Albania Travel Guide

Full Name

Republic of Albania

Former Name

People's Socialist Republic of Albania

Capital City

Tirana

Government Type

emerging democracy

Area Size

28,748 sq km

Time Zone

UTC/GMT +1 hour

Climate

Temperate climate with warm and dry periods from June to September, cool and wet from October to May. April to June and mid September to mid October are the best months for visits. Flash-flooding is possible throughout the year.

Geography

Its coastline is 362 kilometres long and stretches on the Adriatic Sea and the Ionian Sea. The lowlands of the west face the Adriatic Sea. The 70% of the country that is mountainous is rugged and often inaccessible. The highest mountain is Korab situated in the district of Dibra, reaching up to 2,753 metres.

Languages

Albanian (official - derived from Tosk dialect), Greek, Vlach, Romani, Slavic dialects

Culture

Albanian folkmusic is national in character but to some degree is influenced by Turkish and Persian influences. It sounds typically Balkan but mainly polyphonic in the south and homophonic in north and central Albania. Music is played on folk instruments such as the çifteli (a long-necked two-stringed mandolin) and the gërnetë (a type of clarinet for popular music). Other instruments are the gajda and bishnica (wind instruments) and the sharkia and lahuta (stringed ones). Before World War II, there was no real effort by the Albanian government to provide education in the field of music simply because it had no money, however, Albania eventually produced seven symphony orchestras, or, ten times more symphony orchestras per capita than Great Britain! The Albanian flag is a deep red color with a black, double-headed eagle at its center. It is derived from the personal standard of Albania's great 15th century folkhero, Gjergj Kastrioti surnamed Skanderbeg which, translated into English, means "Lord Alexander", after Alexander the Great. Albania has also produced writers of international reputation such as Ismail Kadare, Albania's most influential and important writer, who many believe has Nobel Prize rank. Kadare is the author of "The General of the Dead Army".

History

Between 1990 and 1992 Albania ended 46 years of xenophobic Communist rule and established a multiparty democracy. The transition has proven difficult as successive governments have tried to deal with high unemployment, widespread corruption, a dilapidated infrastructure, powerful organized crime networks with links to government officials, and disruptive political opponents. Albania has made incremental progress in its democratic development since first holding multiiparty elections in 1991, but deficiencies remain - particularly in regard to the rule of law. Despite some lingering problems, international observers have judged elections to be largely free and fair since the restoration of political stability following the collapse of pyramid schemes in 1997. In the 2005 general elections, the Democratic Party and its allies won a decisive victory on pledges of reducing crime and corruption, promoting economic growth, and decreasing the size of government. Although Albania's economy continues to grow, the country is still one of the poorest in Europe, hampered by a large informal economy and an inadequate energy and transportation infrastructure. Albania has played a largely helpful role in managing inter-ethnic tensions in southeastern Europe, and is continuing to work toward joining NATO and the EU.

Travel Information

The national airline is Albanian Airlines (LV). Established in cooperation with Tyrolean Airways, the airline operates services to major European cities. Mother Tereza (TIA) is 26km from the capital. An Albtourist shuttle runs to the city centre every three hours (journey time – 30 minutes). Taxis are also available. Facilities: Small duty-free shop, car hire, bank and light refreshments are available. Departure Tax US$10 is levied on all foreign nationals. Nationals of Albania pay Lk1,000. Main ports: Durres has ferry connections to Italy. Vlora has ferry connections to Bari and Brindisi. Saranda has a connection with Corfu. Shen Gjini has ferry connections to Bari. Ferry services are run by Adriatica Line and Agoudimos Lines, amongst others. There are bus services to Istanbul, Sofia and Athens.

Accommodation

The Ministry of Territory and Tourism runs the state-owned tourist hotels but many others are now privately run and increasing numbers are being built. There are two 4-star hotels in Tirana - the Hotel Tirana International and the Rogner Hotel Europapark Tirana.

Visa Requirements

Visas are not required by nationals of the EU, Australia, Canada and USA for stays of up to 30 days. Nationals not referred to above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements. Nationals of countries listed above pay an entry fee of €10 at Tirana airport A valid passport is required by all nationals of countries referred to above.

Getting Around

A fast ferry service links Durres and Vlora. Trains are diesel, dilapidated and mostly overcrowded. Services operate from Tirana to Shkodra, Vlora, Fier, Ballsh and Pogradec. Traffic drives on the right. Visitors are advised to exercise extreme caution when driving, owing to the poor condition of the roads and the unpredictability of local drivers. Night-time driving should be avoided, as there is no street lighting except in urban areas and major inter-urban arterial routes. In addition, whilst petrol stations are available in urban areas, they are not common in the countryside. Bus is the main form of transport within Albania. The main routes from Shkodra, Korça, Saranda, Gjirokastra, Peshkopia and Durres to Tirana are operated by private bus companies. A cheap, flat-fare urban bus service operates in the main cities, although the buses are usually crowded. Taxis can be found in Tirana in front of the main hotels housing foreigners.

Health & Safety

Travellers are adviced to take special precaution for Diphtheria, Hepatitis A and Tetanus. Depending on season you may also need vaccinations for Rabies and Typhoid. A certificate of vaccination is required from travellers over one year of age coming from infected areas. Immunisation against hepatitis B and tuberculosis is sometimes recommended. Campers and trekkers should avoid tick bites and consider immunisation against tick-borne encephalitis, which has been reported in the north. Rabies is present. Mains water is normally chlorinated and, whilst relatively safe, may cause mild abdominal upsets. Bottled water is advised, especially outside Tirana, and should be used for cleaning teeth, washing food, making ice and, of course, drinking. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are under the control of sanitary/hygiene authorities and are generally considered safe to eat. Medical facilities are extremely basic (including accident and emergency) and there is a lack of supplies and doctors. Visitors are advised to avoid using the dental facilities available. If taking prescribed drugs, visitors should bring a supply. Foreign travellers will be excluded from payment for emergency medical treatment and first aid. However, international travellers are strongly advised to take out full medical insurance before departure. Travel to the northeast border areas between Albania and Kosovo is advised against because of the very poor condition of the roads and the risk of unexploded ordnance. Although public security is generally good, particularly in Tirana, the crime rate has risen, especially theft, and visitors should be careful not to display valuables. Passports which allow entry to EU countries without a visa, foreign currency and cameras are mostly at risk, although all possessions should be kept close at hand at all times. Avoid remote areas and streets, especially at night. Gun ownership is widespread.

National Holidays

1 Jan - New Year’s Day. 6 Apr - Good Friday. 9 Apr - Easter Monday. 1 May - May Day. 13 Oct - Lesser Bairam (End of Ramadan). 28 Nov - Independence and Liberation Day. 20 Dec - Greater Bairam (Feast of the Sacrifice). 25 Dec - Christmas Day.

Currency

Albanian Lek (ALL)

Electricity

220v AC, 50Hz

Working Hours

Office hours: Mon-Fri 8.00am - 4.00pm. All offices are closed on Saturday and Sunday.

Emergency Numbers

17(Ambulance) 18(Fire) 19(Police)