Explore Albania with a Local Guide
Our Local Tour client Oscar and his partner wrote about their trip to explore Albania with a local guide.
If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-track destination that’s rich in history and culture, then Albania should be at the top of your list. And what better way to discover this hidden gem than with a local guide who can show you the real Albania? That’s exactly what we did on a recent private tour of Albania, and it was an experience that we’ll never forget.
From the moment we arrived in Tirana, we knew we were in for a treat. The guide, Agron, was waiting for us at the airport, and we immediately hit it off. He was friendly, knowledgeable and passionate about his country, and it was clear that we were in good hands.
Our first stop was the vibrant capital city of Tirana, and Agron wasted no time in showing us the best that the city had to offer. We started with a visit to the National History Museum, which was a fantastic introduction to Albanian history. The museum is a huge, modern building, and inside there are exhibits that cover everything from prehistoric times to the present day. Agron was a font of knowledge, and he brought the exhibits to life with his stories and explanations.
Next, we headed to the Et’hem Bey Mosque, which is one of the most important landmarks in Tirana. The mosque was built in the early 19th century and is a great example of Ottoman architecture. Despite being in the heart of the city, it’s a peaceful and tranquil place, and we felt a real sense of calm inside the mosque.
The next day, we hit the road and headed south towards Berat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s often called the “town of a thousand windows”. And it’s easy to see why – the town is full of beautiful Ottoman-era buildings with countless windows that give it a unique and romantic charm.
One of the highlights of our time in Berat was a visit to the castle, which is perched on top of a hill overlooking the town. The castle dates back to the 4th century BC and has been used by various empires and rulers over the centuries. Agron was a fantastic guide, and he gave a real insight into the castle’s history and the many battles that were fought there.
As we left Berat, we headed further south towards the Albanian Riviera, a stretch of coastline that’s been described as the “Mediterranean as it once was”. The scenery was stunning, with crystal-clear waters and rugged cliffs that dropped down into the sea.
Our base for the next few days was the town of Saranda, which is known for its lively atmosphere and stunning beaches. One of the highlights of our time in Saranda was a visit to the ancient city of Butrint, which is another UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city dates back to the 7th century BC and was an important centre for the Greeks, the Romans and the Byzantines. The ruins are incredibly well-preserved, and it was fascinating to walk around and imagine what life was like there thousands of years ago.
As our tour of Albania came to an end, we both felt incredibly grateful to have had Agron as our Albania guide. He had shown us a side of Albania that we would never have experienced travelling on our own, and his passion and enthusiasm for his country was infectious. Albania may be a small and often-overlooked destination in Europe, but it’s a place that’s rich in history and culture. I would highly recommend any intrepid traveller visit now before things change too much.
- Published in Specialist Travel
Yoga Holidays in Morocco: A Guide to the Best Destinations and Experiences
Morocco is a country that has something to offer everyone, from its stunning scenery and rich culture to its delicious food and friendly people. It’s no wonder that it’s become a popular destination for yoga holidays.
If you’re looking for a yoga holiday that combines the best of Morocco, then you’ve come to the right place. In this blog post, we’ll share some of the best destinations and experiences for yoga holidays in Morocco.
Best Destinations for Yoga Holidays in Morocco
There are many great places to go for a yoga holiday in Morocco, but some of the most popular destinations include:
- Essaouira
Essaouira is a beautiful coastal town that’s known for its windsurfing, kitesurfing, and yoga. It’s also a great place to relax and soak up the Moroccan atmosphere.
- Taghazout
Taghazout is another popular destination for yoga holidays. It’s located on the Atlantic coast and is known for its beautiful beaches, great surfing, and laid-back atmosphere.
- Marrakech
Marrakech is the most popular tourist destination in Morocco, and it’s also a great place to go for a yoga holiday. The city is home to a number of yoga studios and retreats, and it’s also a great place to experience Moroccan culture.
- The Atlas Mountains
The Atlas Mountains are a beautiful mountain range that runs through Morocco. They’re a great place to go for yoga holidays if you’re looking for some peace and quiet.
Best Yoga Experiences in Morocco
In addition to the great destinations mentioned above, there are also a number of great yoga experiences that you can have in Morocco. Here are a few of our favorites:
- Yoga in the Sahara Desert
There’s nothing quite like practicing yoga in the vastness of the Sahara Desert. The silence and stillness of the desert are the perfect setting for a yoga practice, and the stunning scenery will take your breath away.
- Yoga on a Surfboard
If you’re looking for a challenge, why not try yoga on a surfboard? This is a great way to combine your love of yoga and surfing, and it’s also a great way to get a workout.
- Yoga with a View
There are many places in Morocco where you can practice yoga with a view. Some of our favorites include the rooftop of a riad in Marrakech, the beach in Essaouira, and the mountains in the Atlas Mountains.
No matter what your budget, experience level, or interests, there’s a yoga holiday in Morocco that’s perfect for you. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your yoga holiday today!
Here are some additional tips for planning your yoga holiday in Morocco:
- Choose the right destination
There are many great destinations for yoga holidays in Morocco, so it’s important to choose the one that’s right for you. Consider your budget, experience level, and interests when making your decision.
- Do your research
Once you’ve chosen your destination, it’s important to do some research on the different yoga retreats and studios that are available. Read reviews, compare prices, and make sure you choose a retreat that’s a good fit for you.
- Pack light
You’ll be doing a lot of yoga on your holiday, so it’s important to pack light. Bring comfortable clothing, a yoga mat, and any other essentials you might need.
- Be open to new experiences
Yoga holidays are a great opportunity to try new things and step outside of your comfort zone. Be open to new experiences, and you’re sure to have a wonderful time.
We hope this blog post has inspired you to book a yoga holiday in Morocco. With its stunning scenery, rich culture, and delicious food, Morocco is the perfect place to relax, rejuvenate, and connect with your inner self.
- Published in Specialist Travel
Sustainable Tourism for Tour Operators
Sustainable Tourism for Tour Operators
Sustainable tourism is becoming increasingly important in the travel industry. Outbound tour operators such as Our Local Tour have a key role to play in promoting sustainable tourism practices and supporting local tourism development in the destinations they serve. Here are some ways that we believe we can work towards becoming a beacon for sustainable tourism and support local tourism development.
Promote sustainable tourism practices
One of the most important ways that outbound tour operators can improve sustainable tourism is by promoting sustainable tourism practices among customers. This can include encouraging customers to choose eco-friendly accommodation, reducing waste, supporting local businesses, and respecting local cultures and traditions. Tour operators, such as Our Local Tour should also work with local partners to develop sustainable tourism initiatives, such as community-based tourism projects, that benefit both the local community and the tourists who visit. Of course, we are already doing this and it is an important part of our ethos and fully built in to our tours.
Support local businesses
Another way that tour operators can support sustainable tourism is by working with local businesses. This includes not only accommodation providers, but also restaurants, transportation providers, and activity operators. By working with local businesses, tour operators can help to create a more sustainable tourism economy that benefits the local community. This is also an integral part of our product design and we work closely with our local partners to make sure local businesses are supported by our clients travels. In many of our tours, we do not include meals were there are nearby options to eat out, encouraging travellers to eat in local restaurants and cafes.
Educate customers
Tour operators also need to play an important role in educating their customers about sustainable tourism practices and the importance of supporting local tourism development. This can include providing information about local customs and traditions, promoting responsible travel practices, and encouraging customers to shop locally and support small businesses. Tour operators can also provide customers with information about sustainable tourism certification programs, such as the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) or the Rainforest Alliance, which can help customers to identify and support sustainable tourism businesses. Our Local Tour is currently in the process of applying to be accredited by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.
Partner with local organisations
Outbound tour operators should also partner with local organisations, such as community-based tourism initiatives, environmental organisations, or social enterprises, to support sustainable tourism development. By working with local organisations, tour operators can help to promote sustainable tourism practices, support local communities, and protect the environment. You will find that in many of our tours we visit a local community ran program or help to support a social enterprise. We are working hard to embed more of this into our tours.
Measure and report on sustainability
Finally, for tour operators to become a beacon for sustainable tourism it is vital that they are measuring and reporting on their sustainability performance. This can include tracking and reporting on carbon emissions, waste reduction efforts, and community investment. By measuring and reporting on sustainability performance, tour operators can demonstrate their commitment to sustainable tourism and provide customers with transparency and accountability.
It should be obvious to all travellers that their outbound tour operators have a key role to play in promoting sustainable tourism practices and supporting local tourism development in the destinations they serve. By promoting sustainable tourism practices, supporting local businesses, educating customers, partnering with local organisations, and measuring and reporting on sustainability, tour operators can become beacons for sustainable tourism and help to create a more sustainable tourism industry for the future.
- Published in Specialist Travel
Travel Smile Promise
TRAVEL SMILE PROMISE
We carefully select all the local tour suppliers that will provide your services, so we’re sure you’ll have a great time. In fact, we’re so sure of it that we put our money where our mouth is! At Our Local Tour, this is known as the ‘Travel Smile Promise’. This is a customer satisfaction policy based on trust, honesty, and common sense rather than a tonne of intricate terms and conditions. The lawyers insist that we must have those terms and conditions despite the Travel Smile Promise and they are here is you really want a look through –
What is the Travel Smile Promise?
Have you have ever bought a quality piece of clothing? Then you will know that it comes with a warranty. If a zip breaks or there is poor stitching, the compnay would either patch it or send you a new one, no questions asked. Although travel is not quite so straightforward, we strive to adopt the same mindset when providing our ‘Travel Smile Promise’.
Here’s how it works: First, if you have an issue while you are on your tour, get in touch with your local tour operator. Explain to them the issues and why you feel unsatisfied with the experience or service you are receiving. It is important that you point out the problem and give them a chance to fix the situation while you are still away. Without having done that, it’s much harder to put things right, and it will be taken into consideration when assessing the case.
In 99% of cases, speaking to the local tour operator will solve the issue. In the unlikely event that you have spoken to them and they cannot solve your issues, then contact us at Our Local Tour. We’ll get all the information we need from you, then speak with the local tour operator to confirm the issues and figure out what has gone wrong.
If your trip has in fact obviously gone wrong or it was not as advertised, and the issue was within either our or the host’s control, we will negotiate a refund with you that is proportionate to the severity of the issue.
We and our local tour operators pride ourselves on the happiness of our customers, and the ‘Travel Smile Promise’ is designed to hold us accountable to that. If in the very small chance that you need to make a claim, simply fIll in Our Contact Us Form and we’ll be right on the case.
- Published in Our Local Tour
