Welcome to five glorious days of a riviera less travelled. Arriving at Tirana Airport, a private minibus will transfer us to our boutique hotel in Vlorë, an historic, coastal city in the foothills of the Ceraunian Mountains. After check-in, we’ll discover the beauty, antiquity and cultural significance of this seaside city – where Albanian independence was declared in 1912 – on a guided tour, before hitting the beach for group cocktails. Getting to know your fellow travelers over dinner and sundowners at a restaurant right on the sand? Sounds like a pretty good first evening on the balmy Albanian Riviera, and there’s plenty more in store.

Today, we leave Vlorë and road trip down the coast to Ksamil. Winding our way through the high-altitude zigzags of the Llogara Pass, we’ll stop off at the formidable Big Bunker – a Cold War-era concrete fortification, 2,000 feet above sea level. Take in the postcard-worthy views of mountains, meadows and endless cerulean sea, then it’s onwards to Ksamil for lunch. The afternoon belongs to swimming, sunbathing and cruising the treasures of Ksamil’s enchanting coastline on a private boat tour, stopping at quiet beaches and secluded coves. We’ll check in to our new hotel, then the evening is yours to dine and explore the walkable town at leisure.

Breakfast is sorted, but you’ll be harvesting your own lunch from the sparkling waters of the Butrint lagoon, where oysters and mussels thrive in the freshwater-saltwater mix. Enjoy the wonders of Butrint National Park by boat, before diving in yourself to gather the molluscs, ready to prep and cook at a nearby restaurant using traditional techniques. Post-lunch, it’s a short drive to Butrint’s ancient ruins, a Unesco site remarkable for its rare combination of preserved history, millennia-old ruins and natural beauty (there may be a little Flash Pack surprise waiting, too). Later, we’ll head to serene Pasqyra Beach with glorious turquoise waves ranked among the bluest in the world. Swim, chill and admire the sunset before a free evening.

Our last full day in Albania sees us head inland to the spectacular, forest-fringed Blue Eye spring. A truly striking natural phenomenon, the pool is extraordinarily clear, while its depths morph into a thrilling deep blue at its center – the underwater cave where the spring and its name originate. We’ll kick back here for the morning before heading north to the easy-going town of Berat, known as the ‘town of a thousand windows’ for its huddle of Ottoman houses leading up to the hilltop castle. We’ll take a walking tour of the city’s ancient architecture, including ancient mosques and churches. Then it’s onwards to Tirana for a farewell meal of traditional Albanian cuisine with your fellow travelers.

Well, it’s been a trip, Flashpackers. The Albanian Riviera might not be as well-known as some of the world’s coastlines, but it’s a belter, serving up everything from fairytale pools in the forest to balmy beach evenings and historical wonders. After breakfast, make your own way to the airport or keep the vibes going; our adventure is over, but yours doesn’t need to stop. You can always stay a few days more, carry on with a nearby Flash Pack trip in Greece, Italy or Slovenia, or plan something new with the friends you discovered Southern Albania with. We’ve packed a lot into a little, and done it all together: it doesn’t get much better.