spots, it's handy to have a few of their Leke for small markets. Be careful when withdrawing cash - most of their ATMs will charge you a fee of about 3-4 EUR. When paying in euros, they will automatically give you change in their currency (which is also a good strategy to have some cash on hand for fresh vegetables at the markets).

Regarding car rental - we will tell you and arrange everything in advance, so you can just focus on your trip. We will send you the car pick-up information before your flight.

Ideally, you'll park in this free parking lot and head along the beach until you find a spot you like. The sea here has a gentle entry, perfect for a quick dip. On your way back to the car, you can grab something sweet, coffee at one of the local tucked-away cafes, or maybe a slice of pizza, a kebab, or whatever you're craving at one of the nearby bistros. Or pick up your first watermelon in Albania.  

Kavajë lies in the Albanian coastal lowlands, once on the route of the important Roman path Via Egnatia. For a relatively long time, it was a place where beautiful carpets and, among other things, ceramics were made. Today, it is more of a quiet town surrounded by beautiful sandy beaches (even though you have to travel a bit to get to them).

Did you know that it is the first city where the revolution against communism began? And that during World War II, Jews were hidden there in large numbers?

This beautiful beach tucked away in a canyon looks a bit different in every season. It depends on the weather and the time of year. On the way there, you'll see stunning scenery below the Llogara National Park. You leave your car in a paid parking lot, grab your things, and head down to the sea. If you don't feel like walking, you can rent or hitch a ride on a 4x4 Jeep, which runs here, especially during the season. But it's not necessary—it's a short walk. Down at the bottom, you'll find a campsite and a beach bar (there's one at the parking lot up top, too)—they prepare delicious fish and will whip you up a drink. The owners are Greek Albanians, so unlike the rest of Albania, you won't get very far with Italian here. 

And when you're tired of just lying on the beach enjoying drinks and the sun, head into the canyon right next to the beach! Absolutely incredible.

Skip the tunnel and after about 15-20 minutes of climbing, breathtaking views of the coast below and all around will open up to you. Watch out - it gets pretty windy here... which is exactly why there's a paragliding point! Just past the pass, there's a row of great restaurants and cafes where you can enjoy the views like a king (or queen).

This majestic mountain is the highest point of the range—it's no wonder, you can see really far from it. It's best to head out right after your morning coffee with the view of the coast that the nearby cafes and restaurants offer. Then, head on up and follow the ridge trail. If you run out of energy, no one will blame you if you only make it to Maja Queres. And you might get lucky and spot some wild horses on the way—just watch out for getting lost, as they like to "hide" the trail markers. 

The island lies in the Narta Lagoon - you can spot flamingos here, there are over 3,000 of them! But what I recommend is taking a walk along the long wooden footbridge to the Byzantine Monastery of Saint Mary. You can grab a quick bite at the bistro in the parking lot before you set off. Definitely drive a bit further - to the beach and take a walk along the cliffs. You can watch a beautiful sunset here or just have a picnic and look out at the sea or watch the shepherds nearby. It will feel like time has stood still here. I think it's a great way to end a busy day, what do you think?
Did you know the island served as a prison for political dissidents for a while?

Tip: The road to the cliffs is gravel - drive slowly and enjoy the surroundings.

It's literally a birdwatcher's paradise. A huge area of wetlands and shallow lagoons, where you can spot bird and fish species you've probably never seen anywhere else (zoos don't count). Start at the info center, climb up the observation tower, grab some food and coffee at one of the many restaurants, and then head over to the beach, watch how the fish are caught, let the fresh breeze just drift by, and feel the sand under your feet. 

Definitely don't miss the boat trip on the lagoon! It's a short but very intense ride, where you'll learn lots of interesting things, and if you keep a close eye out, you'll see plenty of birds, reptiles, and fish. 

You're now in the most beautiful and oldest Albanian city, nicknamed the White City. It's even part of UNESCO. Take a walk through the neighborhood of a thousand windows, an ancient Muslim quarter full of narrow, winding streets. Don't forget to stroll along the promenade and stop by one of the excellent restaurants by the river. 

After a hearty breakfast, head out along the winding road between fields and olive groves to the point where the 100-meter deep, rugged Osum Canyon opens up before you. You can stop wherever you like – there are plenty of viewpoints along the way, including various seating areas and bistros. If a local hangout with the locals isn't enough for you, you'll be passing through a few towns where you can grab a bite at a restaurant. 

And at the Albanian Grand Canyon, as Osumi is nicknamed, it's up to you what you choose – a walk through the canyon as far as you can go, admiring the views from above, or rafting? 

Tip: Just a heads-up – in the summer, there's less water in the canyon, so it might not be navigable; in that case, I recommend a walk right inside the canyon.

And welcome back to Berat, a city that in its heyday boasted 30 mosques. Let yourself get carried away by the atmosphere of this magnificent place.

Did you know that you can find a secret tunnel here that was used to supply the city during sieges?

Walk through the historic gate into the center built by the ancient Romans, take a peek into the Royal Mosque or the Church of the Virgin Mary, grab a delicious meal in one of the local taverns, get lost in the bazaar alleys, and enjoy the local lifestyle. 

Tip: Take a dip in the local healing baths, which were helped built by important engineers from Czechoslovakia. The ones today—the originals—were built by the Romans, of course.

According to legend, the local people were chasing a giant animal that managed to escape all the way here. But it got stuck among the rocks and turned into a beautiful clear pond with a small waterfall. Bring along a few Czech coins or banknotes - a man lives here who collects them and in return will treat you to homemade schnapps, melons, persimmons, cheese, and whatever else he finds at home.

• Here is the route.

The last day of the trip is perfect for buying souvenirs, tasting what you haven't managed to try yet, and if you have time, check out some of the interesting museums and galleries in Tirana, such as BunkArt. Of course, there's Skanderbeg Square with the Palace of Culture, the Presidential Palace, and the renovated Pyramid.

Now all that's left is to return the car, take a few last looks at this country, and head home.