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Important Information

Montenegro & Albania: Balkans Adventure
An invigorating gay Montenegro & Albania hike through relatively undiscovered national parks.
Country info

VISAS: Most travellers from Australia, Canada, The United Kingdom and The United States do not need a visa to enter both Albania and Montenegro for up to 90 days. Exceptions may apply and all visas are the responsibility of the traveller.

CULTURE SHOCK: Albania and Montenegro are Central European nations with many of the comforts of home. They are both generally safe to visit. That said, pickpockets and scams are common in tourist hotspots in both countries. In the areas we visit, most locals will not speak English. We recommend you have a sense of humour, take it easy, and leave any valuables at home. Finally, meals tend to be very heavy throughout the inland regions we visit, with a strong emphasis on bread and fattier meats. Vegetarians and vegans may be disappointed by the limited options available. Along the coast, seafood is the primary protein and portions are a teensy bit lighter.

LOCAL LGBT SCENE: The Balkans is not considered a particularly LGBT-welcoming region. While gay and lesbian people are protected under both Montenegrin and Albanian law, public opinion polls still show startling distaste for our community. Holding hands, kissing and other forms of public displays of affection will not be kindly received. We recommended for both your own safety and the groups, you avoid all PDA.

WEATHER: July & August are beautiful months to visit this strip of the Adriatic. Along the coast the weather can get very hot. Meanwhile the hilly regions we visit experience pleasantly warm weather with the odd cool evening. Rain tends to be very minimal throughout.

VACCINATIONS: Based on the entry requirements, there are no other immunizations needed for entry. To determine if you should take preventative measures to reduce the risk of illness, consult with your doctor or a travel medical clinic. Out Adventures cannot provide vaccination recommendations.

ELECTRICITY: In Albania the power plugs and sockets are of type C and F. The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. For more information visit https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/albania/. Montenegro is the same except the power plugs and sockets are only type F.

CONNECTIVITY: We should have Wi-Fi in all of our hotels, however the connection will likely be weak in many of the rural areas we visit. Feel free to tweet, pin, post and share your experience with your friends and family at home.

COVID-19 Information

We’re dedicated to ensuring our tours are safe for everyone, but it is our belief that each traveler has a responsibility to protect themselves and their fellow travelers from COVID-19. As of May 1, 2023, Out Adventures no longer requires guests to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination on most of our tours. If vaccination is a requirement for entry, or on select cruises, this will be communicated at the time a trip is confirmed to depart. Before booking, we recommend that you read our COVID-19 Information Page and our COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions to understand what we’re doing to minimize risk, and what will happen if you contract COVID-19 before or during an Out Adventures tour.

How we travel

Out Adventures is all about good times with like-minded guys. Whatever’s on the itinerary – from fireside camping to five-star decadence – our goal is to make the experience magical. We’re also committed to supporting the communities we visit by hiring local guides, staying at locally-owned accommodations when possible, and celebrating local cuisine. It all adds up to a great way to immerse yourself in the culture.

Meals

This trip includes breakfast daily, 4 lunches and 6 dinners.

Travel Insurance

For everybody’s peace of mind, medical travel insurance is required on all Out Adventures tours. At a minimum, your travel insurance must provide cover against personal accident, death, medical expenses, emergency repatriation and personal liability, with a minimum medical coverage of US $200,000.

Click here for more details on our requirements and how to obtain coverage. We highly recommend that you insure your full purchase, including trip cancellation and medical.

Your guide

All Out Adventures are led by a gay (or gay-welcoming) guide. Whenever possible, we hire destination locals. And we can also connect you with the right people if you’d like to delve deeper into the local culture.

Fellow adventurers

Out Adventures are a great way to meet people from around the world and all walks of life. Bear in mind that everybody’s there for a good time, so mutual respect will go a long way. Please be on time for any meet ups, empathetic to the needs of others, and ready to roll with whatever the adventure brings.

Although we can’t tell you who your fellow travellers will be for privacy reasons, we can tell you many great friendships began with an Out Adventure. And just because we’re a gay tour operator doesn’t mean we’re exclusive: friends and family are always welcome to join the fun.

Flying solo

If you’ve never travelled on your own, it’s an amazing way to get to know yourself while making new friends along the way. We can arrange for you to share a room with people in your age range at no charge, or you can pay a supplement for your own room. If there’s an odd number of solos, we’ll rotate a single room on a random basis.

Itinerary disclaimer

The itinerary is correct at time of publishing. If anything, it will only improve with feedback from prior travellers and our own research. It’s best to reference your final trip documents, rather than our website, in case there have been any changes that affect your departure.

Groups Within Groups

We love when groups of friends join us on an OUT Adventure, whether you’re celebrating a major milestone, or you just love to travel together. However, since we have travellers that will be flying solo, or as a couple, we would love your help ensuring everybody feels welcome and has an epic time. Here are some ways you can give us a hand, while also getting to know and befriending your fellow travellers:

  • Sit with (and get to know) different people at different meals
  • Mix up walking partners on excursions
  • Invite solo travellers to join you for an optional excursion or meal
  • Enjoy inside jokes in privacy, or let the group in on the secret ?

If you’d rather relish an exclusive escape with just your own party, we also offer private departures. This is a great way to create and manage your own holiday guest list, while possibly saving money as well. Please contact one of our Adventure Specialists if you’re interested in a customized quote.

Optional activities

Every Out Adventure offers optional excursions that are not included in price of this trip. Please see the daily itinerary in your final pre-trip packet to learn what’s available.

Starting point

Hotel Dubrovnik Palace
Masarykov put 20, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Phone: +385 20 300 300

Standard check-in time is 3PM. We are unable to arrange early check ins, however you are able to store your luggage and explore the central area near the hotel while you wait. If you would like a guaranteed early check-in, you will need to reserve a pre-tour night of accommodation.

Finishing Point

Hotel Skyhotel
Rruga Dëshmorët E 4 Shkurtit, 5/1,
Tiranë 1000, Albania

Phone: +355 4 241 5995

Money

The local currency in Montenegro is the Euro (EUR) and in Albania it’s the Albanian lek (ALL). We recommend carrying some cash for small purchases, although credit cards are accepted at hotels and most restaurants. We also recommend bringing about $400 USD in case of an emergency, or if your credit/ATM cards are placed on hold.

Tipping

If you are happy with services throughout your trip, a tip is recommended. Tipping details will be provided in your final trip documentation.

What to bring

Most Out Adventures entail carrying your own luggage on occasion. And while you’ll never schlep far, things can quickly get costlier than a celebrity breakup if you don’t keep your baggage under 20kg/44lb thanks to costly surcharges on domestic flights. You should also bring something smaller for day trips to carry water, your camera, and any souvenirs you find along the way.

The following packing list is a guideline, not gospel. Our Out Adventure Specialists are happy to answer any specific questions about how much or little to bring.

Travel Documents:

  • Passport/Visas/Flight Itineraries/Travel Insurance
  • Pre-trip packet
  • Credit/ATM card

General Personal Items:

  • Eye mask/ear plugs
  • Smartphone/camera/tablet/charging cords/International travel plug
  • Daypack
  • Luggage lock
  • Personal Wipes
  • Guidebook/Phrase book/Reading material
  • Protection for your devices from water
  • Travel-size towel
  • COVID-19 rapid antigen tests (Out Adventures can not guarantee easy access to tests)

Shoes:

  • Socks (Preferably both hiking and quick-dry socks)
  • Hiking shoes or hiking boots (Worn-in)
  • Sandals or Water shoes
  • A pair of shoes you’d feel comfortable wearing to a restaurant

Bottoms:

  • Underwear (Preferably sweat-wicking briefs)
  • Pants (Preferably lightweight hiking pants with zip-off legs)
  • Shorts
  • Swimwear
  • Pants you’d feel comfortable wearing to a restaurant

Tops:

  • Short-sleeved shirts (Preferably sweat-wicking)
  • Long-sleeved shirts (Preferably sweat-wicking)
  • Sweater (Lightweight and preferably fleece)
  • Shirts you’d feel comfortable wearing to a restaurant

Jackets:

  • Light jacket for cool evenings
  • Waterproof jacket/poncho (a small umbrella will probably suffice)

Other:

  • Sunglasses/Hat
  • Small Umbrella
  • Refillable water bottle
  • Daypack
  • Walking sticks/poles (optional)

Health-related Items:

  • Small First aid kit including ibuprofen, acetaminophen, zinc oxide tape and small scissors, blister pads, diarrhea tablets, dioralyte rehydration packs
  • Personal Medication
  • High protection sunscreen/lip balm
  • Insect repellent/bite cream/antihistamine
  • Antibacterial gel/wipes
  • Toiletries including toothbrush, toothpaste & deodorant
  • Vaseline to prevent chafing skin and heel friction blisters
  • Blister pads such as Band-aid or Dr. Scholls blister cushions
Physical ratings & considerations

All Out Adventures guests must have a good level of health. All tours, regardless of activity level, involve uneven steps, stairs, walking tours, and you will be required to carry your own luggage from time to time. Unfortunately, we are not able to accommodate individuals with limited mobility unless they are willing to absorb the cost of a private guide/assistant which varies by country and is only possible on a case by case basis. It is also your responsibility to advise Out Adventures of any pre-existing medical conditions that may increase the risk of you requiring medical attention, or that may affect the normal conduct of the tour and the enjoyment of the tour by other participants.

Below is a breakdown of our Physical Rating guide.

1 – Relaxing

  • Very little or no hiking
  • Light activities such as walking, bike tours, paddling or swimming are completely optional
  • Low altitude
  • Suitable for all fitness levels

2 – Light

  • Light walking and hiking (2 hours or less per day and at low altitude)
  • Light activities such as bike tours, paddling or swimming are completely optional
  • Suitable for most fitness levels

3 – Average

  • Light walking and hiking (3 hours or less per day, rarely at high altitude)
  • Some activities such as biking, paddling or swimming. Active days are mixed with relaxed days
  • Suitable for an average fitness level

4 – Demanding

  • Walking, hiking is a component of the tour (can range from 2 hours to 6 hours per day, at various altitudes)
  • Activities such as biking, paddling or swimming may be mixed in
  • Suitable for a good fitness level

5 – Challenging

  • Walking, hiking, biking, paddling or kayaking are the vast majority of the trip (can range from 2 hours to 8 hours per day, generally at high altitude)
  • Activities will likely happen day after day with limited rest days
  • Suitable for above average fitness level

CHOOSE YOUR DEPARTURE

From 4495 USD

We can’t wait to help you plan an awesome adventure, but due to a high level of fake inquiries we now record your IP address when you submit an inquiry. This helps local authorities identify and prevent harassment against Out Adventures, or any intended recipients.

Book now

CHOOSE YOUR DEPARTURE

From 4495 USD
Ask a Question

Ask a Question

We can’t wait to help you plan an awesome adventure, but due to a high level of fake inquiries we now record your IP address when you submit an inquiry. This helps local authorities identify and prevent harassment against Out Adventures, or any intended recipients.

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