Përshëndetje! Today, we’re traveling to Albania, a hidden gem in Europe with beautiful blue water and tall, rocky mountains. About 2.8 million people live here, and the capital city is called Tirana.

Albania covers about 28,748 square kilometers, or 11,100 square miles. To imagine how big that is, think of a giant puzzle made of 5 million city parks all connected together! It’s a smaller country, but it’s packed with history and adventure.

One thing you should know is that Albanians are famous for being some of the kindest people in the world. They have a special rule called Besa, which means “to keep a promise.” It’s a code of honor that says you must always protect and help your guests, no matter what!

The most popular sport in Albania is Football. Everyone loves to play and watch it! When the national team plays, you’ll see their amazing flag everywhere. The flag is bright Red with a Black Eagle in the middle. But wait—this eagle has two heads! It stands for the bravery of the people and their long history as “The Land of the Eagles.”

Albania is also home to some amazing wildlife. Deep in the mountains, you can find Brown Bears, Gray Wolves, and the rare Balkan Lynx, which looks like a big, beautiful cat with tufted ears.

The food in Albania is delicious! You might try Byrek, which is a crispy, flaky pie filled with cheese or spinach, or a sweet dessert called Baklava.

Ready for a weird fact? In Albania, there is a funny tradition involving Stuffed Animals! If you walk past a new house, you might see an old teddy bear or a doll hanging from the roof or the fence. People believe these “scarecrows” protect the house from bad luck. It looks a bit like a toy graveyard, which is pretty “eww” and spooky!

Also, watch out for how they say “Yes” and “No.” In Albania, many people shake their head for “Yes” and nod their head for “No.” If you aren’t careful, you might get exactly the opposite of what you asked for!

From the crystal clear Ionian Sea to the wild forests, Albania is a place of big promises and even bigger hearts. Faleminderit! That means “Thank you!”