Albanian Trip‘s founding group consists of travel enthusiasts who were born and bred in Tirana and have, over the years, grown to include several incredible external collaborators – certainly some of the best guides, agents, hotels, character accommodations, NGOs, consultants, transport companies and specialized drivers in the country. Passionate, friendly, knowledgeable and with connections to almost every pocket of this diverse country (trust us, we know a lot of people!) we are one of the top choices for a genuine travel experience for a reason.
Scroll below to find out who we are! And you’ll be happy to know that in 2021 and 2022 Conde Nast Traveler listed Albanian Trip and Elton Caushi as one of its World Travel Specialists! See the link here.
Albanian Trip has proudly shown off Albania and the beautiful surrounding regions of Macedonia, Kosovo and Montenegro to thousands of high quality travelers with different needs, most of whom have been greatly impacted by their experience. Our main focus is to be able to provide travel services for groups and individuals while always keeping in mind that Albania and the Balkans (just like the rest of the world) need to be preserved for the future generations. Responsible and sustainable tourism (for both the people and the environment) is a philosophy inherent to Albanian Trip!
Sustainable tourism is so important to us that we are proud collaborators of DestiMED, RisiAlbania and Celim, some truly innovative environmental protection agencies set up to help sustainable tourism activities with the collaboration of the Protected Areas in Albania and the Mediterranean.
We have also been a proud member of the Adventure Travel Trade Association and we have signed in the Future of Tourism Coalition trying to set up a new sector mindset for both collaborators and consumers of destinations around our region but also the World.
Check out the very fresh article on the Guardian (2022) where Albanian Trip was a contributor. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/29/uk-tourists-head-to-albania-for-sense-of-exotic-without-long-haul-flight
Recently, we’ve partnered up with https://trip101.com/, who have written an interesting article for us! 5 Things You Can Do in Albania That Will Make Your Trip Special and Safe
About Albanian Trip’s Team
Elton Caushi
Toni began his career translating for journalists and NGOs back in the 1990s, including a stint in Kosovo. His studies then took him to Switzerland and then he returned to Albania and began guiding for international tour operators. In 2006 he founded Albanian Trip with his (now wife) Vilma and close friend Gjergji Mihali. Elton speaks English, Italian, French and Shqip and he truly is a bundle of pure joy to be around – his energy and passion never seem to end.
Vilma Vorpsi
Vilma looks after the Albanian Trip office and bookings. She’s sweet, efficient and kind and is the person to be contacted in relation to calendar and availability related issues – she has a computer in her mind and is able to memorize and organize everything to your best interest. She speaks German, English, Italian and does understand a bit of French, too!
Alda Korumi
A truly talented organizational machine, Alda has over 15 years of experience in the travel industry (working for some of the best incoming tour operators in Albania and the Balkans), and takes care of correspondence regarding our tour programs. She is proud to show others her beautiful country, and in her spare time she reads, travels, goes for walks and studies history! Perhaps when you message us, you will chat with her! She speaks English, Italian and a bit of French.
Ervin Budo
Ervin’s reputation precedes him – he is known for his intelligence and friendly disposition. Whether he is taking guests for a tour to some bunkers or helping out film crews, Ervin knows the ins and outs of his country in great detail and will be happy to answer any of your questions (and he takes great photos, as seen here!) Guests have raved about their time with this incredibly knowledgeable guide – it’s obvious he knows what he is doing!
Jenn McLaughlin
This Canadian girl randomly hopped on board after doing a two-week trip with us in 2016 and she has since signed herself on as editor of the website and business consultant (I think she might like us.) She dreams of the day she can return to the country to stuff her face with its delicious food. Feel free to ask for her email address if you want an outsider’s perspective of traveling here! Unlike her multi-lingual counterparts, she merely speaks English. We can’t all be perfect.
Andi Pinari
Andi’s passion for learning and his philosophical musings are unparalleled. Professor Pinari’s educational specialty lies in twentieth-century Albania and the Balkan states. “I am a historian – I can talk for hours,” he laughs, always while driving with tact and discretion. Andi’s intellectualism is equally matched by a kind and caring nature that puts anyone at ease while being guided by him. He loves his bicycle, his books and his guitar, and he is fighting for a positive future in Albania. We need more people like Andi in the world; he is a rare gem.
Gesi Aliko
A young man from the south, this guide and driver is well suited to drive Albania’s winding roads. He loves stopping to pet animals (especially cats), he loves his mom and loves fresh food from the garden. You will most often see Gesi in the great outdoors – being in nature is his ‘thing,’ no matter how isolated the mountain path is. Gesi is courteous and one immediately feels comfortable around him (please, just don’t ask him to go up any mountain lifts, okay?)
Ardi Abazaj
This guide is a flexibility machine who possesses military-grade organizing skills. A champion of endurance, he has extensive knowledge of Albania and the Balkans. Having lived in Ireland for many years, he loves people is like a Swiss watch when it comes to timing!
Edi Zaimi
Edi is a driver for our company and speaks great English and Italian. This father loves traveling and people – he has been all over Albania and the Balkans. If you want to have a lively conversation with him, he knows a lot about cars! People speak very highly of him and guests love his extreme level patience and smile.
Dennis Sallaku
One of Albanian Trip‘s collaborating members, Dennis is a young and energetic guy who is best suited to guide younger crowds or dive right into Albania’s modern and current offerings. Whether taking people to the beach or going on other little adventures in our country, Dennis will be a great companion and is a very reliable driver!
Erion Puca
Erion is a seasoned guide/driver, and is very careful to ensure his guests have an amazing experience! He loves history, nature, walking and skiing and takes on any challenges with vigor, always looking to understand the needs of his guests. He can speak Italian and French as well as English (and he is full of surprises – he has even studied classical music in order to be an orchestra director!)
Kastriot Cipi
Elton’s good friend Kastriot is very intelligent and a much-needed supporter of the arts in Albania. A theatre director right here in Tirana, Kastriot’s lectures of both a historical and political nature are always well-informed and interesting. For those guests looking to have a more in-depth discussion about Albania, he is your guide! We look forward to working more and more with him in the future.
Gjergji Mihali
After eight years in Munich where he studied Political Science, Gjergji came back to Tirana to help Elton build Albanian Trip. While Gjergji has now since moved on to bigger and better things (starting a family – the founding father is now an actual father!) he was an integral part to this company’s history and many people got to enjoy a tour with him. Best wishes to him (and if you want a contact Germany, his new home, he is your man!)
