Pre/post Tour Information

If you wish to arrive earlier or extend your stay, extra nights can be added to your tour in Tirana. We recommend extending your stay to fully enjoy Tirana, the booming and bustling capital of Albania.

Time Zone and Dial Codes

CEST (Central European Summer Time). Tirana is currently 2 hours ahead of UTC/GMT (Greenwich Mean Time +2 Hours).
Dial Code: +355.

Health

There are no major health risks when traveling to Albania. Health insurance is included in all our tours.

Baggage Allowance

Airlines have different weight restrictions on baggage. Please contact your airline or refer to its website for more information. You should consider that your baggage will likely weigh more on your return trip due to souvenir shopping. We allow one suitcase and one carry-on bag per person on tour. Make sure you label your baggage.

Some useful Albanian

English	Pronunciation	Albanian
Hello	[ miɾədita ]	Mirëdita
Thanks a lot	[ʃumə falεmindεɾit ]	Shumë faleminderit!
Thank you	[ falεmindεɾit ]	Faleminderit!
Goodbye	[ miɾupafʃim ]	Mirupafshim
Yes	[ pɔ ]	Po
No	[ jɔ ]	Jo
Sorry	[ mə falni ]	Më falni
I don’t understand	[ nuk kuptɔj ]	Nuk kuptoj
I understand/ I get it	[ kuptɔva ]	Kuptova
How much is it?	[ sa kuʃtɔn, ju lutεm? ]	Sa kushton, ju lutem?

Clothing suggestions

For an extensive hiking tour we recommend hiking boots, a lightweight jacket and emergency rainwear. Sunglasses, a sun hat, and good pair of walking shoes or sneakers are also advised for sightseeing and exploring in non-hiking days.
From April to October light clothing that provide comfort are advised. Sunglasses, a sun hat, and good pair of walking shoes or sneakers are recommended for sightseeing. A lightweight jacket and emergency rainwear are also advised.

Cuisine

Fertile climate, closeness to the sea and history have had an impact on diversity of Albanian cuisine. In Albania, the cuisine varies by region, but basic components of most dishes are meat and vegetables. In the Northern regions grinned corn is very popular and it is used from baking bread to making various types of sweets and salty national dishes. Characteristics of the central part are poultry and fish dishes. The climate favours the growth of almost all vegetables and fruits so delicious desserts and various types of byrek (salty cakes) are a must. The Southern regions are known for growing citrus cultures and olives and also for using plenty of milk and other dairy in traditional dishes. Albania’s national drink is grape brandy “Raki” but also wines are appreciated for their taste and quality.

Tipping

At the end of your tour, it is optional to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity. Tips can only be paid in cash. Please keep in mind exchange rates when tipping.

Emergency numbers

Emergency service	Number
Road police	126
Ambulance	127
Fire brigade	128
Police	129
General emergency	112
24 hour Pharmacy (address)	+355 4 431 3131

Currency

The Lek is the currency you will use on tour. Better rates of exchange are usually available in Albania, where our Tour Director will guide you to exchanging and understanding the value of the currency. Keep in mind that the cost of living in Tirana is more than 50% lower than in Milan and the difference keeps growing outside the Capital.

Embassies in Albania

In case you need to contact authorities of your country, please follow this link, with all you need to know about embassies and consulates in Albania.

Respect other people

Respect the needs of local people and visitors alike – for example, do not block gateways, driveways or other paths with your belongings.
Co-operate with people at work in the countryside. For example, keep out of the way when farm animals are being gathered or moved and follow directions from your Tour Director.
Leave gates and property as you find them and follow paths unless wider access is available.
Use gates, stiles and gaps in field boundaries if you can – climbing over walls, hedges and fences can damage them and increase the risk of farm animals escaping.
Our heritage matters to all of us – be careful not to disturb ruins and historic sites.

Protect the natural environment

Leave no trace of your visit and take your litter home.
Protecting the natural environment means taking special care not to damage, destroy or remove features such as rocks, plants and trees. They provide homes and food for wildlife, and add to everybody’s enjoyment of the countryside.
Litter and leftover food does not just spoil the beauty of the countryside, it can be dangerous to wildlife and farm animals – so make sure not to drop litter and dump rubbish.
Fires can be as devastating to wildlife and habitats as they are to people and property – so be careful with naked flames and cigarettes at any time of the year.

Countryside common customs

Ladies in the household where we will cook, will need some insistence on our part to help. They are happy to let us but insistence is a way to show that you really care about it.
People in the countryside have generally no problem in taking pictures, as long as you ask for their permission first.
It is usually considered rude to say no to a refill of your Raki glass or not getting it at all but it is not judged as rude if you do not drink it (tasting the glass is required).
After finishing the coffee cup, it is custom to leave on the tray some money (2-5 euros considering the exchange rate) as a “thank you” for the hospitality.
For other details, please make sure to listen to your Tour Director’s briefing before starting your countryside adventure, as customs vary from one region to another.