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Ed Reeves

I'm the owner of a small travel agency based in Tirana. I'm able to arrange tours through Albania & Kosovo, Macedonia and Montenegro.

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"My company has an Albanian and Montenegrin team, so we focus on ethnic Albania, including Kosovo, western Macedonia and south Montenegro. "

How did you get involved in travel?

"I got into travel completely by accident - I took a job with Condé Nast Publications in London focused on restaurants, gastronomy and hotels. In 2012 I travelled to Albania to write a story for the UK Sunday Telegraph and one thing led to another... In a bad case of mission creep I ended up setting up a small tour company. "

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"On my first African safari we spent three days searching for a lion. On the fourth, we met a huge male taking a morning nap on the plain. Our arrival woke him up, so he enjoyed a stretch - which scared a lady in our Land Rover so much that she screamed in terror, sending him scurrying into the bush. She was very nearly tumbled out the vehicle after him as a high-calorie apology. "

Views of Kotor Bay, Montenegro
Road Trip Through the Balkans - 16 Days

This quick-moving tour will take you on a fascinating circuit through Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, and North Macedonia, visiting UNESCO cities such as Ohrid, Kotor, and Berat and combining culture with the scenic nature that abounds in the Balkans. You'll enjoy scenic drives through tall mountain passes, vibrant national parks, and along the picturesque coast of the Adriatic Sea, stopping for day hikes, traditional meals, and beach days, plus in charming old towns like Perast and Prizren. Explore two of the region's capitals, Tirana and Podgorica, as well as Montenegro's Old Royal Capital of Cetinje. 

View of the Prokletije Mountains
Discover the Balkans: Albania, Montenegro, Kosovo - 9 Days

This unique tour traverses three Balkan countries—Albania, Montenegro, Kosovo—in search of peaceful nature, vibrant cities, and interesting history. Visit the cities of Tirana, Shkodër, and Gjakova discovering charming old towns, historic fortresses, and stunning monuments. Then head into nature for hiking in the Prokletije Mountains, zip lining in the Rugova Canyon, riding the famous Lake Kolmani Ferry, and resting at a popular farmstay with delicious, locally-sourced cuisine.

Beautiful Lake Ohrid in North Macedonia
Driving Southern Albania: Lake Ohrid to the Albanian Riviera - 9 Days

This scenic nine-day tour starts and ends in the bustling city of Tirana, guiding you through Southern Albania and into North Macedonia to visit the famous Lake Ohrid. You'll explore three UNESCO World Heritage cities, as well as discover ancient ruins at the archaeological parks of Butrint, Antigonea, and Apollonia. Along the way, you'll enjoy spectacular alpine scenery, conquer mountain passes, soak in thermal baths, and relax along the Albanian Riviera.

St. John's Church, Ohrid
Driving Albania & Macedonia: Lake Ohrid to the Albanian Riviera - 8 Days

This eight-day private tour takes you through Southern Albania and into Northern Macedonia to visit the famous Lake Ohrid. You'll explore three UNESCO World Heritage cities, as well as the famous archaeological parks of Butrint, Antigonea, and Apollonia. Along the way you'll enjoy spectacular mountain scenery, conquer mountain passes, soak in thermal baths, and relax for two nights on the Ionian Sea.

Biking in Southern Albania
Southern Albania Bike Tour - 11 Days

From Tirana to the Riviera coast, explore Southern Albania on an 11-day private bike tour. Bike through Albania's rugged mountains and thickly forested Leskovik region and see country life in mountain villages like Përmet. Explore its Ottoman past at Gjorokastra and the Butrint archaeological site. End your trip on the shores of the Ionian Sea, where a casual atmosphere, seaside accommodations, and long road descents await.

Rugged mountains in Albania's north
Albania Mountain Road Trip - 14 Days

Discover rugged mountain terrain and small traditional villages in this two-week road trip through rural Albania. Start in Tirana—the capital—then head north to see the ancient city of Kruje, stay in traditional stone kullë houses, and learn about the country's communist past. Continue to Southern Albania to explore the relaxed Riviera coast, sleepy mountain towns, and old village Bazaars.

Recent trip reviews for Ed

The whole trip was amazing, well planned by E...
Albania | Nov 12 - Nov 19, 2022

R
Richard D.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Dec 06, 2022

The whole trip was amazing, well planned by Ed. Our guide Nik was amazing, really friendly, accommodating, welcoming and really made the trip. Would recommend for sure.

Local specialist: Ed Reeves
Ed
Ed Reeves
Local specialist in Tirana, Albania | Reviewed on Dec 15, 2022

Thanks so much for the kind words - I know Nik had a great time showing you Albania! And if we'd known you were so dog-friendly we would have brought Bubi for the entire trip, not just the last day!

Nick did a fantastic job!
Albania | May 26 - Jun 3, 2022

Cecilia
Cecilia R.
Pensacola, FL | Reviewed on Jun 29, 2022

Nick, our tour guide, did a fantastic job showing us his beautiful country. At our request, this was a personalized tour with some new destinations which sometimes presented challenges. Nick was always able to handle well any unexpected circumstances. The ride in the tour bus was at times a bit rough, but that is to be expected when traveling some not so good roads in a four wheel drive vehicle. The food was excellent, specially the salads and local ice cream. The pace of the trip was... read more

Nick, our tour guide, did a fantastic job showing us his beautiful country. At our request, this was a personalized tour with some new destinations which sometimes presented challenges. Nick was always able to handle well any unexpected circumstances. The ride in the tour bus was at times a bit rough, but that is to be expected when traveling some not so good roads in a four wheel drive vehicle. The food was excellent, specially the salads and local ice cream. The pace of the trip was perfect for two retired couples and Nick was ready to assist with any question or necessity. Great experience. Thank You.

Local specialist: Ed Reeves
Ed
Ed Reeves
Local specialist in Tirana, Albania | Reviewed on Jun 29, 2022

Thanks so much, Cecilia! Glad you enjoyed the tour, and I know Nick had a great time showing you some more off-beat corners of Albania that were new even for him! Hope you can all make it back to explore the south one day!

Albania: A wonderful experience
Albania | Jul 26 - Aug 8, 2021

Stephen
Stephen L.
the United Arab Emirates | Reviewed on Aug 31, 2021

We have recently completed two amazing weeks is Albania. In planning the trip we were keen to really see the country, taking in many of the main sights. Ed put together a wonderful itinerary taking into account our specific wishes and really listening to what we wanted. Originally we had planned to self-drive but in the end opted for a driver and guide. This was the best decision. Ardi was fantastic and having him with us for most of the journey (Ed stepped in a for a few days) really made a... read more

We have recently completed two amazing weeks is Albania. In planning the trip we were keen to really see the country, taking in many of the main sights. Ed put together a wonderful itinerary taking into account our specific wishes and really listening to what we wanted. Originally we had planned to self-drive but in the end opted for a driver and guide. This was the best decision. Ardi was fantastic and having him with us for most of the journey (Ed stepped in a for a few days) really made a difference. Their knowledge of Albania meant that we were really able to enjoy the country and learn about its past, present and future. They were also great company. Their ability to adapt the itinerary as required meant we enjoyed unexpected experiences and were able to get closer to the local people. We came away having fallen in love with Albania and can’t thank Ed and Ardi enough for putting together such a fantastic trip. We would love to travel again with Drive Albania.

Local specialist: Ed Reeves
Ed
Ed Reeves
Local specialist in Tirana, Albania | Reviewed on Aug 31, 2021

Thanks so much for the kind words, Stephen! We're glad you enjoyed your trip with us and hope one day you can make it back to discover the north and Kosovo!

A Fabulous Balkan Trip!
Albania | Jun 1 - Jun 16, 2021

Annette
Annette P.
PA | Reviewed on Jun 30, 2021

I have visited more than 40 different countries and this was easily one of my favorite vacations of all time! We visited Albania, Kosovo, Northern Macedonia, and Montenegro through the company Drive Albania. These countries were wonderful and should be seen by all!

My friend and I were supposed to travel in 2020, but Covid canceled our flights so we postponed for 2021. Ed gave us constant updates through all the covid related issues and planed everything during a very turbulent time. He... read more

I have visited more than 40 different countries and this was easily one of my favorite vacations of all time! We visited Albania, Kosovo, Northern Macedonia, and Montenegro through the company Drive Albania. These countries were wonderful and should be seen by all!

My friend and I were supposed to travel in 2020, but Covid canceled our flights so we postponed for 2021. Ed gave us constant updates through all the covid related issues and planed everything during a very turbulent time. He answered all of my questions promptly (even if I asked multiple times). He adjusted the itinerary based on our new flights and even arrange for two additional friends to join half way through our tour making us a group of four. Ed personally picked everyone up from the airport (on three separate flights on three different days) and drove for hours to ensure the group was fully united! We had the pleasure of touring with Ed for a few days, and Ardi for the majority of our vacation. They were both knowledgeable, professional, made wonderful food suggestions and were delightful company! Our tour was so thoroughly planned and went so smoothly, that our group began to joke that Drive Albania was controlling everything including the weather! We had a unique tour group with two people who frequently vacation together; later joined by two less experienced travelers. Ardi was quick to assess everyone’s needs and resolved any potential issues (caused by us) so seamlessly, one would hardly know that anything was out of sorts.

Traveling with Ardi and Ed felt more like visiting with friends than traveling with a tour company. They ate with us, joked with us, and even joined our group selfie photos.

I am typically an anxious person, but on this trip, I was completely at ease! I can’t remember the last time I went on such a stress-free trip, and I know it was due to the thorough planning and good decisions of Ardi and Ed. I will definitely return to the Balkans, and travel with Drive Albania when I do!

Local specialist: Ed Reeves
Ed
Ed Reeves
Local specialist in Tirana, Albania | Reviewed on Jun 30, 2021

Thank you so much for the kind words! We're just glad the trip was able to happen after so much craziness in the world! Ardi and I feel bad for photo-bombing all your group selfies though... Hope you can make it back to the Balkans one day - it was our pleasure to show you around!

We can't even say how wonderful this trip was...
Albania | May 28 - Jun 11, 2021

Margaret
Margaret C.
Scottsdale, AZ | Reviewed on Jun 19, 2021

We can't even say how wonderful this trip was! Both Ardi, and Ed were very good. Not only did they show us fabulous sights, nature and culture they introduced us to the locals and gave us fabulous service! The places they chose were great and the places we stayed were historical but very comfortable. I highly recommend Drive Albania. We have traveled to many places in Europe. This was probably one of the best. Don't wait until it gets expensive, go now! Because it is very inexpensive for what you get! But the country is changing fast! Go have a RAKI and a espresso!

Local specialist: Ed Reeves
Ed
Ed Reeves
Local specialist in Tirana, Albania | Reviewed on Jun 20, 2021

So glad you and Luke enjoyed the tour! It was a fun one for us, too! Ardi and I hope you can make it back in the future - Montenegro and Kosovo await...

Dubrovnik to Athens via Albania
Albania | Oct 2 - Oct 18, 2019

Ray
Ray T.
New Zealand | Reviewed on Oct 20, 2019

We had an outstanding trip Ed designed a trip around our preferences and Ardie our tour guide was amazing making sure everything was organised correctly while remaining flexible enough to try extra things, his recommendations were always spot on. I would recommend Drive Albania to anyone wanting to visit this part of the world

Local specialist: Ed Reeves
Ed
Ed Reeves
Local specialist in Tirana, Albania | Reviewed on Oct 28, 2019

Hi Ray,

I was watching England's total demolition of the All Blacks on Saturday and it reminded me I hadn't yet thanked you for your review ;)

Glad so much you had a good tour, and that Ardi looked after you so well. It was an epic Balkan road trip, and packed a lot in, so pleased it was a success!

Thanks so much for travelling with us - Ardi is determined to make it out to New Zealand now, you've really sold it to him!

Best,

Ed

Dubrovnik to Athens via Albania
Albania | Oct 2 - Oct 18, 2019

S
Sheryll K.
New Zealand | Reviewed on Oct 20, 2019

Kimkim were great to deal with. Was a bit nervous to use them as hadn't heard about them in our part of the world but wouldn't hesitate to use them again.
Ed was also wonderful to deal with. Always quick with replies and happy to make changes and answer my endless questions. He certainly gave us an itinerary to suit us.
Our guide Ardi was brilliant. Can't praise him enough. He quickly assessed what we liked and didn't like and would make small changes to the itinerary, after consulting us... read more

Kimkim were great to deal with. Was a bit nervous to use them as hadn't heard about them in our part of the world but wouldn't hesitate to use them again.
Ed was also wonderful to deal with. Always quick with replies and happy to make changes and answer my endless questions. He certainly gave us an itinerary to suit us.
Our guide Ardi was brilliant. Can't praise him enough. He quickly assessed what we liked and didn't like and would make small changes to the itinerary, after consulting us and Ed. We loved the fact he was so generous with his time and we really enjoyed the fact that we ate most nights together and he shared his insights into the people and its history. One time we went off road and stayed almost on the edge of a cliff in a canyon. It was wonderful to be in such a beautiful part of the world and feel like we were the only people there.
Albania is a wonderful country and will always have great memories of it's people and places.

Local specialist: Ed Reeves
Ed
Ed Reeves
Local specialist in Tirana, Albania | Reviewed on Oct 28, 2019

Dear Sheryll,

Thank you so much for the kind words! It was a BIG trip and I know Ardi enjoyed it too (though that's not really the point!). Pleased the tweaks Ardi made fitted the bill - hope you got a good insight into Albanian village life.

Thanks so much for being such lovely clients!

Best,

Ed

Dubrovnik to Tirana Private Tour
Albania | Jun 1 - Jun 9, 2019

L
Leonie & John A.
Australia | Reviewed on Aug 01, 2019

We recently returned from a wonderful holiday with the kimkim team exploring by road from Dubrovnik to Tirana, traveling through Montenegro, Kosovo, and Albania.

Our time with Ed and Ardi was very special. We came on board late in the piece after Ed and our traveling companion Lynette had created a well thought out itinerary having John and myself feeling like privileged children free of all responsibility. Together they chose excellent hotels and the way Ed and Ardi pampered us with... read more

We recently returned from a wonderful holiday with the kimkim team exploring by road from Dubrovnik to Tirana, traveling through Montenegro, Kosovo, and Albania.

Our time with Ed and Ardi was very special. We came on board late in the piece after Ed and our traveling companion Lynette had created a well thought out itinerary having John and myself feeling like privileged children free of all responsibility. Together they chose excellent hotels and the way Ed and Ardi pampered us with special stopovers, luggage handling, smooth check-ins, finding the right roads and car parks, getting us "there" on time had us feeling absolutely secure and safe. How could we ever have managed such a relaxing holiday without such tailored service? At no time did we worry about anything at all even though we were in countries that we knew little about and with language barriers. With Ardi's charm and language skills, we were free of worries at border crossings or barriers between ourselves and the lovely people we encountered.
If we were to try to describe the stunning landscapes of Montenegro and Albania we would run dry of superlatives. The topography of these countries is simply breathtaking. The thrill of discovering real medieval history in towns like Dubrovnik, Cetinje, Kotor, Gjakova, and Prizren was an exceptional experience. The tragic political history of the Balkans although so recently experienced feels by now to be part of history, what we did appreciate was to have local guides arranged for us who were able to deliver information on important matters, bringing a gravity to our experience of a real lived environment that appears on the surface to be a postcard photographer's dream but has by contrast layers of history both recent and ancient that should never be forgotten. In Tirana, they managed to find us delicious food experiences and despite drama on the streets, we felt very happy and privileged to be there among such charming people. Altogether we could not have asked for a more relaxing travel experience while enjoying all the benefits and stimulation of countries more commonly known as intrepid travel destinations.

Local specialist: Ed Reeves
Ed
Ed Reeves
Local specialist in Tirana, Albania | Reviewed on Aug 01, 2019

Blimey, you said you enjoyed the tour but didn't realise that much!!! Really happy it was a good experience for you, and it was a pleasure for us to show you this part of the world! Thank you so much for the lovely review!

Albania - history, local people, culture, food, hiking and swimming
Albania | Jun 17 - Jun 30, 2019

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Paul S.
Australia | Reviewed on Jul 14, 2019

Ed and his team - Henry, Megi and Ardie were friendly, accessible, knowledgeable and professional at all times. Our trip was well organised and tailor made perfectly as Ed listened and responded to all of our requests - his recommendations for restaurants and ‘tourist’ attractions were great. Communication was prompt at all times. We never felt alone. Accommodation was perfect as were all the staff. It’s difficult to name anybody in particular but Rosa and her family in Lin were extremely... read more

Ed and his team - Henry, Megi and Ardie were friendly, accessible, knowledgeable and professional at all times. Our trip was well organised and tailor made perfectly as Ed listened and responded to all of our requests - his recommendations for restaurants and ‘tourist’ attractions were great. Communication was prompt at all times. We never felt alone. Accommodation was perfect as were all the staff. It’s difficult to name anybody in particular but Rosa and her family in Lin were extremely hospitable - we felt very much at home. Henry, our guide was fun and ‘sociable’. The hike through the mountains was amazing, highlighting the beauty of the Albanian alps. We have travelled extensively throughout the world and without a doubt the Albanian people were consistently friendly, happy and willing to help at all times. We would highly recommend Ed and his team for anybody travelling through Albania.

Local specialist: Ed Reeves
Ed
Ed Reeves
Local specialist in Tirana, Albania | Reviewed on Jul 17, 2019

Thanks so much, Paul! So pleased you enjoyed the trip, and thanks too for posting such great photos!

Best,

Ed

Trip to Albania
Albania | Jun 4 - Jun 13, 2019

JoAnne
JoAnne C.
Greensboro, NC | Reviewed on Jun 25, 2019

I really don’t know where to start. My trip to Albania so exceeded my expectations and I think a lot of that is owed to Ed Reeves who listened to me about what I was looking for in my trip and planned it for me perfectly! Also, he was always very quick to respond to my emails with all my many questions. Then there were our two guides/drivers, Henri Manushi and Elton (I forget his last name )who were absolutely incredible. The 10-day trip that Ed planned was in Southern Albania and it... read more

I really don’t know where to start. My trip to Albania so exceeded my expectations and I think a lot of that is owed to Ed Reeves who listened to me about what I was looking for in my trip and planned it for me perfectly! Also, he was always very quick to respond to my emails with all my many questions. Then there were our two guides/drivers, Henri Manushi and Elton (I forget his last name )who were absolutely incredible. The 10-day trip that Ed planned was in Southern Albania and it was for myself and my 26 year old daughter. Much of the travel took place on rocky dirt roads that often ran along or through mountains. We always felt totally safe in the hands of Henri (and Elton) . Their skill on this type of terrain was impressive (as well as a lot of fun) . There are so many memorable places and experiences that I have. One of my favorite was when we set off on a picnic lunch. Henri had heard about an area and set off to find it. We followed dirt roads and then left the roadway for a path that he made his way through which eventually opened up to the most beautiful spot. We set out a blanket and had a wonderful lunch and then afterwards we all just lied on our backs and enjoyed the beautiful clouds. It was just perfect!

Local specialist: Ed Reeves
Ed
Ed Reeves
Local specialist in Tirana, Albania | Reviewed on Jun 26, 2019

Thanks, JoAnne - so glad the trip went well and you appreciated Albania. Henri and Elton really enjoyed showing you the south of the country. And thanks too for uploading such great photos! Hope you can make it back one day - the north is waiting...

Saranda to Split Road Trip
Albania | May 24 - Jun 1, 2019

J
Jeff G.
Mechanicsville, VA | Reviewed on Jun 13, 2019

This was a fantastic experience and tour … absolutely gorgeous scenery … and very few tourists to compete with. Ed's Drive Albania put together a custom itinerary through 4 countries. Our guide - Ardi - was absolutely fantastic … at the end of the trip we consider him our friend and have invited him to visit us in Florida. Ardi was always making sure we were being taken care of and even modified the itinerary at our request. A very high service level.

We agree with the write-ups that... read more

This was a fantastic experience and tour … absolutely gorgeous scenery … and very few tourists to compete with. Ed's Drive Albania put together a custom itinerary through 4 countries. Our guide - Ardi - was absolutely fantastic … at the end of the trip we consider him our friend and have invited him to visit us in Florida. Ardi was always making sure we were being taken care of and even modified the itinerary at our request. A very high service level.

We agree with the write-ups that traveling in the Balkan region is safe - we never felt uncomfortable or unsafe … although it did help to have Ardi who spoke all the languages needed and knew the roads very well. We stayed at 2 guest houses which really personalized the experience … and off-roaded for a couple of days in the mountains which was one of the highlights of the adventure. We have a ton of pictures and very fond memories of our Balkan experience.

I would absolutely use Drive Albania again.

Local specialist: Ed Reeves
Ed
Ed Reeves
Local specialist in Tirana, Albania | Reviewed on Jun 14, 2019

Thanks so much, Jeff! We're so glad you enjoyed the tour, and Ardi also had a blast. It's always great for us when travellers appreciate touring the Balkans so much. Hope you're not missing the UAZ too badly... Best, Ed

Dubrovnik to Tirana Private Tour
Albania | Jun 1 - Jun 9, 2019

lynette
lynette h.
Australia | Reviewed on Jun 11, 2019

Ed and Ardi were unfailingly polite and available to help us with every request.

Local specialist: Ed Reeves
Ed
Ed Reeves
Local specialist in Tirana, Albania | Reviewed on Jun 14, 2019

Thank you, Lynette.

Hiking Albania in May
Albania | Apr 30 - May 14, 2019

V
Vera M.
Flagstaff, AZ | Reviewed on May 19, 2019

We had a superior experience with Drive Albania! Thanks to the Drive Albania team -- host Ed Reeves, our guide Ardi Zhugjeli, and their supporting staff -- our trip to Albania was fabulous and beyond expectations. Ed planned our activities meticulously, accommodating our wishes for backcountry hiking, bird-watching, and botany. Ardi obviously loves his country and has an outstanding knowledge of everything Albanian. His fun-loving personality made our two weeks an unforgettable experience. He... read more

We had a superior experience with Drive Albania! Thanks to the Drive Albania team -- host Ed Reeves, our guide Ardi Zhugjeli, and their supporting staff -- our trip to Albania was fabulous and beyond expectations. Ed planned our activities meticulously, accommodating our wishes for backcountry hiking, bird-watching, and botany. Ardi obviously loves his country and has an outstanding knowledge of everything Albanian. His fun-loving personality made our two weeks an unforgettable experience. He showed utmost concern for our well-being and drove expertly on some exciting mountainous roads. We enjoyed a great variety of local dishes prepared by our hosts at guest houses in remote villages, as well as locally grown, organic five-star cuisine in lively urban settings. We highly recommend Drive Albania without reservation if you wish to experience the stunning scenery and friendly people of Albania.
Vera Markgraf, Kathy Hilton, Mindy Bell (May 2019)

Local specialist: Ed Reeves
Ed
Ed Reeves
Local specialist in Tirana, Albania | Reviewed on May 20, 2019

Dear Vera, Kathy & Mindy,

Thanks so much - we're really glad you enjoyed your trip with Drive Albania. Was a unique one, too, with lots of off-the-beaten-path destinations. Ardi had a great time showing you around, and we hope you can make it out again sometime in the future!

Best,

Ed Reeves

Long Weekend in Albania
Albania | Feb 15 - Feb 17, 2019

J
John B.
Jersey City, NJ | Reviewed on Feb 18, 2019

I had a great experience with Drive Albania on my whirlwind three-day car tour. Ed responded promptly to my inquiry about a custom tour for a single traveler in the off-season. The company built an excellent and ambitious itinerary which they fulfilled. My guide Ardi was enthusiastic, patient, and ever attentive. I highly recommend this company!

Local specialist: Ed Reeves
Ed
Ed Reeves
Local specialist in Tirana, Albania | Reviewed on Feb 21, 2019

Thanks, John!

Glad the trip went well - you packed an awful lot into three days, far more than we'd usually do! Glad too Ardi looked after you!

Best,

Ed

Drive and bike Albania
Albania | Oct 21 - Nov 2, 2018

H
Harley W.
Canada | Reviewed on Nov 09, 2018

Ed with Driving Albania put together a great 12 day Albania trip for us., filled with superb biking opportunities. Although occasionally we would have enjoyed road bikes, the mountain bikes Ed provided were perfect for the lesser roads with some broken pavement, and we appreciated the low gears for the mountain climbs. After a couple nights in Tirana to see the city and recover from jet lag, we hit the road , enjoying 25 kms of downhill riding to kick off our trip. After that our biking... read more

Ed with Driving Albania put together a great 12 day Albania trip for us., filled with superb biking opportunities. Although occasionally we would have enjoyed road bikes, the mountain bikes Ed provided were perfect for the lesser roads with some broken pavement, and we appreciated the low gears for the mountain climbs. After a couple nights in Tirana to see the city and recover from jet lag, we hit the road , enjoying 25 kms of downhill riding to kick off our trip. After that our biking days ranged from 30 to 70kms on paved rolling roads through the mountain countryside and villages. Vehicular traffic was light. Our guide Nick, a former Olympian and Albanian road bike champion was always near by in the 4wd vehicle with water and snacks while we were on the bikes. Nick proved a conscientious driver when the bikes were loaded and we were in the vehicle and a competent guide to the many historical and nature spots we toured. We appreciated the dash cam videos Nick took for us showing the scenic landscapes and us on the bikes. Ed set us up in great hotels every night; food was plentiful, tasty and inexpensive. We would definitely recommend Albania as a destination and Ed to set up your Albania tour.

Local specialist: Ed Reeves
Ed
Ed Reeves
Local specialist in Tirana, Albania | Reviewed on Nov 12, 2018

Thanks for the great review, Harley! Glad you enjoyed your time in Albania with us, and that Nick looked after you well! Hope you can make it back some time to explore north Albania & Kosovo, and maybe a bit of Montenegro as well - there are some great cycling routes to discover. And now we know how fit you two are we'll use serious road bikes!!! You were shumë rapido as we say here.

Best,

Ed

Tirana to Zagreb Road Trip
Albania | Sep 6 - Sep 20, 2018

M
Mary L.
Canada | Reviewed on Sep 22, 2018

Our trip to the Balkans, beginning in Tirana, Albania and terminating in Zagreb has been a wonderful trip for us. Ed helped me plan the trip and our Driver guide was Ardi. We cannot thank Ardi enough for taking us on this journey. We got to go high into the mountains of Albania and do some hiking, and visit many places throughout the Balkans... Ardi is a remarkable young man. He is prompt, responsible, kind and patient. Very good company and an excellent driver. Ardi speaks several languages which and was a great asset and he speaks excellent English.

Local specialist: Ed Reeves
Ed
Ed Reeves
Local specialist in Tirana, Albania | Reviewed on Sep 24, 2018

Thanks for the kind words, Mary! That was one epic road trip (Tirana to Zagreb, five countries in one go!) and I'm glad to hear Ardi looked after you so well. Hope your time in Slovenia and Venice was good too! Thanks so much for travelling with us and if you want to come back to discover south Albanian and Greek Epirus next year, let us know! Ed

Hiking in the mountains
Albania | Jul 17 - Jul 21, 2018

T
Timothy E.
Oneida, KY | Reviewed on Jul 24, 2018

I’m not much into planning ahead but knew that we were heading to Albania and Montenegro for a week. Stumbled upon KimKim on line and wouldn’t usually use a service like this because I like to deal directly with people I will interact with during a trip but I have to say this worked out brilliantly this time around. Ed whipped up an itinerary on short notice and we accepted. We got ourselves to Tirana in Albania to spend some days on our own, after that the plan was to do some hiking in... read more

I’m not much into planning ahead but knew that we were heading to Albania and Montenegro for a week. Stumbled upon KimKim on line and wouldn’t usually use a service like this because I like to deal directly with people I will interact with during a trip but I have to say this worked out brilliantly this time around. Ed whipped up an itinerary on short notice and we accepted. We got ourselves to Tirana in Albania to spend some days on our own, after that the plan was to do some hiking in the mountains which is when we met our guide Ardi who helped us out the entire way. We had a car ride to the lake Komani ferry which is a spectacular 3 hour journey through the mountains to Valbona. We stayed at an awe inspiring home stay in the valley. The views and lifestyle of the locals are what dreams are made of. We stayed at Kol Gjoni’s homestay which is a must. The food and hospitality was terrific as well of course as the room. In the morning we started our hike to Thethi, which took all morning and well into the afternoon. One of the most spectacular hikes I’ve ever been on. Once in Thethi, we had another remarkable homestay location beside the river. Two nights here with another day trip to visit a waterfall and swimming hole called “Blue Eye”. This ended our trip in the mountains, so we then headed to Shkodër for a quick night and finished our package with KimKim in Ulcinj. Every step of the way, our guide Ardi was terrific in helping us understand the local cultures and experiences. Terrific service and looking forward to heading back to Albania again.

Local specialist: Ed Reeves
Ed
Ed Reeves
Local specialist in Tirana, Albania | Reviewed on Sep 28, 2018

Thanks, Timothy! Really pleased you had a good trip, and that Ardi looked after you well. He had a great time with you, too, he says, so thanks for being such cool clients. Hope you can make it back in 2019! Best, Ed

Albania Highlights
Albania | Jun 19 - Jun 21, 2018

C
Chris R.
Canada | Reviewed on Jun 23, 2018

Ed Reeves provides a very unique, custom service. We enjoyed 3 private day trips from Tirana with Ed or Nesti, one of his excellent Albanian guides. Ed’s 4 wheel drive vehicles allow you to access the “real” Albania. Day 1 we visited Durres and then on to a little known beach and a fabulous seafood lunch right overlooking the sea. Day 2 took us to the historic Greek / Roman site of Apolonia, but then on to the lesser known, and less accessible Bylis (which we had to ourselves) and also the... read more

Ed Reeves provides a very unique, custom service. We enjoyed 3 private day trips from Tirana with Ed or Nesti, one of his excellent Albanian guides. Ed’s 4 wheel drive vehicles allow you to access the “real” Albania. Day 1 we visited Durres and then on to a little known beach and a fabulous seafood lunch right overlooking the sea. Day 2 took us to the historic Greek / Roman site of Apolonia, but then on to the lesser known, and less accessible Bylis (which we had to ourselves) and also the magical Ottoman city of Berat where we had a fabulous tasting meal of local Albanian dishes. Day 3 took us to stunning mountain scenery and we had the chance to hike through pristine landscapes. Our meal of lamb at a local hostelry was mouthwatering! Ed provides adventure, exceptional local experiences and the chance to reach remote and unspoiled parts of Albania. Highly recommend if you are looking to discover the lesser travelled places in this fascinating country that is only just opening up to tourism.

Local specialist: Ed Reeves
Ed
Ed Reeves
Local specialist in Tirana, Albania | Reviewed on Jun 29, 2018

Hi Chris,

Thanks so much for the kind words! Can't believe you packed so much into three day trips from Tirana. We'll pass on you comments about Hajdar's slow-cooked lamb - he'll be really pleased.

Shame you had such a brief time in Albania, but we hope one day you'll be back to explore properly!

Best,

Ed

The Accursed Mountains Experience
Albania | May 30 - Jun 12, 2018

Richard
Richard P.
The Bronx, NY | Reviewed on Jun 20, 2018

Drive Albania (Ed Reeves and Company) planned this two week trip faboulously. Our personal guide, Ernest Markeci, was top notch professional and knowledgeable as well as personalable. He became our family for the two weeks. I would highly recommend Drive Albania to anyone who wants to see this wonderful country in the manner in which we did. A true treasure.

Local specialist: Ed Reeves
Ed
Ed Reeves
Local specialist in Tirana, Albania | Reviewed on Jun 20, 2018

Thanks so much, Richard. It was great to show you and Barbara around, and we're so glad Nesti looked after you well. However, Bubi the Office Dog is disappointed not to be singled out for praise as he felt his barking in Lepushë deserved more recognition. Hope you can come out again to discover Dibër and even the southern mountains!

Best, Ed

Albania trip
Albania | Jun 4 - Jun 16, 2018

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Ralph A.
Canada | Reviewed on Jun 17, 2018

We are a family of 3 adults that with the help of Ed from the Kim Kim team created a 2 week trip through Albania, Kosovo and Macedonia. I let him know that we liked hiking, culture and time to relax.
Ed put together a trip working with Outdoor Kosovo and Drive Albania to nicely cover everything. We hiked for 3 days in the Accursed Mountains then switched to culture and relaxation. Hiking and lake Ohrid were highlights. Our guides Mentor and Fatos were excellent for hiking. Ardie our... read more

We are a family of 3 adults that with the help of Ed from the Kim Kim team created a 2 week trip through Albania, Kosovo and Macedonia. I let him know that we liked hiking, culture and time to relax.
Ed put together a trip working with Outdoor Kosovo and Drive Albania to nicely cover everything. We hiked for 3 days in the Accursed Mountains then switched to culture and relaxation. Hiking and lake Ohrid were highlights. Our guides Mentor and Fatos were excellent for hiking. Ardie our guide/driver through Macedonia and Albania was great and highly entertaining 😉.
Overall we rate our quality of service as excellent.
We had previously used Kim Kim for a trip to Colombia last year with similar results.
Ralph

Local specialist: Ed Reeves
Ed
Ed Reeves
Local specialist in Tirana, Albania | Reviewed on Jun 21, 2018

Hi Ralph,

Thank you so much for the kind words, and we're so pleased you enjoyed your second experience with KimKim. Great that Fatos and Mentor looked after you so well in the mountains, and we're pleased too that you found Ardi entertaining (don't tell him; he has no idea).

Best,

Ed

The Accursed Mountains Experience
Albania | May 30 - Jun 12, 2018

Barbara
Barbara F.
Middletown, CT | Reviewed on Jun 15, 2018

AMAZING is the word I have been using. I didn’t feel at all like I was on one of your typical tourist Trips. Ed was great and determined to make it an adventure which he did. Our guide Nesti was as some of us Americans say “The Cats Meow “. Just wonderful. So caring, so knowledgeable, on time, a complete joy to be with and like Ed out to give us adventurous . Good ones at that. We met Ardi another one of their guides. Great guide. Guess I can’t say enough about the team (including... read more

AMAZING is the word I have been using. I didn’t feel at all like I was on one of your typical tourist Trips. Ed was great and determined to make it an adventure which he did. Our guide Nesti was as some of us Americans say “The Cats Meow “. Just wonderful. So caring, so knowledgeable, on time, a complete joy to be with and like Ed out to give us adventurous . Good ones at that. We met Ardi another one of their guides. Great guide. Guess I can’t say enough about the team (including Boobie, Ed’s dog) and the trip. Would recommend them to anyone. The lodges and all the people running them were so nice as were ALL the people I came across in Albania. I have my Albanian bracelet that I wear all the time because it has now become a special place to me.

Local specialist: Ed Reeves
Ed
Ed Reeves
Local specialist in Tirana, Albania | Reviewed on Jun 16, 2018

Hi Barbara,

Thanks so much for the kind words. Nesti (and Bubi) are very pleased you had such a good time in Albania and Kosovo and we hope you make it back again soon!

Best,

Ed

Spring 2018
Albania | May 10 - Jun 10, 2018

Rick
Rick W.
Freeport, NY | Reviewed on Jun 12, 2018

Okay, assuming you want a blunt assessment. The planning was great as was the booking and with a few exceptions which you will see when I rate the hotels.

Not to sound like a broken record but the problem was with the execution and I am not referring to the choice of vehicle exclusively but rather as I voiced to Henri on my last day it was how the send off from Tirana was handled. My agreement with your company included an English speaking GPS similar to the one I used when I drove in... read more

Okay, assuming you want a blunt assessment. The planning was great as was the booking and with a few exceptions which you will see when I rate the hotels.

Not to sound like a broken record but the problem was with the execution and I am not referring to the choice of vehicle exclusively but rather as I voiced to Henri on my last day it was how the send off from Tirana was handled. My agreement with your company included an English speaking GPS similar to the one I used when I drove in Iceland. Instead I was sent off with a Vodaphone mobile Wifi and my own phone. My google maps turned out to be unreliable off and on during the entire trip. My issue is/was, if the GPS had been supplied on Day 1 we would have discovered the issues with the car and with the Tom Tom immediately (except for the air conditioning of course) and I assume gone to Kia for repair of the vehicle issues and also presumable repaired or purchased a new Wifi. Ed certainly tried but the issue should never have arisen in the first place.

Local specialist: Ed Reeves
Ed
Ed Reeves
Local specialist in Tirana, Albania | Reviewed on Jul 24, 2018

Hi Rick - glad at least the route planning was satisfactory! Shame the sat-nav created so many issues but hope the refund ameliorates some of the pain. The broken AC was due to a fuse and could have been fixed easily if you'd let us know about it during the trip. Best, Ed

short stay in Tirana
Albania | May 26 - May 27, 2018

J
Jeremy P.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on May 30, 2018

I had very limited time in Albania and I felt that I got a true exposure to genuine Albanian life and the Albanian people. Henri was great. Nothing but amazing kudos for the experience. I definitely would use them again if I choose to go back to Albania, which I hope to do in the future. Thank you.

Jeremy

Local specialist: Ed Reeves
Ed
Ed Reeves
Local specialist in Tirana, Albania | Reviewed on May 30, 2018

Hi Jeremy - thanks so much for the review; it means a lot to us! Glad you enjoyed your stay and hope you can make it to the western Balkans again some day soon! Best, Ed

Cold War Experience
Albania | Mar 10 - Mar 21, 2018

David
David S.
WA | Reviewed on Mar 25, 2018

Road trip with Ernesto. Had Ed put together a 10 day road trip through Albania, Macedonia and Kosovo, had the great fortune of being paired up with Nesti. Here is the kind of guide who makes a journey. While sticking to the basic itinerary, he was always flexible, with grace and humor at all times. Had a great time, travelled many miles, had great dining experiences (none of the stupid crap with pre-arranged, tour approved restaurants) and many opportunities to travel the road less... read more

Road trip with Ernesto. Had Ed put together a 10 day road trip through Albania, Macedonia and Kosovo, had the great fortune of being paired up with Nesti. Here is the kind of guide who makes a journey. While sticking to the basic itinerary, he was always flexible, with grace and humor at all times. Had a great time, travelled many miles, had great dining experiences (none of the stupid crap with pre-arranged, tour approved restaurants) and many opportunities to travel the road less traveled. I've been to over 70 countries and this has been one of my favorite trips, I cannot say enough about the beauty of Albania, its unspoiled vibe, friendliness of her people, and of course the superb services of Nesti and Drive Albania. Go before it all changes!
-Dave Spaeth March 2018

Local specialist: Ed Reeves
Ed
Ed Reeves
Local specialist in Tirana, Albania | Reviewed on Mar 26, 2018

Thanks so much for the great review, David! Nesti had a great time showing you Albania, Macedonia and Kosovo - was a brilliant first tour for 2018! Hope you can make it back to the Balkans in the future. Best, Ed & Nesti

Experiencing Albania
Albania | Jul 12 - Jul 22, 2017

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Jim G.
Australia | Reviewed on Sep 28, 2017

We are over the moon with getting such a taste of Albania in such a short time. We were visiting family in Europe and had limited time to visit Albania. Five days and four nights to fit in with flights into the capital Tirana. The four wheel-drive was able to get us to some places off the beaten track in just the short time. We had given just a brief outline to the team about our interests and basically left it up to them. We think we’ve got a pretty fair idea now of what Albania and its... read more

We are over the moon with getting such a taste of Albania in such a short time. We were visiting family in Europe and had limited time to visit Albania. Five days and four nights to fit in with flights into the capital Tirana. The four wheel-drive was able to get us to some places off the beaten track in just the short time. We had given just a brief outline to the team about our interests and basically left it up to them. We think we’ve got a pretty fair idea now of what Albania and its people are all about.

Being met at the airport was great when arriving in a strange place. We didn’t get dropped into the city hotel but took off straight away for the old castle city of Kruja where we liked the hotel right above the bazaar. Time to wander through it with help and lovely not to be hassled. A few purchases. Time to walk up to the old castle and also see some of the museum where we started to understand some of the history that goes way back for this land.

Of course the secret was to have such a good driver as Nesti, Albanian born and very knowledgeable of the country and its history. While it was strange to meet this tall fit young mean, it didn’t take long to relax in his care and he was fantastic in answering all out questions and explaining things as we went.

After dinner and the night there we were off next day to a great beach on the Adriatic: a colorful spot with the bright umbrellas, crystal clear water and a wonderful seafood lunch to finish. Then we went chasing a look at some of the gun placements.

Back to Tirana and the same hotel for two nights. We were able to walk around and experience how the city and its people work and live. Even did some shopping, though both items turned out to be Italian leather.

Driving around next day showed another side to the city with the civic buildings and public places. A guide met us to take us through the mosque and also the museum though it was very hot and too much to see everything so we were happy with viewing some. The history of Albania is very different from our own.

Albania is a land of mountains, or so it seemed, and we took a good road …. at least two or three, then to the off road bit to meet a special couple who provided a typical country meal. This was the time we met Ed, who joined for the drive and meal. The weather was extremely hot but sitting under the shade of the vine made for a pleasant time.

The Ottoman old city of Berat was another experience and Nesti sure knows the places to eat as well as the short way up to the castle. Joining the evening stroll down the main street made us feel part of the local scene. The last day took us back from Berat to Tirana but have to share a secret: Nesti and his mates know the best seafood restaurant ever, duly booked of course. Safely back at the airpot to catch the plane it was a sad goodbye to our guide Nesti whom we had come to regard as a good friend. So…hot weather, short trip, one off-colour day for one of us BUT it was left to Kim Kim and they organised around the weather and our interests, our photos, our interest in the history and culture even if we didn’t drive all of the roads that they know about but that’s for longer trips. We think we covered a fair bit in the short time, made possible by kimkim.
Jim and Genevieve

Local specialist: Ed Reeves
Ed
Ed Reeves
Local specialist in Tirana, Albania | Reviewed on Dec 19, 2017

Thanks so much for the kind words! We're so glad you enjoyed the trip and hope you make it back to the western Balkans some day soon! Ed & Nesti