I Spent 5 Months In This Trending Country And Here’s What Surprised Me The Most
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If you comply with any journey blogs or learn journey information, (and since you’re right here studying this, I will assume you do!) then you’ve gotten undoubtedly examine Albania.
This small nation situated on the Balkan Peninsula in southeastern Europe has been gaining increasingly consideration not too long ago for vacationers in search of one thing totally different, inexpensive, and delightful.
Digital nomads additionally find it irresistible, and for good reason.
I spent 5 months firstly of 2021 residing in Albania, and I am a type of individuals who received’t shut up about it.
Despite having been to many extra international locations since then, each time folks ask, “what country has been your favorite” or “what country left the greatest impression,” the reply is all the time Albania.
Here Are Some Things That Surprised Me The Most About Albania:
Keep The Promise
The very first thing that stunned me probably the most about Albania was the folks.
The folks you’ll find on this nation are a number of the nicest, most useful, and most welcoming that I have ever encountered in all my years of touring and residing overseas.
You may need heard folks consult with “Balkan Hospitality,” and that is completely a factor. Balkan folks might sound a bit tough across the edges, however that is only a little bit of a tough exterior that a few of them have constructed up through the years.
I can’t let you know the variety of instances we’ve interacted with some gruff older males whom we had been a bit intimidated to method at first however ended up ingesting rakia round a desk with their household by the tip of the dialog.
In Albania, there’s a time period: BESA, which implies to maintain the promise.
This is extra of a lifestyle right here, and the folks will exit of their approach that will help you and make you are feeling welcome, permitting them to be reliable and holding the promise of peace.
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For instance: One time we took a public bus to a different metropolis and upon reaching the vacation spot, the driving force realized we had been not sure the place to go. He didn’t converse any English and was shouting at us and demanding my telephone, scary proper?
Upon taking my telephone he known as our guesthouse and discovered the place it was, after which proceeded to principally maintain our fingers and escort us there, ensuring we had been okay.
We had been actually speechless at how out of his approach he went to assist us. This is the Balkan hospitality that I am speaking about. Name one other nation the place this is able to occur, I’ll wait.
A Not-So-Secret Secret
It’s humorous as a result of most individuals I converse to about Albania have by no means heard of it, and it appears the one ones who do know are different vacationers and digital nomads.
While it was a little bit of a secret, Albania has been rising in reputation for a lot of causes.
After going viral on TikTok recently, Albania just isn’t such a top-secret vacation spot anymore. Yet, once we arrived in Albania in January 2021, we had been stunned to see so many different ex-pats residing right here already.
When doing our analysis, we assumed it was comparatively unknown, nevertheless it ended up being the one nation the place we made so many associates rapidly as there was a reasonably well-established group of ex-pats and locals right here. So, if Albania was a secret earlier than social media, it wasn’t a really well-kept one.
Note: a lot of these we met had been Americans, as we will keep a year visa-free.
From Budget To Bougie
Albania is an affordable destination, that is completely true, and most vacationers who come already know this.
I got here to Albania figuring out this and was nonetheless stunned at how little you may spend right here and stay comfortably.
My condo in Saranda price beneath $500 a month and had sea views and a pool, to not point out high-speed wifi and sensible TVs. I have associates who pay beneath $300 a month for his or her condo as a result of they made some good native connections, so it may be performed.
You can get a beer for beneath a greenback at most locations, and meals (apart from imported gadgets) could be very low-cost as properly.
However, one factor to know is that you may additionally splurge in Albania, and a few lodging and eating places can run you Western costs after which some.
Pro-tip: develop into regulars at a number of the seaside bars within the early days of the opening season (springtime) and be handled to a free bowl of contemporary mussels each time and in all places you go!
In the tip, it’s all about the way you need to stay, however do remember that the Albanian Riviera will get pricey because the summer time season approaches, so make sure that to know any rental agreements beforehand.
Many folks I know had their lease doubled in the summertime, so that is one thing to work out earlier than signing something.
Beach Please
Ok, let’s discuss in regards to the seashores. Most individuals who come to Albania within the hotter months accomplish that searching for the Albanian Riviera, and for good cause.
Albania has probably the most stunning seashores I have ever seen. The rocky shores make for crystal-clear water, and the sunsets are unbelievable.
Saranda has some respectable smaller seashores round it you may take pleasure in, and naturally, Ksamil is turning into increasingly well-known as being as stunning because the Caribbean.
@maldivosaur Best seashores in Albania half 1 #hot #holiday #beach #destination #travel #traveldestinations #albania ♬ Calm Down Andre Soueid – andresoueid
One factor to comprehend, although, is that whereas not almost as crowded as different fashionable European locations, a lot of Albania’s seashores are removed from a secret come summer time.
While beautiful, I was so stunned that these locations get crowded rapidly, and costs begin to creep up.
If you’re actually in search of a quiet place to flee, head north and search out some smaller seaside cities alongside the coast. Ask any native, and they’re going to most likely insist you be part of them and their household on a visit (significantly).
Postcard Perfect Views
I was, and proceed to be stunned at simply how stunning Albania is. Everywhere you look, there shall be a turquoise coast crashing under the cliffs, or mountains and gorges, rivers, and all the things in between.
One factor that I couldn’t consider was the crystal clear green-blue of the Vjosa river that runs from Greece throughout Albania and into the Adriatic Sea.
This river is so stunning and vital, the truth is, that it has simply develop into the primary Wild River National Park in Europe.
If you’re fortunate sufficient to name Albania house for some time, you’ll doubtless be stunned to see how simple a lot of the nation is to discover by way of public busses and, in fact, by renting a automobile.
Yes Means No And No Means Yes
While English is extensively spoken in Albania, the official language is Albanian, known as Shqip. When talking Shqip, one factor to concentrate to is how folks point out sure and no.
Yes is Po, and No is Jo. Not too tough, proper?
Now comes the difficult half, Albanians point out sure with a shake of the top, which means they’re saying Po and shaking their head, which appears and appears like No to a foreigner.
@maptrekking how cute is that this place?! #albania🇦🇱 #travelalbania #visitalbania #traveltiktok ♬ albania. – ssuzieed
When they imply no, they nod their head up and down and say Jo. Still with me?
If you suppose it’s a bit complicated to learn, think about residing it. You would suppose it might get simpler, and it did, however even after months, there have been nonetheless many conditions the place this interplay precipitated some confusion.
Luckily, Albanians are understanding and affected person with foreigners, so it’s all good.
I hope my expertise leads you to e book that ticket, bus, and even the ferry from Corfu, Greece to discover Albania and all it has to supply.
Don’t inform me I didn’t warn you in regards to the Rakia energy, although!
But significantly, in case you are in search of an attention-grabbing and distinctive place to discover, with great folks and engaging tradition… the reply is all the time Albania.
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This article initially appeared on TravelOffPath.com