Beyond the Pricey Resorts: Why Your Next Beach Escape Should Be Albania

TITLE: Beyond the Pricey Resorts: Why Your Next Beach Escape Should Be Albania EXCERPT: Skip the over-crowded, overpriced hotspots this year and head to the Albanian Riviera, where turquoise waters and Mediterranean charm remain blissfully accessible. PLACE: The Albanian Riviera KEYWORDS: affordable beach vacations, budget travel Europe, Albania travel guide, Saranda, Ksamil, Mediterranean beach destinations TIPS: Fly into Tirana and take the bus south | Pack cash, as card machines are not universal | Visit in late May or September for the best weather | Rent a car for freedom, but stick to the coastal roads

The Case for the Albanian Riviera

If you are craving the Mediterranean life but dread the staggering price tags of the French Riviera or the Amalfi Coast, it is time to look toward the Albanian Riviera. This stretch of coastline along the Ionian Sea is the antidote to luxury travel fatigue. You should plan to visit for at least ten days, ideally from late May through June or throughout September, when the summer crowds dissipate but the sun remains warm. The easiest way to experience the region is to fly into Tirana International Airport and take one of the frequent intercity buses south to Saranda, the region’s hub. From there, renting a car is the most practical way to navigate the winding coastal roads and reach the smaller, more secluded coves that define the area.