Bike Tour Reviews UNESCO Sites Of Albania (page 2)
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★★★★★ Terry Aittama 9 months agoTrip of a lifetime!
The UNESCO bike trip is definitely ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for organization, bike route, accommodations, food, guide, and van driver/support. Albania is a beautiful country, still relatively untouched by tourism. Our guide Mateo and van driver Roxjens are the best. Mateo is very organized, communicates clearly about the day’s agenda, and has a good sense of humor. We had a luggage delay and Mateo went above and beyond to get our suitcases to us in the most timely manner possible. Roxjens is helpful, ambitious and always had a smile on his face. He changed my flat tire and had me back on the road in record time! The food is delicious and plentiful. There is a fun variety of accommodations, all very comfortable. Highly recommend this bike tour!
- What was the date of your tour?
- October 2024
- How many tours have you completed?
- My first!
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ shelley spivack 9 months ago
An Amazing Adventure
All I can say is WOW!
But actually I will say a bit more.The scenery, the food, the people, the guides and of course the climbs- all made for an amazing 8 day journey in Albania.
Our guide Arjan was simply the best! He quickly got to know all 19 riders and made sure that we were comfortable with our bikes, rooms, etc His encouragement kept me going on those long and arduous climbs. Our driver and bike mechanic was a whizz on the road and with bike tools.
I loved the variety of places in which we stayed- from farmstays to luxury seaside hotels.
And the food- this is one of the only bike tours I have been on where every meal was provided. And it wasn't just peanut butter sandwiches. We were treated to a wide array of Albanian dishes - including lots of veggies, cheeses and freshly caught fish.
I am 70 and chose a road bike. While it was incredibly difficult at times, I am glad I stuck with my own pedal power. However, e-bikes are a fantastic option and unless you are a proficient climber, I would highly recommend an e-bike.
We had an incredible group of riders from around the world- from Australia to the US with numerous European countries in between.
The value of this tour was amazing. I give the tour company a lot of credit for providing a fantastic tour at a reasonable price.
The only recommendation I would have is to either limit the group to a smaller number or add an additional guide or helper.
Thanks for am amazing adventure!- What was the date of your tour?
- September -October 2024
- How many tours have you completed?
- at least 20
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat harder
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ wendy poppen 9 months ago
Seeing Albania On two wheels
This was a most amazing tour… Filled with so many different areas and fantastic food! Both of our guides (Driver and rider) were very knowledgeable and fun.
The only comment I would make is for a group of 19 I feel there should've been two people on bikes, one in front one and back and also one driver.
Other than that, I would suggest this trip to anyone wanting to see the authentic Albania.
Wendy -
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★★★★★ Natalie Cleary 10 months ago
Well organised tour
A great way to visit the country of Albania. Unless you're a very strong cyclist, e-bikes are a necessity. Huge mountains and idyllic coastline with monuments inbetween. Very well organised and only one of the hotels was sub-standard. Twenty riders made this a perfect group size.
- What was the date of your tour?
- September 2024
- How many tours have you completed?
- Six
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Patricia Hill 10 months ago
passed all my expectations.
We had a group of 20 and we were all likeminded people who loved cycling. The E-bike we had was nearly brand new and were amazing and made the hilly cycling trip so much more enjoyable. The guide we had had was very experienced and helpful. I was sick for a few hours one day and I couldn't cycle and the leader organised for the support vehicle to pick me up and take me to the hotel.
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★★★★★ Paul Banken July 17, 2024
Awesome trip
I rarely post reviews but wanted to share my experience with a recent cycling tour; the 10 day UNESCO tour of Albania. The tour was led by Armand and Mario. It was a fantastic experience. The tour was well organized, really well run, fun, the country beautiful, the local people friendly, the food incredible and quite varied. Our group of 19 were from many countries but really bonded well. The last days ride was unnerving for some due to strong winds and large vehicles; but the sag van was usually close behind if someone wanted to take a break. Not everything went perfectly, but Armand’s upbeat, energetic, and positive attitude in quickly handling the issues made things go quite smoothly. All in all; one of the very best, most enjoyable tours I have taken out of the 20+ to date.
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★★★★★ Vicki Jones 9 months ago
Awesome trip!
Perfect way to experience Albania! The itinerary was a good mix of city and countryside. The scenery was beautiful and the people were super nice. The length of time on the bikes each day was perfect- starting out slow and ending with a bang. We were glad that we got e-bikes. We got a little exercise but able to enjoy every minute. The food was great- always fresh and local. Our guide Mateo was very attentive, informative and helpful. His fluent English made things easy. Roxhens, the van driver
was always attentive, making sure we had plenty of water and charged batteries. This was our first guided bike trip and we highly recommend to anyone wanting to experience Albania!- What was the date of your tour?
- October 2024
- How many tours have you completed?
- 6
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat easier
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ john turco 9 months ago
beyond expectations
our guide Mateo and his assistant Rojxan were amazing. Tour was like a fine tuned watch.
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★★★★★ Siobhan Knox 9 months ago
Best Guided Tour Ever!
UNESCO Sites of Albania was the best guided tour I have ever done. Not only did the food and scenery exceed their reputations, the accommodations and bikes were excellent. More importantly, our guide and driver/mechanic were extremely efficient, knowledgeable, helpful, and cheerful—they left us wanting for nothing! I highly recommend it.
- What was the date of your tour?
- October 2024
- How many tours have you completed?
- 13
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Susan Cleary May 10, 2024
Amazing!
My friend and I did the UNESCO Albania tour (self guided)and it exceeded all our expectations.
The routes were breathtaking. Riding through the mountains, even in the rain,
I felt like we were in a virtual reality ride.Our tour guide, Aldo was fantastic.
Every morning he checked our bikes and made sure we had everything we needed. He would also be seen in the hotels mornings and evenings helping serve meals and drinks.The sag driver, Fitim, was wonderful too.
He would wash bikes after rainy days, make sure we had water and occasionally give a whistle if we happened to take a wrong turn and he was in the vicinity.The hotels were great with one exception, however, the others certainly made up for it especially the first and last night.
Thank you for such a wonderful experience!
Thank you Aldo and Fitim!- What was the date of your tour?
- April 19
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Lori Doering 9 months ago
Incredible experience!
Loved exploring Albania on bike! Our guide, Matao, was amazing! He went above and beyond day after day. The Albanian countryside, cities, people and food far exceeded any and all expe.
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★★★★★ Raystrach 7 months ago
Superb Bike Touring
This bike tour was a great introduction to Albania and it highlighted the rugged beauty of the country and the warmth and friendliness of the people. The tour had a great balance of challenging terrain and beautiful rolling countryside. If you are not so keen on the challenge, e-bikes are available, so there is no excuse not to take this tour.
Some people questioned why we would go to Albania, fearing we might not be safe, but that was never an issue during the entire tour. We never felt anything but warmth and hospitality from the locals who would often wave and offer support as they drove by in their cars. That was a first.
We selected the guided tour(we normally go self guided) as it included all meals and we are glad we did. The food was great almost without exception and our guide Arjan ensured we got plenty of variety over the duration of the tour. He also managed the group brilliantly, allowing a little freedom in the individual pace of different sub groups, so that everyone could go at their own pace depending on how they felt on the day. We were lucky to have him.
The quality of the accommodation was a little uneven, but that was to be expected when a tour like this takes you to all parts of the country, from major towns to relatively remote provincial areas. All accommodation providers were doing their very best to give us an authentic Albanian experience. We got a good sense of the real Albania.
If you take the decision to take this tour, you will not regret it. It was up there with the best tours we ever done.
- What was the date of your tour?
- October 2023
- How many tours have you completed?
- 12
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Faith M 3 months ago
Albania is gorgeous!
What a surprise to see the natural beauty of Albania by bicycle. We rode below snow capped peaks; through farmland; and along the Adriatic Coast. All of it was stunning. The riding was challenging and interesting without being too demanding. The bikes were very comfortable .Our guide was wonderful. He kept our bikes in tip top condition and kept his eye out for each one of us while riding. He shared his knowledge of Albania with us, and daily he recommended the best coffee and lunch stops. (We had an unguided trip). There was a variety of hotel styles and amenities, from basic to luxury.
- What was the date of your tour?
- April 2025
- How many tours have you completed?
- Two
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ James S 3 months ago
Great trip
Great trip. Scenery is amazing. From high mountains to the sea! Most roads were low traffic (except in towns). The last day had a bit more traffic on the climb but wasn’t too bad. (When the tunnel opens there will be less automobile traffic)There is definitely a lot of climbing (some steep - 10%). So consider an e-bike unless you’re an avid cyclist. Food was good. No problems as a vegetarian. Hotels were good. No problems (a couple were really luxurious).
- What was the date of your tour?
- April 2025
- How many tours have you completed?
- 4
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat harder
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Monica 3 months ago
Beautiful trip
This tour showed off some amazing countryside, scenic vistas and quiet roads in Albania that many visitors would not otherwise see. Our driver Roxhens was really enthusiastic, supportive and went to great lengths to help us out even when it wasn’t part of his job (on an unguided tour).
- What was the date of your tour?
- April 2025
- How many tours have you completed?
- 10
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat harder
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ JBR 2 months ago
Wonderful trip. Great sampling of Albanian mountains, farms and coast.
Wonderful to start in Tirana, then see the rural part of Albania and finish on the coast. I enjoyed the stays at the organic farm and the guest house especially.
The local historical tours done at some of our stays were good for hitting the highlights of their significance. They were neither too long or too short.
The guides were fantastic. They did a nice job of allowing everyone to go at a pace that was comfortable for them. They were very patient about answering questions about Albania's history, current challenges and daily life.
The accommodations were always clean and comfortable. Some were very nice, others more humble but were always clean and functional.
The food was plentiful! They really focused on trying to serve traditional Albanian dishes particular to that region. Two nights we were free to eat at local restaurants so those who wanted to get a pizza or non-Albanian food could do so then.
I feel the level of difficulty was accurately described. Unless you are an experienced cyclist you would not want to do this without an e-bike. There were several people who did not ride much and did just fine on e-bikes. For those on regular bikes (non e-bikes) it was a manageable ride. There was always a break in the morning for coffee, then again for lunch and then finishing the ride. This really helped make the rides manageable.
I consider myself a moderate rider typically doing 50 miles per week with about 3000-4000 elevation gain total. So this tour was a moderate challenge but very doable.
My wife and I had previously done only DIY trips and this was our first supported, guided experience. It was nice to not worry about navigation, where to stay or where to eat. All in all, it was a wonderful trip that I would recommend highly.- What was the date of your tour?
- May 2025
- How many tours have you completed?
- 6 including DIY
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Deborah Davis 2 months ago
Perfectly curated
We were self guided and had changed the itinerary by adding a few rest days along the way. As we were not part of a group we were initially worried that me might get forgotten (and bags not forwarded etc) but every detail was taken care of and the support was completely reliable and comprehensive. This allowed us to just enjoy the trip. Albania was an absolute delight in every way; scenery, people, culture and the route was perfectly curated to show the best of all of this.
- What was the date of your tour?
- May 2025
- How many tours have you completed?
- 2
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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BikeTours.com staff reply from jan May 20, 2025
Thanks for the lovely review and fantastic photos. My mother took this trip late last year and spoke of it much the same. Thank you for traveling with us!
Cheers,
Jan
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★★★★★ Belinda 2 months ago
A wonderful trip
We had a wonderful trip our guide Roxan was fantastic, very attentive and helpful. The route was very good, with not too much traffic. Our hotels were generally good and the food was excellent. We had a great trip.
- What was the date of your tour?
- April 2025
- How many tours have you completed?
- One
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Mary O 2 months ago
Great trip through Southern Albania
I thoroughly enjoyed the UNESCO Sites of Albania cycling tour. Our guide Andrea was awesome! He was very eager to share his knowledge of Albania, its culture and history. He was also very friendly, helpful and supportive of tour participants. The hotels and restaurants were all good, food was delicious. I particularly enjoyed the two nights that we spent at local guest houses up in the mountains: family run and very friendly, with amazing local fresh food. The bicycles they provided were in good condition. The sag van driver and mechanic Rimi was great. He promptly and skillfully addressed any mechanical issues with the bicycles and was very supportive of any riders who needed to ride some sections in the van.
My only criticism of the tour is that communication prior to the trip was minimal. Also, though not my personal experience, some of the other participants had been given misleading information about the difficulty of the trip from TO's administrative staff prior to the trip.
Overall, I would highly recommend this trip! -
