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Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers  

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It’s the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you’re interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers.

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Reviews

Walking in Albania

An excellent mixture of walking and sightseeing in a country I knew very little about. Theth / Valbona have spectacular Alpine scenery, very green in June but with snow still on the peaks. The people were really friendly, the food was superb (salads, grilled vegetables, aubergines, lamb, and one of the best steaks I’ve ever had – in Kosovo – the Pinot noir there was a bargain too), prices cheap….go before more people discover it !

Most Inspirational Moment

The walking in the north of the country is the highlight and I think Exodus should incorporate an extra night there, miss out Llogara national park which does not really justify the long drive that far south. I enjoyed the sights in Berat, Apollonia and Ardenica but that's enough driving time without going further down to Llogara / Vlore.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dori was indefatigably enthusiastic, knowledgeable and great company, he seemed to know everyone everywhere we went ! Our driver Timo was really helpful too and often came with us into places and on walks

Advice for Potential Travellers

As others have commented, there are some long drives but don't go to Albania without seeing the north. Take euros, they are accepted in many places as well as lek. Forget any preconceptions about the country, it is a very safe country to travel to. Raingear useful, we had storms at some point most days. And read up a bit on the history before you go.

WALKING IN ALBANIA

The holiday is a mixture of walking and cultural sightseeing rather than a purely walking holiday. Albania is a wonderful country, with incredible mountains and superb History. Its tourist industry is only just beginning, meaning that some features (e.g. hotels) were less well developed than in other countries, but there was nothing which caused problems compared with the huge advantage of having people who were proud of their country and who were so keen to make tourists feel welcome. 

Most Inspirational Moment

This has to be the two days' glorious walking in the mountains of the North. The mountains are huge, high, dramatic and virtually free of signs of human habitation for hours on end. We saw a wide range of plants and bird life, but the main excitement was just being up there. The other highlights for me were a marvellous evening being entertained by traditional musicians and dancers after the second long mountain walk - I haven't laughed as much in months - and visiting Berat, a beautiful walled town which is just like walking back in time. It reminded me of Carcassonne but without the tourists - and with significantly more free raki from the most welcoming restaurant owner in Albania. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dorien is extremely knowledgeable about Albanian life and History, and is able to tell a story in such a way as to make it sound interesting to anyone. He is willing to talk about almost anything as well as remaining calm and cheerful all week. He was willing to listen to people's requests to alter little things, and is keen to take suggestions to keep improving the holiday.

Advice for Potential Travellers

To get the most out of this holiday, you need to be a keen walker and interested in History, as well as not mind fairly significant bus rides. Most of our group had a walking pole and found it useful. Expect on the best walking days to be climbing continually for several hours as well as doing the same on the descent, over rocky ground. On a different note, we found that we only needed about £80 spending money as so much is included and everything is so relatively cheap. Oh yes, and take a raincoat into the mountains even if the weather is glorious, as it can become an electric thunderstorm in minutes.

WALKING IN ALBANIA

I would give 5 stars to the first part of the trip – Thethi and Valbona National Parks, the walks, and the guest houses we stayed in were all fantastic and just what I was hoping for in my holiday. But the rest of the trip was a very slow paced cultural/culinary tour with no walking. Perhaps it would have been a shame if I visited a country with such a depth of history and just walked in the hills, but I think others booking should know what to expect from this 'Walking in Albania' trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Thethi and Valbona National Parks

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader and driver were both great - full of motivation and enthusiasm for their country and showing it to others. Very inspiring people.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just be aware of what you are booking. Albania is a very interesting country, and if you want to mix a few days walking with the rest relaxing, long lunches, dropping into museums/castles along the way, then this could still be a good choice.

Review Centre
Reply from Exodus

Based on feedback from 2013 departures of this tour, we tweaked and fine-tuned the itinerary and overhauled the trip notes for 2014. We feel that the new 2014 itinerary gives a better balance of walking and cultural insights into this fascinating country.

WALKING IN ALBANIA

This is a new trip which still needs some work to get the balance right.  It either needs a downgrading of the difficulty level or changes to the itinerary.

Most Inspirational Moment

The walking from Thethi and in the Valbona Valley were fabulous days and definitely at a moderate level.  The scenery in both areas is simply stunning.  Watching a huge weather system move down the Valbona Valley, complete with thunder and lightning, was amazing.  Made me feel very small yet exhilerated!  Just beautiful - at least it was until the skies opened above us!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dorien (hope the spelling is right!) is a lovely guy who is very knowledgeable about his country.  He was able to provide interesting information on almost anything we could ask him.  He obviously loves his country and took pride in showing us the best of it.

Advice for Potential Travellers

As the trip stands at the moment it is not a moderate walking trip.  There are two moderate walks at the beginning of the week and 4 very easy walks later in the week.  Personally I would place a leisurely/moderate rating on the trip as along with the easy walks there is a lot of travelling in the bus and sightseeing involved.  If you are looking for a physical holiday you need to be aware that this trip will not tire you out each day (unless it is tiredness from the over-eating you will do!). There are some very long bus journeys which are sometimes not very comfortable but the views at the end will make it worth while.  

Walking in Albania - and sightseeing

A few beautiful walks and then some sightseeing. Great country, lovely food, better hotels than I expected.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking in Thethi & Valbona was great.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Julian was experienced, reasurring & knowledgable. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

The first two days are the walking, then the trip is mainly sightseeing. The walks are moderately challenging - mainly for the scree that you walk down. Worth it though. No special kit needed.There are some longish drives that are neccessary to see so much. Lovely to swim in the sea down in Vlore.The food was vast, amazing, filling and local. Lots of dairy and meat. Do try the local / house wine - it was remarkably good everywhere. Really. 

WALKING IN ALBANIA

A great introduction to the northern parts of this fascianting country!

Most Inspirational Moment

Standing on top of Valbona pass, looking in the one direction down into Theth valley, and in the other Valbona valley. Remote, windswept, with huge white mountians all around. Awe inspiring stuff.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dorien was great, very frienly and knowedgable about his country.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Brings some sweets and snacks with you into the mountains! Once you start trekking, there are no shops for 3 or 4 days, so a bit of chocolate wouldn't go amiss.

WALKING IN ALBANIA

Like the other nine people in my Exodus group I had only a vague preconceived image of what to expect in Albania ; possibly a rather drab, depressed society still struggling to free itself from the recent shackles of communism but with the compensatory prospect of some decent walking in a remote and little-known corner of Europe.The reality was almost overwhelming : the scenery (whether mountain or coastal) was stunning, towns and cities were bright and lively, clean, and seemingly safe; the depth of history and heritage was fascinating; and the locals were exceptionally friendly and welcoming wherever we went. 

Most Inspirational Moment

The itinerary was so full it is impossible to single out just one highlight. They must range from the spectacular mountainous landscapes around Theth and Valbona National Park to the sheer scale and drama of Berat Castle or the humbling surroundings of Ardenica Monastery.However, perhaps the abiding memory is one of the pervading optimism that seems to exist, despite the relatively short time since the demise of the repressive communist regime. The towns are vibrant, colourful and lively places. People everywhere were polite, helpful and genuinely warm and friendly.The same was true of neighbouring Kosovo. The contrast between a village cemetary, where the majority of headstones depicted deaths on the same day as a result of a massacre during the 1990's conflict, and the flourishing cafe culture and general sense of wellbeing in Prizren was truly inspirational.Both countries have made remarkable progress since their recent troubles.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Dorien was exceptional. Intelligent (a qualified psychologist) with excellent English and a remarkable local and historical knowledge (with his father he is co-owner of the tourist company handling the trip on behalf of Exodus).The group developed a real rapport with him and greatly appreciated his efforts on our behalf. He was considering modifying some of the walking as his previous group had found it too difficult. However, we convinced him that we were capable and he even substituted a stiff 5 hour route for the easy leg-stretcher on day 2.While being in the forefront of current tourist development in Albania, he is also very much in favour of a responsible, sustainable approach to this and promoting local involvement as far as possible. He was keen to take on board any comments, suggestions or criticisms in this respect.

Advice for Potential Travellers

While this trip is a mixture of walking and sightseeing, some of the terrain in the north of the country over the first few days is quite demanding and hardly ' moderate ' (compared, for example, to the Transyvania or Rodopi walking). A good degree of fitness is essential and poles indispensible for some of the steep rocky trails.Having said that, the toughest days come early on and the second half of the week is rather more relaxing. Exodus trip photos don't really do justice to the scenery so find some other websites to get a better idea of what is on offer.If you are fit and are considering this Albania trip then go ! I guarantee that it will exceed all your expectations. But hurry - things are developing rapidly and it won't remain a hidden gem for much longer.Catch it while its traditions and naive beauty remain largely intact.

WALKING IN ALBANIA

A fabulous holiday – superb landscape, wonderful ancient history, inspiring modern history, extremely hospitable people, we were treated like guests not tourists and the walking was good too!

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking - completing the first days walk, much tougher than I had expected.  On the second day I hitched a lift on the luggage mule and although it was unorthodox I amazed myself by not falling off.  On all walks there were amazing views of unspoilt landscapeFood for thought - the lonely cemetery in a Kosovan field, 400 graves , all male, all killed on the same day.  A sombre thought provoking moment in a week of fun and laughter.History - the Apollonia site with explanation by the archaeologist in charge - erudite and easy to listen to.Folklore - seeing real people performing with pride just for Exodus, an initiative to increase the local prosperity and pride.Discovery - being a pioneer, not only of this trip but in terms of visiting a country still largely unknown to the EnglishResult - coming home to find 2 inches off my waist and 6lbs gone despite the generous meals!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was Dorien.  He was superb - full of knowledge about the history of his country and its present position.  His own experiences of growing up under communism and adapting to the present made the history real.  As this was the first Walking in Albania trip there were a few wrinkles, including the difficulty of one of the walks and the unfortunate sickness of one of our drivers but Dorien coped admirably with all difficulties.  He was unfailingly cheerful and has a vast expertise in getting things done in Albania.  Dorien and other members of his company worked tirelessly to ensure the holiday was the success that it was.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Personally I found the walking difficult - more difficult than Trins for example.  The paths are consistently steep and rocky and poles are essential.  In the mountain accommodation a torch is useful as electricity might fail.  The road travel is slow because of the state of minor roads, but this gives ample time to admire the scenery or listen to the group leader.Fresh spring water is available everywhere and the food is good - very substantial in the mountains based on meat and dairy and lighter in the centre and south.  In Berat try the local Chardonnay - wonderful