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The Hop, Grape & Raki Escape: Albania Uncorked

6 days

Easy

Drink your way through castles, canyons and coastlines. Grandma cooks, Grandpa jams and raki flows like water. Albania’s least-visited gems, most potent booze and plenty of carbs — all in one gloriously tipsy adventure.

Tired of the same old “wine tasting in a vineyard while pretending you know what tannins are”? Us too. That’s why we’re taking you around Albania — where the beer is fresh, the raki is strong enough to strip paint and Grandma’s recipes will make you forget your diet faster than you can say “more cheese, please.”

Here’s the deal:

  • Day 1: Start with beer. Always start with beer.
  • Day 2: Sleep in a castle like a Balkan royal. Raki included. Crown not included.
  • Day 3: Raft a canyon, then recover with wine and a submarine chef’s cooking (yes, he’s real).
  • Day 4: Cruise the Riviera, eat mussels, drink wine, question why you ever go home.
  • Day 5: Grandma cooks. Grandpa plays music. You drink. Everybody’s happy.
  • Day 6: Try to smuggle cheese into your suitcase. Airport security will love you.

All meals, all drinks, all laughs — covered. The only thing you’ll need to pay extra for? The rafting. And maybe the therapy after Grandpa serenades you too hard.

Spots are limited. Booze waits for no one. Come thirsty, leave tipsy and slightly more Albanian.

What's included?
    • All accommodations with breakfast (3★ standard)
    • All meals and drinks (sober holidays are overrated)
    • Minivan with an experienced English-speaking driver/guide who doubles as your DJ, translator and unofficial therapist
    • Western guides
    Exclusions
      • International flights
      • Rafting activity fee (a small price for adrenaline and wet socks)
      • Bar crawl drinks
      • Insurance
      Please note
        • This is not a detox retreat. If you’re looking for yoga at sunrise and kale smoothies, you’ve clicked the wrong tour. We promise carbs, cheese, raki and zero guilt!
        • Your liver will get a workout. Albania is generous with booze. Hydration is on you (water counts as self defence).
        • Grandma runs the kitchen. She doesn’t do gluten-free, vegan or “just a salad.” She does delicious. 
        • Grandpa may or may not perform. If he’s in the mood, expect traditional music. If he’s not, expect plenty of raki refills. 
        • Three-star hotels, five-star memories. You’ll sleep comfortably but the real luxury is the food, the views and the questionable dance moves.
        • Bring elastic waistbands. Seriously. You’ll thank us.
        • Adventure level: Moderate. Includes rafting, walking, and possibly dancing badly after too much wine.
        • Hangovers are not included in the price. Those are complimentary.
        What to bring
          • Elastic waistbands: Albania’s grandmas don’t understand portion control.
          • Painkillers: because raki hits harder than regret.
          • Sunglasses: not just for the sun but to hide your “I had too much wine last night” eyes.
          • Swimwear: for the Riviera… and possibly impromptu drunken dips.
          • Breath mints: unless you want to smell permanently of garlic, cheese, and local brandy.
          • A sense of humour: essential when Grandpa insists you join the dance circle.
          • Backup liver: if you can find one on Amazon, bring it.
          • Power bank: you’ll need juice for all those blurry bar selfies.
          • Walking shoes: castles, cobblestones and vineyards aren’t high-heel friendly.
          • Room in your suitcase: for wine bottles, cheese wheels and questionable souvenirs you’ll regret at customs.