Our return to Greece began with flights from Vancouver to London Heathrow, then connecting on to Athens. The usual hit or miss service from British Airways (although the crew on the second flight was great) and over the top security at LHR (also as usual), then less than 24 hours later we were 11 time zones away, almost halfway around the world.
Despite not having been in Athens nor in mainland Greece for 47 years, some things apparently never change:
- Greeks are huge smokers! There was a smoking lounge even before passport control at the airport, and throughout the trip we noticed that the EU mandated “no smoking” area inside restaurants was almost empty, while the outside “smoking allowed” section was always the first choice.
- The number of partially finished (or permanently under construction) buildings was astonishing. A top floor consisting just re-bar sticking up from the concrete was pretty common.
- Little old ladies (and not a few elderly gentlemen) dressed entirely in black seem to be a fixture. Even in a suburb of Athens, where we spent the night upon arrival.
See our posts for this trip:
The Greek Goddess Protapriliá
The Peloponnese – Ancient Corinth, Mycenae and Epidaurus
The Peloponnese – Nafplio
Mykonos and Delos
Notes written before our trip:
In May of 2026 we will visit Greece and Albania. We’ve been to both countries before, but both are definitely worth a return trip!
We were last in Greece 10 years ago on our “Order of Malta Mediterranean Islands” trip, but we were in the eastern Aegean visiting the Dodecanese islands (and Malta obviously). The feature image above, with scenic Greek ruins in front of the incredibly blue Aegean sea, is from that trip. On this trip we’ll visit some islands closer to the Greek mainland. With somewhere around 200 inhabited Greek Islands, it’s going to take a lot of trips to Greece to see them all if we only visit three or four on each trip!
On our 2016 trip to Greece, we never reached the Greek mainland and so it has been 47 years since we were last in the capital, Athens. We are going to remedy that by returning to Athens on this visit, and we are also visiting Nafplio, a historic, coastal city located in the northeastern part of the Peloponnese peninsula.
After Greece, we will return to Albania which we we’ve only visited once before on a brief stop on the way home from our exploration of the Balkans. Last trip, we never got outside the area of the capital, Tirana, so this time we’ll travel through the south of Albania. With tourism growing rapidly in this country that banned virtually all foreign visitors for over 40 years, we want to return before it gets overrun.
Google’s AI Overview
You should absolutely visit Albania as soon as possible, but it is not “too late.” While tourism is growing rapidly—with over 125% growth from 2019 to 2024—it still offers an authentic, affordable alternative to Greece or Croatia. To avoid the crowds, visit in the shoulder season (May, June, September, or October).
Why You Should Go Soon:
Rapid Growth: Albania is currently one of Europe’s fastest-growing tourist destinations.
Authentic Experience: It is often described as visiting the Mediterranean or Adriatic “before it was popular”.
Affordability: It remains significantly cheaper than neighboring Italy or Greece, although prices may rise if it joins the EU.
Stunning Variety: Offering both pristine beaches (like Ksamil) and dramatic, rugged mountains (Theth), it provides diverse experiences without the massive, crowded resorts.
When to Visit to Avoid Crowds:
Best Time: May, early June, September, and October offer the best weather and fewer crowds.
Peak Season: Avoid July and the first two-thirds of August, which are hot, crowded, and busy.
Where to Go: While the Riviera is popular, explore the interior, such as the historic cities of Gjirokastër and Berat, or hiking in the Alps, to escape the coastal crowds.
Conclusion: It is not “too late”—it is the perfect time to experience Albania before it becomes fully mainstream. Just avoid the peak summer months to have a more enjoyable, less crowded trip.