How it all started...

Traveling through Albania one cannot fail to notice the fact that Albanians love honey – colorful beehives in many gardens and the roads often lined with apiarists who sell their harvest! Berlin-based Susanne Wilm and Dorien Malaj, the owner of Sondor Travel, saw the potential for a very special and more sustainable travel experience in this long tradition of beekeeping in the country.

E-Mails went back and forth and the Honey Trail started to take shape: Introducing apitourism in Albania while at the same time supporting beekeeping and livelihoods for rural beekeepers. As we moved along, more people contributed their expertise in bees and sustainable tourism to this idea: Lejla Shehu, president of the Albanian Beekeeper Association, has been an invaluable source of information and inspiration along the way. Dr. Petrit Dobi, director of the Rural Association Support Programme (RASP), shared his knowledge and longstanding experience in rural development and agritourism with us.

And so the Honey Trail evolved out of a shared passion for the linkages between tourism, sustainability, rural development and beekeeping.

Who does what?

• Susanne Wilm provides you with all the relevant information regarding the Honey Trail. As a first point of contact she will be happy to advise you and offer first hand information on everything you need to know about the Honey Trail! Susanne Wilm has more than 15 years' experience in international development, and has worked among others in the fields of rural and livelihood development.

• Once you arrive in Albania, you will be in the best of hands with the experienced team of Sondor Travel - a family-owned tour operator in the second generation. Not only do they have a keen passion about their country, a vast network of partners and a wealth of local knowledge. Above all, it is their desire for innovation and new approaches towards sustainable and mindful tourism that makes them such special hosts.

Together, we share the desire to open up the unique perspective and insights that the longstanding tradition of apiculture offers visitors of Albania and the belief that a responsible and mindful package  genuinely results in you having an amazing Honey Trail experience!

We look forward to welcoming you!