Albania seems to be popular this year, with holidaymakers flocking to the Balkan country for its dramatic coastline dotted with seaside towns.
Last year, according to UN Tourism, the country received over 10 million visitors and I was lucky enough to be one of them, although I bypassed the popular coastal tourist trails to explore the roaming countryside, where farmhouses and family-run lodges make for a slow, cultural getaway.
Arriving late at night in Shkoder, an hour and a half north of Tirana International Airport, my Airbnb host welcomes me with a plate of petulla (traditional fried dough) served with home-made jam and feta. I instantly feel welcome, and it is a feeling that sets the tone for my entire visit.
With a population of about 200,000, Shkoder is often used as a pit stop for travellers between Montenegro and the snow-capped Albanian Alps, but the city is worth exploring with its bougainvillaea-lined pathways leading to the 400-year-old Rozafa Castle where two rivers form ribbons across the surrounding landscape. It’s also perfect for exploring on two-wheels, and I enjoy a few days cycling around its cobbled streets before heading to the countryside.
A 70-minute boat ride through the towering canyons of the Lake Koman reservoir brings me to Neomalsore, a quaint guesthouse in the northern mountains. The farmhouse has been in the Koceku family for generations and overlooks an emerald blue water lake flanked by rugged cliffs. A flock of chickens, a baby goat and a lazy cat keep me company during my stay.
The guesthouse is just one of a many new farm stays and family-run accommodation options that embrace Albania's rural way of life, culinary customs and traditional hospitality. The agritourism movement is helping to put rural Albania on the tourism map while creating new economic opportunities.
Neomalsore is run by a Molla tribal family belonging to one of Albania’s Highland clans. Marjana Koceku is the youngest daughter and welcomes me with a glass of home-made fruit raki. She tells me that many travellers visit for a day trip, but that spending a few nights allows people to really enjoy the slow, sustainable local lifestyle.
At night, we sit outside for a candlelit dinner with other travellers. Koceku’s mum whips up a feast: home-made cornbread, goat cheese, fire-grilled freshwater fish and farm-bred chicken served with garden-picked vegetables and wild honey.
Not to be missed off my itinerary is Berat, a 2,400-year-old Unesco World Heritage Site. Here, the Osum River snakes past the city, and the town’s old quarter houses Ottoman-era residences with red ceramic roofs, white walls, and wooden windows. So closely packed together, it almost feels like the wide windows are stacked upon one another, giving the town its nickname, ‘the city of one over one windows.’ On top of a steep hill nearby is Berat Castle, a 13th-century citadel with preserved ancient walls, churches, local houses-turned-homestays, and restaurants.
While Berat is charming, it can get quite crowded, particularly in Albanian summers. So I opt to stay at Alpeta Agrotourism, a winery and guesthouse that offers guided hiking and kayaking tours in Roshnik village some 15km from Berat. At the open-air restaurant here I dine surrounded by grapevines, and the staff serve a traditional lunch of grilled mutton and seasonal vegetables.
“The concept of agritourism helps locals to promote rural areas as attractive travel destinations,” says owner Petrit Fiska. “It also helps farmers embrace our age-old agricultural practices while earning extra income.”
Delights await for those in search of outdoor pursuits and a quiet retreat across the Albanian countryside. In Rubik, a small town south of Shkoder, I stay for almost a week in a cosy wood cabin at Baven Toven.
Owner Bajron Nikolli, who migrated to Italy at the age of 14, returned to his homeland nearly two decades later to open the secluded mountain getaway which has five independent cabins. Nikolli now runs the guesthouse with the help of his parents and grandmother.
“I worked for many years in Italy and invested my savings to build this place. It was a sacrifice,” he says. “But I’m happy everything worked out. It’s a beautiful thing to see people arrive here every day from all over the world. And we have now employed two people. We’ve created jobs.”
At the cabin, Nikolli’s grandmother greets me every morning with a smile and an espresso. Breakfast is local and seasonal with byrek (meat, spinach, and cheese pie), pispili (leeks and feta cheese cornbread), and deep-fried Albanian pancakes served with local fig jam.
Days are spent visiting the village church and hiking to a secluded natural pool along the river or enjoying a leisurely lunch at the nearby Bar Restorant Aleksi. Packed with locals, this countryside restaurant with alfresco seating serves traditional qofte (grilled and pan-fried chicken, mutton, and lamb meatballs), stuffed peppers, and tasty seasoned pilau rice.
Proud of his country, Nikolli has a positive outlook on Albania’s evolving tourism industry. “In my area, there are no other industries. So without tourism, I couldn’t stay here, and would have to return to Italy,” he says.
“Luckily, Albania is beautiful. Within a few kilometres, you find the sea, mountains, lakes, and so much more.”
Getting to Albania from UAE
Flydubai has direct flights from Dubai to Tirana while Wizz Air operates non-stop from Abu Dhabi to Tirana.
Breast cancer in men: the facts
1) Breast cancer is men is rare but can develop rapidly. It usually occurs in those over the ages of 60, but can occasionally affect younger men.
2) Symptoms can include a lump, discharge, swollen glands or a rash.
3) People with a history of cancer in the family can be more susceptible.
4) Treatments include surgery and chemotherapy but early diagnosis is the key.
5) Anyone concerned is urged to contact their doctor
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
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Joe Root's Test record
Tests: 53; Innings: 98; Not outs: 11; Runs: 4,594; Best score: 254; Average: 52.80; 100s: 11; 50s: 27
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
Profile
Co-founders of the company: Vilhelm Hedberg and Ravi Bhusari
Launch year: In 2016 ekar launched and signed an agreement with Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi. In January 2017 ekar launched in Dubai in a partnership with the RTA.
Number of employees: Over 50
Financing stage: Series B currently being finalised
Investors: Series A - Audacia Capital
Sector of operation: Transport
Frankenstein in Baghdad
Ahmed Saadawi
Penguin Press
Winners
Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski
Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)
Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea
Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona
Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)
Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)
Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)
Best National Team of the Year: Italy
Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello
Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)
Player Career Award: Ronaldinho
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
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Match info
Uefa Champions League Group C
Liverpool v Napoli, midnight
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Who is Mohammed Al Halbousi?
The new speaker of Iraq’s parliament Mohammed Al Halbousi is the youngest person ever to serve in the role.
The 37-year-old was born in Al Garmah in Anbar and studied civil engineering in Baghdad before going into business. His development company Al Hadeed undertook reconstruction contracts rebuilding parts of Fallujah’s infrastructure.
He entered parliament in 2014 and served as a member of the human rights and finance committees until 2017. In August last year he was appointed governor of Anbar, a role in which he has struggled to secure funding to provide services in the war-damaged province and to secure the withdrawal of Shia militias. He relinquished the post when he was sworn in as a member of parliament on September 3.
He is a member of the Al Hal Sunni-based political party and the Sunni-led Coalition of Iraqi Forces, which is Iraq’s largest Sunni alliance with 37 seats from the May 12 election.
He maintains good relations with former Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki’s State of Law Coaliton, Hadi Al Amiri’s Badr Organisation and Iranian officials.
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UAE SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Ali Khaseif, Fahad Al Dhanhani, Mohammed Al Shamsi, Adel Al Hosani
Defenders: Bandar Al Ahbabi, Shaheen Abdulrahman, Walid Abbas, Mahmoud Khamis, Mohammed Barghash, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Hassan Al Mahrami, Yousef Jaber, Mohammed Al Attas
Midfielders: Ali Salmeen, Abdullah Ramadan, Abdullah Al Naqbi, Majed Hassan, Abdullah Hamad, Khalfan Mubarak, Khalil Al Hammadi, Tahnoun Al Zaabi, Harib Abdallah, Mohammed Jumah
Forwards: Fabio De Lima, Caio Canedo, Ali Saleh, Ali Mabkhout, Sebastian Tagliabue
RACE RESULTS
1. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Mercedes) 1hr 21min 48.527sec
2. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) at 0.658sec
3. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Red Bull) 6.012
4. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 7.430
5. Kimi Räikkönen (FIN/Ferrari) 20.370
6. Romain Grosjean (FRA/Haas) 1:13.160
7. Sergio Pérez (MEX/Force India) 1 lap
8. Esteban Ocon (FRA/Force India) 1 lap
9. Felipe Massa (BRA/Williams) 1 lap
10. Lance Stroll (CAN/Williams) 1 lap
11. Jolyon Palmer (GBR/Renault) 1 lap
12. Stoffel Vandoorne (BEL/McLaren) 1 lap
13. Nico Hülkenberg (GER/Renault) 1 lap
14. Pascal Wehrlein (GER/Sauber) 1 lap
15. Marcus Ericsson (SWE/Sauber) 2 laps
16. Daniil Kvyat (RUS/Toro Rosso) 3 laps
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Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
- Ovarian tissue surgically removed
- Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
- Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
- Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
