If the changes in the following conditions have been clearly communicated in writing to the client before the conclusion of the contract and they are properly provided for in the program;
Any changes subsequent to the conclusion of the contract are subject to prior agreement of both the agency and the client, except as provided in the "impossibility of comply" clause.
These general conditions comply with the provisions of Decree-Law 61/2011 of May 6th, as amended by Decree-Law 199/2012 of August 24th.
The general conditions, which refer to an organized trip described in this program, along with the specific conditions provided to the client in the travel documentation at the time of booking, constitute the travel contract that binds the agency and the client.
The technical organization and sale of the activities included on this website are the responsibility of Papa-Léguas, a travel and tourism agency, with home office at Rua Manuel Assunção Mestre, nº22, 7780-199 Castro Verde, registered in the Commercial Registry Office of Lisbon with Taxpayer Identification Number 504163590. It has a share capital of €99,759.60 (ninety-nine thousand, seven hundred and fifty-nine euros and sixty cents). Papa-Léguas is also registered with the National Registry of Travel Agents and Tourism Operators (RNAVT) nº2275 and the National Registry of Tourist Animation Agents (RNAT) nº67/2014.
At the time of registration the client must deposit 30% of the service price, paying the remaining 70% up to 21 days before the service begins. If the registration takes place 21 days or less before the service begins, the total price of the service must be paid at the time of registration. Papa-Léguas, Agência de Viagens e Turismo Lda. reserves the right to cancel any booking that has not been paid for under the conditions mentioned above. Reservations are subject to the obtaining of a confirmation from suppliers for all services.
The prices of tours are presented per person and based on the occupation in a room shared by two people. The organizing agency will group clients who sign up individually for the same tour in pairs, by gender, and in chronological order of registration. Clients who are singled out must pay the respective individual supplement, when required by the service provider.
INFORMATION UNDER LAW N.º 144/2015 OF SEPTEMBER 8:
According to Law No. 144/2015 of September 8th, we inform that the customer may resort to the following Alternative Consumer Dispute Resolution Entities:
i) Customer Authority of Travel and Tourism Agencies at provedorapavt.com;
ii) Arbitration Commission of Tourism in Portugal at turismodeportugal.pt;
iii) Or any of the entities indicated in the list provided by the Directorate-General for Consumer Affairs at http://www.consumidor.pt, which we recommend consulting.
Complaints will only be considered if submitted in writing to the agency within a maximum period of 30 days after the completion of the services.
In the event of a complaint regarding non-compliance with contracted services, the customer may activate the Travel and Tourism Guarantee Fund provided for in DL 61/2011 of May 6, in its current wording, by submitting the respective complaint:
i) To the Customer Authority, as Papa-Léguas, Travel and Tourism Agency Ltd., is a member of the Customer Ombudsman for Travel and Tourism Agencies at www.provedorapavt.com. To benefit from this service, you must submit your written complaint within 20 business days after the end of the trip. Agencies are bound to comply promptly with any decisions issued by this entity.
ii) To Tourism of Portugal I.P. at www.turismodeportugal.pt within 30 days after: (i) the end of the trip; (ii) the cancellation of the trip attributable to the agency; (iii) the date of knowledge of the impossibility of its realization due to the agency; (iv) the closure of the establishment.
iii) To any of the entities listed on the website of the General Directorate for Consumer Affairs at http://www.consumidor.pt.
1) The agency is responsible for the luggage in the legal terms;
2) The Client has the obligation to complain to the service provider at the moment of subtraction, deterioration or destruction of luggage.
3) In international transport, if the luggage is damaged, the complaint must be made in writing to the carrier immediately after the damage is verified, and no later than 7 days after delivery. If the luggage is merely late in delivery, the claim must be made within 21 days from the date of delivery.
4) The presentation of such a claim will be an essential basis for Papa-Léguas, Agência de Viagens e Turismo Lda. to hold responsible the entity providing the service.
The responsibility of the agency will be limited to the maximum amount that can be demanded from the service providers, in accordance with the Montreal Convention of May 28, 1999, on International Air Transport, and the Bern Convention of 1961, on Rail Transport.
Regarding maritime transport, the liability of travel agencies, concerning their clients, for the provision of transport services or accommodation, when applicable, by maritime transport companies, in the event of damages resulting from their willful misconduct or negligence, will be limited to the following amounts:
a) € 441,436, in case of death or physical injury;
b) € 7,881, in case of total or partial loss of baggage or its damage;
c) € 31,424, in case of loss of a motor vehicle, including the baggage contained therein;
d) € 10,375, in case of loss of baggage, whether accompanied or not, contained in a motor vehicle;
e) € 1,097, for damages to baggage resulting from the damage to the motor vehicle.
Where applicable, the liability of travel agencies and tourism for the deterioration, destruction, and theft of baggage or other items in tourist accommodation establishments, while the client is staying there, is limited as follows:
a) € 1,397, in total;
b) € 449 per item;
c) The value declared by the client regarding the items deposited under the custody of the tourist accommodation establishment.
The agency's liability for non-bodily damages may be contractually limited to an amount corresponding to five times the price of the service sold.
For each reservation the following will be charged:
Reservation Expenses:
Alteration Expenses:
For each alteration (names, dates, type of apartment or room, travel, etc) : 50€ (fifty euros). Please note that the acceptance of such changes depends on the acceptance by the respective suppliers.
The client must have their personal or family documentation in good order (identity card, military documentation, authorization for minors, visas, vaccination certificates, and any other documents that may be required). The agency disclaims any responsibility for visa refusal or the client's denial of entry into a foreign country. The client is solely responsible for any costs incurred as a result of such a situation.
Travel in European Union:
Travel outside the European Union:
If the travel suppliers involved allow it, whenever a customer who is registered for a particular trip wishes to change their registration to another trip or the same trip with a different departure date, or any other changes, they must pay a fee as alteration expenses. However, if the change takes place 21 days or less before the departure date of the trip for which the customer is registered, or if the service providers do not accept the change, the customer will be subject to the expenses and charges specified under the “cancellation (termination)” section.
Once the trip has started, if a request is made to change the contracted services for reasons not related to the agency (e.g., extending the number of nights of stay, changing the flight), the prices of the touristic services may not correspond to those published on the website that prompted the contract.
The customer may transfer their registration by being replaced by another person who meets all the required conditions for the trip, provided that they inform the selling agency at least seven days in advance and such transfer is possible under the applicable air transport regulations. In the case of cruises and air travel, the prescribed period will be fifteen days in advance.
The transfer of the registration makes both the transferor and the transferee jointly responsible for the payment of the trip price and any additional charges incurred.
Whenever there are external reasons that justify it, the organizing agency may change the order of the itineraries, modify the departure times, or substitute any of the planned hotels with others of similar category and location. The agency must inform the client of such changes as soon as they become aware of them.
When the tour is dependent on a minimum number of participants the Agency reserves the right to cancel the organized tour if the number of participants reached is less than the minimum. In such cases, the Client will be informed in writing of the cancellation within 15 (fifteen) days.
The prices in the program are based on the costs of services and exchange rates in effect on the date of printing of the program, and are therefore subject to change resulting from variations in the cost of transportation or fuel, duties, taxes, fees, and exchange rate fluctuations up to 20 days prior to the date of departure.
Once the tour has begun, no refund is due for services not used by the client due to unforeseeable circumstances or for reasons attributable to the client, except for refunds by the respective suppliers. Failure to provide services foreseen in the travel program for reasons attributable to the organizing agency and if it is not possible to replace them with equivalent ones, entitles the client receive a refund for the price difference between the originally anticipated services and the services actually provided.
If, prior to the start of the journey and due to circumstances beyond the control of the organizing agency, it becomes unable to fulfill any essential service included in the travel program, the client has the right to cancel the trip and immediately receive a refund of all amounts paid, or alternatively, accept a modification and possible price variation.
If the aforementioned circumstances beyond the control of the organizing agency result in the cancellation of the trip, the client may choose to participate in another organized trip of equivalent price. If the proposed replacement organized trip is of a lower price, the client will be refunded the price difference accordingly.
The client or their companions are free to cancel the trip at any time.
i) Such cancellation implies that the client is responsible for the payment of all charges arising from the beginning of the fulfillment of the contract and their withdrawal, as well as a percentage that can go up to 15% of the price of the trip.
ii) If applicable, the client will be refunded the difference between the amount paid and the aforementioned amounts.
iii) The cancellation of travel services/organized trips whose reservation has been made using the voucher issued under Decree-Law No. 17/2020 of April 23rd is subject to a cancellation fee equal to the price of the service, in order to prevent simulated or fraudulent reservations made solely with the intention of anticipating the receipt of the voucher-entitled values.
If for reasons not attributable to the client, the agency has to cancel the organized tour before the departure date, the client can choose to:
i) Being immediately refunded all amounts paid;
ii) Optionally, choose to participate in another organized tour and be refunded for any difference in price.
The liability of the travel agency organizing the trips included in this program and arising from the assumed obligations is covered by a civil liability insurance policy with Fidelidade Insurance Company, under policy number 9257343, for an amount of 75,000€ (Seventy-five thousand euros), in accordance with the applicable legislation.
The prices mentioned in this program already include the Value Added Tax at the current rate of 23%
This program is valid from 01/01/2022 to 12/31/2022
Arrival or departure times:
Departure and arrival times are stated in the local time of the respective country of destination and according to respective airline schedules at the time of printing this program, and may therefore be subject to change.
Hotels / Apartments:
Apartments - In case the accommodation is contracted in apartments, the client is responsible for informing the number of people that will occupy the apartment. If there are more people than booked, the apartments may refuse admittance.
Hotels - The prices shown are per person and are based on double occupancy. Not all hotels have triple rooms and usually an extra bed is placed in the room, which may not be of equal quality. In rooms equipped with two beds or a double bed, the triple may consist only of those beds.
The list of hotels and apartments in the program is indicative, as is their category, which is based on local criteria and classifications that are sometimes different from those used in Portugal.
Meals:
Unless otherwise indicated, the prices shown for the Half Board and Full Board supplements do not include drinks.
On arrivals at the hotel after 7PM the first meal service will be breakfast the next day, on the last day and except for the possibility of late check-out, the last service of the hotel will be breakfast.
Check-in and check-out times:
The check-in and check-out times on the first and last day, will be defined according to the first and last service. As a rule, without binding character, the rooms can be used from 2PM on the day of arrival and should be left free by noon (12PM) on the day of departure.
In the apartments, the entry takes place generally at 5PM on the day of arrival and must be left free by 10AM on the day of departure.
Special conditions for children:
Given the conditions applied for children (destination and provider) it is recommended to always question the special conditions that may apply to the tour in question.
Insurande:
The agency offers the sale of insurance that can be purchased depending on the tour to guarantee assistance situations and cancellation expenses.
The maximum age limit, for the insurance, is 75 years-old.
See our full Data Protection and Privacy Policy here.
Transfers
Travelers who do not purchase flights from Papa-Léguas may not be assured of arrival and departure transfers if their flights are not exactly the same as the flights booked for the group.
If the traveller chooses to book the transfers Papa-Léguas for the flights they have bought on their own, there is an additional fee, which varies according to the destination country and the program.
Tour Leader
This is a trip of adventure and cultural discovery. The tour leader is a person with experience in the country to be visited, having a network of contacts and knowledge that facilitates interaction and a unique cultural experience. Their mission is to lead the group during the whole trip facilitating the interaction and integration of the group with the places to be visited.
The tour leader’s role should never be confused with that of a tour guide. No specific knowledge about monuments, museums, or other places of tourist interest is required of the tour leader.
If your trip includes places that, due to their historical, geological, biological or artistic complexity, need a guide, this will be hired in advance and there will be an explicit reference to his existence in the trip program.
Some people travel the world in a year, I decided to travel calmly. In each country I’ve visited I tried my best to absorb the culture, history, ways of life, taste the food and drinks, make friends and help whenever I could. And it’s exactly this that attracts me to traveling, leaving my comfort zone, the novelty, learning, freedom, landscapes, scents, people, and in the end the backpack’s weight is compensated by the lightness of the soul.
Estamos a preparar o seu programa de viagem.
Aguarde por favor...
Unveil the secrets of Albania, where hospitality is deeply rooted in tradition, and our eyes are greeted with a sea of colors unforgettable. Come and embark on a journey to discover Albania with tour leader Carla Henriques.
Albania lived in isolation for a large part of the 20th century, only opening its borders to tourism in the 1990s. Those who visit the country discover a raw diamond, a land of ancient traditions, with a vibrant capital and several Ottoman and Roman villages classified as UNESCO World Heritage sites, in addition to its unique natural beauty.
Idyllic beaches, breathtaking mountain scenery, rich history, hospitable people, and a Mediterranean climate – this Balkan country has everything one could desire in a travel destination, yet it remains one of Europe’s great mysteries. Join us on this itinerary through Albania.
Come and discover this unique European country full of curiosities. On this trip, we will explore Albania, from its northern mountains to the beaches of the Riviera in the south, visiting historical sites, tasting local cuisine, and getting to know the culture. This is a journey not to be missed.
Flight to Tirana. Assistance at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Check-in organized according to the flight schedules.
Note: the arrival/departure dates may vary, depending on your origin city. If you have any doubts, contact Papa-Léguas for further clarification.
Depending on your arrival time, we will get to know a bit of Tirana.
Having undergone a transformation of extraordinary proportions since waking up from its communist slumber, the center of Tirana is now unrecognizable from those gray days, with buildings painted in primary colors, public squares and pedestrian zones that are a pleasure to walk around. The city's grand boulevards are lined with fascinating relics of its Ottoman, Italian and Communist past - from delicate minarets to noisy socialist murals.
It is a noisy and colorful city, Tirana is never boring!
After lunch we have a two-hour drive north to the town of Shkoder, a place that was besieged by the Ottomans and changed hands with Montenegro several times during the First World War.
We will have the opportunity to end the day at Rozafa Castle. Founded by the Illyrians, rebuilt by the Venetians and Ottomans, the castle's name comes from a cruel legend that ends with the wife of the youngest brother of the 3 who built the castle, being buried alive so that the foundations would remain firm. The castle offers us breathtaking views of Lake Skadar, the 3 rivers surrounding the town, and the mountains that we will discover in the coming days.
After the castle visit, we return to the town of Shkoder to join the locals on their daily stroll along the promenade and for dinner.
In northern Albania there is a lake that was formed in the 1970s when two dams were built on the Drin River, one at Koman and one at Fierze.
Lake Koman is surrounded by dense wooded hills, vertical slopes, deep gorges and a narrow valley, which makes this one of the most beautiful rivers to navigate.
We will then relax on this 3-hour drive and then head to the heart of the Valbona Valley National Park in the Albanian Alps, where the mountain scenery is breathtaking.
Today we will explore the Valbona Valley, an area considered the jewel of Albania.
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The valley lies between high and rugged peaks bordering the Thethi National Park, Gashi River, Plava and Gucia in Montenegro, all strictly protected natural areas. It is a transboundary park (Albania / Montenegro) with the highest biodiversity index of the country's mountainous continent.
The park, which is the largest protected area in Albania, encompasses the Valbona River forest and the surrounding mountains, with their alpine landscapes, glacial springs, various rock formations and waterfalls. It is in this area that we will take a day hike to make the most of what is called the "Miracle of the Alps".
We set off early in the morning, leaving the National Park behind but with a small mountain village as our destination.
Krujë is a village full of charm and history because in ancient times the area was home to the Albani, a tribe of ancient Illyrians. Some scholars believe that Krujë may have been the site of Albanopolis, a city in ancient Roman Macedonia.
In the afternoon we will visit the castle, with a wide view stretching from Mount Tomori in the south to Ulcinj in the north, with views of the Adriatic coast all around. Believed to have been built in the 5th or 6th century AD, it was later rebuilt by the Byzantines and then by the Ottomans. This castle is also particularly crucial for understanding Albanian history, as it was precisely here that Skanderbeg raised the national flag for the first time on November 28, 1443. Of course, we won't miss this opportunity to visit the museum of this national hero of Albania.
We'll also further explore the old bazaar, or Derexhiku as it was called. It began operating about 400 years ago with individual merchants lining the main road leading to the castle gates. Today, a smaller part of the now formalized Bazaar operates along the cobbled road leading to Krujë castle and continues to sell antiques and traditional crafts.
Evening in Kruje.
The Albanian Riviera is an incredible travel destination, home to some of Europe's most beautiful beaches, coastal towns, and more!
It stretches from Dhermi to Sarande on a rugged coastline with secluded bays. They are considered the last untouched beaches in Europe, although changes are already visible, where the Adriatic and Ionian seas meet.
We will drive to Himare and enjoy the afternoon in crystal clear waters.
Night in Himare.
Gjipe beach is built in a very special way, there is a magnificent gorge with high rock formations of up to 70m that ends in a small bay with crystal clear waters.
To get there we will prepare our backpacks with some food and water and walk about 2.5 miles on a well-marked trail along the coast to reach this paradise, where we can enjoy the rest of the day.
Mid-afternoon we will return to Himare.
Night in Himare.
We start the journey back to Tirana, with a few stops in between to explore a bit more of this unique country.
The first stop is the "Blue Eye," a water spring and natural phenomenon that reaches a depth of at least 50 meters. This is just the depth reached by a diver... It is a magical place classified as a natural monument, where the Bistrice River flows, surrounded by oak trees and other types of vegetation.
We continue on our way and as we cross the expansive plains of the Drino Valley, the ancient Ottoman city of Gjirokastër suddenly and unexpectedly appears, noisily climbing the steep slopes of the Gjerë Mountains, with its imposing fortress dominating the horizon. This charming old town listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site translates its name as "City of Stones," perhaps because of the sea of slate-gray roofs that conceal a veritable maze of alleyways.
After exploring Gjirokaster, we head for our accommodation, in the same city.
We wake up in a city that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and then, after a short stroll, we make our return to the capital for one last night in Albania.
This will be the day for last purchases, last photos, and a great group dinner where we'll toast to a week of adventure.
