Reviews

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.  

Suggestions

The Albanian people are fantastic, the food is great, the scenery is stunning.  Personally, I would have like a lot more harder walking on the trip but I still had a fabulous time in a beautiful country that I knew very little about.  I look forward to reading some of Albania's complicated history and hopefully gaining a better understanding of the people and country.

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. 

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.

Suggestions

I loved it all. It was my second time in Albania, and I'll be heading back again next year. Friendly, beautiful (cheap!), with a fascinating history, it hasit all.

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.

Suggestions

The accommodation exceeded expectations. The Theth guesthouse was very rustic and simple but provided all necessities. Generally, however, we were more than satisfied and pleasantly surprised at the standard of the 3* hotels we used. The ' Mangalemi ' in Berat was particularly characterful. Service everywhere welcoming and either good or excellent.Prices for food and drink quoted by Exodus exceeded those that we encountered by about 30%. The general standard of restaurant food was very good and brilliant value.

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

Suggestions

Albania is a fabulous destination, we only saw a fraction.  It is worth going while it is still relatively undiscovered.  It is great for history buffs, great for landscape and great for the friendly, welcoming people.There are alterations that could be made to the itinerary - the start date and itinerary should be altered  so that the visit to Gjakove is NOT on Sunday when the historic bazaar is closed.  There are opportunities to spend more time in Kosovo and walk there and there is good accommodation near the Pellumbras cave which would make a good overnight base.  Although I personally loved the visit to Apollonia this could be dropped if it was decided to put more emphasis on walking.  I did love the holiday as it was, these comments are offered to improve it and make  even more special.