The Albanian cuisine is fantastic, boasting fresh produce often harvested directly from the garden or the nearest farmer. If the waiter recommends the seafood plate, it is a good idea to choose this, as the fisherman probably just left a delivery.

300 days of sunshine a year and a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers with a temperature that can rise to above 40º C. Relatively short and mild winters. The climate can vary greatly from zone to zone in terms of temperature, precipitation, sunshine, humidity, etc.

Albanian Lek (ALL)

Cash is the most common form of payment in Albania. Many restaurants do not accept cards, so always bring extra cash.

Tirana International Airport, Tirana Corfu International Airport, Greece (by bus and ferry to Sarandë)

Durrë is the largest ferry port in Albania with five ferries per day to Italy in high season. Second ferry port is Vlorë with several weekly connections to Italy. The third ferry port is Sarandë with connections to Corfu several times per day. Here you can take the fast ferry and only in 45 min you are at your destination. There is also a normal ferry that takes 1 hour and 15 min.

Until 1991, there was a government ban on privately owned cars in Albania. Thus, the greater part of the population did not start driving until the 20th century. This naturally has implications on the style of driving in the country. It is important to follow the traffic and not blindly follow the traffic rules that you are used. You need to learn to read the traffic, dance with the other drivers. If you do this it is fairly easy to drive in Albania. One rule exists though – the hungriest goes first. Infrastructure is still in a stage of development in Albania, roads and highways included. Highways are not very common, and drivers are generally not used to driving at high speeds. On roads with two lanes, people often drive in the left lane because there are less potholes and the exits and entrances are often short and without good sight. Also be careful in the right line of bicycles without lights, tractors, donkeys and shepherds with goats.

Albanian is the language of the country, and many Albanians also speak Greek and/or Italian. English is spoken mainly by the younger generations. A portion of humility and an open heart also tends to take you quite far.

Albania is a country where all religions coexist in harmony without one pronounced state religion. Albanians are spiritual, but they not necessarily follow a religion, in which case it is kept a rather private matter. Many traditions from different religions are officially  celebrated in the country.

The Albanian culture is strong and old. Albanians are a proud people. The mountain people are historically seen as very strong, and have protected the country from attacks from invaders. The music scene is very strong and it is told that the Albanian language was preserved during years of occupation through its folklore.