In search of the road less travelled can prove a tricky business. What is one to do when Budapest, the new Prague, becomes as thronged with backpackers as Vietnam, the new Thailand? (or was it the new Cambodia?)

Bringing things closer to home, the recent buzzword in quirky but cool travel is Croatia. Home to the partying port of Pula and Byron's "pearl of the Adriatic," Dubrovnik, it has more than enough to justify its position as Europe's playground.

The problem, however, as with all these diamonds in the rough, is that once their beauty secrets are out, there's no turning back. Croatia is now in danger of descending into the same highrise chaos as its Iberian neighbours. In the end, there are no winners.

It is with this in mind that I tentatively write the next few paragraphs. For the past ten days, I have been lounging in glorious sun drenched isolation. Where I hear you ask? Albania.

Yes, Albania! - but keep it very close to your chest; don't tell your neighbour; don't spout it to your hairdresser - Albania, only recently rid of its hardline communist past, is home to the last deserted beaches in Mediterranean Europe.

With a landscape largely unchanged since the ancient Greeks patrolled these shores, deserted beaches such as Dhermi and Drymades, both only a few hours on the bumpy road from the curious capital, Tirana; one could be forgiven for developing a sudden form of agoraphobia, such is their seclusion and your absolute privacy.

The locals that you do stumble across are very friendly, clearly not used to the sight or concept of tourists. One is as likely to be ignored as approached.

Further south, close to the Greek border, is Saranda, the closest thing Albania has to that dreaded word, resort. At present, it is more a building site than a working resort. With the most appealing waterfront on the Ionian coast, and just a stone's throw from the Greek island, Corfu; Saranda has all the amenities the less solitary traveller may wish for: Hassle free beaches; cheap food with an Italian influence, and accomodation ranging from basic camping to five star la la land!

But get here today, not tomorrow. Soon the roads to these Elysian beaches will be improved to facilitate the package mob and their innocent vices. Soon, Albania will be lost to the lure of the tourist and their Euro.

So if you can swing it, get there before the summer disappears, and Albania will treat you to that rarest of travel gifts: tranquility.

By Paul Tuthill/MOLI