Albania

Fast becoming one of the world's most remarkable tourist destinations and nestled in the heart of the turquoise blue Ionian and Adriatic Seas, the little Balkan gem of Albania is relatively unspoilt by globalisation and plenty of its culture is still firmly intact. Home of Mother Theresa and great 15th century hero Skanderbeg, and known for its isolation and totalitarian Communist government, the curious thing was that even after the Iron Curtain came down, Albania decided to go it alone. That was until 1992 when the Communist party finally relinquished power and Albania established a multi-party democracy with a coalition government.

Albania boasts stunning beaches, snow peaked mountains, rivers, lakes, and forests and some of the most hospitable people in Europe. Not only that, it also features Butrint, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world's archaeological wonders. It provides visitors with a glimpse of Mediterranean civilization from the Bronze Age through the Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Venetian and Ottoman periods. And if that wasn't already impressive enough, all of this is situated on top of a cliff overlooking Corfu!

In the leafy capital city of Tirana, tourists can enjoy the breathtaking views over the city from Mount Dajt or head to one of the many sidewalk cafes to sample some traditional Albanian fare, which has a primarily Turkish influence.

Saranda in the south is known for its unforgettable beaches and colourful springs while Shkodra features the Rozafa castle, a major tourist attraction. Orchards burst with ochre, burnt oranges and yellows in autumn while spring sees apple and cherry blossoms carpet the roadsides. These seasons are the best time of year to visit Albania, as even in September it is still warm enough to swim on the southern coast.

With both coastal and mountain holidays on offer, as well as a cultural experience of lifetime, Albania is guaranteed to knock the socks off all its first time visitors, ensuring a return visit in the not too distant future!

Climate

Albania has a mild, Mediterranean climate with a good deal of sunny weather with rain very unusual in the summer. Most of the annual rainfall occurs in the mountainous regions of the country during last autumn and early spring. During the summer months the temperatures can reach up to 104 °CF (40 °C) while during the winter months the temperature sometimes drops below freezing at night. During the summer the sea breeze keeps the Ionian coast slighter cooler with temperatures averaging around 73 °F-86 °F (25 °C-30 °C) while in the winter months it cools to 46 °F-50 °F (8 °C-10 °C).

Money

The currency in Albania is the Lek. There are numerous ATMs in Tirana and main towns, as well as bureaux de change where Sterling, US Dollars and Euros are widely accepted for exchange. Although street money changers operate openly, they do so illegally. Credit cards are not as widely accepted as one would expect, except in a few of the most up-market hotels and restaurants. Travellers' cheques are not accepted as payment by hotels or anywhere else but it is possible to cash them outside Tirana. Foreign currency can be changed in banks at exchange offices (kambim valutor). The most commonly accepted currencies are the US dollar and the euro. Banks are open only on weekdays from 8.30am to 2.30pm.

Passport Visa

All travellers entering Albania must have at least six months' validity remaining on their passport as well as Visitor must hold onward/return tickets, all documents for their next destination and sufficient funds for the duration of stay. Travellers who are visa exempt for one month must pay the visa/entry fee of EUR10 at the border.

Entry Requirements

• United States passport holders require a valid passport as well as a visa for a stay of more than 90 days.
• British passport holders require a valid passport as well as a visa for a stay of more than 90 days.
• Canadian passport holders require a valid passport as well as a visa for a stay of more than 90 days.
• Australian passport holders require a valid passport as well as a visa for a stay of more than 90 days.
• South African passport holders require a valid passport as well as a visa, unless they already hold a valid Schengen Type 'C' visa.
• Irish passport holders require a valid passport as well as a visa for a stay of more than 90 days.
• New Zealand passport holders require a valid passport as well as a visa for a stay of more than 90 days.

Health

Medical facilities (including those for accident and emergency use) are very poor in Albania, particularly outside Tirana. Comprehensive medical insurance, including evacuation by air ambulance is essential before travelling to Albania. There are high levels of Hepatitis in Albania and rabies is also a matter of concern as there are large numbers of stray dogs. Tick borne encephalitis has been reported in the north of the country and it is advisable to receive vaccinations for these diseases. Tap water is not safe to drink and travellers should only drink bottled water. A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required for all travellers older than one year of age arriving from a yellow-fever infected area in Africa or the Americas.

Embassy Consulates

• Embassy of the Republic of Albania, Washington DC, United States of America: (202) 223 4942.
• Embassy of the Republic of Albania, London, United Kingdom (also responsible for Ireland): +44 (0)20 7828 8897.
• Embassy of the Republic of Albania, Ontario, Canada: (416) 236 1879.
• Honourary Consulate of Albania, Johannesburg, South Africa: +27 (0)11 465 3871.
• Embassy of the Republic of Albania, Beijing, China (also responsible for New Zealand): (86 10) 6532 1120.

Foreign Embassies

• Embassy of the United States of America, Tirana, Albania: +(355) 4 2247 285.
• British Embassy, Tirana, Albania: (355) 4 223 4973.
• Canadian Embassy, Belgrade, Serbia (responsible for Albania): (381 11) 306 3000.
• Australian Embassy, Athens, Greece (also responsible for Albania): +30 210 870 4000.
• South African Embassy, Rome, Italy (responsible for Albania): +39 06 852 541.
• Irish Embassy, Athens, Greece (responsible for Albania): +30 210 723 2771.