Stuff you need backpacking around Albania

Albanian is the official language. Other useful languages include Italian, which is often viewed as the de facto second language due to strong historical ties with Italy. English is understandable in Tirana, the capital the most and to a lesser extent outside frequented tourist cities.

Restaurants are very frequent inside and outside the cities. Albania, like the Balkans in general, has a primarily Turkish influence in its cuisine. This influence stems from over 400 years of Ottoman rule in the region. Recent influences after the fall of communism in the early 1990's has been from Italy and generally Western Europe. Most of what is available in neighboring countries such as Greece and Italy will be available in Albania, particularly in the larger cities. Albania's food is very tasty and satisfying. All the people grow many fruits and vegitables around their houses, most popularly all kinds of grapes, (red, black, green), that are used to make Raki. Albania is a very mountinous country, and these mountains are houses to scattered little beautiful olive trees that influence Albanian cuisine. Salids are usually made with fresh tomatoes and onion. Most Albanian people make their own bread, and going out food is not usually common. Since all fruits and vegitables are grown naturally, everything you buy and pick are pesticide free, and are sweeter. Some sort of hearty stew is always commonly eaten in Albanian dinners. These stews are easy to make, and flexible with ingredients. They include potatoes, onion, rice, etc. Byrek, a type of savory pye is also common, and is made in different ways. One way is with spinich and feta cheese. Another is with grownd meat and onion. Baklava is a popular desert and is always made as a celebrative desert during New Years Eve. If gowing to Albania, always expect lamb as the main meat in many places. Lamb there is naturaly fed, and does not have any odour like it does in North America. There are many delicious food to look forward to in Albania, and anything can be found there to your liking.

The preferred alcoholic hard drink is Raki that is locally produced in small towns as well as in many homes in the countryside; in some instances you may run across men washing down breakfast with a few shots. The number of homemade beers, wines and Raki is as varied as the population itself; the quality of these drinks is as varied as the quantity available. Non-alcoholic drinks range from the well-known international and regional soft drink brands to the locally produced copies. You can find any type of pop or soft drink in Albania, including all kinds of Fanta's, Coca Cola, and Sprite. Natural mineral water is popular because of its healthiness. Energy drinks found everywhere in the United States are also present there, like Red Bull. The Albanian Raki is the best and most well made, and well known in Europe. Boza, a popular caramel tasting drink in Europe is the best in Albania, and Albanians have been known as the best Boza makers in the world.

The national currency is the lek (ALL). There are 92.90 lek to the US dollar (28 Apr 2007). Notice that some Albanians write prices with an extra zero; they are not trying to charge you 10 times the going rate, merely using the old currency. Hundreds of new ATMs have been installed in most major cities. Use the Visa ATM Locator to find them. The ATMs accept most international VISA and Mastercard Credit/Debit cards. Many rural convenience stores will NOT accept any other method of payment other than cash (currently in Albanian lek). However supermarkets, the better bookstores and the better boutique stores will accept Credit or Debit Cards. The most widely accepted cards are VISA, Mastercard, and Diner's Club.