6 independent reviews for Albanian Alps walking holiday, tailor made
Reviews for Albanian Alps walking holiday, tailor made
Jane Davies review 25 Jun 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Walking over the pass from Valbone to Theth2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
It was good to have downloaded the routes onto our mobile phones (using Outdoor Active app) as the Garmin we were supplied with would not charge properly. Screen much clearer on mobile phone as well.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes - local guest house owners said how pleased they were that we were visiting and that hiking visitors were helping their local economy.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Very good indeed - a wonderful experience.Kathy Gemmell review 25 Aug 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The incredible landscapes and opportunity get up into the mountains. Beautiful high meadows and superb views over chain after chain of rugged peaks2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
August is too hot! Go earlier or later. We absolutely loved it, and it was brilliantly organised by Zbulo – all transfers were smooth and everyone we dealt with was super helpful – but we did feel the heat.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Benefited the guest houses we stayed with, yes. And they were all great. Not sure about reducing environmental impact or supporting conservation – some of the areas are (understandably) very touristic and seem to have suffered from a seemingly unregulated explosion in development. A huge hotel in Valbona, for example, with a casino on the way and noisy bar on a Saturday night. And a lot of plastic pollution on Lake Komani.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Fantastic, challenging week – not relaxing but hugely enjoyable. We enjoyed the beginning and end in Shkoder too – excellent museums and great places to eat.Ian Gasper review 13 Sep 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The walks up to the mountain passes were hard going but provided wonderful views, experiences and memories. It was very satisfying to reach the top! Similarly the boat trip through the Albanian Fiords provided similar views and memories.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Make sure you have a god level of fitness. Averaging 1,000 m vertically on three consecutive days is a challenge. Also be prepared for some precipitous cliffs. But all worth it for the scenery3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
It provided money for the local population but it is worrying that there is so much potential development which could have a huge impact on already overstretched infrastructure (ie roads and draiage). It was noticeable how busy the mountain paths were and they could suffer from erosion is foot traffic increases much more.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Most enjoyable although one venue failed to provide the accommodation we were expecting. That venue in particular provided us with a room where there was no smoke detector, fire alarm and windows which were barred which would have been our only alternative means of escape (a major fire risk) Generally there was always somebody present to greet us and take us to the next venue and local management was good throughout.Nicky Defries review 20 Sep 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
The first guest house we stayed in was lovely, the staff friendly and responsive. The second guest house the staff were very sullen, and in the second night crammed a whole group of us on one table to eat, while the other table was given to just four guests. It was a really uncomfortable meal for everyone. The third guesthouse the room we were given was below basic. We did not expect a hotel, we understood we were in the countryside. The glass in the room's windows were loosely held in place by metal clips, therefore unsafe. The shower room was the size of a small cupboard the shower was connected in-between the toilet and the basin, and was unhygienic. The toilet seat was split in two, and there were cobwebs in the corner.On the last day we were ready for our transfer from Schkoder to Tirana, the car we were told to wait by was a ford. Two other guests also were told to come to the car. It was clear that this was going to be very squashed. We spoke to the driver saying that this was wrong to expect us to be crammed into a smallish car for trip that could be over 2 hours long, depending on traffic. There was much discussion between the tour guides, and eventually we were told that a taxi had been called and we would travel to Tirana in that. It was said with little grace, as if we had caused the problem, which we hadn't as they must have known well in advance that they had 4 guests plus luggage to take to Tirana. The representatives then got into their vehicles and left, while we waited alone for the taxi, which did come after 20/25 minutes.We did enjoy the holiday but clearly your company just farms clients out to a local travel agent, we have gone on walking holiday with other companies where the people on the ground are individuals who work with the actual company in the UK. This makes the holiday much more personal.As to whether we would travel with you again, we wouldn't say never, but you would not be our first choice.Read the operator's response here:
Thank you for sharing your tour feedback. Firstly, we are happy to hear that you enjoyed your holiday overall, and we hope you returned with some great memories. We are also very grateful for your commentary on specific aspects of the tour that were not found to be satisfactory, to assist us with future refinements.
In addition to the boutique hotels in the major cities, this itinerary follows a storyline. Overall, we try to create a diversified experience and kindle interest in returning for a second trip, where one trades material comfort for more experiential value. It is true that every guesthouse is booked out every night - the Albanian Alps are very popular during this season, and the destination can sometimes, suffer from over-tourism, and their restaurants can be quite crowded.
For sustainability, capacity and economic reasons, we do have guests on shared transfers with synced timetables. The vehicle is a Ford C-Max 6-seater with three full second-row seats. We deem this suitable and use it daily to transfer four travellers, plus luggage over medium and long distances. As the shared transportation was not found to be acceptable by you, our ground team organised a taxi and informed you it would take a little extra time for the extra car to arrive. The original driver left consequently not to keep other guests waiting. We are sorry that the transfer arrangements were not as expected, and for the negative impact this incident caused on your tour experience. We remain hopeful that you choose to travel with us again, and look forward to arranging your next adventure.
Sally Slade review 7 Oct 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The Albanian Alps are truly stunning in their remoteness and grandeur.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Just go!3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
All the stays were in local guesthouses / home stays. Local public transport - buses , taxis , ferries used where available. All meals were included and locally sourced/ made . The guidance was comprehensive re safe water sources so we could top up without plastic.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Outstanding and would highly recommend.Melissa Hanbury review 8 Aug 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Walking the Valbone Pass - it was truly breathtaking and also just the right amount of challenge. Also we ate dinner in Theth at Shapella Hotel and it was delicious!2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Bring two walking sticks to help with the sliding rocks when walking down. Eat at Shapella in Theth even if you’re not staying there! Swim in the rivers along the way rather than waiting for the place that the itinerary recommends - this will mean you’ll be swimming alone rather than with lots of others.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I definitely felt like it benefitted local people. I loved meeting all the Albanian people along the way. They were so friendly and welcoming and helpful. It was a highlight of the trip. They way we travelled was certainly environmentally friendly but I think people need to make 100% sure they take all their rubbish with them back down the mountain - even when they’ve had a coke at the top from a friendly pop up bar in a shepherds hut. We were also totally shocked on our second day’s hike to be almost pushed off the path by 7 rally Bikes which came tearing up the mountain on the tiny single track paths knocking walkers off and destroying the ancient paths. The noise was horrendous and the environmental impact devastating. We showed them our disapproval and they seemed impervious - we gathered from the locals that they are Kosovans and it’s been a real problem recently. I would urge Responsible Travel to support the locals in stopping them. One idea I had was to place logs across the path at 100m intervals. Small enough for hikers and donkeys to step over but frustrating for bikers to move or go round? If something isn’t done then these ancient and fragile paths that have been formed over hundred of years will be destroyed. Not to mention someone will get injured. The only other thing I would say in terms of environmental preservation is there is clearly a massive amount of development happening in Albania and I’m sure this is a sign of their successful tourism BUT they are putting up monstrous building everywhere - huge great multi story hotels etc which I can’t help feeling will end up having a detrimental effect on the peace and yea quality and over all beauty of the place. Not much you an do about that but worth mentioning!4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
I couldn’t rate it more highly. It was the most incredible week and I will never forget it. The Albanian alps are truly spectacular and the people are charming. We can’t wait to explore Kosovo and Montenegro next!Holiday Reviews
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