Albania offers travelers a surprising and diverse experience shaped by centuries of influence. Visitors can explore the ancient city of Butrint, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Venetian ruins set against a lagoon. In Berat and Gjirokastër stone houses stack along steep hillsides, giving visitors the sense of walking through a living museum. These towns offer an authentic window into daily Albanian life.

Istanbul is a city built on layers of empire. Spanning two continents, it was once the capital of three major empires: Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman. Visitors walking through the Sultanahmet district can witness this timeline firsthand, from the Roman-era Hippodrome to the Byzantine mosaics of Hagia Sophia, and the towering minarets of the Blue Mosque. At nearby Topkapi Palace, rooms still display the jeweled swords, ceremonial robes, and handwritten Qurans once used by Ottoman sultans.

This charming island town acts as a gateway to the ancient Mayan ruins of Tikal National Park. Known for its brilliantly colored buildings, visitors can spend numerous hours relaxing in restaurants, cafes, and pubs, savoring the flavors of Mayan and Spanish-influenced dishes. Surrounded by Lake Peten Itza and vibrant rainforest, water sports and nature ventures are a must!

Llogara National Park lies in southern Albania within the Çika mountain range, overlooking the Ionian coast near the Albanian Riviera. The park rises from forested slopes to the Qore peak, with elevations ranging from about 450 to 2,018 meters. Its terrain includes steep limestone mountains, alpine meadows, rocky areas, and dense forests.

The Zambezi River is one of Africa’s major waterways and an important part of Zambia’s landscape, flowing across the country before continuing through several southern African nations. In Zambia, the river passes through wetlands, woodland, floodplains, and protected wildlife areas, including Lower Zambezi National Park.