Intrepid Travel, the world's largest B-Corp-certified travel company, has partnered with MEET Network to create a new 9-day expedition around Albania, exploring parts of the country rarely visited by tourists. This is Intrepid's first standalone trip in Albania, departing for the first time in September 2023.

Albania has been soaring in popularity in recent years, thanks to its stunning and diverse landscapes of mountains and coastlines, along with its fascinating culture. Described by its tourism board as “Europe's last unturned stone”, Albania is focusing on alternative travel, promoting agritourism and ecotourism – rather than package beach holidays – by encouraging visitors to immerse themselves in nature and meet local communities to have a more enriching experience.  

The trip begins in the capital Tirana, then heads north to the stunning mountain and lakes region of Lake Koman to hike along the River Shala. The tour then heads down the coast towards the remarkable landscapes of Divjaka-Karavasta National Park and Bay of Vlora for some bird watching and local craft experiences. The tour includes a visit to Berat, also known as the “town of a thousand windows” before finishing back in Tirana with plenty of time to explore the lively and vibrant capital.

MEET is a network of Mediterranean protected areas that work with tourism operators to create sustainable, high quality ecotourism experiences that benefit conservation and local communities. All MEET Experiences are nature-based, cultural experiences with a low ecological footprint and a maximized social impact which allow travellers to discover a new side of the Mediterranean. The MEET experience on this trip takes place in DivjakeKaravasta National Park, which includes a visit to the nature protected area of Karavasta Lagoon and the conservation tower to learn about the bird rehabilitation centre treating wild birds on their migratory route. 

“We're extremely proud of our partnership with MEET as their ethos of responsible travel aligns with our mission to create positive change through the joy of travel.” says Zina Bencheikh, managing director EMEA for Intrepid Travel. “This is the third trip we've developed in partnership with MEET and is another example of Intrepid's commitment to providing sustainable, experience-rich trips to conscious travellers looking for truly authentic experiences, and to have a positive impact on local communities.”

Alessandro Galli, President of MEET, said: “During the last couple of years, we have experienced first-hand the great need and desire for change in the tourism sector. We have worked tirelessly with our partners in Albania — from Protected Area Managers to Tour Operators, from hoteliers and restaurant owners to local artisanal craftsmen — to bring to life a totally new concept of tourism, based on fairness, local peculiarities, and sustainability. We are proud to see that this model is now being recognized by Intrepid and even more proud to see Albania in the spotlight with such a high-quality, low-impact product.”

Intrepid's new 9 day Albania Expedition starts at £1,145 per person and includes accommodation, ground transport, selected meals and activities. Highlights include:

• MEET Experience: Start your day early with a sunrise breakfast in one of the bird watching towers on the western side of the Karavasta Lagoon.
• Stay two nights in a cosy family-owned village guesthouse by the aquamarine waters of the Shala River, spend time hiking the gorgeous natural surrounds, enjoying water activities and home-cooked meals
• Sit down to a farm-to-table dinner made with fresh ingredients grown on-site at one of Albania's top culinary destinations - Mrizi I Zanave farm ("Shade of the Fairies").
• Visit the village of Babunje, where you'll have a chance to participate in a hands-on craft experience, homemade raki and a coffee reading with a group of farmers and artists.
• Hike to the old village of Tragjas, where time has stood still since the area was bombed during World War II. From the ruins of the old village, a family has created an animal farm that utilises traditional and sustainable farming and conservation practices.
• Travel to the small city of Berat, known as the 'town of a thousand windows' and one of TIME magazine's World's Greatest Places for 2023
  

For more information about Intrepid's new Albania Expedition, or to book, visit: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/uk/albania/albania-expedition-147588  

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ABOUT INTREPID TRAVEL  

Intrepid Travel is a world leader in sustainable experience-rich travel that has been taking travellers to discover the world's most amazing places for more than 30 years. The company's mission is to create positive change through the joy of travel. The company offers more than 1,150 trips on every continent and every is designed to truly experience local culture. With its own network of destination management companies in 26 countries, Intrepid has unique local expertise and perspectives. Globally renowned as a leader in responsible travel, in 2018 the carbon-neutral business became the world's largest travel company to be certified B-Corp. Intrepid Travel is the first tour operator with near-term science-based climate targets through the Science Based Targets Initiative, and its not-for-profit, The Intrepid Foundation, has raised more than $12 million for more than 135 partners around the world. For further information download the company's 2021 Integrated Annual Report and follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn.

ABOUT MEET

The MEET Network (MEET – Mediterranean Experience of Ecotourism) is an association of Mediterranean protected areas working together to conserve the region's natural and cultural mosaic, while promoting a new model of ecotourism to the market through the development of high-quality ecotourism experiences that benefit conservation and local communities. The association has developed a model that includes innovative tools to manage the impact of its products. MEET's vision is to shape the Mediterranean as a leading ecotourism destination. For more information, you can follow the association on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook, or check its YouTubechannel.