-
Book with confidence
Why book this trip?Why book this trip?
Still emerging from isolation Albania's wealth of historic
sites, charming rural villages and the colourful
capital, Tirana, are all waiting to be discovered. Along the way
explore the Adriatic Coast, the White
Mountains and peaceful shores of Lake Ohrid.
Butrint - Discover one of the greatest archaeological sites in
the Balkans
Llogara National Park - Explore one of the most unspoilt places
in the Adriatic
Gjirokastra - Stroll along the cobbled streets of this
UNESCO-Listed town and visit its hilltop castle
Highlights of AlbaniaHighlights of AlbaniaALBANIA ALBANIA - TRIP
CODE - TRIP CODE ABAB
DISCOVERY
14/06/2021 10:26:37
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nfidencehttps://www.explore.co.uk/travel-updateshttps://www.explore.co.uk/book-with-confidence
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ItineraryItinerary
Itineraries on some departure dates may differ, please select
the itinerary that you wish to explore.
Arrive in Tirana, Albania's colourful capital city. With a blend
of communist architecture and a backdrop
of rugged mountains, Tirana is a mix of new and old.
For those arriving on time our Leader plans to meet you in the
hotel reception at 6pm for the welcome
meeting and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out
for dinner. There are no other activities
planned today, so you are free to arrive in Tirana at any time.
If you would like to receive a complimentary
airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Tirana
International Airport (TIA), which is about 30
minutes' drive. Should you miss the welcome meeting, your Leader
will inform you of any essential
information as soon as you catch up.
If your flight arrives earlier in the day, perhaps you might
choose to visit the Bunk 'Art Musuem. This
huge former Cold War bunker is located in the outskirts of city
and here you can view exhibits on
Albanian history and see contemporary art.
Whilst in Albania we'll have the opportunity to sample the
delicious cuisine, which is a real mix of
Turkish, Greek and Italian influences, like byrek - a spinach
and feta stuffed filo pie, and in the more rural
mountainous areas barbequed lamb and 'earthy' vegetables such as
griddled aubergines and mushrooms
are particularly popular. Along the coast there will of course
be the chance to sample fresh seafood.
Albanian red wine is especially good and also local beers, such
as Birra Korca.
On this trip we have packed in as many highlights of Tirana as
we can, but there is very little free time in
the city, so if you wish to spend some time discovering more on
your own, we would recommend
extending your stay for a night or two.
A C C O M M O D AT I O N :
Hotel Vila Tafaj (or similar)
I N C L U D E DM E A L S
Breakfast: 10Lunch: 1
T R I P STA F F
Explore TourLeader
Driver(s)
T R A N SPO R T
BusA C C O M M O D AT I O N
10 nightscomfortable hotel
T R I P PA C E :
Full onG R O U P SI ZE :
12 - 18
DAY 1DAY 1 - Join trip in Tirana - Join trip in Tirana
14/06/2021 10:26:37
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Grade: Comfortable Hotel
SI N G L E R O O M AVA I L A B L E
M E A L S PR O V I D E D : N O N E
This morning we take a short drive to Petrela Fortress stopping
en route at the Bektashi World Centre.
The Bektashi Order is an Islamic dervish sect who blends
elements of both Shia and Sufi beliefs. We'll
have a brief stop to see their ornately decorated tekke (place
of worship) with its marble mosaics. Petrela
Fortress dates back to 5th century and is one of the oldest
structures in Albania. On a clear day, you can
see all the way to Kruja, where we end our journey through
Albania.
On arriving back to Tirana, we will have a guided walking tour
of the city to see main sights including the
government buildings, Skanderbeg Square, the old bazaar and
Et'Hem Bey Mosque.
A C C O M M O D AT I O N :
Hotel Vila Tafaj (or similar)
Grade: Comfortable Hotel
SI N G L E R O O M AVA I L A B L E
M E A L S PR O V I D E D : B R E A KFA ST
This morning before leaving Tirana we will visit the National
Museum of History, with its easily
recognisable mosaic frontage.
We then drive to Elbasan to visit the historic fortress before
continuing on to the picturesque
fisherman's village of Lin where we will have free time for
lunch before we drive to Pogradec, on the
shores of Lake Ohrid. The lake is one of the oldest in the world
and is a spot renowned for its natural
beauty.
DAY 2DAY 2 - Visit to Petrela Fortress and walking tour of
Tirana - Visit to Petrela Fortress and walking tour of Tirana
DAY 3DAY 3 - See Elbasan Fortress and drive to Lake Ohrid - See
Elbasan Fortress and drive to Lake Ohrid
14/06/2021 10:26:37
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A C C O M M O D AT I O N :
Enkelana Hotel (or similar)
Grade: Comfortable Hotel
SI N G L E R O O M AVA I L A B L E
M E A L S PR O V I D E D : B R E A KFA ST
Today we make the journey to Voskopoja - formally known as
Moskopoje. Founded in the 16th century,
the town was once a major urban settlement and was famous for
its churches which were adorned with
many beautiful frescoes. After exploring the churches here, time
for lunch and to sample fresh
watermelon (when in season) we continue to Korca, sitting at the
foot of Moravia Mountain, where we
will spend the night.
On arrival we take a city tour including the Resurrection
Cathedral, which is the main Orthodox Church,
and Medieval Museum which houses a wide selection of stone
sculptures, carved wood artefacts and
textiles.
A C C O M M O D AT I O N :
Hotel Grand Palace (or similar)
Grade: Comfortable Hotel
SI N G L E R O O M AVA I L A B L E
M E A L S PR O V I D E D : B R E A KFA ST
Our journey today takes us through the southern highlands to
Permeti. Just outside Korca we will visit
the Kamenica Tumulus archaeological site where we can see a
Bronze Age burial complex. Travelling
along one of the most scenic routes in Albania, we will reach
the Barmash Pass (1,040 metres) where we
DAY 4DAY 4 - Drive to Korca via the medieval town of Voskopoja -
Drive to Korca via the medieval town of Voskopoja
DAY 5DAY 5 - Scenic drive to Permeti and walk through the Benja
countryside - Scenic drive to Permeti and walk through the Benja
countryside
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can enjoy sweeping views of the Nemercka Mountains, which are
snow covered for most of the year and
form the border with Greece. En route, we will walk through the
Benja countryside and have the
opportunity to see the stunning view of the Ottoman stone bridge
over the river with the mountains in
the distance. We'll then stop for a typical Albanian drink of
raki with the locals before driving on to
Permeti. This town is located on the Vjose River in the heart of
the White Mountains.
The walk near Benja today is for around six kilometres and will
take about one and a half hours. This walk
is classified as easy as it follows quiet village roads and
footpaths.
A C C O M M O D AT I O N :
Hotel Alvero (or similar)
Grade: Comfortable Hotel
SI N G L E R O O M AVA I L A B L E
M E A L S PR O V I D E D : B R E A KFA ST
Our day starts with a walk up to the village of Leusa where
there will be time to visit the church, which
features some stunning frescoes, particularly on the
ceiling.
Our route to Gjirokastra takes us through the White Mountains
via Kelcyra Gorge, carved by the Vjose
River on its way to the Adriatic Sea. The scenery in the
mountains is breathtaking with rolling valleys, that
in spring are covered with some of the most exuberant
wildflowers you are likely to see anywhere in
Albania. As we travel, look out for eagles soaring above us. On
the way to Kelcyra, we stop at Dhkosat
village, where we will have a traditional homemade lunch.
Later, we arrive in Gjirokastra where we take a walking tour
through the cobbled streets of its UNESCO-
listed historic centre and visit Gjirokastra Castle and the
Ethnographic Museum. The castle sits at a
height of 336 metres and is one of the most magnificent
structures in the city with views over the hilly
countryside, river valley and city. There have been extensive
renovations to the building since it was
constructed in the 12th century and it now possesses five
towers, a church, a cistern, and houses the
Weapons Museum. The museum exhibits captured artillery and
memorabilia of the Communist resistance
against German occupation, as well as a captured US Air Force
plane to commemorate the Communist
regime's struggle against the 'imperialist' western powers.
The Ethnographical Museum is in the historic district of Palorto
and stands on the site where the dictator
Enver Hoxha was born. Set over four floors it offers us an
insight into the traditional affluent Albanian
lifestyle of the town with numerous household items, folk
costumes and cultural artefacts on display.
Our walk today in Leusa takes about two hours and is six
kilometres. It's along quiet village roads, but is
uphill, so is classified as easy to moderate.
DAY 6DAY 6 - Drive through the mountains to old Balkan town of
Gjirokastra - Drive through the mountains to old Balkan town of
Gjirokastra
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A C C O M M O D AT I O N :
Hotel Cajupi (or similar)
Grade: Comfortable Hotel
SI N G L E R O O M AVA I L A B L E
M E A L S PR O V I D E D : B R E A KFA ST & L U N C H
Leaving Gjirokastra behind us, we drive to Saranda. Along the
way, we will stop at the karstic spring,
known as 'The Blue Eye' where we can marvel at the blue clear
waters.
This afternoon we visit UNESCO listed Butrint, which is one of
the great archaeological sites in the
Balkans. With a long and colourful history dating back to the
early Neolithic age, Butrint has been
occupied and fought over until the Ottoman period when it lay
abandoned. More recently, excavations
have taken place and all periods of Butrint's history have been
revealed including its Roman theatre,
Roman house and thermal baths as well as a fine baptistery with
fabulous mosaic floors. The setting is
idyllic with the ruins nestling in the bend of the Vivari River.
After spending time exploring this
fascinating site, we return to the shores of the Mediterranean
and Saranda for the night.
A C C O M M O D AT I O N :
Hotel Brilanti (or similar)
Grade: Comfortable Hotel
SI N G L E R O O M AVA I L A B L E
M E A L S PR O V I D E D : B R E A KFA ST
As we leave Saranda, we can look forward to another scenic
coastal drive along the Albanian Riviera,
before winding over the 1,000 metre high pass at Llogora as we
travel to the national park, which goes by
DAY 7DAY 7 - Explore Butrint, one of the greatest archaeological
sites in the Balkans - Explore Butrint, one of the greatest
archaeological sites in the Balkans
DAY 8DAY 8 - Visit Ali Pasha's Fortress; stay in Llogora
National Park - Visit Ali Pasha's Fortress; stay in Llogora
National Park
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the same name. Along our route we pass terraces planted with
citrus groves and olive trees and enjoy the
views over the mountains, sea and forest. We stop at Ali Pasha
Fortress, a castle on a small peninsula
within Palermo Bay with stunning views over the turquoise
coastal waters. Although small, the walls of
the triangular fort are well preserved, along with some cannons
found here. We'll also stop to take a brief
stroll along the beach at Himara.
Upon reaching Llogora National Park, we will have time for a
three to four hour hike covering seven
kilometres in the mountains with many attractive views along the
way. The route we follow is along a
combination of well-trodden footpaths, goat trails and a
military road. We classify this walk as moderate
in difficulty.
Tonight we'll stay at hotel nestled amongst the pine trees of
this tranquil national park.
A C C O M M O D AT I O N :
Hotel Alpin (or similar)
Grade: Comfortable Hotel
SI N G L E R O O M AVA I L A B L E
M E A L S PR O V I D E D : B R E A KFA ST
This morning en route to Apollonia we stop at Vlora where we
will visit Flag Square and the Muradi
Mosque. From here we continue our drive to Apollonia. Founded in
585 BC and dedicated to the god
Apollo, the city achieved fame and wealth before being
incorporated into the Roman Empire to become
Caesar's stronghold during the civil war with Pompey. The most
impressive feature of the site is the
bouleuterion - a facade with six Corinthian columns which are
thought to date back to the 2nd century
AD. Although much of the ancient site is yet to be excavated,
with so few other visitors, it is possible to
imagine a time when the site supported 55,000 men and Octavian
(later to become Emperor Augustus)
was one of its students. We continue our drive to Berat where we
spend the night.
A C C O M M O D AT I O N :
Hotel Mangalemi (or similar)
Grade: Comfortable Hotel
DAY 9DAY 9 - Visit ancient Apollonia and Vlora en route to Berat
- Visit ancient Apollonia and Vlora en route to Berat
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SI N G L E R O O M AVA I L A B L E
M E A L S PR O V I D E D : B R E A KFA ST
Situated over a gorge next to the Osumi River and in the shadow
of Mount Tomori, Berat's white
buildings sprawl up the hillside towards the fortress. New
construction is strictly regulated in order to
maintain the city's unique character in its UNESCO listed
historical centre.
Exploring on foot this morning, we head up to the fortress and
see the painted icons and frescoes in the
Church of Saint Mary, one of the seven churches within the
citadel walls. We will also visit the oldest
mosque in Albania, the Red Mosque, and the Onufri Icon
Museum.
We drive on to Durresi which is one of Albania's main ports.
Originally founded in 627 BC by the Greeks
and then called Epidamnos, the city was later plundered and
conquered by the Illyrians, Romans,
Normans, Venetians and Serbs, which resulted in the many
reminders we can see as we wander around
the city today of its long and varied history. For example, we
will stop off at the Roman Amphitheatre,
which is not far from the modern city's main square. We will
also visit the Archaeological Museum before
we depart and drive to Kruja where we spend the last night of
our trip.
A C C O M M O D AT I O N :
Hotel Panorama (or similar)
Grade: Comfortable Hotel
SI N G L E R O O M AVA I L A B L E
M E A L S PR O V I D E D : B R E A KFA ST
The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Kruja.
There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart
from Kruja at any time. If your flight is
departing later in the day luggage storage facilities are
available at our hotel. If you would like to receive
a complimentary airport transfer today, you need to depart from
Tirana International Airport (TIA),
which is about 40 minutes' drive.
Depending on the time of your flight or if you are extending
your stay by a night then you may have some
free time today to explore Kruja, perhaps to visit the fortress,
which is a place of pilgrimage and
inspiration for Albanians, the nearby bazaar or the Ethnographic
Museum.
DAY 10DAY 10 - Walking tour of Berat and Durresi - Walking tour
of Berat and Durresi
DAY 11DAY 11 - Trip ends in Kruja - Trip ends in Kruja
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M E A L S PR O V I D E D : B R E A KFA ST
Trip informationTrip information
Albania
Climate
Albania has a mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers
(ranging from 9 - 11 hours of sunshine a
day in Tirana). Temperatures can reach up to 40°C in July.
October to April is much cooler and can be
wet. Albania is a mountainous country and the high peaks are
snow-capped all year with seasonal
weather patterns in the mountains that can be unpredictable.
Time difference to GMT
+1
Plugs
2 Pin Round
Religion
Islam, Albanian Orthodox, Roman Catholic
Language
Albanian, Greek, Vlach, Romani, Slavic dialects
Clothing
Weather is changeable in the mountains and it can be cool,
especially at night, so bring a warmer jacket
or fleece. A raincoat is essential at all times of year in case
of the odd shower. For departures in early
spring and autumn it can be colder in the mountains, so bring a
warm jacket and pack layers.
You should dress with respect in the rural villages so bring
some long trousers and ensure your shoulders
are covered when entering churches. Don't forget your swimming
costume and a towel for taking a dip in
the sea or hot springs.
Footwear
There are a number of included walks on this trip, so we
recommend taking lightweight walking or trail
boots and comfortable shoes or sandals for visiting the sites
and towns.
Luggage
20kg
Climate and country informationClimate and country
information
Budgeting and packingBudgeting and packing
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Luggage: On tour
One main piece of baggage and a daypack. Remember you are
expected to carry your own luggage so
don't overload yourself. Please bear in mind there are lots of
stairs in Albania and porterage isn't
normally available in the hotels.
Equipment
Take a water bottle, insect repellent, sun hat, sun glasses and
sun cream. If you are travelling in the early
spring or autumn then you might want to bring gloves, a scarf
and a hat for when you are in the
mountains. A torch will be useful for the evenings as some areas
are not well lit and also for viewing the
frescoes in dimly lit churches. You may also wish to take
walking poles, as some of the walks are over
uneven terrain and cobble stones can be slippery underfoot. Most
importantly don't forget your camera.
Tipping
Explore leader
Tipping isn't compulsory, and we work hard to ensure that our
leaders all receive a fair wage. You may
however, want to recognise a leader that's done a great job or
really added to your trip by giving them a
tip. We're often asked about the recommended amount. It's a
tricky one, and down to personal
preference, but we'd recommend £15 to £20 per person per week as
a guideline.
Local crew
Although voluntary, tipping is a recognised part of life in this
region of the world. Some local staff will
look to members of the group for personal recognition of
particular services provided. Accordingly, you
should allow approximately £20 of local currency for
tipping.
In order to make things easier for you, the Explore Leader may
organise a group's tips kitty and if this is
the case, they will account for it throughout the trip.
Albania
Food and drink
The costs for meals may vary depending upon location, type of
restaurant and number of courses
eaten and so the prices given are an average guide. Local
restaurants located off the beaten track
may be less expensive, whereas an upmarket restaurant located in
the centre of a major city may
charge more.
Lunch price
£4.00
Dinner price
£10.00
Beer price
£1.50
Water price
£0.50
Foreign Exchange
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Local currency
Albanian Lek.
Recommended Currency For Exchange
Sterling, US Dollars and Euros cash is widely accepted in
bureaux de change in major towns and
cities. Most transactions in Albania are done on a strictly cash
only basis using the Lek.
Where To Exchange
Bureau de change in major towns and cities.
ATM Availability
Most larger towns.
Credit Card Acceptance
Credit cards are not widely accepted in Albania.
Travellers Cheques
Travellers Cheques are not widely accepted in Albania, though
you should take some as a back-
up in case of emergencies.
Transport Information
Bus
Accommodation notes
On day eight of our trip we will be staying in a small hotel
within the Llogara National Park. It has a
restaurant and bar with outdoor terrace where you can enjoy the
traditional Albanian cuisine and great
views over the surrounding forested mountain slopes. The en
suite rooms are simply decorated and most
have balconies.
Government Travel Safety Advice
We strongly recommend that you check your government's travel
advisory for up-to-date information
and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry
requirements, health, local laws and
customs. For UK citizens, check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth
& Development Office advice.
Please refer to our COVID-19 entry requirements page for any
country-specific conditions of entry.
Whilst we strive to update this on a regular basis we recommend
you also check the FCDO website for
the latest advice on entry requirements in this fast-evolving
situation. Information can change at any
time.
Under 18 immigration guidance
Please note that some countries require proof of parental
consent when travelling overseas with under
18s. Please check requirements with the relevant embassy or
consular office well in advance of travel if
Transport, Accommodation & MealsTransport, Accommodation
& Meals
Essential InformationEssential Information
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this applies to your party.
Price Guarantee
Once your booking has been confirmed we guarantee the price will
not increase, whatever the
circumstances. Before booking please ensure you have read our
important tour pricing
information.Booking Conditions
Visa and Passport Information
Albania Visas are not required by UK, Australian, New Zealand,
US and Canadian citizens.
Macedonia: Visas are not required by UK, Australian, New
Zealand, US and Canadian citizens.
Other nationalities should consult their local embassy or
consular office.
If you do require assistance in obtaining a visa then you may be
able to apply through Explore's
recommended visa service in the UK, Travcour. See
www.travcour.com to download the relevant visa
application for your trip, if applicable (UK citizens only),
along with details of how to apply for your visa
through Travcour. The Team at Travcour will be happy to answer
specific questions relating to visa
applications, please call them directly on 0208 5431846.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession
of a full passport, with the correct validity
for your chosen destination.
Booking conditions
Before booking your Explore trip, please ensure that you read
both our Essential Information and
Booking Conditions.
Transfers
Find out more about Trip Transfer Terms and Conditions before
you book.
Booking a land only package with Explore
Customers who have chosen to book on the ‘Land Only’
arrangements of our tour, please ensure that you
have checked your tour specific ‘Joining Instructions’ prior to
booking your own travel arrangements.
Your joining instructions can be found below in the dates and
prices information.
You may also be eligible for the Free Explore Transfer.
Joining Tour Abroad
Customers booked on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements will receive a
Free Transfer, provided you arrive and
depart on the tour only itinerary start and end dates. The
complimentary transfers will be arranged from
the Explore designated airport or train station to your trips
joining point, and then back from the ending
point to the designated airport or train station. Generally the
airport or station that Explore have
selected will be the one that is closest to the town or city
where the trip starts, or the one nearest to the
joining point. It will be either an airport or train station but
not both.
The exception to this rule is customers who are booked on a tour
where the joining and ending point is at
the designated airport or train station.
Free transfers are not available for Self-Guided, Polar,
Tailormade or Tours for Churches customers.
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If you are not eligible for the Free Transfer then you will need
to make your own way through to the
joining and ending point. On a majority of our tours Explore
will be able to provide a private transfer at
an additional cost. Please ask for a quote at the time of
booking.
For more information regarding the Explore Free Transfer click
here
Insurance
It is a condition of booking with Explore that you have adequate
valid travel insurance. It is your
responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and
ensure you have read and understood the full
terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure
that you are covered for all activities you
intend to undertake whilst on the tour, including all optional
activities. Your Insurance Policy must fully
cover you for medical expenses and emergency repatriation to
your home country. Please ensure your
policy includes medical emergency helicopter evacuation in the
event of illness or injury and covers the
entire duration of your holiday. If you are trekking at altitude
please ensure that there is no upper
altitude limit which may limit or exclude cover for your trip.
The cost of many of our Polar Voyages will
exceed the capped amount covered by standard insurance premiums
and you will be required to pay an
additional premium to cover the full value of your trip. Please
ensure that you are covered for the full
amount of your holiday cost, as insufficient cover could
invalidate a claim under the policy. Medical and
repatriation insurance cover is not mandatory for UK residents
who are travelling on trips within the
United Kingdom.
Read more information about what travel insurance is
required.
Flight information
Explore offers a wide range of flexible flying options to make
joining and leaving our trips easy. Read
more about them here.
Flight Information
You are able to book this tour on a 'land only' basis or as a
‘flight inclusive’ package. Your flight inclusive
package will be fully protected by the Civil Aviation Authority
(CAA) ATOL protection scheme.
Booking a flight inclusive package with Explore
We have a good selection of flights not only from London but
from many regional airports around the UK
allowing us to compare fares between scheduled carriers as well
as low cost and charter airlines. Our
dedicated flights team will match the best flight options to
your arrival and departure airport.
On our website we display a UK flight inclusive package guide
price which is generally based on a London
departure. To avoid paying supplements or to secure your
preferred flight option, we recommend
booking as early as possible, especially for peak travel
dates.
Included activities
We walk on three days of this 11-day trip and these are mountain
walks that are graded as easy to
moderate. The walks do involve hilly sections and can be muddy
and uneven under foot, so we therefore
recommend taking comfortable walking boots with good grip and
ankle support, spare walking socks, a
water bottle and snacks, sun screen, insect repellent, sun hat,
layered clothing (including waterproofs), a
backpack and walking poles with you.
If you don't wish to do any of the walks then you can speak to
your leader about sitting these out and
joining the group again after the walks.
Exploration of the towns and cities visited on this trip will
also mostly be done on foot, so that you can
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get a proper feel for all the fascinating places that are
visited.
Ability to swim
No
Albania
Vaccinations
We recommend protection against hepatitis A, typhoid, polio and
tetanus. Rabies vaccination is
recommended by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office due to the
large number of stray dogs in Albania.
You should seek further advice from your travel clinic.
Tick-borne encephalitis is recommended by some
medical sources if travelling in certain areas of Eastern
Europe, at specific times of the year. Please check
the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior
to departure. The above is not an
exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and
travel health advice can be found by
following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at Explore Travel Health and
from your local healthcare provider.
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and
should be confirmed by you before
travelling.
Additional InformationAdditional Information
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Why book this tripDiscover the emerging nation of Albania and
its wealth of secrets. From the colourful capital of
Tirana to the stunning Lake Ohrid, archaeological sites to
beautiful national parks and
mountains, this trip unveils some of the treats whilst
experiencing natural beauty and rural life.
ReviewsReviews
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AW A R D W I N N I N GE X PL O R E L E A D E R S
PR I C E G U A R A N T E E
PR O M I SE
A I R PO R T
T R A N SF E R S
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