Albania, Kosovo and Macedonia - Hidden Europe

Notes

Essentials

Visas
UK, EU and US visitors do not require a visa for entry to Macedonia, Kosovo or Albania, but will be charged an entry tax of €10 when you arrive in Tirana. However this can change and therefore we recommend that you check with your nearest embassy for the most up to date details.

Please note that as Serbia does not recognise Kosovo, you cannot cross the border from Kosovo into Serbia, although crossing from Serbia into Kosovo is not a problem.

Airport Tax
A departure tax of $10 is levied on all passengers leaving Albania by air.

Health and Immunisations
There are no compulsory vaccinations required for travel to these countries. However we recommend that you speak with your doctor for the most up to date advice regarding any vaccinations that may be recommended.

Insurance
What should my travel insurance policy cover?

• medical and health cover for an injury or sudden illness abroad

• 24 hour emergency service and assistance

• personal liability cover in case you’re sued for causing injury or damaging property

• lost and stolen possessions cover

• cancellation and curtailment (cutting short your trip) cover

• Extra cover for activities that are commonly excluded from standard policies, such as certain sports

The policy should cover the whole time that you are away.

Your policy may also have:

• personal accident cover

• legal expenses cover

Common travel insurance policy exclusions
Always check the conditions and exclusions of your policy:

• most policies will not cover drink or drug-related incidents

You must take reasonable care of your possessions or your policy will not cover you.

Practical information

Local Currency
The local currency in Albania is the lek. For current exchange rates visit www.xe.com. Many people will still quote prices according to the previous valuation of the lek, and add an extra zero onto the price, even though the lek has now been revalued for decades. The local currency in Kosovo is the Euro, while in Macedonia it is the dinar Euros or US dollars are the best currencies to take for exchange purposes, and some restaurants may accept payment in these.

Where currency can be exchanged
There are banks and bureaux de change in the larger towns throughout the region, and it is relatively easy to change money. Most towns also have ATM’s, and there are also money-changers in addition to the more ‘official’ outlets. There is often no tangible benefit to using these though.

Credit cards and travellers cheques
Cashing travellers’ cheques is generally possible but fewer places will do so, and the rates tend to be poorer. Credit cards are not widely accepted in the region although can be used to draw cash at ATMs.

Best time to go
All three countries can be visited year round. However the best times to visit are generally considered to be spring to early summer and early to mid autumn. In the high summer months of July and August it can get very hot – temperatures of 40ºC are not uncommon, while in the winter snow is common and it can be very cold, although the mountains are beautiful around this time.

Main Language
Albania’s main language is Albanian, but it also has Greek and Roma speaking minorities among others. The Vlach people speak a language similar to Romanian, and there are also Slav speaking communities. Macedonia has two official languages, Macedonian and Albanian, while in Kosovo it is Serbian and Albanian. You will find that English is fairly widely spoken among the younger generation.

Main Religion
During the Communist period religion was officially banned in Albania and it became the world’s first atheist state. Although that is no longer in place, Albania today is quite a secular place but religion does survive in the form of Christianity and Bektashism, a Sufi form of Sunni Islam.

Kosovo is predominantly Muslim, with around 10% of people following the Orthodox faith. In Macedonia it is the other way around – the majority of the population is Orthodox Christian with a Muslim minority. Since the collapse of Communism religion is making a resurgence within the region.

Food and drink
Regional cuisine is heavily influenced by other Mediterranean countries and has many similarities to Turkish food. Mezzes are very popular – a collection of small dishes that can are usually eaten as light meals or starters. Meals tend to be made from local fresh produce, and so Mediterranean vegetables like aubergines and peppers are included in many dishes, and dishes such as stuffed vine leaves are fairly common. Cheese also features heavily in many dishes. Meat is usually the centrepiece of a meal, usually pork or chicken, and kebabs are very tasty. Fish tends to be of the freshwater variety, often trout. The wines here can be quite good, and are generally less expensive than you would pay at home, while beer is quite cheap indeed. A local specialty is raki – a strong spirit drunk as an aperitif.

A reasonable meal will set you back anything from around €5-15, depending on where you are of course.

If you have any special dietary requirements you must notify us at the time of booking. While we will make every effort to cater for you, we cannot guarantee that this will be possible.

Transport
Our tours in the region use private vehicles – typically these will be minibuses.

Local conditions
Travelling in the destinations that we visit requires a good deal of understanding that often standards simply won’t be as they are at home. While we aim to make your trip as comfortable as possible, please be aware that we are often visiting remote or less developed regions that may have little infrastructure. While we aim to make your trip run as smoothly as possible there may be times when we need to ask for your patience while we rectify any problems.

What to take with you

First Aid Kit
The first thing on your list should be a first aid kit. Whilst there is no undue cause for alarm, travellers are best advised to travel well-prepared: adequately immunized, with sufficient supplies of prescription drugs, along with a medical kit.

Clothing
When it comes to clothing it is usually recommended that lighter clothes are worn through the day, and warmer ones at night. A hat is also advised to be worn through the day to protect from the sun, along with at least one piece of waterproof clothing for any days that the weather may be wet or windy. Please note that it can get quite cool in the mountains in the evening.

Footwear
Footwear is a main priority on this tour. Comfortable walking shoes/boots are recommended.

Luggage
Your luggage should not exceed 20kgs (44lbs). One large suitcase/rucksack, and one small hand luggage rucksack is acceptable.

Other
Suncream/sunblock is a must. Insect repellent, including a bite spray will also be useful to have.

Fitness
This tour does not require any special degree of fitness but you will find it more enjoyable if you are reasonably fit.

Cultural and environmental guidelines
You should ensure that you do not leave any litter behind in the national parks – these are protected environments and it is important for the wildlife and for the enjoyment of future visitors that they remain clean.

You may come across beggars while on tour. Every traveller has different perspectives on this and ultimately the choice is up to you. Many sources recommend that you watch to see if local people give, and then follow their lead with genuine beggars. We do not recommend giving money, sweets, pens etc to children as this can encourage a begging mentality and can lead to children choosing to beg rather than go to school.

Photography
You should always ask permission before taking anyone's photograph and respect their decision if they say no. In more remote areas women and older people often do not want to be photographed. Some people may also ask for some money – sometimes a little, sometimes a lot - in return for a photo. Taking photos of military installations, state buildings, and airports can lead to problems with local authorities. If you are unsure about whether it is acceptable to take a photo, please ask your tour leader or guide.

Tipping
Tipping is commonly recognised as a way of rewarding guides and drivers for good service. If you are happy with your guide and driver, please consider leaving a tip for them.

Waiters and bar staff in the region are generally low paid and it is common practice to leave a small tip – around 10% of the bill.

Foreign Office Advice
We constantly monitor the advice posted by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). In particular we will always advise clients of any travel warnings. At present there are no warnings against travel to Albania or Macedonia, and no warnings against travel to the parts of Kosovo that we visit. Please feel free to contact us should you have any specific concerns or would like to know in detail what measures are being taken to ensure visits remain trouble free and without incident.

It should be noted that this information applies to British citizens. Other nationals are asked to check the current position of their respective government.

Further Information

Public Holidays in Albania:
1 Jan New Year’s Day
14 Mar Spring Day
27 Mar Nevruz
1 May May Day
19 Oct Mother Theresa Day
28 Nov Independence Day
29 Nov Liberation Day
25 Dec Christmas Day

Public Holidays in Macedonia:
1 Jan New Year’s Day
7 Jan Orthodox Christmas
1 May Labour Day
2 Aug Ilinden
8 Sep Referendum Day
11 Oct National Day

Public Holidays in Kosovo:
1 Jan New Year’s Day
7 Jan Orthodox Christmas
15 Feb Ashkali Day
17 Feb Independence Day
6 Mar Veteran’s Memorial Day
8 Apr Roma Day
23 Apr Turk Day
1 May Labour Day
6 May Gorani Day
12 Jun Peace Day
15 Aug Assumption
28 Sep Bosniak Day
28 Nov Flag Day
25 Dec Catholic Christmas

Other holidays such as those associated with Ramadan are Islamic holidays and as such follow the lunar calendar, varying year to year. Easter Good Friday and Monday also vary annually.

Dates are for guidance only and may vary year to year

Electrical Supply
Electrical supply is 220V/50 Hz and plugs have two round pins.

Recommended Reading

Albania – The Bradt Guide
Gillian Gloyer

Macedonia – The Bradt Guide
Thammy Evans

Kosovo – The Bradt Guide
Gail Warrander and Verena Kraus

Land of Eagles: Riding through Europe’s Forgotten Country
Robin Hanbury-Tenison

The Death of Yugoslavia
Laura Silber

Balkan Ghosts: A Journey through History
Robert Kaplan

Civil Resistance in Kosovo
Howard Clark

Kosovo: A Short History
Malcolm Clark

IMPORTANT NOTES – PLEASE READ

Please note that the information provided is correct at the time of writing but may change. It is intended as a guide only. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health visit www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk or contact your local healthcare provider.

In addition we strongly advise you to check the information and any travel advice provided by your government. For British citizens you should visit the Foreign Office website www.fco.gov.uk.

Furthermore, you should be aware that any travel warnings or advisories may affect the validity of your travel insurance. Therefore, at the time of booking your tour it is essential you check any restrictions on cover with your insurance provider.

Issue Date – 15/11/11

For possible changes to this dossier please visit www.undiscovered-destinations.com or call +44 (0)191 296 2674