Mention pristine sandy beaches, crystal blue waters and picturesque wooden huts hanging over the sea, and most people will picture the Maldives.
The Indian Ocean archipelago has earned itself a reputation for housing a number of exceptional resorts with wooden villas that are built above the lapping waves.
One of those is the Soneva Jani, which boasts platforms that link up private homes with swimming pools, verandas and a lengthy slide rushing down into the sea, and wind across some of the islands' blue lagoons.
While it may be on many people's travel bucket lists, visiting the resort comes at a price.
A week's stay in a two bedroom villa in November will set you back at least £7,000.
If that price is too high and the air miles required to get to the Maldives too great, then there is a cheaper option much closer to home which is drawing comparison with the beach paradise.
Ksamil in southern Albania is being touted by TikTokers and influencers - possibly with the encouragement of the country's government - as the "Maldives of Albania".
The once small village on the Albania Riviera has become a home to a number of hotels which seem to have imitated the style of those in the Maldives.
Countless videos online show tanned holidaymakers swimming through the sparkling water and tanning themselves beneath the blue skies.
One particularly popular spot is the Pema e Thate beach, which has several wooden framed beds that hang over the sea.
When the sun becomes too intense, there's secluded space beneath a straw roof to store sun cream and a picnic, or to have a private nap.
If you're in the mood to stretch your swimming legs, then there are several tree islands dotted along bay that are just a few hundred metres from the main beach.
Recently Ksamil was visited by Yuliia Berkuta, a Ukrainian travel influencer with 135,000 followers on Instagram who lavished the resort town with praise.
“Ksamil is one of the most surprising places I have visited in the Balkans," she wrote.
"This village is home to delicious seafood, a colourful sea and beautiful islands located a stone’s throw away from the village.
"I have visited Ksamil on two occasions now and recommend it to anyone travelling to Albania.”
Perhaps the major advantage of opting for a stay in Albania over the Maldives is the price.
Return flights from London to Corfu - the nearest airport to Ksamil and just a 30 minute ferry ride away - can be bagged for less than £100, while the round trip to the Maldives could typically knock you back at least £800.
Hotels in the resort are also cut price for a European beach resort, costing about £30 to £40 per night for a two person room in May.
The resort is not the only amazing beach that Albania has to offer.
Drymades looks west across the Adriatic Sea towards southern Italy and is known for the stunning sunsets which form above the incredibly blue waters.
Its better known counterpart is Dhërmi, which is well loved for its expanse of pale pebbles and rocks lapped by turquoise waters.
Unlike the Maldives - which is somewhat of a one trick pony - Albania has a lot more on offer than just beaches.
In the space of a week in the Southern European country you can go climbing in the Alps, walk the historical Silk Road trail, and take in the skyline of capital Tirana from its rotating bar.
