We took 2 tours with this company, both full-day experiences, this one which was 12 hours long, and a second one to Apollonia and Berat for 10.5h.
First off, we wanted to relax, rather than have the stress of figuring it out all for ourselves. Jack and Manon do this perfectly! I found their tours online, loved their intinararies, but wasn't sure whether they could pick us up from our hotel in Durres or which tours were best to pick for our interests. I contacted them to ask, and Manon got back to me quickly with great insight and said of course they could pick us up from Durres. Their English is excellent, so no issues there!
Our guide was Jack for both days, and he's the best guide to have for such long tours! As another reviwer said, he's very non-taxing company - which sounds odd, so to explain: he's a very kind and relaxing presence that puts you at ease. There was a lot to see and do in each tour, but it never felt rushed with Jack. He guided us through with placid efficiency and well-placed insight. He made sure we got to see everything smoothly and in good time - I'm not sure how much work that takes behind the scenes, because Jack is so good at doing it it looked effortless! He's truly a master at giving the tour that fits the time available, giving information without being at all overbearing or intrusive, while still being sensitive to our needs, ensuring we got chances to stretch our legs during long car rides, stock up on water, find toilets, etc.
Both tours required long drives, which, being tired from jumping from city to city with jet lag, we largely slept through - which was a nice way to rest between stops. Jack let us sleep, and it was easy to feel at ease in the car with him! It's a comfortable car with good leg room for tall people, and Jack is a very safe driver!
Apollonia is well worth the visit, even in the heat! The history of this region is so complex, it's brilliant to see parts of it for yourself! Berat too is just beautiful, from the castle on top of the mountain to the city down in the valley. This tour was a great addition to the Girokaster one we took!
Huge thanks to Jack and Manon for creating our experience!
Interesting trip to ruins of Apollonia and then later to Byzantine city of Berat. Our tour guide, Jack, was great. There's lots of walking, so bring good shoes and drink plenty of water in the summer. The iconography museum at Berat castle was impressive. This is an all-day excursion but gives you a chance to see some of the Albanian countryside and learn about the layers of history of the Albanian people.
My husband and I went on the three-day Albanian Riviera transportation and sightseeing trip. It could not have gone more perfectly. The communication beforehand was excellent. Manon explained everything in advance and responded very quickly and thoroughly to the list of questions I had.
Jack picked us up at our hotel in Tirana and off we went. He was so enjoyable to spend time with. He explained everything we were going to see and do and gave just the right amount of information on the sights. That said, he has a deep knowledge of history and was happy to go into depth when asked.
My husband and I usually go on our own when traveling but this time, we were so happy we had a guide. We would never have learned as much or have been as comfortable traveling if we had done it without Jack.
Albania is a beautiful country and we are so happy we saw what we did.
Thank you, Jack and Manon, for teaching us about your country. We wish you great success with your business.
Elaine and Joe
P.S. Jack is an excellent and careful driver. I always felt safe!