There are still many people who think that Albania is the epitome of backwardness and ethnic conflicts. But in fact this has long since remained in the past. True indeed, right up to 1990 the country was a predominantly isolated communist state that had minimum contacts with the other communist countries. But after that, during the past 15 years or so, Albania has undergone true cultural emancipation coupled with an incredible economic boom.

The big advantage from the period of isolation is the fact that its nature has remained untouched by the modern vices of the industrialization era and still looks what it used to look like centuries ago. This holds true of the Adriatic coast, too – despite the number of new resorts that emerge with each holiday season.

Tirana is a typical Balkan Mediterranean city – hectic and busy traffic, relative cleanness and hundreds of people in cafes and on open-air terraces. Some of the interesting sights include the Square of Skender Beg with the clock tower that has become the symbol of the city, the ruins of Justinian’s fortress and the Ethem Beg Mosque. Tirana’s night life goes until dawn – the pubs are open, the prices are accessible and the food is unbelievably delicious.