Cycling in Albania

Why would you go to Albania?!? Is what everyone said to me before I did this trip. Well, after coming back I’m telling them they should go because of: - Amazing scenery. Beautiful mountains, alpine type meadows, some nice beaches along the coast - Good food. Really nice, simple food. Fresh fish and fresh vegetables. Options for vegetarians too. - Great cycling. Some reasonable hills (and a couple of really good descents) and generally good quiet roads (in April anyway.)

The country was wonderful - everyone was very friendly, the views were stunning, and the new roads made it perfect for cycling around. Don't be put off by preconceptions about Albania - we were all delighted to find it much more pleasant to be in than many other European countries, and will no doubt be full of tourists in the next 5-10 years. Definitely go before everyone else realises how good it is. It's very cheap too, especially in the more rural parts. My only complaint would be the repeated promises of ice cream, which mysteriously never materialised!

A very beautiful country, not a boring bit to be found on this cycle tour, showed off the best of some stunning scenery.

A quite outstanding trip that packed so much into a week. The route combines sleepy agricultural areas, grand mountains and spectacular coastline. Varied scenery combined with some excellent places to stop overnight and a couple of interesting sightseeing stops to enjoy aspects of Albania's history in Gjirokaster and Butrint. Inexpensive. Some demanding cycling on excellent bikes.

I enjoyed this trip even more than I had hoped - the country is so interesting, the scenery glorious and the food wonderful! Our guide was proficient and professional and ensured the whole week provided fun, variety and (optional) challenges!

When you told friends you were going to Albania you got some puzzled looks but this exceeded all expectations! Albania can have a negative image in some people's minds but nothing about this trip would re-enforce that view. The landscapes are stunning, the people a delight, the food so natural and healthy I might even have lost weight and the cycling and companionship was first class. There is cycling to challenge and overall I would rate this as a 4 not 3 Moderate. This last day, if you ride it all, would rate more like a 6. The cultural aspects blend well with the cycling and there is a very good mix of places to visit. The trip notes describe the whole trip very well.

This was a really great cycling holiday. The moutain scenery was amazing and hardly anyone around except the odd cattle and motorist here and there. Food and accommodation were all excellent and guides were very professional, friendly and helpful. Great bikes with front suspension. Road a little bit bumpy in places but on the whole fine for cycling. Great tour leader, trainee tour leader and driver.

This was our 5th cycling trip with Exodus and the most surprisingly fun. Despite an uncharacteristic heatwave in early July, which meant our first day took us up very challenging hills in 37 degree heat and forced some cyclists to abandon their bikes for the van, we all bonded as a group and had as much fun in the evenings as we did pedalling through the stunning scenery of Albania.

Yes thats right it seems Albania hotels don't have kettles/tea making facilities. But in reality you don't miss it in what is a great tester of your cycling ability. Its tough but do-able for everyone. You will come home feeling less afraid to cycle those hills after a week in the Albanian mountains. Great food and plentyful with fresh salads,veg and fish. Excellent guides who went that extra mie for everyone.

'Albania' why go there? was something we heard many times from friends and family when we told them of our plans. Well firstly its off the beaten track, it isn't full of mindless tourists and its got some sense of mystique still. But mostly it is such an interesting place with such lovely people. My third Exodus cycling trip and the most challenging, it is more challenging than moderate in my opinion. We went in September and it was still fairly hot so the long climbs were a bit of a 'push'. I was tail end Charlie for most days, partly due to my frequent stops to take photos and I was not going to be rushed, all at my own pace. The point is that this trip allows this to happen, no pressure whatever you capability. The rear-guard van is never far behind so you are not on your own. The scenery here is amazing, both mountains and the coast. Albanians we met were lovely and you always felt safe and welcome. Bikes were good and days were planned well. Hotels were varied but all were more than adequate. There was a bit of culture thrown in which was interesting but not overdone. We were a large group of 16 but in no time at all we had all gelled and were supportive of each other and had many laughs and shared experiences. We have all shared our photos so we have a great bunch of memories. Most of my memories are of quiet roads, no people anywhere and incredible views made more amazing by people still living in a bygone age. Apart from start and end there are no significant transfers so this is a positive. Food was excellent and plenty of it too.