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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100 Reviews
4.7 out of
5
Reviews
Vaughan Sheward
Reviewed June 2023
Stunning views, lovely group and difficult climbs
Absolutely loved this trip. I am more of a runner so I found the mountain climbs quite hard at times, but once at the top, I had the most fun cycling down towards the ocean. Had no idea that Albania was this beautiful!!
Most Inspirational Moment
The entire group making it to the top of the most difficult climb on the last day of cycling, then celebrating with an incredible group lunch at the mountain restaurant.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Very passionate about Albania and it's history. Very proud of his country and very good at his job. The group was quite mixed, which he managed well.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Make sure you have a good fitness/experience level with mountain climbs. Otherwise, you may just decide to use an E-bike.
Claire L
Reviewed June 2023
The best holiday…
The best holiday, in the best country with the best group and the best guide. Arjan and Bato are the best team. So much kindness, patience and generosity. The cycling was quite challenging at times but the support was excellent. Albania is a beautiful country and cycling through the countryside and along the coast is a great way to see it at its best. Arjan is very knowledgeable and shared with us his passion for his country. The food was often delicious, with fabulous salads and fish but at its best when Arjan ordered sharing plates for the group. I would return in a heartbeat to enjoy the generous hospitality of warm and friendly Albanians.
chris mackie
Reviewed May 2023
Pack light!
my first cycling holiday and i loved it. so simple – get up, eat breakfast, hand over your room key and suitcase, cycle until you get handed a coffee and then lunch, then cycle until you are handed a room key and your luggage. eat dinner, drink wine, sleep and repeat. albania has some stunning scenery and the route was a good mix of challenging and easier.
Most Inspirational Moment
the climb on the last day - the sections before the main climb are brutal, but once you are at the top it is all worth it. proper type 2 fun.
Advice for Potential Travellers
pack light as you will have to repack every morning, so the less you have the easier it is. Plus, you won't have to lift a heavy suitcase to the van!
Alistair Miller
Reviewed May 2023
Cycling in Albania April 2023
Being honest, I knew very little about Albania, I only selected the trip to spend a week cycling after finishing work and entering a “between jobs” phase and this trip seemed very good value for money. However, this trip exceeded my expectations on every aspect. I have come away with information about the Albanian people and some of their countries difficult history, respect for the Albanian hills, magical memories of the stunning scenery, a happy stomach after a week of Albanian food and drink (including the local Raki spirit!) and stronger legs 🙂 This was my second Exodus trip and I’m not sure if I have simply been lucky but the group dynamics on both trips have been wonderful with everyone getting along just great. I definitely recommend this trip to others.
Most Inspirational Moment
We were quite lucky with the weather. It was very good most days made the most of the stunning scenery. Snow capped mountains, gorges, rivers, towns and cities always look better in the sun and Albaina was no exception. A visual treat for the eyes. Food and accommodation was brilliant. Some accommodation a bit basic but I didn't mind that at all. I liked that fact that we cycled from the hotel door to the next hotel door on all but one day. Seeing the Unesco world heritage site of Gjirokaster was a particular highlight.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Erlis and Tanni were both brilliant. Everything was explained and no queries went unanswered with a full and comprehensive response. Erlis' breadth of knowledge of Albania was impressive. I could cycle up beside him and ask a question and we'd discuss for a few minutes - fantastic. His arrangement of the hotels, food and coffee stops was spot on. I felt really spoilt for the week. All I had to do was get on and cycle and I really did feel safe throughout out the whole trip!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Go ahead and book it. If you like cycling and seeing places you will not be disappointed. I got hold of a local SIM card at Tirana airport for about £15 (lasted for three weeks) which worked well for staying in touch and backing up photos to the cloud. Be prepared for hills - both up and down. The ascents on day 6 were pretty tough going but had been well advertised in advance. Some of the Albanian roads were a bit rough. Lots of very large Albanian shepherd/guard /stray dogs throughout but no untoward encounters.
Jacqui Cottom
Reviewed June 2022
Very enjoyable
This trip did not disappoint! I had wanted to visit Albania for some time and seeing it on two wheels was the obvious way to enjoy the scenery and surroundings. The people were friendly, the scenery varied and stunning from the mountains to the coast and the added visits to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Butrint and the National Parks added to the enjoyment. The accommodation was lovely and better than we had had on previous Exodus trips and ranged from hotels on the sea front to rustic homestays. Our guide Arjan was helpful and informative and picked some great places where we could eat luch and dinner with confidence.
We found the cycling quite challenging in parts, especially day 2 when we were just warming up and then day 7 which was a killer but to be honest there wasn’t really an easy day. However, the ups mean that you also get the downs which were hugely enjoyable and worth the climb! We were all encouraged to both the big climbs on the last day. The first one was great once you managed to get out of the town, which was demanding, but then transformed into steep undulations and pretty villages with great views and an excellent long downhill. But the second climb between coffee and lunch up the switchback was quite frankly brutal, especially after the first climb of the day! It was very hot, offered no shade and little in the way of things to see on the way, although the view towards the coast was stunning. I confess to riding some of the way in the bus on that climb and I still got to enjoy the views!! The challenge was rewarding!
However, whatever your cycling ability, it is very doable as a few opted for E-bikes which seemed very sensible on reflection, the better cyclists enjoyed the challenge of completing all the climbs and there is always back up from the bus if you feel tired.
Most Inspirational Moment
Cycling along the quiet roads and watching the nomadic farmers lead their flocks of sheep, goats and cows across the terrain whilst enjoying the snow capped mountains on each side. Also enjoyed the visit in Gjirokastra to the 18th century Ottoman house followed by dinner in the restaurant at the top of the city with the self closing roof and stunning views!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Arjan was very helpful and kept us all safe by talking us through each step of the journey ahead of the ride and by leading us safely together along the busier roads as we approached our hotels. He organised everything and told us about the history of the country.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Know your own ability, opt for e-bikes if you are unsure, don't be afraid to get a ride in the bus if needed and try to get in some practice rides ahead of the trip. Go before it changes too much as it still feels rustic.
Chris Churm
Reviewed June 2022
Albania is a beautiful place
Just returned from my first Exodus trip and I thoroughly enjoyed it. We were a small group of 7, plus Arjan as guide and Rimi our driver, who were both very helpful and good fun. All Arjan’s eatery recommendations were great and the food overall was excellent. You also get a lot for your money in Albania – I spent less than £200 in total the whole week. I enjoyed the variety of natural scenery on the tour.. mountains, lakes, rivers, coast.. as well as the beautiful city of Gijrokastra. I’m a reasonably fit 55 year old, cycle a couple of times per week and the level of cycling was just about right for me – a real challenge on some of the days, especially the last day, plus it was very hot!! – but the group was well supported with water and you can always take a break or even jump in the minibus if you’re flagging feeling below par. Albania is a beautiful country with incredibly friendly and humble people. I would definitely recommend this trip.
Most Inspirational Moment
Completing the final day. The morning climbs are tough, but we all made it!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Arjan is a great guy. Funny, calm, informative, helpful, great on the bike and he had everything in hand at every point. His food recommendations were all spot on.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Pick a bit of local currency up in the airport on arrival.
Helen Wardle
Reviewed May 2022
Getting a flavour of Albania
We travelled to Albania at the end of April 2022 and had a brilliant experience. Three days in the mountains followed by three days by the coast. Scenery was stunning so we ran out of superlatives to describe it. We were met by our local tour leader – Erlis- at the airport who competently organised everything. Food on the trip was very good. Mediterranean in style, lots of vegetables, fresh fish and many plates of chips. We were very well fed. Cycling was challenging particularly on the first and last days with some long ascents however the bikes supplied were pretty good and gearing coped well. All the effort was definitely worth it.
We have travelled to a few remote places around the world but Albania was completely different and well worth going to. Erlis gave us a good briefing on some of the recent history of the country opening our eyes to this part of the world.
Definitely a place to visit.
Most Inspirational Moment
Starting to get an understanding of this little known country.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent. Organised everything.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Go
Eleanor Mole
Reviewed October 2019
Cycling in Albania
This was a really great cycling holiday. The moutain scenery was amazing and hardly anyone around except the odd cattle and motorist here and there. Food and accommodation were all excellent and guides were very professional, friendly and helpful. Great bikes with front suspension. Road a little bit bumpy in places but on the whole fine for cycling. Great tour leader, trainee tour leader and driver.
Most Inspirational Moment
Cycling upto the trout farm. A long steep climb but all in the shade and amazing smell of the pine cones. The exhilarating downhills on the bike. We had a great group and we all got on really well. Scenery every day was amazing and very tranquil. Thermal spring visit was great - water was lovely and warm. The coffee on some of our stops was amazing. Lovely food including fish, grilled vegetables, greek yoghurt, sea food risotto, seafood linguine and chips. Wine very nice in some places and very cheap too.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Brillant - organised everything and gave us maps, told us what was coming up next on each cycling day. Took care of all the coffee stops and restaurant ordering and everything else. Really friendly and gave us history lesson. Our leader Erlis was really well supported by Ouni (trainee leader) and Tani (driver) so we were really lucky. They also both did a great job.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Have a bit of fitness behind you as the climbs are steep and long in places. Take some aqua shoes as beaches and theral spring have a fair amout of pebbles. Take care on the downhills as they are very steep and windy in places.
Filippo Salmina
Reviewed September 2019
Nice but not perfect
I did enjoy the cycling in those desolated monutain regions, with practically no traffic in company of our joung enthusiastic guides, as well as the way along the coast, with lot of ondulation. The hotels at the coast were nice, although concerning the meals there was room for improvement. It would have been nice to dine a couple of time in a restaurant instead of staying always at the hotel.
Most Inspirational Moment
I did enjoy the cycling in those desolated monutain regions, with practically no traffic in company of our joung enthusiastic guides.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Very helpful enthusiastic young guides.
Nigel Metcalfe
Reviewed September 2019
Just book it
This tour of Albania was incredible from the contrast in scenery between mountains and coast and our expert organisation from our guides, Erlis and Oni.
Most Inspirational Moment
On day 7 the ride towards Vlorë and the spectacular climb over the breathtaking Llogara Pass.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Erlis and Oni were both amazing. Great personalities, well organised, courteous and always smiling. Their history knowledge of Albania during its troubled times was also top notch.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Don’t hesitate just book the trip. Albania is such a beautiful country, away from over commercialisation. Great friendly people, lovely, healthy and wholesome food (all locally sourced). Don’t be off put by the climbs in the mountains as the bikes have a high gear ratio and there is always the minibus as an alternative option. The age group of our trip varied between 35 to 71 years. You must book this trip before the big tour companies get into Albania
