Journalist Makes Major Mistake When Booking Trip Home from Albania, Then Mix-Up Turns into Life-Changing Decision

In 2017, journalist Alice Taylor boarded a plane from Cyprus for what she thought would be a quick weekend getaway to Albania. She had no idea the trip would alter the trajectory of her life.

Originally from the United Kingdom, Taylor had already taken bold leaps in her career. After a brief gap year in Malta, she left a secure job in legal communications to pursue journalism armed with little more than a cracked iPad and determination.

Nearly a decade in Malta had brought a budding career in local media, including a popular opinion column, but Taylor felt a yearning for deeper purpose and connection.

That spark came unexpectedly in Albania. Despite knowing little about the country, its language, or its people, she immediately felt at home.

Now 38, Taylor has cultivated a thriving journalism career while building a life full of family, friends, and a profound love for a country that was once unfamiliar.

Although she had initially planned to stay less than four days, an ear infection on her second day led her to a local doctor in Tirana, who advised postponing her flight for recovery.

With a prescription in hand, she made a stop at the pharmacy, but quickly became sidetracked.

“I ended up having coffee in Pazar i Ri, where the waitress and a table with two older gentlemen befriended me,” Taylor tells PEOPLE exclusively. “They didn’t speak English and I didn’t speak Albanian, but we communicated the best we could.”

They offered her two glasses of raki – a strong traditional Balkan drink – which left her feeling lightheaded. When she returned to her hotel to reschedule her flight, she accidentally extended her stay by three weeks instead of three days.

“It was too expensive to change it again, so I decided to stay and enjoy the country. At the end of the three weeks, I booked another ticket to come back and returned two weeks later with all my possessions in suitcases and my two cats,” she recalls.

“From the moment I came to Albania, I felt safe, happy, inspired, and at home, despite the cultural and language differences. I was so inspired by the history and culture, and the people were so welcoming. I knew it was where I was supposed to be.”

Learning the language proved challenging, but Taylor persisted, eventually becoming conversational, even if grammar sometimes trips her up.

“The language is beautiful but very complicated. I have ADHD and find studying hard, so after trying a few lessons, I decided the best way to learn was through doing,” she says.

“I have learned various dialects and can recognize accents from around the country. I may not be grammatically perfect or completely fluent yet, but I feel I have benefited from learning in this holistic way.”

Adjusting to a new culture and navigating unfamiliar systems wasn’t always easy, but the warmth of the people smoothed the transition. After eight years, she’s now an Albanian citizen and raising an Albanian child.

“When you understand that you belong somewhere and everything happens for a reason, all these little bumps in the road become insignificant and just part of life,” Taylor shares.

In addition to being a wife, mother, and caregiver to her elderly mother, Taylor has built a remarkable media career. In 2019, she launched Albania’s first podcast, Explaining Albania, which in 2023 evolved into the country’s first English-language current affairs show, Inside Albania, supported by Euronews Albania.

Her interviews feature key political figures, including Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, as well as international names like John Bolton, Roberta Metsola, and Dritan Abazovic.

“I invite guests, let them talk, and hope the interview serves as a point in time and history, for people to judge for themselves, and for the guests to be held accountable,” Taylor explains.

“I often do not script questions and follow my own natural curiosity, based on the guests’ answers. The show is widely watched in the diplomatic and international community in Albania, as well as by local politicians from every party.”

Beyond broadcasting, Taylor works as a freelance editor for POLITICO, a correspondent for outlets like BBC and The Times, and contributes to various European media. She also teaches communications, mentors young people, and speaks at events, including TEDx talks.

Balancing a demanding career with family life is challenging, but Taylor credits her resilience to a supportive network of friends, strangers, and her husband.

“I was lucky to be surrounded by wonderful friends, and even kind, friendly strangers who made the tough times easier to manage,” she says.

Taylor has authored three books about Albania, including her latest, Inside Albania, and has published around 5,000 articles, as well as podcasts, films, and documentaries.

“Everything I do is with passion – passion to provide for my daughter, to inspire her, to make her proud and to make Albania proud,” she emphasizes. “When it is a passion, it is no longer a job, but a purpose in life.”

Her daughter Dea, 6, shares her mother’s love for Albania, embracing its culture and history while proudly wearing traditional outfits and singing Albanian songs.

“She has been brought up here and knows no different,” Taylor says. “She is aware of her British heritage, but she prefers Albania.”

Recently, Taylor invited her daughter’s class to Euronews Albania for a behind-the-scenes experience, where the children explored the studio and participated in mock interviews.

“I asked the 35 children what their favorite place was, and Dea was the only one who said somewhere in Albania – Tropojë to be exact. All the other kids mentioned Italy, the U.S., Germany, UK… Only Dea mentioned Albania,” she reveals.

Since moving, Taylor has adapted to local customs, from wearing slippers indoors to understanding the passionate way Albanians communicate. She regularly shares these insights on Instagram, debunking myths about the country.

Despite common misconceptions, she emphasizes that Albania is safe and modern, albeit with its own unique quirks.

“It might sound cliché, but I could not imagine being anywhere else,” she admits. “This country has given me so much – Dea, love, inspiration, creativity – and I want to give it all back in every way I can.”

For Taylor, Albania isn’t just home – it’s where she feels most alive. “I could not imagine living anywhere else. This is my home and will remain so,” she says.

Every day brings surprises, from hidden corners of the country to conversations that leave lasting impressions. Learning the language has opened doors to stories of resilience and strength, fueling her work as a journalist, writer, and artist.

“I find myself continually overwhelmed, as there are so many stories to tell, but there is only one of me,” she reflects. “I cannot do it all, but I wish I could!”

Yet Taylor remains determined to capture as much as possible, because, in her words, “Albania is a gem and there is so much more I need to discover and document.”

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