Most Inspirational Moment
The time spent in the mountains and in the small historic towns
Thoughts on Group Leader
He was very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. His performance exceeded my expectations
Reviews
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Reviews
Highlights of Albania
Albania is a lovely country with so much to see and do. This was a very well organized trip with good accommodations and an excellent guide and driver
Highlights of Albania
Well put together and managed trip. Fab trip with varied itinery, good hotels and expert guide.
Most Inspirational Moment
Berat, Gjirokaster and Butrint.
Thoughts on Group Leader
He was passionate and knowledgeable about Albania and shared this with us building a clear picture of Albania's history and importance in Europe. The love for his country really shone through. He has a cracking sense of humour and really made the trip special. A huge asset to Exodus, keeping us all on track, well fed and happy.
Albania trip
Just back from a great Highlights of Albania trip. It’s a really interesting, beautiful country. I will spread the word to others to visit. Very economical and the guide was great. Artur was very knowledgeable and passionate about his country. He showed great care for all of us. The driver Diu was very calm and kept us safe. He was also very helpful with us and joined in with the group.
Most Inspirational Moment
I loved driving through the mountains
Thoughts on Group Leader
Artur was great. We were lucky to have him
Advice for Potential Travellers
Pick this trip
A fascinating trip
We took this trip in September. From the moment we arrived we knew we would have a good time. Our guide Artur made us feel very welcome, with his knowledge and humour. I didn’t know what to expect with Albania, only that it was a beautiful country and it was opening up for tourism. Despite some negative reports of crime etc, we wanted to go before it got to busy.. the history of the county is fascinating. There is so much to see and learn and Artur was a font of knowledge. We became engrossed in the history, the different periods of time with castles and ruins to it up back up, to the present time.
Our driver Diu was brilliant at traversing the very high and winding roads. He was very helpful to us all and great at taking group photographs.
We loved the food and there was a great choice, all freshly cooked. The hotels were very comfortable.
And the views. After each view, we didn’t think they could get better, but the did.
A wonderful place to visit. We loved Albania. I could write more, as there is so much to say about Albania.
Most Inspirational Moment
There were many inspiring moments, from the welcomes we received, views and the fight from communism. And seeing the vision of Albania in the future. Driving though the mountains, seeing these hugh edifices were awesome and inspiring.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Artur, our group leader was very inspiring. He has great knowledge of the history of Albania, some of which affected his own family. He was very safety conscious and made sure we were comfortable. He recommended great places to eat, mainly as a group and arranged little treats for us. I was unwell at one time and he went out of his way to make sure I was comfortable and had everything I needed. I couldn't have asked for more. He was very patient and answered all our questions fully., sending us more information via WhatsApp. He had a great driver in Dion, who worked well with Artur. Artur is a great asset to Exodus. An excellent guide, with a great sense of humour.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take sturdy shoes, as there are many ups and downs, steps and worn, shiny cobble paths. Be prepared for beautiful views.
A fascinating trip
We took this trip in September. From the moment we arrived we knew we would have a good time. Our guide Artur made us feel very welcome, with his knowledge and humour. I didn’t know what to expect with Albania, only that it was a beautiful country and it was opening up for tourism. Despite some negative reports of crime etc, we wanted to go before it got to busy.. the history of the county is fascinating. There is so much to see and learn and Artur was a font of knowledge. We became engrossed in the history, the different periods of time with castles and ruins to it up back up, to the present time.
Our driver Dion was brilliant at traversing the very high and winding roads. He was very helpful to us all and great at taking group photographs.
We loved the food and there was a great choice, all freshly cooked. The hotels were very comfortable.
And the views. After each view, we didn’t think they could get better, but the did.
A wonderful place to visit. We loved Albania. I could write more, as there is so much to say about Albania.
Most Inspirational Moment
There were many inspiring moments, from the welcomes we received, views and the fight from communism. And seeing the vision of Albania in the future. Driving though the mountains, seeing these hugh edifices were awesome and inspiring.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Artur, our group leader was very inspiring. He has great knowledge of the history of Albania, some of which affected his own family. He was very safety conscious and made sure we were comfortable. He recommended great places to eat, mainly as a group and arranged little treats for us. I was unwell at one time and he went out of his way to make sure I was comfortable and had everything I needed. I couldn't have asked for more. He was very patient and answered all our questions fully., sending us more information via WhatsApp. He had a great driver in Dion, who worked well with Artur. Artur is a great asset to Exodus. An excellent guide, with a great sense of humour.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take sturdy shoes, as there are many ups and downs, steps and worn, shiny cobble paths. Be prepared for beautiful views.
Fantastic Highlights Tour of Albania
I encourage anyone who wants to learn more about Albania to take this cultural tour. I hope you are lucky and get Artur as your guide and Diu as your driver. These men are pros. I loved traveling around the country to visit several UNESCO World Heritage sites, small towns, the national forest, and the coast line. Albania is changing so quickly as it commercially develops. You can still experience the old Albania through its traditional costumes, dances, and small towns.
Most Inspirational Moment
Standing at the panoramic viewpoint before the National Park and watching a paraglider sail off into air!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Artur is a true professional. He loves his country and shares all the ways that it has changed since the times of the fascist government and communist regime. I learned so much. He had a wonderful way to draw our group together so we felt like family. I also wanted to mention our excellent driver (Diu) who made us feel so safe in the way he drove the mountaineous roads.
Advice for Potential Travellers
You’ll spend some long days on the bus. You’ll need to get Albanian currency or euros to pay for your meals and drinks in the small towns. They often don’t take credit cards.
Highlights of Albania
Excellent educational historical scenic Albanian journey. Our group leader Ed was extremely knowledgeable and shared stories of living under communism. Our driver Di Di was a joy to be around. Not only was he an excellent driver on the long windy roads but he brought so much fun and joy to our group.
Albania: Europe’s Best-Kept Secret (But Not for Long!)
From ancient ruins to alpine peaks, Albania swept me off my feet with its wild beauty, warm hearts, and unforgettable surprises at every turn.
Most Inspirational Moment
It is rather difficult for me to pinpoint the most inspiring moment of this trip as I was totally blown away everyday. Albania is still a hidden gem in Europe — rich in history, unspoiled landscapes, and warm hospitality. Everyday of this trip provided a different landscape - who knew there was mountains in Albania - I know I didn't.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our group leader Artur - was such a genuine person, he was so open and honest with the Group on how Albania was, is now and looking to the Future , which gave me a deeper understanding of the country, that I know I would not have found had I chosen to go on my own. Everything about him and how he presented epitomized the Albanian hospitality we felt everywhere we went. Artur, conducted a wine tasting in Berat, found the most wonderful places to eat, often off on backroads of towns - which were more authentic. He could work out bills at the end of the evening like a proper accountant and genuinely enhanced the trip. The other part of any group road tour that is exceptionally important is the Driver. On our trip this was Diu. His masterful driving skills gave myself and the group complete peace of mind on every journey, even on the more adventurous routes. More than just getting us from A to B, Diu consistently showed a real concern for our well-being and enjoyment of his country. Always on hand to assist members of the group on and off the bus, offering help and suggestions on local food to try and ensuring everyone felt looked after throughout the trip. He truly made the logistical aspects of the tour seamless and enjoyable and between him and Artur we could not have asked for more.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Packing for variety is key here - exploring cities, hiking in mountains, and relaxing on the coast. Layers, comfy walking shoes and something for the cooler evenings in the mountains. Sunscreen as it gets hot even in June Cash is King - While cards are accepted in bigger towns, many places (especially rural ones) prefer cash. Bring some euros or withdraw lekë locally. Try Everything Once – Albanian cuisine is a delicious blend of Mediterranean and Balkan flavours. Don’t miss Byrek, grilled meats, and fresh seafood! and remember the Albanian Saying Raki is Love! Brush Up on History – Albania’s past is fascinating and complex, and varied with Byzantine, Greek, Roman, Fascist, Communism and Ottoman all mixed in here. A little reading beforehand will make visits to places like Butrint, Berat and Gjirokastër even more meaningful. Stay Connected - or Don't - wi-fi is decent in most hotels, but can signal can be patchy in remote areas. As Albania is not in the EU a lot of data roaming packages will not work as in the EU and you may need to buy a pass
Highlights of Albania
Beautiful country with spectacular scenery, great food and wonderful historical sites.
The country is beautiful and blessed with all type of scenery, lakes, mountains, rivers and beautiful seaside. Food is delicious with influences from Italy and Greece, and it is quite cheap. It also has a very interesting history with a lot of historical sites going back to the Greeks and Romans. All of this was made possible by a great tour leader, Artur Lumani, who made everything possible with his professionalism and care for his clients.
Most Inspirational Moment
The cities of Gyrokastra and Kruje
Thoughts on Group Leader
I cannot praise Artur enough. He has been a great tour leader. Knowledgeable, caring, sociable and with a nice sense of humor. Being very hot during our visit, Artur made always sure to find a cool place where to explain the sites we were visiting. Best tour leader we've ever had with Exodus.
A great fun group tour
Our group was fourteen on an excellent new minibus. None of the days driving were too long in distance and the roads were mainly excellent.
The weather in early June was hot (28/32 degrees). Stunning scenery and very interesting archaeological sights, incredible ancient churches and mosques.
Good food although variable. Hotels were good, some excellent. Albania is a rapidly expanding tourist destination with huge coastal developments – go now.
Most Inspirational Moment
We loved Korce, Permet, Gjirokaster Castle and beautiful Berat and finally Kruje - there were not many places we didn't like! Lunch with a family up in the mountains was relaxed and much appreciated. Towards the end of the holiday it was fantastic to swim in the sea at Porto Palermo
Thoughts on Group Leader
Ed (Edon) was a very enthusiastic and incredibly knowledgeable guy with boundless energy. Briefer info stops would have been appreciated sometimes as he did ramble on occasionally but great historic and current day insights including tales of his growing up. Super rapport with our driver Dui (DiDi) who was super - a brilliant, careful and safe drive but also helpful, kind and funny and he kept an immaculate bus :) What a team.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Two extra night in Tirana at the start is good. Take a cooking class (book through Viator - class with Sindi) and a trip up the mountain cablecar. Prepare for hot weather with sun umbrella and hats. Medieval streets are sometimes steep shiny cobbles so have shoes with good non-slip treads. Possibly a walking pole if unsteady. Get your currency there and be prepared to pay cash mainly. Take Euros which are widely accepted or can be exchanged. Prices are rising and it is no longer a cheap destination. If you are adding an extra day before flying home then stay another nights at the Panorama Hotel -great hotel, rooftop pool and lounging area and right by the Bazaar and restaurants.