Vlore, Albania

The scenic coastal town of Vlore is the beginning of the Albanian Riviera, its shores bathed by both the Adriatic and the Ionian Seas. The harbor city holds special meaning for Albanians, as this is where the country declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire at the beginning of the 20th century. Vlore boasts some of the most breathtaking remnants of castles and monasteries, as well as natural havens, such as the white-sand Orikum Beach and Llogara National Park, where you can venture off into Llogara’s protected wilderness for a day hike.