Travel journalist Laura Sanders has visited Albania twice with us and guest blogs this week to explain the problem with coining Albania the “Maldives of Europe.” You will not catch me referring to Albania as the “Maldives of Europe.” For one, that only refers to the 25% of the country made up of coastline. The
The best kayaking spots in the Balkans
- Destinations, Family Travel, Inspiration, Safety, Uncategorized, Wilderness, Wildlife
- kayaking, Lake Skadar, sea kayaking, Shkodra Lake
We’ve been kayaking in the Balkans since 2004—long before it became cool on Instagram. Back then, it was just us, a couple of battered kayaks, and the endless blue of Lake Skadar—or Shkodër, as it’s known in Albania—the largest lake in the region and the place we now call home. Since then, we’ve explored the
Where to find hot weather & adventure in the Balkans in September 2026
- Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Destinations, Inspiration, Kosovo, Montenegro, Responsible travel, Serbia, Uncategorized
- Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro
Booking your September sun holiday in Europe and not sure where to go? Look no further than 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, our active holidays such as hiking and kayaking trips
Inside our traditional guesthouse stay overlooking the Vjosa
- Albania, Destinations, Homestays, Inspiration, Responsible travel, Uncategorized
- Albania, Albania, Albania, homestay, South Albania
Are you exploring southern Albania with us? This mountain farmhouse in Përmet on the Vjosa river is sure to whet your appetite. Built more than 120 years ago, Kristaq and Florida Kalllufe’s family home is truly unique. Now listed as a National Monument of Culture, you’ll have the chance to stop there the night before
How fit do you need to be for an active holiday? (plus 8-week training plan)
- Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Travel Advice, Uncategorized
- adventure travel, fitness, Hiking Holiday, training plan, travel advice, travel tips
Let’s get one thing straight: many of us who love outdoor adventures as adults weren’t sporty kids at school. I certainly wasn’t. I was a chunky tween who dreaded Sports Day and usually came last. In fact, it took until my twenties to discover I even liked the outdoors. My first real adventure? A three-day
Undiscovered Balkans 14 years on, through the eyes of our first guest
- Guest Interviews, Inspiration, Montenegro, Reviews, Uncategorized, Undiscovered Montenegro
- Family holidays, multi generational holidays, Villa Miela
As a business, we don’t often sit back and look at how far we’ve come in the last 15 years. But the return of our very first guest to Villa Miela a couple of weeks ago took us on a trip down memory lane. In case you haven’t read our story, we started out as
The 8 best hikes in the Balkans
- Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Destinations, Inspiration, Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia, Uncategorized
- hiking
Having travelled extensively in Africa and Asia, Undiscovered Balkans co-founders Ben and Emma thought they’d seen it all—until they came to the Balkans. This wild corner of Europe continues to amaze them even after 20 years—and they’re not easy to impress. So when we say the Balkans is home to not only some of Europe’s,
Albania isn’t short of lakes, thanks in part to its karst limestone topography. There’s no less than 1,040 lakes in Albania (240 natural and 800 man-made), putting it in the running with Italy which has 1,500. So how on earth do you decide which ones are worth visiting? From the Thailand-esque Komani to wildlife-rich Shkodra,
Following the launch of our new Bulgaria hiking holiday recently, we think it’s only polite to introduce you to the man leading the way and the newest member of our team. Meet Atanas, a mountaineer, travel lover and history buff. There’s nothing he doesn’t know about Bulgaria’s mountains—he’s been exploring them by foot, skis and
From eSIMs to currency: How to prepare for your trip to the Balkans
- Destinations, Family Travel, Inspiration, Travel Advice, Uncategorized
- adventure travel, Balkans, travel tips
What currency does Albania use? Can you drink tap water in Croatia? Should you buy an eSIM? Having an adventure in the Balkans booked is super exciting, but the inevitable pre-trip admin can kill your buzz if you don’t know what to do. Fear not! From visa requirements to eSIMs, safe drinking water to currency,