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

Sent you a PM

use spoken translate on iphone.

Watch out for pickpockets and conmen.

Let’s hope some might speak some English. They usually do, and you could start brushing up your Albanian. I always like to learn the usual pleasantries wherever I go.
It will be different than Western Europe. Which makes it more exciting. Have fun.

Learn basic please and thank you plus use a Translator App.
Enjoy your adventure Loobs.

www.wanderlust.co.uk/content/things-to-do-tirana-albania/

Even attempting to speak a word or two might make Albanians appreciate the effort!
A lot of younger people especially will speak some English.

Older people might speak Italian 🙂

I’ve been in Tirana, we managed with very few words of Albanian and a dictionary.

Beautiful country, enjoy your trip.

My daughter did a walking trip in Albania,she said people were friendly and welcoming to tourists. Tirana is lovely. Just take the normal precautions in tourist places and have a wonderful trip. I'm quite envious.

We went there with our Motohome towing a smart car some years ago. If you want information as Callistemon said: find a young person.
ALWAYS have your bag in front of you. If you’re using public transport and you feel yourself getting crowded, get out of the situation, they are gangs of pickpockets, usually women.
That didn’t faze us as we were living in Bulgaria at the time and that’s normal.
Beautiful country and very hospitable people.

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

I’m pretty certain that Loobs did not say that she expected anyone to speak English.
Think you’ve made an incorrect assumption there Bluebelle. Not like you.

BlueBelle

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

Not strange, many young people the world over are very keen to learn to speak English.

There are thousands of language schools around the world , teaching English and other languages too to students of many nationalities.

We were recently in Cyprus. In our hotel there were very few guests from the UK. Most, but not all, other guests came from different european countries. When they spoke to the staff or talked to each other they all spoke in English.

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.

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

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!

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?"

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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