Camping Freskia

An immaculately maintained lawn with expansive mountain views in the distance: not too shabby a location to spend your holiday, right? And that’s exactly what awaits at Camping Freskia. This peaceful, family-friendly site in northern Albania’s Shkodër County is in Theth National Park – and boy, does it deliver the wow factor when it comes to setting and scenery.

You can step out of your accommodation in the morning to be greeted by glorious views of the forested slopes and rugged peaks of the Albanian Alps, and the Lumi i Thethit river below. Before a day of hiking, you can fortify yourself with a traditional breakfast at the restaurant, which also serves a range of meals at dinnertime.

You’ll probably be grateful for the on-site catering, for this spot is pretty isolated: Theth, the nearest village, is 20 minutes’ drive away on the rather gnarly SH21 road, with its hairpin turns and unpaved stretches (although there are also a couple of restaurants within a 20-minute drive).

And there is lots more to be grateful for here, including a toilet block, hot-water showers (including disabled facilities), drinkable water, a launderette and a washing-up area, not to mention friendly owners who are on hand to provide information on the local sights.

Barbecues are supplied, and a small shop on site sells local produce, so you and your family (and your dog, who is welcome here) can settle down for an evening of grilling, relaxing and taking in the spectacle of the night sky.