A tourism boom over the past few years means that, despite the hype, South Albania’s beaches can feel decidedly discovered — but that’s because most don’t know where to look. This summer, my family and I set off on a research trip to carve out our new South Albania itinerary and proved that even in

Planning a trip to the Balkans and wondering what kinds of wildlife you might encounter? With vast swathes of undisturbed forests and wetlands, the peninsula is teeming with animals which are rare, if not extinct, in the UK. Despite being popular for the beaches, Albania is actually two-thirds forests and mountains. Across the border in

Here at Undiscovered Balkans, we consider ourselves connoisseurs when it comes to Balkan food (see previous blog post), but Macedonian-British author and recipe developer Irina Janakievska’s knowledge is unmatched. Since 2011, she’s been on a culinary journey to discover the history, intricacies and origins of traditional foods found in the region for her debut cookbook,

Travelling to the Balkans for the first time and wondering what foods you should try? We’ve got you covered. From burek to rakija, you’ll find these traditional Balkan foods, accompaniments and beverages widespread across the region. Tick all of these off and you’re only just getting started, so be sure to go with a good

Nebija Qotaj first sat behind a loom at the age of 10, under the instruction of her mother and grandmother. Now aged 62 and a grandmother herself, she owns her own successful Albanian rug weaving cooperative and her passion for the craft is infectious. If you’re joining us in Albania, you’ll have a chance to

Looking for a sunshine escape in Europe in October? Croatia, Albania and Montenegro all get a decent amount of sunshine and there are other advantages to visiting the Balkans at this time – fewer crowds, it’s cheaper, ideal temperatures for walking holidays, plus it’s rakija season, meaning ample opportunities for tastings. It’s also time for

Booking your September sun holiday in Europe and not sure where to go? Behold: The Balkans. Croatia, Albania, Montenegro and Bosnia & Herzegovina all remain hot and sunny well into October, which is why lots of our trips run until then. In fact, some of our most active holidays are best enjoyed at this time

Looking for your next hiking, cycling or kayaking holiday? With breathtaking scenery and a unique culture? And only a short flight from the UK, say in Europe somewhere? Check, check and check. The Balkans boasts vast swathes of untouched natural beauty in its national parks. Some of the forests are so old and undisturbed, they’re

Shkodër is a North Albanian city beside Lake Shkodra, Southern Europe’s largest lake which Albania shares with Montenegro (where it’s called Skadar). It’s around two hours’ drive from Tirana and considered the gateway to the Albanian Alps. Below, we’ve rounded up some of the best things to do in Shkodër, including a couple of hidden

Cold water swimming may be the latest wellness trend but here at Undiscovered Balkans, we were doing it long before it became mainstream. When you live near some of Europe’s cleanest rivers and lakes, it’s impossible to resist. While our friends in the Nordic countries are credited with promoting the health benefits of cold water