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QUIZ! Should you travel to Albania as a dupe for these three hotspots?

Albanian coast Photo: Contiki

Turquoise waters and beautiful sandy beaches, or turquoise waters and beautiful sandy beaches? Bright sunshine and total relaxation, or bright sunshine and total relaxation? When so many countries in the world are pretty much as stunning and dreamlike as each other, it can be hard to decide which to travel to first. This is exactly the dilemma we’re facing when it comes to Albania vs. Croatia, Greece, and the Maldives. Woe is, truly, us.

Albania is the hot new destination that’s just been waiting along the Mediterranean coast for its moment to shine. Well baby, that moment is now! Albania is being touted as the newest ‘destination dupe’ for anyone looking to spend a paradisiacal getaway under the sun amidst beautiful natural views and wanting to spend a little less coin. But is it the destination for you? It’s just so hard to know. 

If you’re in the same boat (or wishing you were in any boat cruising crystalline waters), then you’re in luck because we’ve devised a quiz to help you decide whether you should hit up Albania or visit one of the tried-and-true favourites. Time to find out which destination suits you best.

Though, really, why deprive yourself of all that paradise? Travel to all four!

Culinary affairs

When it comes to the lip-smacking culinary scene of these European heavy-hitters and the Asian archipelago, it can be hard to decide what you’re in the mood for. 

Croatian, Albanian, and Greek cuisine all take inspiration from Mediterranean cuisine. With classic fresh seafood flavours and heavy drizzles of olive oil, you know you’ll be eating good food wherever you go. But there are differences, and each country holds specific delicacies.

Croatian food varies throughout the country with a distinct separation between the coastal and mainland cities. Consistent flavours can be found in the spices and seasonings, often characterised by rosemary, sage, and bay leaf, as well as the more unique marjoram, clove, nutmeg, and even lemon and orange rind. Charcuterie and meat is also a big part of Croatian cuisine, and traditional ways of cooking like farm-to-table peke meals have existed for generations, marking it as a unique aspect of the local cuisine.

Albanian cuisine also makes a lot of use of meat and ‘rural’ ingredients, though it is also characterised by a lot of dairy and citrus components, as well as fruits and nuts like cherries and almonds. There are three regional variations, determined by the landscape and available ingredients, so you’ll have a wide array of options no matter where you are. Albania’s national dish is Tavë kosi, a dish of baked lamb, rice, and a flavoured yoghurt sauce, which you can sample all over the country. 

Greek cuisine is probably the most known on this list, and comprises those crisp flavours brought out by feta cheese, cucumbers, tomatoes and olives, as well as the glugs of olive oil, the creaminess of tzatziki, and the fresh herbs like mint. Grilling is the main mode of cooking, making your meats and vegetables absolutely delicious with a smoky taste! There’s plenty of seafood, and you have to have local octopus, as well as classic lamb dishes. And let’s not forget the amazing gyros!

Cuisine in the Maldives, compared to these three other countries, is vastly different as it’s characterised by fiery and fresh Asian flavours. Think rice and curries, plenty of cilantro, cardamom, thick cut noodles and dishes served on banana leaves. If you’re a fan of traditional Asian cuisine, be it plant-based, fish-based, or meat-based dishes, you’re in for a total gourmet treat.

Albania

Image source:Contiki

Cultural treasures

Unlike most of Europe, the predominant religion in Albania is Islam, and as a result you will find many beautiful mosques and Islamic imagery across the country. Dressing modestly throughout Albania is also encouraged, and you can find new outfits at some of the many bazaars, reminiscent of Moroccan souks! The Maldives share this predominantly Islamic culture with Albania, and you’ll find many mosques dotted around the city as well. Their culture also shares many similarities with that of Sri Lanka and South India (neighbouring countries), and the song and dance shared by the locals holds roots in African culture as well. 

Croatia is rich in culture, with a history dating back almost 13 centuries which is not something to be scoffed at! Most of the culture is influenced by Roman-Catholic traditions and ideology, and the architecture in many major cities reflects this. Croatia is also home to many UNESCO World Heritage sites – in fact the entire city of Dubrovnik is one! And, if you’re a fan of Game of Thrones, then you’ll also know Dubrovnik is the heart of many filming locations. 

On the flip side of this, Greece is also an incredibly old and historic country, with remnants of both the Roman empire, as well as Ancient Greece which is where many ideas and values that we still uphold today were born. If you’re a fan of history, the classics, philosophy, or even the arts and mythology, then Greece is definitely a country you should visit. 

15 Best Things to do in Albania

15 Best Things to do in Albania

Rianna Le
by Rianna Le Oct 13, 2023

Saving or splurging

Neither Croatia, Greece, or Albania are particularly expensive areas of Europe, though prices have followed with Croatia’s recent climb into popularity, and with Greece being the summer hot-spot that it is, things like transport and accommodation have peaked as well. 

You won’t be breaking the bank by travelling to Croatia or Greece as most restaurants and accommodations have maintained a reasonable price, but you should be prepared to shell out a good sum. That being said, this all depends on where you stay. Split, Hvar, and Dubrovnik are all on the coast and are all very popular tourist destinations, and the Greek mainland is slightly less popular than the islands, so costs will reflect that. But if you stick to smaller towns in the mainland, you can avoid large fees. 

On the other hand, seeing as Albania is still relatively undiscovered by travellers around the globe, it remains quite a cheap country to visit, and you can really do a lot with a low budget.

The Maldives however will really put a hole in your pocket. This obviously depends on where specifically in the country you choose to travel and stay, but as a general rule this archipelago is on the more expensive side due to the insane natural beauty and the desirability of this destination, especially as one for honeymooners. That being said, there’s always a way to make your dreams come true on a budget, and a little research is sure to help you out there. 

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