FAQS

Frequently asked questions about Albania.

1. How is travel to Albania?
2. What about passports and visas?
3. What is the climate in Albania?
4. In what time zone does Albania lie?
5. What currency is used in Albania?
6. How are the hotel accomodations?
7. What types of restaurants are there?
8. What type of cuisine is served?
9. What about shopping?
10. How is tipping handled?
11. What type of clothing should be worn?
12. What languages are spoken?
13. How is telecommunication service?
14. What type of electrical power is used in Albania?
15. What about availability of medical service?
16. What are normal business hours?
17. What public holidays are celebrated in Albania?
18. What is the availability of mail service?
19. What is the availability of photographic supplies and film?
20. Where can I find more information on travel to Albania?

1. How is travel to Albania?

Presently, there are several major European airlines servicing Albania from North American and European cities, including Alitalia, Swissair, Olympic, Malev and Balkan Airlines. There are various ways to reach Albania by sea. Travel by private motorcars in Albania is still not recommended due to current road conditions. At the present time, access to Albania can be made overland at various border crossings in Greece and the Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia.

2. What about passports and visas?

Visitors should have a valid passport. No visa is required for Americans visiting up to 30 days. All other visitors can easily obtain entry or transit visas from:

The Embassy of the Republic of Albania
1511 K Street nw - Suite 110
Washington D.C. 20005
(202) 223-4942

3. What is the climate in Albania?

Mediterranean climate, cooler in the mountains. Spring and fall, cool nights and comfortable days. Summers are much warmer. Winters can be quite cold in the mountains.

4. In what time zone does Albania lie?

Local Albanian time is 6 hours ahead of the Eastern Time Zone. As in most parts of Europe, Albania observes daylight savings time from the end of March to the end of September.

5. What currency is used in Albania?

Albania's monetary unit is the lek. There are 100 qindarkas to the lek. Money can be exchanged at the front desk of most hotels. They accept American Express and Visa traveler's cheques. Credit cards are not generally accepted in the country. The U.S. dollar is often used as an alternative currency. We strongly suggest that you carry a number of small denomination U.S. dollars.

6. How are the hotel accomodations?

Hotel accomodations are adequate. All accomodations are based on double occupancy, single rooms are available on a limited basis.

7. What types of restaurants are there?

Some private restaurants have opened, especially in Tirana. Prices are comparable to Albturist Hotels. There are small coffee houses along the boulevards in most cities in Albania

8. What type of cuisine is served?

Albania meals are simple but well prepared. Lamb and pork are frquently available. Olives, peppers, citrus and other vegetables are usually available.

9. What about shopping?

Most tourist shops are located in the hotels. Some private shops have now opened in most major cities. They deal mainly in rugs and copperware. Crafts have a long standing tradition. Most hotels have hard currency shops where you can purchase items like alcohol, soft drinks and cigarettes.

10. How is tipping handled?

Tipping is optional. Small items, such as pens, pencils, pads of paper, gum, cigarettes are appreciated by many people.

11. What type of clothing should be worn?

Casual during the day. More conservative evening wear in Tirana.

12. What languages are spoken?

Albanian is the official language of the country (an Indo-European language with many Latin, Greek and Slav words). Most hotel and restaurant staff speak English. Many Albanian speak more than one or two foreign languages, including English.

13. How is telecommunication service?

To dial to Albania from the U.S., dial the International Access Code (011) + Country Code (355) + City Code (if needed) + desired number. International calls can be made from most hotels. Some telex and fax facilities are also available.

14. What type of electrical power is used in Albania?

The electrical service is at 220 volts. Adapters and transformers are available as American plugs do not fit in Albanian outlets.

15. What about availability of medical service?

There are pharmacies, doctors and hospitals in Albania. However, please be prepared to bring all medication you may need for all travel related illness. At this time, it is not recommended that severely physically handicapped people attempt to travel to Albania.

16. What are normal business hours?

Shops open at 8:00 AM. They are closed between 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM and reopen again from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Stores are open six days a week. Most shops close on Sunday, but a few do stay open.

17. What public holidays are celebrated in Albania?

January 1	New Year's Day
May 1	Worker's Day
November 28	Albanian Independence Day

Albanians are now allowed to practice their respective religions. Most are either Muslim, Albanian Orthodox, or Catholic

18. What is the availability of mail service?

Hotels sell postcards and stamps. You can mail your letters or postcards from the hotel.

19. What is the availability of photographic supplies and film?

Bring all the film you will need since availability is limited within the country.

20. Where can I find more information on travel to Albania?

Contact:		Kutrubes Travel
		328 Tremont Street
		Boston, Massachusetts 02116
		(800) 878-8566
		(617) 426-5668
		Fax: (617) 426-6196
		e-mail: adventures@kutrubestravel.com
		Internet: www.kutrubestravel.com