All you need to know about the hottest new holiday destination, Albania!
Yesterday, he was live in the studio talking about his top autumn sun deals. Today, he’s live from one of them… Simon Calder joins us in sunny Albania to prove why this is the ultimate holiday hotspot.
WHY IS THIS ‘THE’ DESTINATION TO GO TO? LET’S START WITH THE PRICE?
With return flights as little as £28 and the average double-bed hotel rooms costing between £20-£40, Albania is a very budget-friendly destination.
Simon’s flight yesterday from Stansted on Ryanair cost £25.
This November, there are return flights from London to Albania for £28 per person.
A night in Simon’s 4 star hotel ‘Hotel Zanzi’, with a private beach and a restaurant cost £59.
WHAT’S THE WEATHER LIKE THIS TIME OF YEAR?
In September: The average temperatures you'll face is between 15.0°C and 27.0°C, with exceptional peaks as high as 35°C.
In November: The average daily temperature will be 16 °C. A nice temperature for walking around the city or on the beach, but water might be a bit chilly to swim in.
AND THERE ARE BEAUTIFUL BEACHES?
The total length of the coastline is approximately 274 km (170 mi), of which 178 km (111 mi) consists primarily of white sandy beaches.
The most popular beaches include Durrës, Golem, Lalzi Bay, Shëngjin, Velipojë, Divjakë, Spille.
Simon is at Durres Beach, which is known for its soft sand, clear water and lively atmosphere.
ASIDE FROM BEACHES, WHAT IS THERE TO SEE AND DO?
There’s plenty of museums and art galleries in the very lively capital, Tirana. The most popular is ‘BunkArt’, a coveted bunker built in the outskirts of the town in the 70s by the former dictator Enver Hoxha. There, you can learn more about the Communist history of Albania.
The Unesco world heritage site towns of Berat and Gjirokastra in southern Albania are renowned for their Ottoman architecture, castles and bazaars.
For hikers and nature lovers, there’s Theth in the north of the country. It’s hidden among the Albanian Alps, and is one of the most beautiful natural areas of Albania.
WHAT KIND OF FOOD IS THERE? HOW MUCH CAN YOU EXPECT TO PAY FOR A MEAL FOR TWO?
Albanian cuisine is varied and influenced by the country’s diverse history and geographical location. Some say it’s similar to Greek, so a fresh salad with feta or some other cheese is very common. So are vegetables, especially aubergines, courgettes and sweet peppers. + The Northern part of the country will welcome you with some fragrant hearty stews (goat and sheep are the most common) while by the coast seafood is in abundance.
Paying with cash is very common, but debit and credit cards are accepted in bigger hotels and restaurants. Albania has its own currency called Albanian Lek (ALL).
When ordering, the official language of Albania is Albanian, but English is spoken in tourist areas and by younger generations as it is now taught in schools.
WHAT ARE SOME THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE GOING?
In terms of Albanian culture, it is hugely influenced by its rich (and often turbulent) history. You can easily spot some Roman remnants, Ottoman heritage and traces of the recent Soviet era everywhere across the country. This melting pot of cultures makes Albania very special, and the locals take pride in their traditions.
Similar to Spanish siesta, during the hot months most businesses are closed for a few hours around lunchtime
If you are a British Passport holder, you do not need a visa to visit Albania
In order to travel to Albania, your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’).