Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Berat - I'm glad we stopped for two nights, as it's a really gorgeous place. Plus the beautiful scenery - I was naïve to how mountainous Albania is. Looking through the window whilst being driven through it was spectacular. The one hike included was lovely - more hikes would have been nicer...but I suppose I'll have to do the walking in Albania trip for that! The included family lunch in Dhoksat was wonderful. As was the Berat house visit for coffee, raki and sweets. Great bars and cocktails in Gjirokaster.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Klodi spoke great English and managed to condense huge chucks of historical information into more manageable sized pieces. His knowledge on history and archaeology was phenomenal. What I found unusual was, when we had been shown around a site or museum, we were not given the opportunity to have any time to self explore or go back to look at things or have even 20 minutes or so of "free time". I've never had a guide not allow for this - maybe the itinerary time was simply too tight perhaps? (see below - chilled starts and super long lunches!) Our driver, Medi, to a certain extent almost became part of the group. His driving was excellent, and he smiled throughout. He joined us for a number of visits to museums and churches - even though I don't actually think he had to. He genuinely seemed to enjoy being on the trip - even though he was working!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Prepare for some places to feel a little like a whistle-stop tour (as often is the case with these types of trips where you're trying to pack loads in). The morning starts were leisurely (9am) - which was quite nice. But there were some places where I would have liked to have stayed longer, or seen more and that would have only been achieved if we'd left the hotel earlier in the morning. Or alternatively had a shorter lunch break (which I suspect is impossible in Albania - as service is so slow.....friendly, but slow). Which on the positive side means food is hot and fresh, and allowed for a nice chilled, relaxed holiday where you got to chat with your fellow travellers - I'm just not used to lunch breaks lasting between 90 - 120 minutes. But once you get your head around the relaxed nature of Albanian service and accept it - you'll probably come to quite like it!

Most Inspirational Moment

The scenery was breathtaking in Llogora National Park, Kruje and Berat the latter of which was especially lovely as we stayed within the castle walls. I had no prior knowledge of Albania so found the history both compelling and fascinating and enjoyed seeing the archeological ruins at Apollonia.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I have to give particular mention to our tour guide Armir and bus driver Medi who were both excellent. Armir was very knowledgeable and passionate about his subject and Medi was a very capable and safe driver. As a group we were lucky to have them and they made the trip a fun and memorable experience for me.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Insect repellent to fight off the Albanian mosquitos…they took a shine to me! Also, ask for two sets of keys if sharing a room.

Most Inspirational Moment

The mountain scenery (Day 4?) was outstanding. The home-hosted lunch was a true delight - best food on the trip, gracious hosts, and beautiful garden. Two days/nights in Berat was the highlight.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Artur took good care of us and was passionate about sharing all aspects of his country. Very knowledgable, helpful, personable, and gracious.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just go! Great destination for solo travelers (ease and comfort of exploring on own day or night, any town). Sturdy hiking shoes extremely handy for the cobblestone streets and light hikes. Favorite Albanian souvenier (beautiful hand-made purse) and friendliest shopkeeper I've ever met was in Kruje towards top of bazaar near castle - Alida Teta.

Most Inspirational Moment

The local lunch prepared for us was just lovely so fresh with all the vegetables from their garden.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Artur Lumani our guide was very knowledgeable and always there for us. He really was a pleasure to have as a guide!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Some of the accommodation is a bit dated but they are all clean. Breakfasts in some places were poor but Artur always supplied us with fresh cherries which were delicious...

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very good.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Sit back and enjoy! Hotels and food better than expected.

Most Inspirational Moment

The level of the un-explored archaeology

Thoughts on Group Leader

Talked and talked, I gnawed my leg off. Seriously, very passionate and knowledgeable , but seemingly unable to filter the main memorable points and a tendency to lose the 'hook' within the torrent of information. Very helpful most of the time. The goalposts also tended to move, resulting in wrong place, wrong time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Hotel rooms are very variable, be prepared to take the rough with the smooth, singles beware you will get more than your fair share of the rough. Beware of rooms that open directly onto stairs. Travel in the spring when it is cooler, June is too hot, the mountains way well still be snow capped in the early spring. Go soon, this country is developing very rapidly and will lose its' charm very quickly once the 'all inclusives' start to move in.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the beautiful scenery and the fascinating historic towns. The museum of Medieval Art in Korçë was stunning. I’m not a huge fan of Icons but this museum was excellent.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Artur is a lovely man, very well organised and attentive. Unfortunately his English was difficult to understand when he was explaining the history, archaeology etc.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Shoes with decent non-slip soles are essential for the slippery cobbled streets. A trekking pole useful especially if it is raining.

Most Inspirational Moment

Berat's mosque. Imam polite, informative, ceiling of the annexe was out of this world, exquisite.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Offhand, I blew a fuse having to constantly fight my own room battles, he told me to "calm down". It Just got worse. I wasn't last to book but was treated as an inconvenience, after-thought. At one point genuinely thought I would be sleeping on the bus or at a different hotel as debate raged for 1/2 hour, last to get key every time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Choose a different country, strongly suggest review choice of tour operator.

Most Inspirational Moment

The visits to the small villages of Lin and Voskopoje, and the visits to the family houses for lunch in Dhoksat and morning tea in Berat. These all gave a great insight into the lives of Albanians over generations.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader was very knowledgeable and had a lot of information to pass on. He was very caring about the group. It would have been helpful to have more definite instructions on plans and timeframe when visiting sites so we knew exactly what time and where to meet. Lunch breaks could have been shorter. The driver was very skilled and his driving on difficult roads was appreciated by the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read up about Albanian history before travelling and if possible spend time in Tirana first as this tour has only 1 morning there.

Most Inspirational Moment

Goodness! What to say? I enjoyed so much of the trip... the mountains, seeing all the amazing produce growing all around in the country side, the remaining Ottoman houses and mosques and the few Byzantine churches that survived the communist destruction, the old towns like Kruje and Girokastra. The Icon museum in Korce. Also hearing from the owners of two fascinating Ottoman houses we visited whose families had managed (just) to keep their homes during the communist regime.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was hard working and very well organised and the trip ran smoothly. We always had interesting stops en route, and good places to eat. However his level of English was not what is expected of a professional tour guide, and he had particular difficulties in pronunciation and the use of tenses which at times caused difficulty in understanding. But he was a nice guy who was very knowledgable, punctual and worked hard for us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Enjoy being in a country on the cusp of being on the tourist map. So some museums are still being refurbished and some coastal areas are not yet highly developed. Enjoy the amazing local produce but dont expect your dishes to necessarily arrive when you expect them! Enjoy the countryside - drink from mountain springs and bathe in hot springs. Enjoy visiting castles and ancient sites. You will see so much on this trip.