Albania

Albania spent decades cut off from the rest of Europe, and it shows in the best way: the Albanian Riviera still feels uncrowded, Ottoman-era towns like Berat and Gjirokastër are remarkably intact, and the Albanian Alps offer hiking that rivals better-known ranges at a fraction of the cost. Infrastructure has improved fast but is still uneven outside the capital, which is part of the appeal for travellers who like a place before it's fully discovered.