Albania road trip: Canyons, cliffs and cosy towns

Today's the day! You're answering the call of distant lands and starting your Albanian adventure! As you sit on the plane, you can barely contain yourself because you know that the country’s beauty is sure to surpass all your expectations.

You finally make it to Tirana, collect your hire car at the airport and head north into the Albanian Alps. But all that travelling's got you hungry. So it's time for a culinary pit stop in Lezha at the Mrizi i Zanave Agroturizëm restaurant (optional, payable on site). The vibes are authentic Albanian and 100% local – everything here is home-grown. Pro tip: Make sure to book a table in advance. Full and happy, you then head to today's destination: your accommodation in Bogë. The alpine hotel is so lovely that you feel like you're in a remake of The Sound of Music!

When you wake up, the sight of the rocky peaks and green slopes around you immediately has you ready for action! The neighbouring village of Theth is the perfect starting point for hikes through the Albanian Alps, so you park your car there and start your tour with a hike across the breathtaking Valbona Pass. From Theth, you walk for around five miles over sweeping mountain slopes, through dense beech forest and across plateaus and green meadows. The scent of thyme and pine is everywhere, and at the end, you're rewarded with a view of the Valbona Valley that's so unreal it surpasses everything you previously imagined. Not a fan of heights? Then take the path from Theth towards the Blue Eye, past the Grunas Waterfall, and discover an unbelievably gorgeous, shimmering turquoise meltwater lake waiting for you at the end of your hike. And if you're courageous enough, jump right into the ice-cold water!

Even if you're not usually an early bird, it's worth getting up early today because you've got to find out what's behind the nickname 'The Albanian Thailand'. Your curiosity grows with every mile you drive till you reach your first destination: Koman. Then you hop out your hire car and into a boat (optional, payable on site)! Just the ride across the Koman Reservoir has you gobsmacked. The shimmering turquoise water surrounded by towering mountains and the many small vessels reminiscent of Thai longtail boats – the nickname totally fits! After about an hour and a half, you reach your destination at Lumi i Shalës, and the beauty of the place leaves you stunned once again. The bright turquoise river gently meanders through green, rocky slopes, gravel banks in the middle of the water tempt you to relax on one of the sun loungers, wooden walkways lead to restaurants right on the shore and the only thing missing is a coconut in your hand. Then it's into your swimwear and off into the cool water!

Today, you're leaving Boga and off to the beach paradise of Durrës. Your route takes you through Shkodra – hello pit stop! The town is right next to Lake Skutari, the largest lake in the Balkans, through which the border with neighbouring Montenegro runs. If you have the time, join a boat tour (optional, payable on site) or just make yourself comfortable in one of the restaurants on the shore and tuck into some lunch to renew your strength for the journey ahead (optional, payable on site).

Once you arrive in Durrës, you'll instantly know how you want to end your day: the beach is practically calling your name! You definitely don't want to miss out on a dip in the sea on the sandy beaches of the Adriatic Coast. Want to do some sightseeing beforehand? Perfect! In Durrës you'll find remnants of the Greek, Roman and Byzantine eras and evidence of them all over the city, such as the Durrës Amphitheatre, the Venetian Tower, the Old City Wall and the Byzantine Forum. Whip out your phone, start snapping pics and, as soon as you're done, pack your beach bag and head for the shore!