Albania Hotels and Resorts

OVERVIEW

Social Conventions
Nearly half of the population lives in urban areas, with the rest pursuing a relatively quiet rural existence. Some Albanian characteristics and mannerisms resemble those of the mainland Greeks, most notably in the more rural areas; for instance, a nod of the head means ’no’ and shaking one’s head means ’yes’. Handshaking is the accepted form of greeting. Albanians should be addressed with Zoti (Mr) and Zonja (Mrs). The former widespread greeting of Shoku (Comrade) has all but disappeared. Small gifts are customary when visiting someone’s house, although flowers are not usually given. Any attempt to speak Albanian is greatly appreciated. Visitors should accept offers of raki, coffee or sweets. Dress is generally informal. Bikinis are acceptable on the beach; elsewhere women are expected to dress modestly although attitudes are becoming increasingly relaxed. Offices and restaurants are often unheated. Visitors should be aware that foreigners tend to be charged a lot more than locals, with this applying to entry fees as well as general merchandise. Smoking is permitted except where the sign Ndalohet Duhani or Ndalohet pirja e duhanit is displayed. Penalties for drug-related crimes are severe. It is also worth noting that 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. Homosexuality, although legal, is not fully accepted and discretion should be exercised.

Tipping
Previously frowned upon by the authorities, tips are gratefully received in restaurants or for any service provided.

International Travel:

Note
Travel to the northeastern border areas between Albania and Kosovo is currently advised against due to the poor condition of roads and the risk of unexploded ordnance. Although public security is generally good, particularly in Tirana, crime and violence still represent a serious problem in some areas, and gun ownership is widespread. For further advice, contact your local government travel advice department.

Air
The national carrier is Albanian Airlines (LV) . Established in cooperation with Tyrolean Airways, the airline operates services to major European cities. Other airlines offering services to Tirana include Ada Air, Alitalia, Austrian Airlines, Malev Hungarian Airlines, Olympic Airways and Turkish Airlines.

Approximate flight times
From Tirana to London is four to five hours (including stopover times, the shortest being via Zurich, 45 minutes, and via Rome, one to two hours). Other connections are slow. Passengers may travel via a number of cities including Athens, Belgrade, Budapest, Vienna and Zurich.

International airports
Mother Tereza (TIA) is 26km (16 miles) from the capital. An Albtourist shuttle runs to the city center every three hours (travel time – 30 minutes). Taxis are also available to and from the airport. There is a 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 Lk1000.

Sea
The main ports are Durres, Vlora, Saranda and Shen Gjini. Durres has ferry connections to Italy (to Bari is about nine hours, to Brindisi and to Trieste is 23 hours, to Ancona is 16 hours); Vlora has ferry connections to Bari (travel time – nine hours) and Brindisi (travel time - 18 hours); Saranda has a connection with Corfu; and Shen Gjini has ferry connections to Bari. Ferry services are run by Adriatica Line and Agoudimos Lines, amongst others.

Rail
There are no international passenger services at present.

Road
Road links to the Kosovo region are either closed or too dangerous to use, owing to political tensions in the region. There are possible crossings at Hani i Hotit (Podgorica in Montenegro), Bllata (Diber in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia), Qafa e Thaës (Struga and Ohrid in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia), Tushemisht (Ohrid in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia), Gorica (Resnja in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia), Kapshtica (Florina in Greece) and Kakavija (Ioanina in Greece). Bus: There are services to Istanbul, Sofia and Athens. Documentation: It is now permitted to travel in a private car. Parking places are generally available near hotels or at other designated areas. A fully comprehensive insurance policy is absolutely essential.

The following items may be taken into Albania without incurring customs duty:
200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco; 1l of spirits or 2l of wine; 250ml of eau de toilette and 50ml of perfume.

Prohibited items
Firearms, ammunition and narcotics. Special export permits are required for precious metals, antiques, national costumes of artistic or folkloric value, books and works of art which form part of the national heritage and culture.

Internal Travel:

Sea
A fast ferry service links Durres and Vlora.

Rail
The total rail network runs to approximately 720km (450 miles) and is single-track and unelectrified along the whole of its length. Trains are diesel, dilapidated and mostly overcrowded. Services operate from Tirana to Shkodra, Vlora, Fier, Ballsh and Pogradec. There are long-term plans to build railways connecting Pogradec with Kicevo (Macedonia, FYR) and Florina (Greece).

Road
There are around 18,000km (11,250 miles) of roads in Albania, but only 7450km (4656 miles) are considered main roads. Maintained by the State, they are supposed to be suitable for motor vehicles, although only 2850km (1781 miles) are paved and, of those, three-quarters are in very poor condition, with numerous potholes: 4-wheel drive vehicles are recommended. There are strict speed limits according to type of vehicle and type of road as well as within towns. Normal rules and international road signs apply. 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. Cars should be fully self-sufficient, carrying minor repair equipmentm since there is no national recovery system. Bus: This 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. Documentation: International Driving Permit and national driving license are required.

Urban
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.

Travel Times
The following chart gives approximate travel times from Tirana(in hours and minutes) to other major cities/towns in Albania.