Location: Europe
Local Time: GMT+1
From 30 Oct 11 to 25 Mar 12 GMT +1
From 25 Mar 12 to 28 Oct 12 GMT +2
From 29 Oct 12 to 30 Mar 13 GMT +1
From 31 Mar 13 to 27 Oct 13 GMT +2
Capital City: Tirana
Population: 3.19 million
Area: 27,400357,021 square km, 10,579 square miles.
Language(s): Albanian
Dialling Code: 355
Emergency: Police: 19. Fire: 17. Ambulance: 22235
TV Standard:
Driving: Driving is on the left. International or national licence required
Electricity: 220V AC 50Hz
Currency: Lek (ALL 1 = 100 Qindarka)
Notes: ALL: 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 5,000
Coins: ALL: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100
Credit Cards/Travellers Cheques: Major credit cards (ie American Express, Diners Club, Eurocard & Mastercard) and travellers cheques are accepted by banks and large tourist hotels
Opening Hours
Bank: 0800-1600 Mon-Fri
Office: 0800-1600 Mon-Fri
Shops: 0800-1200 & 1500-1900
Public Holidays
2012
Note: *Dates may vary according to the lunar calendar. When a holiday falls on a Sunday, it is taken on the following Monday. The dates of Orthodox and Catholic Easter and the Muslim festivals of Eid ul-Adha and Eid al-Fitr vary from one year to another.
Business/Social Hints: Some executives speak a second language. Local body language customs can lead to misunderstandings. Nodding the head up and down may indicate “no”, and a side-to-side movement “yes”
Tipping:
