One of the smallest of all European countries, Albania is a mountainous country nestled along the Adriatic Sea. Legend claims that the people of Albania are the descendants of the ill-fated Illyrians.
Albania culture has been heavily influenced by Greece, especially in the cities - for example, a head shake means yes and a nod means no. For several decades, Albanians greeted each other with the phrase Shoku, meaning comrade, but that phrase has long fallen out of use and the simple handshake will suffice.
Dress is usually informal in this area, and Albania is no exception. There are still some traditional views regarding clothing, such as the custom that women should not wear anything revealing unless they're at the beach, and a bathing suit would then be acceptable.
The proper forms of address are Zoti (Mister) and Zonja (Missus) followed by the family name; if you are visiting someone, remember to bring a gift, preferably something other than flowers. Once you've arrived, you'll likely be treated to coffee or raki and a variety of sweets.
Though harsh smoking bans haven't caught on here yet, you still need to keep an eye out for any sign that says Ndalohet Duhani or Ndalohet pirja e duhanit, which indicate you're in a no-smoking area.
The main mode of transportation is the bus system, which can be found in all major cities and will connect you to the major sites for a very low fare; if you prefer to travel more on your own terms, most of the major hotels also have taxi stands for the convenience of their guests.
One of the most amazing experiences you'll have is the 15 minute ride through the Dajt Oark to Tirana, courtesy of the Dajti Ekspres Cable car at Dajti Mountain.
The ride will only cost you about €6.5 and covers 4.2 kilometers. Or you can enjoy the ultimate luxury tour on a fully-manned yacht courtesy of Alpha Yachting. If you need some additional cash, visit the Tirana Bank, which includes Visa card access among its many services.
If you choose to visit during the winter months, remember to pack plenty of warm clothes for the evening, and always wear layers even if you're going to dinner, as many restaurants do not keep the place well-heated.
As a general rule of thumb, visitors will be charged more than a local. This applies to both entry fees as well as any goods you might want to buy, so try not to make it obvious that you're not local when you're touring the area.
By : Anthony_M_Flores
Albania culture has been heavily influenced by Greece, especially in the cities - for example, a head shake means yes and a nod means no. For several decades, Albanians greeted each other with the phrase Shoku, meaning comrade, but that phrase has long fallen out of use and the simple handshake will suffice.
Dress is usually informal in this area, and Albania is no exception. There are still some traditional views regarding clothing, such as the custom that women should not wear anything revealing unless they're at the beach, and a bathing suit would then be acceptable.
The proper forms of address are Zoti (Mister) and Zonja (Missus) followed by the family name; if you are visiting someone, remember to bring a gift, preferably something other than flowers. Once you've arrived, you'll likely be treated to coffee or raki and a variety of sweets.
Though harsh smoking bans haven't caught on here yet, you still need to keep an eye out for any sign that says Ndalohet Duhani or Ndalohet pirja e duhanit, which indicate you're in a no-smoking area.
The main mode of transportation is the bus system, which can be found in all major cities and will connect you to the major sites for a very low fare; if you prefer to travel more on your own terms, most of the major hotels also have taxi stands for the convenience of their guests.
One of the most amazing experiences you'll have is the 15 minute ride through the Dajt Oark to Tirana, courtesy of the Dajti Ekspres Cable car at Dajti Mountain.
The ride will only cost you about €6.5 and covers 4.2 kilometers. Or you can enjoy the ultimate luxury tour on a fully-manned yacht courtesy of Alpha Yachting. If you need some additional cash, visit the Tirana Bank, which includes Visa card access among its many services.
If you choose to visit during the winter months, remember to pack plenty of warm clothes for the evening, and always wear layers even if you're going to dinner, as many restaurants do not keep the place well-heated.
As a general rule of thumb, visitors will be charged more than a local. This applies to both entry fees as well as any goods you might want to buy, so try not to make it obvious that you're not local when you're touring the area.
By : Anthony_M_Flores
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