Albania seems to be popular this year, with holidaymakers flocking to the Balkan country for its dramatic coastline dotted with seaside towns.
Last year, according to UN Tourism, the country received over 10 million visitors and I was lucky enough to be one of them, although I bypassed the popular coastal tourist trails to explore the roaming countryside, where farmhouses and family-run lodges make for a slow, cultural getaway.
Arriving late at night in Shkoder, an hour and a half north of Tirana International Airport, my Airbnb host welcomes me with a plate of petulla (traditional fried…