Journeying to Albania feels like stepping off the map. It’s a country the world forgot about, and this neglect has paved the way for Albania to become one of the most exciting cycling destinations in all of Europe.

In Albania, time hasn’t just stood still, it’s entered another dimension. Where legends of yesteryear are infused in everyday life. Hear stories of the goat-skull wearing Skanderberg, who led an army of rebels against the Ottomans; and the paranoid policies of the communist dictator Enver Hoxha, whose legacy has littered the countryside with some 750,000 concrete bunkers.

The stranger than fiction tales from the ‘Land of the Eagles’ are made all the more mythical by the untamed, rugged landscape. Ride the old trade roads across the ‘Accursed Mountains’ connecting Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro. Pinch yourself at the exquisite beauty of Theth National Park and Valbona Valley.

See how Italy’s close proximity to Albania (just 75km!) has influenced its cuisine and heritage. Explore the crumbling remnants of Rozafa Castle, Venetian ruins perched on a hill overlooking Lake Skadar, the biggest lake in South Eastern Europe. Dine on Mediterranean staples like salads drizzled in olive oil, freshly grilled fish and delicate pastries; as well as uniquely Albanian fare such as fergese (a creamy mix of capsicum, tomatoes and cottage cheese) and tave kosi (a quiche-like dish made with lamb, eggs and yoghurt).

A cycling trip to Albania defies belief and expectations, and once you’ve returned home you’ll find yourself sharing legends from the Land of the Eagles too.