In January 2026, when Martin and Edith (Baden-Baden, Germany) visited us in Melbourne, we all decided that we would meet up again later in the year to do a cycling tour of Albania. A bit random, but Edith investigated further and we settled on a 10-day (8 days of cycling) UNESCO guided cycle tour through Albania – organised by Cycle Albania.

Before we venture off, Bev gives all 23 bikes a final check-over and her seal of approval. Yep, they look in great condition and better still are e-bikes.!!

It’s time to go and we excitedly and maybe a tad nervously find the correct bike and cycle into the . . . . . unknown . . . .  Albania.

The weather is perfect too as we cycle along the shores of Lake Ohrid towards Pogradec.

After checking into the hotel we continue cycling in the afternoon and cross the border into North Macedonia. Lake Ohrid, one of the oldest lakes in the world was formed a long time ago by tectonic shifts and is one of the largest biological reserves in Europe.

Here our colourful support van with bike trailer is passed by the local traffic!? We’re stepping back in time!

We climb up to a plateau boarded by mountains and follow the gorge until it opens up into wide plains with farms.

The view from our room in Korce!

This is an orthodox Christian church in Korce.

We share the”love”on our morning cuppa stop with new friends.

We are now ascending steadily into the border mountains and climb up to 1200 m!!

Zoom in and you can see Mark (in Orange) far below(he stopped to take pictures)!!

We overnight at Sotira farm in the little cabin (think “Little House on the Prairie” style), amongst the farm animals.

Our dinner (trout) is being caught in this net as we wander past the bridge.