Lonely Planet names Albania top country to visit in 2011

TIRANA, Nov. 1 – The Lonely Planet travel guide has named Albania top country to visit in 2011. Lonely Planet has drawn on the knowledge, passion and kilometers traveled by its staff, authors and online community to present the top 10 Countries to visit in 2011 – and Albania tops the list.
Albania is included in the new publication, Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2011: the best trends, destinations, journeys and experiences for the upcoming year.
It writes: “Not so long ago, when the Balkans were considered an ‘only for the brave’ travel destination, only the bravest of the brave trickled into Albania. Since backpackers started coming to elusive Albania in the 1990s, tales have been told in ‘keep it to yourself’ whispers of azure beaches, confrontingly good cuisine, heritage sites, nightlife, affordable adventures and the possibility of old-style unplanned journeys complete with open-armed locals for whom travelers are still a novelty. Sick to death of being dismissed with blinged-up crime-boss clich곬 Albania has announced ‘A New Mediterranean Love’ via its tourist board. The jig is almost up – Albania won’t be off the beaten track for much longer.”
Albania joins the list of Brazil, Cape Verde, Panama, Bulgaria, Vanuatu, Italy, Tanzania, Syria and Japan.