Africa

Getting there

Say "Africa" and most people picture safari and savanna — but the destination actually within reach from Tirana is Egypt, at the continent's north-eastern edge. The flight usually involves one connection, most often through Istanbul, while seasonal charter flights also run direct to Red Sea resort towns like Hurghada. That makes Egypt the most practical bridge onto the African continent for someone travelling from Albania, without a gruelling multi-stop journey. The rest of the continent — East Africa's safari country, or Morocco to the west — stays reachable only with extra connections and longer travel times.

What kind of trip suits it

The typical combination pairs history with beach time: a few days among the Giza pyramids, old Cairo with its Khan el-Khalili bazaar, and the temples along the Nile at Luxor and Aswan, followed by a relaxed stretch on the Red Sea coast for diving or snorkelling over the coral reefs. It's a destination that satisfies history enthusiasts and people who just want sun and warm water, often within the same trip.

When to go

October to April is the most comfortable stretch for Cairo, Luxor and Aswan, once the country's inland heat eases off — summer temperatures inland can easily pass 40°C. The Red Sea coast, by contrast, stays pleasant nearly year-round thanks to the sea breeze, and the water is warm enough for swimming even in December and January. That makes Egypt a good choice as a winter escape too, when the rest of Europe is cold and short on sunshine.