Albania Tours & Holidays
Small Group Tours & Tailor-Made Holidays
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Overview
Gifted with beautiful mountain scenery and a stunning coastline, the country has an untamed beauty that is now a rarity in Europe. For years a forgotten corner of the Mediterranean, Albania is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered on one of our Albania small group tours.
Albania has only been independent since 1912, the last country to gain independence from the Ottoman Empire. Then followed ...
Gifted with beautiful mountain scenery and a stunning coastline, the country has an untamed beauty that is now a rarity in Europe. For years a forgotten corner of the Mediterranean, Albania is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered on one of our Albania small group tours.
Albania has only been independent since 1912, the last country to gain independence from the Ottoman Empire. Then followed a terrifying governmental rule, leaving the country with a communist regime long after others in Europe had crumbled. Only since 1997 has Albania really started to find some sort of normality and relation with the rest of Europe. This chequered past has left its mark on the country, and the general infrastructure, such as the roads, are a far cry from European standards, although improvements are now being made.
And while the roads may have suffered, the spirit of Albanians seems unaffected, the hospitality, especially in the remote areas, is incredible. Life has changed little in the mountains of the north and the homemade cheese, bread and raki tastes how food should taste. The stunning Albanian Alps dominate the lands bordering Montenegro in the north, whilst down south, the beaches and Christian monasteries are well worth a visit, as are the two UNESCO World Heritage Sites - Gjirokastër and Butrint - which are home to stunning Ottoman architecture and ancient Roman ruins.
With so much to discover, now is a perfect time to take an Albania holiday on one of our group tours, all of which can be made into a private tour for your closest friends and family.
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Group tours
Travel to Albania with like-minded people on one of our small group tours (usually max size 12), featuring knowledgeable local guides and an expert tour leader.
HIGHLIGHTS OF ALBANIA
BEST EXPERIENCES
Explore the UNESCO city of Gjirokastër
Wander around the historic town of Gjirokastër, a beautifully-preserved example of an Ottoman town, dramatically situated between the Gjerë Mountains and the Drino River. Gjirokastër is still dominated by its Ottoman citadel, believed to be the second largest in the Balkans.
Enjoy home-cooked food in remote villages
Sample the freshest home-cooked flavours as you stay in locally-run guesthouses in the remote mountain valleys of northern Albania. Make sure to try the nationally-famous byrek, a pie made with filo pastry and differing fillings.
Learn about Shkodër's history
Discover one of Europe’s oldest and most historic cities. Located close to the border with Montenegro, Shkodër stands as a gateway to Albania’s stunning northern landscapes, and home to the ancient Rozafa Fortress, historically was an important trading post for centuries.
Step into the wild in the Accursed Mountains
Home to isolated mountain villages and remote forest trails, the Albanian Alps offer some of the most stunning scenery in Europe. Enjoy picnic lunches complimented by dramatic views, and soak up the local hospitality of the farming families you stay with in this very special unexplored northern region.
Discover the archaeological site of Butrint
Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Butrint National Park, an ancient archaeological site that lies on the shores of the Mediterranean, considered a site of major historical significance and one of the most important archaeological finds in the country, with artefacts and monuments being unearthed that date back as far as the Bronze Age.
Walk along pristine coastal trails
Make your way along the southern coast on foot and soak up magnificent mountain vistas on one side and breath-taking panoramic views of the Adriatic and Ionian Seas on the other.Discover more
WHEN TO GO
Albania has a variety of climatic conditions, being situated in the transition zone between the typical Mediterranean climate in the west and the moderate continental in the east. The average annual temperature is 15°C (59°F). Rainy winters and dry, hot summers are typical of the coastal plain. Summer rainfall is more frequent and winters colder in the mountainous interior.
USEFUL INFORMATION
Health and Vaccinations
There are no mandatory immunisations for travellers to Albania though you should be up to date with Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and Hepatitis A. Please note we are not medical professionals and so we highly recommend you seek advice from your local GP or travel centre as to the correct immunisations and preventative treatments.
Currency
In Albania the official unit of currency is the Lek.
To check out the latest exchange rate for the places that you are visiting you can go to www.oanda.com
Cultural Sensitivity
On our tours you will frequently interact with local people, each with their own distinct customs and traditions. We therefore ask you to be considerate and to treat them with respect. Your tour-leaders and guides will always be able to advise you accordingly.
In the churches and cathedrals women should cover their heads with a scarf or hat, while men should take their hats off.
Language & Religion
In Albania, the major language is Albanian which is spoken by approximately 98% of the population. There are two main spoken dialects, southern Tosk and northern Gheg.
The majority of Albanians are Muslims (approx. 55-60% - mainly Sunni with a smaller Shia, Sufi and Bektashi component), and a minority are Christians, both Catholic and Orthodox.
Time
Albania is 1 hour ahead of GMT.
A useful website to check the time zone differences is www.worldtimezone.com.
Food and drink
Food in Albania draws influence from Italy, Turkey and its Slavic neighbours, with lots of stews and smoked meats. Salads are in plentiful supply, with fish dishes popular near the coast.
Albania is noted for some good quality wines, and also its tipple of choice – a spirit called Raki.
Travelling Solo In Albania
All of our small group tours are designed to cater for solo travellers: the number of solo travellers will vary from tour to tour, but usually over half will be travelling alone. Get all of the excitement of discovering new places combined with the security of travelling with an organised group, with like minded people.