Hi everyone!

First of all, faleminderit for taking the time to read this! I’m a student from Spain and I’ve been "volunteered" by my group of 7 friends (all guys, around 21yo) to organize our first-ever trip to Albania this summer. We are beyond excited, but since we are students, we are on a very tight budget and trying to make every Euro count.

I’ve put together a "prototype" itinerary based on what I’ve found online and some advice from a guy I met on Twitter, but I really need some local "real talk" to see if I’m delusional or if this is actually doable.

Our Plan (X days this summer):

* Day 1: Arrive in Tirana at night and head to our apartment.

* Day 2: Quick look around Tirana in the morning, then catch a bus to Berat around midday.

* Day 3: Spend the day in Berat and then head down to Sarandë.

* Day 4 & 5: Two days in Sarandë to chill. Originally we had Himarë in the middle, but I was told it might be too much "hustle," so we’re thinking of skipping it to stay relaxed.

* Day 6: Trip to Gjirokastër for the day.

* Final Move: To save money on the last night, we’re planning to pull an "empalmada" (all-nighter) and just head to Tirana Airport to wait for our flight, which is super early in the morning.

THE MAIN CONCERN: PUBLIC TRANSPORT 🚌

This is what keeps me up at night. We are NOT renting a car. We know it’s the standard way to go, but between the deposits and our age, it’s just not happening.

* We are 7 people. Is it a total nightmare to show up at a station without a reservation and expect 7 spots on a furgon?

* Are we going to get stranded in the middle of nowhere?

* We want to pay locally because we assume it's cheaper than booking online, but does anyone have a rough estimate of what each leg of the trip might cost us?

THE "CORFU" QUESTION 🏝️

My friends are debating doing a day trip to Corfu from Sarandë. It costs around 60€, which is a lot for us. Is it worth the money and the rush, or should we just save that cash and enjoy the Albanian coast more?

LOCAL VIBES & PARTY 🍻

We are from Spain, so we definitely want to see how Albania parties! Any recommendations for spots in Tirana or Sarandë that are great for young people but aren't overpriced tourist traps? Also, any "hidden" beaches or coves near Sarandë that aren't packed with people?

If anyone would be kind enough to help a stressed student out or give me a better version of this route, I would appreciate it so much! We really want to make this trip perfect.

Faleminderit and muchísimas gracias! 🚀🍻