From tiny boutique hotels in French wine-making villages to untapped islands in Croatia, we’ve got the pick of places that you’ll want to keep under wraps!

The prestigious British magazine “The Times” has ranked Albania among the “25 most interesting places in Europe to stay”.

Albania, situated between Montenegro and Greece on the Balkan Peninsula, has welcomed a growing number of visitors eager to explore its unique culture and tradition.

The true beauty of Albania lies outside the cities, where vast mountain ranges stretch from north to south like a rugged spine, with azure rivers meandering through their unseen canyons.

A journey to the remote village of Theth in the Albanian Alps, also known as the Albanian Alps, is a must, just as a ferry trip across Lake Koman to remote cabins accessible only by water is.

The Albanian Alps

Albania always grabs the headlines for budget breaks, but more attention should be devoted to its scenery.

One way of embracing it is this new (demanding – a slog at times) eight-day self-guided trip from Walks Worldwide taking in the evocatively titled Accursed Mountains.

Highlights include picnicking in a shepherd’s hut at 1,650m, a visit to the historic village of Theth, and a swim at the glacier stone pools of Nderlysaj.

Overnight stays are in boutique traditional hotels or guesthouses.