Albania is fantastic, I would recommend it to anyone.

I only visited the north, the south is the sunny, touristy bit.

Except Shkodra, which is nice.

I was there for 5 months in 1996.

Go to the mountains in the north-east – with a friendly local guide !- wonderful scenery.

I visited Fushe Arrez, Rresheni, Shkodra, Tirana and Durresi.

Bonkers language, lots of guns, great food (if you like bread and salami) and a passion for the German football team (I was there during Euro ’96).

Longing to go back one day.