Albania in $500s-$520s RT

Most Americans have never even thought about visiting Albania, and yet everyone in the travel world seems to have been raving about it for years. Like an underground speakeasy or a local indie band, it's beloved by those "in the know."

Despite sharing some similarities with Greece and Italy (sun-drenched islands, white stone cliffs over turquoise waters, rich and aromatic cuisine, you get the picture), it differs from its more famous siblings in two vital ways: crowds and pricing. From that glowing riviera to the flaky pastry-filled cafés, you'll be getting the Mediterranean experience on a much lower budget, and with way fewer strangers to edit out of your photos.

I mean, who would have guessed you could sit in a fantastically preserved Roman ampitheatre, and have it all to yourself? :-)