Testimonials:
Albania - North to South Cycling Holiday

Ros Lawson, Edinburgh Scotland

This was my sixth Redspokes trip and Albania didn't let me down. The Alps are incredibly beautiful and the North to South tour gave us a great overview of the country. Our guide Arjan (who is exceptionally proud of his country!) and support driver Rimi worked so hard and could not have been more helpful & good-humoured. Safety on the roads was paramount with constant reminders to cycle on the right. Local drivers were, on the whole respectful of us. The bikes were maintained very well; constantly being checked & any problems tweaked straight away. The accommodation was generally of a good standard and the restaurants and food chosen well (lots of salads, roasted veg & feta cheese - but cold chips seem to be a thing!).

We loved spending our day off in Ohrid, Macedonia where some of us swam in the tectonic lake as our hotel was right on the water. This is definitely a part of the world I would like to revisit before it becomes too westernised, although I would return in June or September when it is slightly warmer. The one disappointment was the amount of litter scattered everywhere. The cycling was often challenging & deserved the 7/10 grading on difficulty. However, we like this level of tour & will be returning for more!

Sarah & jerry, Edinburgh, Scotland

Great trip exploring a new country. A nice mix of hard cycling with some easier days and some great swimming opportunities to relax

Kevin Thomasson, Poole, England, UK

Another great redspokes trip. I didn't know what to expect from post communist Albania. I was pleasantly surprised. A beautiful, lively, modern and very friendly country. Our guides Aryan and Juli did a great job looking after us in a friendly amusing and professional manner. redspokes rate it 6/10 more like 7/10. The scenery is varied ranging from stunning mountains to vivid blue seas. Excellent food and good local beers to rehydrate you at the end of the day.

Robert Harrison, Weymouth, England, UK

By hiring an ebike I was able to complete a tour that I wouldn't have been able to contemplate without. Albania is a cyclist's dream, quiet roads with good tarmac, big climbs and high mountains all around, From day one scenery was varied and spectacular. The tour combines comfortable accommodation with fantastic food, especially if you like cheese! It was extremely well organised and run by one of the best guide and driver teams around.

Eric Tofflemire, California, United States

Arjan was wonderful! Near the top of a 10k climb, at about 12% near the top, he was singing to us as we rode! He was a wellspring of local knowledge and history. My only question about the food is, how did I actually GAIN weight? Seriously, it was fresh, fabulous, and plentiful!

I can't say enough about the support. Tony (sp?) was a tremendous help. Many of us brought our own bikes, which he always kept cleaned, maintained, and safe throughout the trip. My bike arrived home in better shape than when I left! Thank You!

Fernanda Strang, San Paulo, Brazil

The best way of getting to know a country. Perfect! You can cover so many different places in a speed that allows you to experience the local atmosphere in a unique way. Guides and staff were great making the trip goes smooth. Beautiful landscape, impressive mountains. The food was so fresh and surprising in the best way. Absolutely recommend this trip and redspokes.

Steve & Kathy Riegel, Rochester, NY, USA

Arjan and Tani are among the best guides and support we have ever experienced. They greatly helped our understanding of Albania and its history, and ensured every one of us had a deeply satisfying time.

In addition to spectacular riding, the tour packed an amazing amount of cultural experiences into the days. We were thoroughly immersed in Albania, and are certain the country will do well based on the strong, warm-hearted people there. They really know how to cook! Best food ever.

Linda Hoff, Malmo, Sweden

This is a fantastic trip around a fascinating and beautiful country. The mountains are impressive, the coastline stuning and the people very friendly and helpfull. Our guide and driver were an excellent team and very good amassadors for Albania.

Becky & John Layton, San Francisco, USA

Our 4th redspokes tour and one of the best! The landscapes were positively gorgeous - dramatic mountains, brilliant lakes and rivers, colourful wildflowers, lush farmlands and jaw dropping coastlines. The first few days through the Albanian Alps were challenging, but a highlight of our trip and also the rest day at Ohrid was perfectly timed. The food was fresh, tasty, and plentiful at every meal. Our guide Arjan was fun, lively and had deep knowledge of the area and the road conditions. Albania's recent communist history and older Ottoman/Roman influences were fascinating.

We highly recommend this trip!

Andrew Wiggans, Rochdale, England, UK

How best to sum up my experience in just a few words? Flawless organisation and support throughout; fabulous Albanian hospitality, food and accommodation; a glimpse of a country yet to be "infested" by our takeaway culture - not one McDonalds or Starbucks in sight; fabulous snow-capped mountains and fields full of poppies; and a chance to learn all about the culture and history of this land and its people. 

I was a month short of 70 when I did the trip and worried about a slightly dodgy knee. No need to have been too concerned, not least because of the friendly and supportive group with whom I rode. If I can make it so can you. Go soon before it gets too busy.

Michael Litchfield, Emerald, Australia

A unique combination of great cycling, great accommodation and amazing food the best of any tour I have been on !

Arjan's passion for his country shone through by providing great insight into Albania's dark past.. Both he and Juli worked tirelessly to ensure we had a fantastic trip. Highly recommend.

Michael Heath, Nuneaton, England, UK

Absolutely superb trip and my eyes were really opened to this stunning country. I took a lot of convincing to travel here, but I'm so glad I did make the effort. Friendly people, great food, great cycling on safe roads and a good standard of hotel all around. Put this country on your bucket list before it becomes discovered properly by the tourists.

Joanna Reaves , Edinburgh Scotland

Another memorable Red Spokes trip. This time to Albania. Lots of fun and laughs with some lovely people, a few of which we’ve met on RS tours before and have now formed a firm friendship. Albania is a beautiful country, with spectacular scenery which is constantly changing.

On the whole quiet country roads, with a bit of everything from steep ascents and descents to soft (and not so soft) undulating hills.

Arjan our guide and Rimi our driver could not do enough for us. They never stopped even during meal times, attending to our every need. I enjoyed Arjans sense of humor, his professionalism and organizational skills leaves one in no doubt that you’re in safe hands.

Greg Challis, Sheffield, England, UK

This was a great trip with thoughtful support from our guides Arjan and Julian. Albania is wonderful place to cycle. The mountains are remote and beautiful, the people incredibly friendly and the history and heritage fascinating.

Clare & Mark Elsegood, Glossop, UK

As experienced cycle tourists, but having never been on an organised group tour , would we do another group tour? - would we use redspokes? -would we recommend Albania? The short answer to all is yes , we would.

We came away with very positive feelings about it all. We are already considering another tour with redspokes next year . We may have been fortunate in that the group was populated with like minded, interesting and capable people and the Guide and driver were first class. The accommodation was better than expected with plenty of idiosyncrasies- this is Albania afterall. They added to the fun rather than caused real inconvenience. The food was a revelation - plentiful , fresh and tasty with a local bias as hoped.  Arjan and Tuani ( sp?) were great ambassadors for their country. 

Albania itself was different but not as alien as we may have anticipated and we never felt threatened or particularly uncomfortable and had  a thoroughly enjoyable experience that we are keen to repeat.

Phillip Stapleton, Bognor Regis, England, UK

I've been on a good number of cycle tours and this one was right up there with the best. Albania is a fascinating mix of the traditional and the modern with history a plenty and scenery to die for. The people were so friendly and the occasional drivers that passed, so courteous. Our guide, Aryan was excellent working tirelessly to show us the best that Albania has to offer. My advice is to go there soon before too many other people discover this gem.

Kieran Kelleher, Kanturk, Ireland

Another excellent redpsokes tour which I would highly recommend. Albania is an great destination & a great way to see the countryside. Some preparation is needed beforehand for this tour as the initial part in the North is in the mountains & along with the terrific climb on the last day cycling, it is challenging but well worth it.

Joanne & Simon Belton, Matamata, New Zealand

Can you think of a better way to meet a bunch of random people from anywhere in the world? This ride showed the great mountainous expanse of Albania, the contrasts within the country itself, and how far the country has advanced since the end of communism.

Our guide Arjan was every passionate about his country and was never hesitant to share his views and information. Our support man Elvis was outstanding. Nothing was too much effort for him, and he was always there offering you water, a banana, packet of nuts, or chocolate bar whenever you were in need - it was like you were holding a sign with your order on it. Happy pedalling!

Karine, London, England, UK

I felt a bit out of range when I first arrived on this tour as the average participant age was higher than mine. However I had a lot of fun on this tour!!!! The cycling part was excellent. Really well organised and a paradise for cyclists.

Arjan was helpful to guide us and give us information on the country. July went above his duties to make sure everybody was having a good time. A fantastic experience overall :)

Donal Burke, New York, USA

An amazing cycling trip with breathtaking views in the mountains and along the beautiful coast road. All the accommodation and food was to a high standard and the guides worked tirelessly to keep the everything running like clockwork.

Bruce Irving, Norwich, England, UK

Both guides are proud of their country and keen to show us everything. They were tremendous fun. We stayed in fanatastic places ranging from downtown Las Vagas, to super cool luxury and a farm stay cabin. All beach hotels were actually by the beach, perfect for a swim. The food was really superb and so healthy. Excellent Macedonian wine. Albania was well above my expectations I did almost everything I could but left without eating a goats head, so I will have to go back!

Steve & Anne , Harrogate, England, UK

We really enjoyed the Albania tour with its challenging climbs and exhilarating descents. The guides love of their own country was inspiring. They could not do enough for us. The route and scenery were outstanding. The accommodation was all of a very good standard, allowing us to recover in comfort from each day's efforts. We would highly recommend this trip.

Malcolm Thoms, Fife, Scotland

Albania: great holiday and people, excellent food and guide!

Claire Waddington, Crawley, Australia

Had another great redspokes holiday - thank you!

Bryan Crosland, Swansea, Wales

A thoroughly enjoyable and well organised trip, with great company, excellent food, and brilliant guides Arjan and Juli. This is another great trip in the redspokes itinerary.

George Porter, Waverley, NSW, Australia

I was expecting a post-communist underdeveloped country but discovered that Albania is an outward-looking and very welcoming place with good infrastructure, fabulous mountain scenery and few tourists.