nightingalegirl Posted August 11, 2016 #1 Share Posted August 11, 2016 Salande has been added to our Prinsendam cruise in October. Have been looking for info but there is not a lot of info on things to see in the town -some info on outside town activities. Any info from CC members would be helpful as we would prefer to do DIY. Help! Avril Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruisemom42 Posted August 11, 2016 #2 Share Posted August 11, 2016 Unfortunately, there is not much to see in Sarande itself. It's not a very charming city -- lots of ugly new buildings, little tourism infrastructure, etc. I say unfortunately because Albania has some very pretty beaches (elsewhere) and countryside. Not really possible to see if you plan to DIY. English is not commonly spoken. I recommend getting out of the city if you can. The ruins at Butrint are outstanding and also let you see a little of the countryside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nightingalegirl Posted August 19, 2016 Author #3 Share Posted August 19, 2016 Unfortunately, there is not much to see in Sarande itself. It's not a very charming city -- lots of ugly new buildings, little tourism infrastructure, etc. I say unfortunately because Albania has some very pretty beaches (elsewhere) and countryside. Not really possible to see if you plan to DIY. English is not commonly spoken. I recommend getting out of the city if you can. The ruins at Butrint are outstanding and also let you see a little of the countryside. Thanks so much for your insight. Do you know if there is a public bus that would take you to Butrint or do we have to look for a tour or a rental car? Avril Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruisemom42 Posted August 20, 2016 #4 Share Posted August 20, 2016 On my cruise stop there, the tour to Butrint was included. However, I just found this information (fairly current) that provides a bus schedule from Sarande to Butrint that you might find useful: http://www.sarandaweb.com/transportation/bus-coach/bus-timetable-saranda-butrint/ The website says the ride is 25 minutes, but I seem to recall it being a bit longer. When I was there (in 2014) they had just completed building a new road that connected Butrint with Sarande, prior to that I understand it was rough going! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nightingalegirl Posted August 20, 2016 Author #5 Share Posted August 20, 2016 On my cruise stop there, the tour to Butrint was included. However, I just found this information (fairly current) that provides a bus schedule from Sarande to Butrint that you might find useful: http://www.sarandaweb.com/transportation/bus-coach/bus-timetable-saranda-butrint/ The website says the ride is 25 minutes, but I seem to recall it being a bit longer. When I was there (in 2014) they had just completed building a new road that connected Butrint with Sarande, prior to that I understand it was rough going! Thanks so much for all your info-both here and on all the other ports. Very grateful. We will probably try the bus on our day there. Another adventure! Avril Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruisemom42 Posted August 20, 2016 #6 Share Posted August 20, 2016 Good luck -- I'd love to hear how it works out for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LondonTowner Posted August 22, 2016 #7 Share Posted August 22, 2016 I did a bit of research this year on Sarande as we were thinking of going there from Corfu. Have a look on the destination forums on Sarande and Corfu and you should be able to find quite a bit of useful information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkata Posted August 24, 2016 #8 Share Posted August 24, 2016 Anyone know how much a taxi round trip would cost to Butrint? also where do we exchange dollars or euros for leks? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wirral Girlie Posted August 28, 2016 #9 Share Posted August 28, 2016 Was just in Sarande last Tuesday on Cunard cruise. Most places took euro's, we ate at a restaurant on the waterfront and prices were displayed in Lek and Euro's. It was actually very busy and our tour guide said it was because many Albanians return from Greece for their holidays in August. We took a ship organised tour to Butrint and it was really good, an amazing place. We were given a short overview by one of the archaeologists and it was fascinating. Our tour guide was really good too. The info leaflet they give you can pick up at the ticket office isn't very comprehensive but there are plenty of information boards dotted around. We arrived at around 10am and it was quite quiet. By the time we left at 1pm there was quite a long queue to enter and the car park and road was really busy, virtually gridlocked as the road to and from Butrint is not very wide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sayaguru Posted September 18, 2016 #10 Share Posted September 18, 2016 Hi, I've booked the tour below. Just post it on your cruise roll call. You'll soon fill it up. We haven't gone yet but replies to emails have been prompt. Will post after the tour. The tour would pick you up at the port with a driver and guide and take you on a 7 HOUR TOUR to: 1. Butrint (UNESCO World Heritage Site--one of the most remarkable archaeological sites in the Adriatic Sea region) 2. Castle of Lekursi (a castle sitting on top of the hill over Saranda built during the XVI--XV centuries by Sultan Suleymani) 3. Mesopotam Monastery (Dedicated to St. Nicholas, first recorded in 1081, but flourished in the 13th century) 4. Blue Eye (18 natural springs come out of the bottom of the earth and Blue Eye is a beautiful blue and turquoise color-- in a forest of hazelnuts, walnuts, cherries, pines, and fir trees) The cost of this tour is very reasonable compared to the shorter and less comprehensive ship tours. The costs are: 6 -7 pax: 45 E/Per person 8 - 9 pax: 40 E/Per person 10 - 11 pax: 35 E/Per person 12 -13 pax: 30 E/Per person 14- 15 pax: 27 E/Per person 16 -17 pax: 25 E/Per person 18 - 19 pax: 22 E/Per person 20 - 29 pax: 20 E/Per person Alma is the person to contact at Albania Express Travel if you are interested in joining this tour. No payment required until day of the tour. Please contact her at: info@albaniaexpresstravel.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nightingalegirl Posted September 18, 2016 Author #11 Share Posted September 18, 2016 Thanks for this info. I will follow up and see what I can arrange. Certainly is very reasonable. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nightingalegirl Posted November 8, 2016 Author #12 Share Posted November 8, 2016 (edited) Hi, I've booked the tour below. Just post it on your cruise roll call. You'll soon fill it up. We haven't gone yet but replies to emails have been prompt. Will post after the tour. The tour would pick you up at the port with a driver and guide and take you on a 7 HOUR TOUR to: 1. Butrint (UNESCO World Heritage Site--one of the most remarkable archaeological sites in the Adriatic Sea region) 2. Castle of Lekursi (a castle sitting on top of the hill over Saranda built during the XVI--XV centuries by Sultan Suleymani) 3. Mesopotam Monastery (Dedicated to St. Nicholas, first recorded in 1081, but flourished in the 13th century) 4. Blue Eye (18 natural springs come out of the bottom of the earth and Blue Eye is a beautiful blue and turquoise color-- in a forest of hazelnuts, walnuts, cherries, pines, and fir trees) The cost of this tour is very reasonable compared to the shorter and less comprehensive ship tours. The costs are: 6 -7 pax: 45 E/Per person 8 - 9 pax: 40 E/Per person 10 - 11 pax: 35 E/Per person 12 -13 pax: 30 E/Per person 14- 15 pax: 27 E/Per person 16 -17 pax: 25 E/Per person 18 - 19 pax: 22 E/Per person 20 - 29 pax: 20 E/Per person Alma is the person to contact at Albania Express Travel if you are interested in joining this tour. No payment required until day of the tour. Please contact her at: info@albaniaexpresstravel.com We did use this tour company Sent from my iPad using ForumsWe did useis company or. Our tour in Sarande and we're very happy with the intent, the guide and the bus. Great day. Guide was willing to adjust order of tour sites and happy to consult throughout the day. Had 25 on the tour so price was 20 euros plus admission to Butrint. Edited November 8, 2016 by nightingalegirl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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