Travel Albania and the Balkans with locals.

“The two of us, both over 70, completed an impressive three week, 1,600-km round trip through Albania. During the planning phase, inalb incorporated our individual requests and provided detailed travel materials. Nevertheless, it’s a good idea to prepare in advance by researching online and reading other travel guides. It’s very helpful to bring an up-to-date GPS from home. For mountain lovers, Valbone is particularly stunning, and of course, the famous World Heritage sites are a must-see on any itinerary. Tirana, with its modern architecture and vibrant atmosphere, is worth spending several days exploring. But a detour to the remote areas and mountainous regions also offers a glimpse into how people live in Albania. Road conditions vary widely, given the many mountains and curves, the generously estimated travel times are justified. We had no issues with the local driving style. The hotels we booked were exceptionally clean and held their own against any Central European multi star hotel, breakfast was hearty, varied and delicious. All in all, we had a very interesting trip without any problems or complications, surrounded by friendly people and lush, often untouched nature. For this, we thank the Inalb agency and our “personal” travel expert, Donald, who was always available.”

“Our first trip to Albania and experience was fantastic from start to finish! Customizing the itinerary (tailored to our family’s needs) was a easy. Before the trip, the return flight we’d booked ourselves had changed, but the team quickly and easily adjusted our plans. A few days before the trip began, our guide contacted us to go over the details. He was available to us the entire time and always provided us with all the important information in a timely manner. Even when we had a flat tire with our rental car, he helped us out quickly and without any hassle. Thank you so much Donald! Albania is well worth visiting with children! The people are very friendly, you can get by with English everywhere, and all the accommodations we booked were clean and met our expectations. The food was delicious, fresh, and plentiful. Inalb put together a trip for us that allowed us to experience the country’s diversity, the itinerary was well rounded, yet there was still room for our individual needs as a family. We will definitely visit Albania again perhaps during a different season to get to know the wild and unspoiled beauty of this country even better. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who planned and organized this trip for us!”

“Die Reise durch Albanien wurde von unserer Betreuerin Donald hervorragend vorbereitet und führte uns durch schöne und abwechslungsreiche Landschaften mit beeindruckenden Sehenswürdigkeiten. Wir haben ein umfassendes Bild albanischer Städte, Berge, Küsten und fjordähnlichen Seen erhalten. Das individuell für uns erstellte ‚Roadbook‘ wies uns den Weg zu den interessanten Orten und unseren Übernachtungen. Die für uns gebuchten Hotels waren sehr abwechslungsreich, von traditionell bis modern. In allen Hotels haben wir uns sehr wohl gefühlt, nicht zuletzt auch wegen des guten und aufmerksamen Personals. Die Betreuerin, Donald, war immer für uns erreichbar. Inalb hat uns sogar ein Smart Phone während der Reise zur Verfügung gestellt, das bei der Ankunft im Hotel in Tirana an uns übergeben wurde. Viele Rückfragen waren jedoch gar nicht notwendig. Albanien hat in den letzten 30 Jahren eine erstaunliche Entwicklung von einem abgeschotteten zu einem weltoffenen Land hinter sich gebracht. Wir haben sehr hilfsbereite Menschen getroffen, die fast alle Englisch sprechen. In Albanien fühlt man sich sehr wohl.”

“I came to Albania with Inalb thanks to ChatGPT’s recommendation for a safe destination for a female traveler. I didn’t know much about the country and honestly had some safety concerns at first, but I’m so glad I decided to go. I joined the solo tour and it turned out to be such an amazing experience. Our guide Angelo was fantastic. He’s super enthusiastic, friendly and knows absolutely everything about Albania’s history, culture and hidden gems. He shared so many interesting stories that made every place come alive. He also helped me take photos throughout the trip, which I really appreciated as a solo traveler and he definitely has an artistic eye for great shots. The tour was really well organized, covered so many beautiful sights and everything ran so smoothly. Everyone in the group was pleasant and we bonded right away. I’d highly recommend Inalb and Ergi if you’re planning a trip to this beautiful and underrated country.”

“Nuestro contacto en la agencia local, Mira, ha sido encantadora, siempre disponible y atenta a todas nuestras dudas y consultas. Albania es un país fantástico en plena transformación, de personas amables y flexibles. Super recomendables las visitas con guía, todos sienten un gran orgullo por su país y quieren dar a conocer su historia y cultura. Super recomendables las visitas a lago Koman, los pueblecitos de la Riviera Albanesa y las ciudades de Berat y Tirana. Conocer la gastronomía local es también muy interesante, aunque los albaneses toman porciones muy grandes que pueden resultar inasumibles para algunos ;) Ciudades como Saranda o Vlora no son tan atractivas pues están más explotadas y masificadas turísticamente. Alquilar coche ofrece una gran independencia y autonomía, aunque hay que estar dispuesto a conducir en un país en que el cumplimiento de las normas de circulación brilla habitualmente por su ausencia :)”

“We traveled through Albania for almost three weeks and Donald provided excellent support throughout the entire trip. Communication via WhatsApp was superb and reliable, even back in Germany. The organization was seamless, and our wishes were taken into account. The recommended hotels met our expectations perfectly, and the car rental process was flawless. We had planned a hike over the Valbona Pass, and our luggage was delivered directly to our hotel in Shkodra in the rental car. It couldn't have been better. Many thanks to Donald, and we highly recommend her to anyone who wants a competent contact person before and during their trip!”

“Sono stata in viaggio una settimana con mia figlia 16enne: è stata una esperienza molto molto positiva. Abbiamo alternato momenti di visite storico-culturali a momenti di mare e divertimento, andando da nord a sud del Paese. La proposta di Inalb ci è piaciuta molto ed era perfetta per noi. Il nostro driver-guida Genti, è davvero preparato, attento e molto disponibile. Alberghi deliziosi, servizio molto buono. Torneremo! E Grazie a Vjola di Inalb per la cura, la competenza e la gentilezza!”

“We were 2 couples in our 70s and not with unlimited mobility, but this tour of seven different towns with visits elsewhere in between, gave us a great introduction to the country. We saw so many places of interest - archeological sites and museums, old houses, bazaars, seaside resorts, mountains, and local Albanian historical sites. Having a kind and thoughtful guide/driver meant that we had no worries and he took away any potential stress. In my ignorance, I had expected everything to be less advanced than Greece where we live, but in fact it seems the reverse. This tour of southwestern Albania has given me the wish to explore more in this beautiful country.”

“Expectations exceeded! wonderful, friendly people a beautiful country full of contrasts. stunning ancient cities, breathtaking beaches, and Tirana, with all the changes taking place there. We didn’t have enough time to visit the Alps, but since we’re also big mountain lovers, we haven’t ruled out coming back again. The itinerary that Inalb put together for us was fantastic, they were very helpful in putting it together, and we have to thank Donald and Vjola for the care they showed before and during the trip. Thank you.”

“Wir sind begeistert von Albanien als Reiseland und möchten definitiv wieder kommen. Bislang haben wir selten so freundliche und herzliche Gastgeber kennen gelernt. Die albanische Küche konnte uns absolut überall überzeugen und toll fanden wir auch die abwechslungsreichen Landschaften von Berge bis Meer. Besonders gefallen hat uns die Stadt Berat, das Mittagessen in einem Privathaus in den Bergen bei Gjirokastra oder auch das Frühstück mit Blick aufs Meer in Saranda. Die Agentur hat tolle Arbeit geleistet. Die Route war perfekt für uns und jede der ausgewählten Unterkünfte hatte ihre eigenen Charme (wir würden in allen wieder übernachten). Vor Ort wurde auf unsere Wünsche schnell reagiert und zum Beispiel sofort eine Alternative organisiert, als ein Programmpunkt saisonbedingt nicht mehr möglich. Super Service! Der Stadtverkehr in Tirana am Ende unserer Reise hat uns ziemlich herausgefordert. Aber hier konnten wir den Mietwagen früher abgeben und wurden dann am Abreisetag mit dem Taxi zum Flughafen gebracht. Für uns eine tolle Lösung, die uns einiges an Stress eingespart hat.”

“I was so nervous to travel solo but this trip was everything. From the first night on the rooftop in Tirana, you could just feel the good energy. Our guide, Adi, was amazing, he knew everyone's name by the end of the first dinner and made sure everyone was included. As a girl traveling alone, I felt so safe and comfortable the entire time. The other girls on the trip were lovely and we had our own rooms or were paired up, which was really well organised. The beach bonfire in Dhërmi where we all just talked for hours under the stars was a core memory. I literally came home with 15 new best friends.”

“El viaje ha ido muy bien. Albania tiene mucho que ofrecer al viajero, hay mucho por descubrir. Agradezco particularmente que la agencia ha estado pendiente y ha respondido muy rápido cuando hemos tenido alguna duda. Las actividades sugeridas, y, sobre todo, las visitas guiadas han destacado por la flexibilidad, el trato personalizado, y la amabilidad y profesionalidad de los proveedores locales. En general todo correcto, un trato personalizado y cuidado. Como comentario de mejora, la documentación proporcionada antes del viaje podría incluir los vouchers o justificantes de las reservas, por tranquilidad del viajero, pero la verdad, no he tenido ningún problema.”

“I wasn't sure what to expect from Albania honestly… but wow. Berat felt like a painting and the boat ride on Koman Lake is something I'll never forget, just mountains and water everywhere. The pace was good for us with the kids and the car Inalb gave us was really good. All the guides and instructors called us in advance 1 day ahead and asked us what time would be best for us so we were never too rushed. Food was fresh and simple (the grilled trout and homemade bread in the mountains was my favorite). Only regret is that we didn't stay longer on the Riviera. This country surprised us in the best way”

“Nel nostro tour di 11 giorni abbiamo potuto visitare le attrazioni principali del Paese e alcune nei Paesi limitrofi. Quello che ci ha colpito maggiormente sono stati i paesaggi sia interni che costieri, i due siti archeologici di Butrinto e Apollonia, le città patrimonio dell'Unesco (Gjirokaster e Berat). Molto interessante anche Voskopoje e Kruje, consigliamo il bazar, e il museo delle icone di Korca. Molto interessante la visita alla capitale Tirana specie dal punto di vista urbanistico e architettonico del centro. La costa è molto bella ma la zona di Saranda ci è sembrata troppo turistica e senza particolari attrazioni, forse meglio Valona. Meno interessante, se non si ama particolarmente la montagna, la visita a Valbona, e l'escursione a Prizren in Kosovo che non presenta particolari attrazioni. Molto bello il lago di Ohrid con il monastero di San Naum (patrimonio dell'Unesco), meno interessante la cittadina macedone di Ohrid, anche questa troppo turistica.”

“There was little to complain about regarding the itinerary, which was tailored to our specifications. It was very interesting, and at times even exhausting, just the way we like it. After driving 1,900 km and taking more than 2,000 photos, we gained insight into parts of Albania that are still largely off the beaten path. We really liked the rental car provided, as well as the SIM card for navigation. Both were faithful companions throughout the 15 days. All in all, another successful trip with Inalb, and I’d like to thank you once again for putting it together.”

“We requested a customized trip to Albania. In total, we were on the road for two weeks. We spent one week on a road trip in a rental car (Kia Sportage), and the second week we spent on a “beach vacation” in Saranda (without a rental car). During the road trip, we visited the following destinations: Shkodra, Valbona, Lezha, Kruja, Berat, Llogara Park, Dhermi, Porto Palermo, Himara, Saranda, Gjirokastra, Permet, Benja, Syri i Kalter, and Butrint. We also stayed overnight at some of these destinations. The accommodations ranged from good to very good. The stay in the old castle in Berat was particularly lovely. Breakfast and dinner were included during the road trip. We spent our beach vacation in Saranda. There, we stayed in an apartment and took a public bus every day to Ksamil, which has very beautiful beaches and very clean water.”

“I found the company on Internet. I always organise personalised trips for us using a driver/guide. In discussions with the local agent, Fiona, and following her suggestions, I then finalised the schedule to suit us. We were most interested in the history & culture of Albania so the tour was based around this. Loved the funky hotels. Alban took us to some lovely local restaurants. The whole trip was a success.”

“Albania surprised us in every way. The landscapes were spectacular, but it was the people who made it special. The family we meet near Përmet during the gliko workshop welcomed us like relatives. Highly recommended experience. Also everyone was really welcoming and made us feel very good. Truuulllyyy worth it”

“The tour was planned and organized according to our wishes. The logistics went smoothly, and we were kept informed about what was scheduled for that day and the next. If we had any questions, we could contact the agency via WhatsApp at any time and received a response or assistance very quickly. We would definitely reccomend Inalb, the local agency again if you were to vacation in Albania. Many thanks to the friendly and helpful staff at the agency.”

“The trip itself was a 5 star experience, with a great itinerary and amazing people. I'm only giving 4 stars as feedback on the single room supplement. In a few of the hotels, the single room was noticeably smaller and in a worse location than the shared rooms. If you're a light sleeper, it's something to consider. The hotels themselves were good, though.”

“Before going, I knew nothing about Albania. Now it's one of my favorite places in Europe. The Koman Lake was breathtaking, Berat at sunset was magical and the beaches rivaled Greece. The kindness of the people really made it unforgettable. Everything perfect organized. Thank you Mira and Donald!”

“We didn't know Albania at all, so there are a few things we would do differently today. After just 4 or 5 days, I would spend 2 nights at the same hotel to get a better rest, even if that meant a shorter beach vacation. We would have liked to have spent our beach week in a quieter place like Ksamil.”

“We would like to thank Inalb for fully understanding our requests and carrying them out flawlessly without am error. We were accompanied by two driver-guides, one of whom spoke French fluently and the other who spoke a little French but was fluent in English. Both adapted to our schedule and areas of interest, even when they weren’t included in the original itinerary (for example, swimming in a spring located a few kilometers from Gjirokastra).”

“My cousin and I booked with Inalb the self dribing 8 day highlights tour . It was one of the most fantastic trips I have ever done. We were so well organised and had Tea at the end of the phone whenever we had a question or needed some help. It made the trip faultless and stress free. We could just enjoy the views and hikes. Would recommend completely as so worth the ease and peace of mind.All local guides and selscted expereinces were amazing! Hotels were 10/10.”

“If you have never been to Albania, this tour is a great way to see the highlights. My favorite stops were Apollonia and the Riviera. I would have liked a bit more time for independent exploration and going from Berat to Permet was a bit too long of a drive, I think we could made a different stop or route, but overall it was very well organized.”

“We had a fabulous time on our private Albanian tour thanks to our exceptional guide/driver Gerhard. Do not hesitate to book this trip as it was fantastic from the accommodations, the food and the expert attention we received.”

“Extensive itinerary covering all main attractions and beautiful landscapes from Albanian Alps, rivers, villages, castles down to turquoise waters and beaches. Programme maybe a bit too packed. Would have preferred to do the trip in 12 days and to have more time to stroll around on my own.”

“Despite the tight schedule, our local contact went out of his way to put together the best possible trip for us in a short amount of time; although there were a few minor issues, the trip was still a great success and we really enjoyed it. The service was thoroughly professional, friendly, and very helpful.”

“Seriously, stop thinking about it and just do it. The motto 'Come solo, leave with a crew' is 100% accurate. Amazing country, amazing people, zero hassle.”

“Every detail was thought of: smooth border crossings, private bus, included meals that felt authentic. The Greek part with Meteora was breathtaking but my highlight was sharing raki and homemade jam with a family in Berat.”