Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need Visas? Why there is a caw in the middle of the highway? Why do you have dolls hanging outside of the buildings?

Travelling to new places can prompt you to many questions. That is why we have created this list of Frequently Asked Questions to help you out.

Should you not find your answer below, don’t hesitate to contact our friendly time at any time here.

Before you go

How to book

Where can I book my tour?

You can book Elite Travel Albania online, over the Phone, via experiences@etg.al, at one of our locations in Albania, and in various Tourist Information Centres and hotels.

How far in advance should I book?

We accept reservations up to a few hours before the day of departure. But our tours sell out fast, so it’s best to book as far in advance as possible.

What’s the maximum number of people I can book the tour for?

Eight is the maximum number of people you can book a tour for. If you want to travel in a larger group, please have a look at our private tours section for further information and suggestions.

Are tours available all year round?

We operate tours all year round, however, there are fewer choices and departures throughout the winter. Please check tour availability.

Visas

Do I need a visa to go on a tour with Elite Travel Albania?

This depends on your country of citizenship and where you’re visiting. You can find up-to-date and reliable information on the official Ministry of foreign affairs of each of the country you’re visiting or from their embassy or consulate. Visa applications take time, so organise this ahead of your departure date. Also remember to double check your passport’s expiry date.

Will my passport be checked between borders?

Passports will be checked when crossing between countries each time.

Can I visit Balkan countries if I have a valid Schengen Visa?

In most of the countries foreign citizens who have a valid, multiple-entry Schengen visa, which has been previously used in one of the Schengen states, or foreign citizens who have a valid permit of stay in one of the Schengen states. Also, foreign citizens who have a valid, multiple-entry US or UK visa, which has been previously used in the respective country of issuance, or have a valid permit of stay in the US or UK. For more information check the information about Schengen Visas on their official website.

Cancellation policies

What is guaranteed departure?

It’s simple: you book, you go. This means we’ll never cancel your tour because of a minimum numbers policy.

What are your cancellation policies?

We have a cancellation period of three days for one day tours and 45 days for longer tours. If you cancel your trip before this period, we’ll give you a full refund. If you cancel 14 or fewer days within this period, there is no refund.

Click here to view full terms and conditions.

Tour Language

What languages are our tours in?

All of our tours are conducted in clear spoken English. However, if you are booking a private tour and would like the tour to be in another language such as French, Spanish, Italian, German, Spanish, Dutch or else, please contact us.

Can I view my tour itinerary in a language other than English?

Yes. Some of our tour summaries are translated into French, Spanish, Italian and German on our website. You can change the language of our website by clicking the globe icon at the top of the page.

Travel Insurance

Should I take out travel insurance?

We always advise you to take out travel insurance.

Luggage and packing advice

How much luggage can I take with me?

You are not restricted. However, the limitation of the luggage can vary from tour to tour and depending on the type of tour or transportation involved. Kindly check the notices in each tour page.

What should I wear?

We like to give you plenty of opportunities to go on nature walks, so we recommend you bring comfortable waterproofs and footwear for your tour. Check out our Essential Packing List blog for more ideas on what to bring for a tour with us. Furthermore, you should be prepared for every type of weather when you travel to the Balkan countries. Make sure to check the forecast prior to your departure date.

Do I need to bring my own lunch?

You don’t need to. We stop in small towns, villages, and rural eateries where you can choose whatever meal pleases both your taste buds and your budget.

What currency should I bring with me?

The euro (€) is used in Kosovo, Montenegro, and Slovenia. Countries that don’t use the euro are Albania (lekë), Bosnia and Hercegovina (convertible mark), Croatia (kuna), North Macedonia (Macedonian denar) and Serbia (Serbian Dinar), though the majority of the businesses will accept euros.

Will most places accept card payment?

Some businesses in the small towns and villages may only take cash or may not accept your card type. So, we advise you to have cash on hand to avoid disappointment and inconvenience.

Boarding your tour

Do you offer hotel pickups?

Our tours start in predefined locations. So, to speed up your departure, we only pick up from our central meeting points. `

What’s more, is this allows us to leave the city via the most direct route and reduce the pollution and carbon footprint of our tours. However, we can offer Hotel pick up at an extra cost. Get in touch with us here.

Where do your tours leave from?

We have various departure points across Balkans. Click on this link for more specific information.

When should I get to the departure point?

Arrive 15 minutes before your departure time. Due to waiting restrictions, our tours can’t wait for you if you’re late.

What documentation should I bring with me to check in for my tour?

After you book a trip with us, we send you a confirmation email. Please take an electronic version of this to your departure point.

Is there parking close to the departure point?

We don’t recommend bringing a car to your departure point. We leave from historic destinations where it’s usually harder to find parking than just hopping on a bus.

What happens if I am late or miss my tour?

Our cancellation policy applies when you’re late for a tour.

Coach/Transportation vehicle information

How big are your coaches?

We have a big range of sizes we use for tours. They can range from 4+1 seat sedan cars up to 50+1 big touristic coaches. The vehicle we will use will depend on the type of tour and the total number of participants. We will always use a bigger vehicle than the number of participants for extra comfort.

Can I pre-book a specific seat?

You cannot pre-book a seat on the bus, because of logistical reasons.

Are their toilets on your mini-coach?

Unfortunately, we have no onboard toilet facilities, but your driver-guide will make regular comfort breaks every 2 – 2.5 hours of driving.

Can I take food or drinks onto the mini-coach?

Hot drinks can be taken onto the mini-coaches as long as they’re secured with a lid. Drink bottles are also allowed. Cold food can be taken onto the bus but always check the rules for eating on board with your driver.

Is there free WiFi on your mini-coaches?

We don’t provide WiFi on our mini-coaches. This is a chance for you to disconnect, unwind and take in the scenery. But don’t worry, there’ll be plenty of opportunities for you to get your updates when you get back to your hotel.

Do your driver-guides use microphones?

Yes, you can hear your driver-guide loud and clear from anywhere on the bus.

During your tour

How much time will I have off the bus

We want you to enjoy the tour. And we believe the best way to do this is to get you off the coach and out exploring. So, we give you plenty of time to take photos, go walking and explore ancient ruins.

Will I have mobile reception everywhere I go on my tour

Our driver-guides like to take you off the beaten track so you can experience the remote locations many tour companies cannot access. So, naturally, you may not have mobile reception in some of the places you visit.

Are entry expenses included on my tour price

Yes and No. This will strongly depend on the tour you have booked. Kindly refer to the “included section” of each tour to see what is included on the package.

Can I opt out of activities or visiting certain sites

You don’t have to participate in all the activities or enter all the sites visited on your tour. This means if you want to skip a castle and read your book by a mountain view, you can.

Multi-day tours

Will there be places to eat within walking distance of my accommodation?

We endeavour to offer central hotels, hostels and B&B’s within walking distance of a variety of places to eat. Some of our tours also do have meals included. Kindly check the included list of the tour you have booked.

Will I have much free time?

We’re quite flexible. If you’d like extra free time, simply ask your driver-guide. In the evenings, your time will usually be your own to do as you please.

Is my luggage secure when left on the mini-coach?

Yes. When your tour group and your driver-guide are away from the bus, your luggage will be securely locked inside. But we recommend you take valuables such as money, passport and cameras with you whenever you leave the bus.

After your tour

Should i tip the driver-guide?

Let’s be honest, our driver-guides would never refuse a cheeky wee bonus. But it’s up to you, and the amount is entirely at your discretion.

Where can i share photos of my trip?

We love to see what you’ve been up to on our tours! You can share photos of your adventures on Instagram and Facebook by using the hashtag #everlastingexperiences. You can also upload your photos and experiences experiences@etg.al

How can i provide feedback

We always welcome feedback on our tours! After the tour, we will send you by email a survey for you to complete. You can contact us directly via phone +355684424443 or email feedback@etg.al if you wish to discuss your experience or suggest improvements. You can also leave a review on our Facebook page or Google Reviews.


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