A family of three – 2 parents and their 12-year-old child – planned a one-week holiday in Albania next summer.
The call
Anastasia called us at the agreed time − we had reserved a time slot on the website. She asked a series of relevant questions concerning our specific needs and interests for our next summer holiday. In about 20 minutes, we crafted together our bespoke family holiday.
We explained that we wanted to spend one week in Albania. We had heard this destination was paradise of amazing landscapes, coast and historic cities. That is why we aimed to explore as much as possible in one week. We pointed out that we wished to spend at least three days relaxing at the beach while we were also keen on practicing outdoor activities. Renting a car during our journey would be convenient to get around the country.
As far as the lodging is concerned, we preferred staying at small family-run hotels and cosy guesthouses. Booking a nice triple room – with one double bed and a single bed – would be ideal.
The reservation
Anastasia emailed us a detailed description of our tailor-made itinerary and a quote the following week. It included all the elements we discussed and agreed upon during our call. She also sent us useful advice concerning flight options from London to Tirana.
After a small adjustment concerning the car hire – we requested to rent a SUV instead of a smaller car initially included in the offer – we approved and signed the quote document electronically. We also made a deposit payment. As soon as we booked our flight tickets, we forwarded the details to Anastasia so that she could arrange a smooth car hire at the airport. We were looking forward to our getaway in Albania!
Albanian ladies dancing in traditional costumes
The preparations
Two weeks before departure, we received a personalised road book setting out our comprehensive itinerary. It also included among other things additional stops along the route that we could enjoy, travel advice, recommendations for local restaurants, and local culinary delights.
Thanks to a specific reference number sent by Velstana, it was also available on the internet and on an easy-to-use app – that can also be used in offline mode – that we could download for free on our iOS and Android devices.
One week family holiday in Albania
Trip details
Day
1
Arrival in the Albanian capital
Upon arrival at Tirana Airport, we picked up the rental car that Velstana pre-booked for us. We stayed at a nice boutique hotel situated in the heart of the city. We strolled in the capital’s streets and did a self-guided walking tour – suggested in our personalised guidebook – to see the main attractions. For example, we visited a former Cold-War-era nuclear bunker turned into an interesting museum. We had dinner in a nice local restaurant recommended by Velstana. Albanian food was original and very tasty. Read moreHide
Day
2
An active day
We made our way south towards a small town called Permet, which was surrounded by beautiful valleys. Upon arrival, we went discovering a canyon home to several hot springs. It was an amazing experience. We bathed in these natural pools whilst surveying the spectacular scenery. We stayed overnight at a lovely family-run guesthouse located in the mountains overlooking the town. We had a delicious homemade dinner on the terrace with a stunning view of the surrounding valley.Read moreHide
Day
3
Gjirokastër – the pearl of Albania
Velstana arranged for us a horseback riding tour in the morning. We were beginners but this was not a problem at all. We followed a local guide on a horseback to explore the unspoiled wilderness of Albania while enjoying the spectacular scenery. That trail ride was memorable and this off-the-beaten-path experience was one of the highlights of our holiday! Then, we headed towards another gem of Albania, namely the old town of Gjirokastër. Walking around the old town was delightful. We visited the hilltop castle and Cold War tunnel, several fascinating Ottoman-style house-museums, a bazaar market, etc. Upon Velstana’s recommendation, we also went for a gentle one-hour walk in the mountains behind the old town. We stayed at a cosy guesthouse with a lovely host.
Day
4
Arrival in the Albanian Riviera
We left the Albanian hinterland behind and ventured towards the Albanian Riviera renowned for its beautiful beaches lapped by warm turquoise water. We stopped along the way at a natural pool dubbed the “Blue Eye”. It was a captivating natural phenomenon. We also visited a coastal fortress before reaching our hotel. We stayed at a nice 4-star hotel offering a swimming pool and a private beach. There was also a nice promenade with a few bars and restaurants. This was ideal for dinner.
Day
5
A relaxing day
Following an insider tip provided in our personalised roadbook, we headed towards a secret cove located not far away from the hotel. After a 30-minute walk, we reached this hidden spot. The scenery was stunning. The beach – lapped by the warm crystalline water - was not crowded at all. We rested by the sea the whole day while listening to the sound of the waves. What a relaxing experience !
Day
6
Exploring the Albanian Riviera
In the morning, we did a private speedboat tour to explore several bays, caves, and creeks that were not accessible on foot. We swam, snorkeled and had a relaxing and memorable time at a pristine beach. This was a brilliant way to discover an iconic and well-preserved part of the Albanian Riviera ! In the afternoon, we went to visit a charming half-abandoned hilltop village. The viewpoint was stunning.Read moreHide
Day
7
The beautiful City of a thousand windows
We left the Albanian Riviera behind and drove towards Berat dubbed “the City of a thousand windows”. En route, we stopped at Llogara Pass offering a breathtaking view of the coastline ! Upon Velstana’s recommendation, we also explored an archeological park housing well-preserved ruins of an ancient Greek colony. The visit proved to be fascinating! We arrived in Berat and discovered this lovely old town. The main sights included its hilltop castle, its picturesque neighbourhoods teeming with beautiful Ottoman houses and quaint narrow alleys. It felt like a journey in the past ! We stayed at a cosy boutique hotel located in the heart of the old town. Read moreHide
Day
8
Time to get home
After a last stroll in the picturesque old town of Berat, we headed towards Tirana Airport. The drive took two hours only. We returned the rental car a couple of hours before our flight. We did spend a memorable one-week holiday in Albania. We wished it could have been longer to explore additional treasures. Anyway, we looked forward to planning a new bespoke holiday with Velstana in the future!Read moreHide
Pricing and services for this family holiday: € 799 per person
Included:
4-star hotel accommodation or at cosy guest houses – 1 triple room
Breakfast every day
Evening meal on Day 2
Car rental for 8 days, including third-party liability insurance and standard coverage in case of damages and theft (CDW and TP)
Horseback riding with a guide on Day 3
Private speedboat tour on Day 6
2 prepaid local e-Sims with a validity of 14 days and 2 GB of data each
1 unique, personalised roadbook setting out all your trip information including a detailed description of the day-to-day itinerary, suggested stops along the route, suggestions for hiking and walking routes, insider tips, practical advice, suggestions for local restaurants, traditional food to try, etc.
Excluded:
Flight tickets
Car fuel and security deposit
Some locally payable car-rental-related charges, including optional excess reduction
Meals, other than those listed as included in your itinerary
Entrance charges and costs, when you are exploring at a leisure
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
The abovementioned sample prices are for guidance only and are not binding. The total cost of your holiday will depend on a number of factors, including time of year of travel and choice of accommodation and transport. The actual cost of your holiday is as set out in the Booking Confirmation.
