Albania

From romantic retreats in the Mediterranean to fresh-air-filled Alpine hikes, these are the most exciting areas of Europe to visit this year.

After being sealed off from the outside world for decades and experiencing a mass exodus, Albania is leaning into its culinary roots with the help of grandma chefs.

Once known as "the North Korea of Europe", Albania is turning to its millennia-old sites and rich cultural heritage to recast its image.

The Vjosa winds some 272km from Greece to Albania, its blue-green waters slipping past Illyrian ruins, timeworn villages and stark mountainous landscapes.

Linking eight Balkan nations, the new Trans Dinarica cycling trail twists through some of the continent's most stunning – and least-visited – landscapes.

At the height of the Kosovo war, this 16,000-person area welcomed more than 400,000 refugees. Now, Kukës is tapping into its unique history of conflict and compassion to lure visitors.

Stretching 192km, the Peak of the Balkans Trail bridges three previously war-torn nations and crosses through some of the continent's least-explored landscapes.

Pope Francis has praised this little Balkan nation for its notable religious tolerance, saying it should serve as an example for the world.