5 independent reviews for Explore Albania small group tour
Reviews for Explore Albania small group tour
Bernadine Ryan review 24 May 2026
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The whole trip was memorable! Our guide Faton was excellent. The food was varied, plentiful, and good quality.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Albania is not 'undiscovered' as I was led to believe! It has developed extensively over the past 10 to 15 years since its Communist era.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes. Our guide was from the Balkans, totally bilingual, and we also had other local guides in some destinations. We ate in local restaurants every evening.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
We were a small group of four travelers in a minibus so it was perfect! No hassle waiting for stragglers!Danusia Morsley review 24 May 2026
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The guide was superlative - very clear and interesting descriptions of everything, always making things easy and comfortable for us, finding lots of extra things to see, always kind and helpful. I would go on another vacation where he is the guide without hesitation. Apart from that the scenery was stunning, the food and hotels very good, much better than I expected .2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Very much a cash economy so expect to use ATMs to withdraw cash or bring it with you (in pounds or euros - the guide was very helpful in getting it changed at the current official rate without us having to go anywhere)3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
The guide was local and all hotels and restaurants were local. The tour included two home visits which will have provided those families with a little income.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
We found it very interesting, more than we had expected. Albania is developing very rapidly and there were more tourists than we had expected (not many from UK) but we also saw many places which were not touristy.Lydie Gardner review 16 Oct 2025
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The trip to Apollonia.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Be careful where you swim!3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes to an extent. Sadly Albania 's rush to embrace mass tourism is having a detrimental effect. Go now before it gets spoilt.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
A really fascinating and varied vacation with a helpful knowledgeable guide.Anonymous review 21 Oct 2025
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
I really didn’t know anything about Albania but I came away feeling I had learnt a lot about the country, the people, the food and the scenery. Seeing wild tortoises was amazing!2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Be prepared for the driving. There seems to be no rules and you overtake and cut in when traffic is coming towards you. However there never seems to be any road rage. Mountain roads a bit scary. We needed cash in most places rather than cards.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes it provided jobs in tourism. Obviously tourism is very important for this country but seeing all the hotels being built was alarming.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Read the operator's response here:
Thank you so much for your review and for sharing your experience.
You're absolutely right, the local driving can be quite different from what many are used to, and it can feel a bit chaotic. While it may seem like there are no rules, as you noted, it's surprisingly calm with very little road rage! Our drivers are highly experienced and are used to the local conditions and driving. That's why traveling as part of a small group is such a good option for Albania, as a local guide and driver can make the experience much more relaxing.
Gaynor Sinton review 1 Jul 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The mountain scenery. The castles and the Roman remains.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Check the accomodation before you go. We had 3 night stay on the coast and had to endure 3 nights of very loud music which started at 8pm and finished at midnight.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Not particularly.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
We had a few disappointments as regards accommodation and one trip had not been booked for us. We have used Responsible Travel several times in the past but we didn't feel that this trip fitted the criteria.Read the operator's response here:
Thank you for your feedback and we are sorry that this tour did not always meet your expectations. The tour was tailormade and led by a local Albanian guide with visits to local providers. In high season on the Albanian Riviera it is common for hotels to put on entertainment. This was a small hotel in a quiet area, however we understand that the live band playing until midnight was upsetting.
We are sorry you did not think that the tour benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation. All our local staff including your guide are locally based and employed full time, which is only possible with the support of visitors such as yourself. We include visits to local family run restaurants and businesses such as in Fishte and Dukat in addition the visit to Llogara National Park supports the conservation work in that area.
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