Albania Tour – Fine Print

SOME IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

 The Hidden Gem of the Balkans – 2026 tour.

  • The cost of the total tour will be published no later than December 2025
  • Single supplement will be an additional TBA per person.
  • Included in the tour cost will be:
    • Shared hotel accommodation as per itinerary.
    • Airport transfer if arriving on the day that they tour commences and if departing on the final day of the tour.
    • Private air-conditioned bus transport as per itinerary.
    • Meals as per itinerary 13 breakfasts and 13 dinners.
    • Entrance fees as listed in itinerary.
    • Tips for hotels, group meal restaurants, guides and bus driver.

Istanbul / Gallipoli Extension

  • The cost of the total tour to be confirmed by December 2025.
  • Single supplement will be an additional $300 per person (price to be confirmed prior to December 2025).
  • Included in the tour cost will be:
    • Shared hotel accommodation as per itinerary.
    • Airport transfer if arriving on group flight.
    • Private air-conditioned bus transport as per itinerary.
    • Meals as per itinerary 6 breakfasts and 6 dinners.
    • Entrance fees as listed in itinerary.
    • Tips for hotels, group meal restaurants and guide and bus driver.
  •  It is important to note that if you book your flight to enter Albania via Istanbul airport you can then schedule your return flight to incorporate your Istanbul/Gallipoli extension at no extra cost for this stop over.

 

  • Gem of the Balkans Tour: To secure your place a deposit of $500 will be required and will only be refunded if the tour does not go ahead due to insufficient numbers.  The second payment will be required no later than eight weeks prior to the tour commencement date and the final payment will be required on arrival in Tirana.
  • Gem of the Balkans Tour plus Istanbul / Gallipoli combination tour: To secure your place on the combination tour a deposit of $1,000 will be required and will only be refunded if the tour does not go ahead due to insufficient numbers. The second payment will be required no later than four weeks prior to departure and the final payment will be required on arrival in Tirana.
  • The cost of the tour does not include airfares. You are free to choose your own carrier however at the time of writing Malaysian, Singapore and Emirates Airlines are amongst the most economical to this destination.  You can estimate on fares being between $2,000- $3,000. If booking the combination tour please consider some airlines travel through Istanbul to reach Albania which means that you stay in Istanbul could be considered a ‘stop over’ and will not add to airline costs.
  • I will be leading the tour and hope to share my love of these wonderful countries with you while we are away.  I will also be assisted by authorised Albanian and Turkish tour guides at specific sites.
  • Hotels have been chosen for their comfort but also for their proximity to the town centre or historic sites.  In this way you will have the independence of doing your “own thing’ if you choose.  All hotels are extremely comfortable and amongst the best available. The hotels will be atmospheric and interesting and will provide a very comfortable place to lay your weary body!  All rooms will have their own bathrooms.
  • Most activities are optional, if you prefer to do your own thing, that’s fine except of course if we are travelling between destinations.  If you choose not to partake in all the planned activities, it will generally not interfere with the plans of those that do, so don’t worry.  The bus will only be available for those activities listed on the itinerary and no refund will be given for activities or meals that you choose not to partake in.
  • Evening meals will usually consist of two or three courses.  So that we are able to make the most of our days our evening meals will be rather late by Australian standards.  Most evening meals will be around 8pm.    Water will be provided with meals however all other drinks will be at your own expense.  Alcohol is freely available in Albania and Turkey although the variety of wines available in Turkey is very limited however the standard of wines in Albania is quite good and reasonably priced.
  • The tour is quite energetic so a good level of fitness and mobility is essential.  Bring your walking shoes/boots and expect to make good use of them – there is no better way to take in the real atmosphere and meet the locals than by moving around amongst them.
  • Expect the weather to be very warm. At this time of the year you can expect temperatures to range between the mid 20’s to mid 30’s.
  • Remember that there will be many times when you may need to carry your own luggage, this is not the driver’s responsibility, so please ensure that you can manage this.
  • Given that we will cover some reasonably long distances on our journey there will be some days where we travel long distances on the bus.  The bus will be air-conditioned and non-smoking and we will have a break every 1.5- 2 hours.
  • Please ensure that you have travel insurance!

Important Note:  The itinerary is as accurate as is currently possible.  Changes may be made due to unforeseen circumstances however if this happens every effort will be made to ensure that the equivalent or better is provided.