Tirana (Albania) - feeling a bit worried now.....

Loobs
So pleased you enjoyed it.
Next time, if you fancy somewhere different but not too far: North Macedonia, absolutely stunning.

Really pleased to hear you had an enjoyable time. It’s always especially interesting to go somewhere a bit ‘different’ but people whoever they are, are usually friendly.

I absolutely loved the (small) bit of Albania I saw. The trip went really well, a taxi driver tried to cheat us at the airport - asking 35 euros but luckily the hotel had told me it should be around 20 - 25. In the end had a lovely driver who spoke enough English and had to get back to the capital so was happy to charge just 20 euros. The hotel was fine (elegant but a tad jaded) although a bit too far from the centre. Getting a bus into the city centre was fine though, just stick your hand out and stop it, no actual bus stops. The people were lovely, everyone we encountered was keen to help and delighted in trying out their English. The couple we were with wanted to experience EVERY SINGLE bar in the city so didn't get to travel far although we did manage a ride on a mini bus to the coast. Not sure what it is about the place but I really fell in love with it - my husband and I will be going back next year for a week or two (on our own). Thank you so much for all your advice, it was much appreciated.

A few years ago when we had loads of East Europeans working here on the land we had 3 or 4 Albanians. They were always drunk and by the time they had bought their booze, cigarettes and paid their rent I can’t see how there was anything left.

We have a gangmaster in the village and he was always getting calls from concerned people to tell him his workers were either Lying drunk in a hedge or walking down the middle of the main road.

I remember visiting Corfu years ago and were told that the Albanians came across to steal anything they could.
Albania was isolated from the world then with a dictator whose name I forget and were very poor.

tictacnana

It means that Corfu , which is a boat ride away fro Albania, is worse than a place infested with bandits.

We have been to Corfu several times and had some lovely holidays. The most recent one was in 2022. We did think Corfu was rather more rundown than on previous visits although our hotel, ground etc were spotless.

Locals told us it was due to the pandemic when there were no tourists so no money coming in and their benefits from being unable to work were very poor. They also said Albanian pickpockets and scammers were taking advantage once they could move around freely to Corfu and mainland Greece!

It means that Corfu , which is a boat ride away fro Albania, is worse than a place infested with bandits.

tictacnana

Watch out for bandits who stop tourist coaches to rob them. It happened to us . I can’t remember how much we had to tip up -it wasn’t much and a great deal less than when mugged in Barcelona. It’s a very poor country and outside the big cities people live in makeshift shacks with no kind of sanitation. ( Better than nearby Corfu though 😱)

tictacnana. What does your final sentence mean. In brackets?

Reading your message, it seems to me that what is bothering you is that you have done all the arranging and are worried that if it doesnt go to plan you might be blamed or would feel responsible for things. So if you can say to yourself firstly, well done for making all the effort to organise it. Then taking the normal sensible precautions of travelling anywhere you are all responsible for yourselves. If they complain or moan about any of your efforts, the simple answer is of course well next time you can sort it!! Give yourself a pat on the back for making the effort, take a deep breath and enjoy it. (if anyone looks a bit scary or you are feeling uptight in any given situation, just in your head imagine them sat on the loo with their trousers round their ankles. Silly but makes you smile, then you relax and carry on. Hope you have a good trip!!

BlueBelle

How strange that you were expected everyone to speak
English !!!

She didn't say that at all. Only that French/Italian?German etc are 'easily brushed up on'.

Watch out for bandits who stop tourist coaches to rob them. It happened to us . I can’t remember how much we had to tip up -it wasn’t much and a great deal less than when mugged in Barcelona. It’s a very poor country and outside the big cities people live in makeshift shacks with no kind of sanitation. ( Better than nearby Corfu though 😱)

Tirana is fine. Albanians are on the whole courteous. Two asked my friend and me if we needed directions when we stood at a street corner looking confused. If you stay in the centre and keep sensible hours I am sure you will be fine. Food and drink is good value and exceptionally good. Patisseries and coffee shops delightful. Make sure you go to fruit and veg markets too. Some very good museums eg the Bunker history one. Take the same precautions as elsewhere and you will be fine. The airport is good, too. Nice coffee shop on the outside although by now it will be too cold. Take warm clothes. Good luck.

Remember to turn off roaming on your phone. You don't want an £11, 000 bill! And the EHIC isn't valid.

We have a place in Croatia which also has an unintelligible language but they appreciate us having a go

I have Albanian friends: the younger ones speak good English and German, the older ones speak Greek and some Italian. Tirana is very cosmopolitan now.

Use the app SayHi, I use it for work, I use an iPhone.

I haven’t been to Tirana but other places in Albania. Hotel receptionists usually spoke a little English and even waiters occasionally. People were generally friendly and it’s very safe. Google translate is your friend. I recommend a trip to Kruje to see the castle if you can as it’s not too far. Weather will be very cold though in winter so be warned.

he also recorded a song in albania. www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0Wox8jaW_A

upload some clips of norman wisdom, as pitkin, being bullied by mr grimsdyke.
that will go down a treat with anyone born last century over there.

We were recently in Berlin. Everyone spoke to us in English, even though DH is German and speaks only a little English and I am fluent in German.

Our youngest went to Albania a year or so ago - he didn't seem to have any problems getting around.

We went to Albania from Corfu. The Greeks just couldnt understand why we wanted to go. Very interesting country with lots of Roman ruins. Butrint was anazing. I think lots of youngsters from overseas are encouraged to learn english due to following pop songs/groups.

in Miami you may find restaurants where nobody speaks English
That reminded me of when we had a short stop in Miami and the woman directing customers at breakfast in the hotel had me completely flummoxed.
She was speaking English but not English I understood!
"D'you wannit to go?"

Loobs

No I definitely wasn't expecting, or wanting, everyone to speak English. Having just returned from a trip to Bratislava however, we got 'stuck' a couple of times because of not understanding what we were hearing/seeing (the words seem to have an inordinate number of the letters x, z and v???) - must make scrabble interesting...... I think what is making me anxious is the fact that I have organised the trip and want our friends to enjoy it. I have received some helpful information and will stop feeling worried (which is very unlike me to be honest) and take it as it comes. Mirupafshim.

Well I don't think Albanian is that similar to other languages so you wouldnt be expected to know it.

Knowing thank you, please, taxi, and where are the toilets might be useful!

I always learn basic greetings in the local language, small hotels and cafes may not have any English understanding, larger hotels etc will. However you can get language issues where you least expect them, in Miami you may find restaurants where nobody speaks English.
Over the years I’ve picked up enough to order off a menu in Spanish, French, German and Italian, beyond that it’s google translate

No I definitely wasn't expecting, or wanting, everyone to speak English. Having just returned from a trip to Bratislava however, we got 'stuck' a couple of times because of not understanding what we were hearing/seeing (the words seem to have an inordinate number of the letters x, z and v???) - must make scrabble interesting...... I think what is making me anxious is the fact that I have organised the trip and want our friends to enjoy it. I have received some helpful information and will stop feeling worried (which is very unlike me to be honest) and take it as it comes. Mirupafshim.