A Taste Of Albania

Curated and photographed by Bethany Betzler, founder of Hinoki Travels

“If this is your first time visiting Albania, tread carefully. Its wild landscapes, abundant and dynamic cuisine, and charismatic people may electrify your heart. Not to mention the Albanian hospitality code of 'Besa", which states that the home of an Albanian belongs to God and the guest. This is not just something practiced in restaurants and hotels, but throughout the countryside, and especially in the homes of local families. It is a warm, earthy kind of hospitality that stays with you long after you have left. This guide is designed to offer a small taste of what can be experienced in the country. Select one region to focus on at a time, or plan a longer trip to slowly meander your way from the alps to the sea. To truly immerse, hire a local guide who can speak English and Albanian and who may bring you to some of their own favorite places as well. One of the best things you can do in Albania is to sit down and have a coffee or a glass of raki with some of the locals. Albania is different, and Albanians are great storytellers. Their stories and perspectives might help to expand your worldview.”

Format: Digital travel guide (17 places, 46 pages). You’ll receive a link to download the PDF file, optimized for mobile.

What to expect: rather than an exhaustive directory, this guide offers select points of interest and venues that have been carefully curated by travel entrepreneur Bethany Betzler:

- a selection of hotels, restaurants, shops and activities;

- useful copy explaining why you should go to each spot, what’s a must-have and when is the best time to go;

- beautiful photography to give you a first glance of the places;

- an online map with all the spots so you can easily visualize them and get directions to get there.