9 independent reviews for Albania small group vacation
Reviews for Albania small group vacation
Ruth Abraham review 25 May 2026
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The ferry to valbona.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Not to use British Airways. We didn't have our luggage the whole vacation. No communication with us. Very stressful.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Benefited local people.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Completely different idea about Albania. All positive.Kristina Mänd review 5 Jul 2025
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
From the positive side, the most memorable part of my vacation was discovering Albania’s diverse landscapes, cultural heritage, wines and food. It was exciting to visit places like Berat, Gjirokastra, Ardenica Monastery, Apollonia, and Butrint, and to see how the country is developing. Driving along the wild part of the coastline. Walking in Llogara National Park and experiencing the traditional cuisine and wineries also stood out. What stood out negatively was the poor organisation by the agency and unclear communication before and during the trip, which caused confusion and wasted time. The guide’s dismissive and sometimes rude attitude, including inappropriate political jokes and lack of support for a group member with a disability, was particularly disappointing. Overall, these issues overshadowed what could have been a great experience.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
(1) Clarify all payments in advance, including the currency and exchange rates rules, to avoid surprises. (2) Confirm the itinerary details (especially activities on Day 1 and Day 9) and hotel arrangements ahead of time, since there may be changes or no activities on those days. (3) Double-check the meeting time and place for the opening meeting of the tour, as pre-trip communication can be unclear. (4) Be prepared for long driving days, and ask for realistic estimates of travel times, since they may be longer than described. (5) Set expectations with the guide, and ask the agency about the previous feedback.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
There was limited evidence that the vacation directly supported local communities or conservation efforts beyond using local hotels and restaurants. There was also no clear information provided about how the trip aimed to reduce environmental impacts or contribute to conservation.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
I would rate the vacation as below expectations, though I appreciated the chance to see Albania’s beautiful landscapes and cultural sites.Read the operator's response here:
Thank you for sharing your detailed feedback. We are very pleased that you enjoyed Albania’s landscapes, historic sites, and cuisine, but we are truly sorry that organisational issues and your experience with the guide detracted from the trip. Your comments about communication, driving times, and itinerary design have been noted and are being addressed with our local partners. We are also reviewing guide training to ensure greater professionalism and inclusivity in future. We greatly value your reflections and will use them to improve both this itinerary and our wider operations. While we regret that this vacation did not fully meet your expectations, we hope you will consider traveling with us again so that we may restore your confidence in our tours.
Julie Forshaw review 25 May 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Visiting many of the old fortresses and towns across the country.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Be flexible as the itinerary can allow for changes or shorter/longer in some places.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We had a local guide and used small hotels.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Very enjoyable and a great introduction to Albania.Susan Henson review 14 May 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Beautiful mountain scenery en route to Permet and beyond architectural remains at Butrint.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Until the traffic situation is sorted out it is not worth driving North from Tirana. Be blowed to the itinerary's total driving time of 3 hours: our visit to Shkoder and Kruje took 8 plus hours sitting in the car among heavy traffic..3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
No.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Fascinating and often beautiful. The hotels, particularly Permet, were very basic, but the people serving them were charming. Our second driver, from 4-10 May, Dritan Begolli, was a wonderful guide: excellent driver, knowledgeable and helpful. We would all three of us give him 10/10. The whole vacation about 8/10. Bit too much time in the car.Billie Goldstein review 28 May 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The scenery. Also, the guide and the driver were both excellent.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Prepare for lots of walking, including up and down many steps. One doesn't need rain gear in Albania in the summer.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
It helped local people, insofar as we spent money there. We did nothing in particular aid of environment/conservation. I personally tried to refill my own water bottle, rather than buying bottled water, but it wasn't always possible. There was almost no opportunity for recycling.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Wonderful!Chris Sledge review 27 Sep 2021
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Visits to Berat, Butrint and Gjirokastra2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Quality of hotels and food much higher than expected.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I hope so - but Albania is full of people driving fast cars and they don't appear to have any railways4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Very highSarah Wenden review 21 Jul 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Tusheti National Park2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
This is an adventure, not a restful vacation.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, the Georgians are trying to preserve their unique heritage and need the tourist ££s to assist.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
ExcellentRead the operator's response here:
Thank you for the review.
Brian Hague review 25 Apr 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Stumbling on a Sunday Farmers Market in a field near Korca. As far removed from the equivalent in my home city as one could imagine. The Albanian one was in a field with local farmers selling livestock to one another (goats and piglets being loaded into the boots of Mercedes) when not sat around at pop-up bars drinking beer. A glimpse of traditional Albania with a modern twist2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes to the first, not obviously to the last two. Albania has a real litter problem, roadside verges can be even more littered than the UK4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Read the operator's response here:
Thank you for your feedback. We are delighted that you enjoyed your vacation in Albania.
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