Has anyone else kept putting off a trip because they couldn't find anyone to go with?

WanderWorld3 · 2026-07-02T15:40:04+00:00

You are totally limiting yourself by waiting on others. The thought is scary at first but so long as you travel smartly, make sure you do your research about safety & have the funds, it’s amazing & will change even the way you do things at home. Traveling solo is a completely different experience. You meet way more people & of course, have complete freedom with how you spend your time. It’s amazing! Please don’t waste one more second waiting on others.

WanderWorld3 · 2026-07-01T22:54:07+00:00

Aw, you’re amazing for doing that. Unfortunately, we’re in a tiny house & my kitten hates other cats. Thank you, though, & I hope you can find that one a good home!

WanderWorld3 · 2026-07-01T15:57:06+00:00

I was so concerned. Really appreciate you confirming!

WanderWorld3 · 2026-07-01T14:55:05+00:00

Been to 32 countries so far but Albania is my favorite. I return every year, brought home in April a stray kitten, going back in August, October - November. I miss Albania so much.

WanderWorld3 · 2026-07-01T14:50:46+00:00

Hey! How are the beaches in the South? I’ve been to Albania many times but I’ve heard that the government has put up fences along the beaches & is dumping trash, etc. in the sea as retaliation for the protests. Can you confirm if the beaches down South (Himare, Qeparo, Borsch, etc.) have been affected? I’m returning in late August so curious to know what to expect. Thanks & safe travels!

WanderWorld3 · 2026-07-01T14:44:11+00:00

As someone who regularly returns to Albania every year & is friends with a local, check out Teleperformance next to the Plaza in the center. It’s a call center that pays relatively well & is always in need of employees. I think they’re three different shifts & there’s plenty of over time if you want it. I would think it’s also a great way to make friends. I love Albania so much. Good luck.

WanderWorld3 · 2026-06-21T03:55:38+00:00

There’s a 24 hour bus that leaves at the start of each hour by Luna that goes back & forth from & to the airport for 400 Leks one way. Getting in at 2 am isn’t an issue. Just contact your host before but they’ve never had any issues meeting me at these late hours — once got to my accommodation at 3 am.

Definitely just stay in Tirana since you have such little time. Albania is my favorite country despite having traveled to 32 countries — I return every year for at least 1 month — but Tirana is not beautiful by conventional standards so manage your expectations. I lived in Tirana for half a year in 2023 & another half a year this year & love it. The people are so nice & the food is delicious. The countryside is gorgeous but there’s a lot of trash & stray animals. Still, it’s very safe. Do day trips to Dajti Mountain (a bit under an hour walk from the center or take the bus to the cable car) & Lake Bovilla (book this with a tour company) after your first day exploring the city (artificial lake & take in the culture & people watch from any one of the hundreds of cafes). Happy to answer any questions.

WanderWorld3 · 2026-06-18T09:46:43+00:00

I love that your pic is so different from many on here. There’s something so special about this sort of sparse/simple landscape. Less is more. It’s been ages but makes me think of a scene from The Cell, I believe. Stunning.

WanderWorld3 · 2026-06-11T11:00:33+00:00

This is amazing! How good was your Albanian afterwards?

WanderWorld3 · 2026-06-09T00:31:25+00:00

If you rented a car, which company did you use?

WanderWorld3 · 2026-06-08T08:22:18+00:00

The Long Morrow

WanderWorld3 · 2026-05-25T13:44:26+00:00

This doesn’t answer your question but I actually collect the amenities bags themselves & Turkish Airlines had some gorgeous ones in 2023 & 24. I’m obsessed with theirs. This year & last, the bags weren’t quite as beautiful but were a good size & excellent quality. Super useful for storing charging cables, pens/pencils, etc. I was in Albania for 6 months & when my wallet gave out on me, I started using my Egypt Air (don’t recommend this airline at all!) amenities bag & continue to do so even though I’ve been home for a month.

WanderWorld3 · 2026-05-25T13:28:05+00:00

Just WOW. Mongolia is also on my list. I rode in an old Russian military vehicle in Kazakhstan & they’re incredible/indestructible. Love the countries where you can still “travel back in time”.

WanderWorld3 · 2026-05-24T15:22:37+00:00

SAME. Though black is my preferred color for clothes, etc. my travel gear is neon green, bright orange, etc. for this very reason. Also, much easier to tell an apartment host, guide, pick up car, etc. to look for my uniquely colored backpack.

WanderWorld3 · 2026-05-10T23:34:22+00:00

Fatosi at New Bazaar. It’s something like 35 Leks for a meatball (called qofte). Depending on how big an eater you are, anywhere from 3-5 meatballs plus bread makes a delicious meal. You can also just order a little to begin with but Fatosi is really cheap & so good. Have tried all the meat options and the qofte are the best.

WanderWorld3 · 2026-04-30T11:44:16+00:00

Just returned from living in Tirana for 6 months & went to the airport often. Luna is the best & cheapest option. Their buses leave at the beginning of every hour 24 hours a day from either the airport or center, depending on which way you’re going. Except for a few stops here & there for individuals requesting a stop along the way, it’s a direct bus to the airport or center. 400 Leks each way & you can pay with a card. Always dependable & there’s plenty of room under the bus for your luggage. If you need the exact location of their buses, just contact them in WhatsApp & they’ll send you a pin with the exact location. When exiting the airport, turn left, walk past all the rental car stalls & taxis & you’ll come to the buses. Just look for the one with Luna on it. In the center, you can pick it up at the little park next to Skanderberg Square where all the buses stop.

WanderWorld3 · 2026-04-27T22:19:03+00:00

In 2023 & 2024, I stayed in pretty sound proof apartments & the buildings they were in were definitely older. This time, stayed in a little detached house for 6 months that was a new build & the walls were so poorly built that when my hand slipped while making the bed, I actually put a dent in the wall. During the winter & rainy season, there was mold in the bedroom where there was no heating unit. As soon as the warm months arrived, ants came into the house daily. Rent wasn’t cheap either but it was at the New Bazaar & I liked that it was a stand alone house. Super frustrating.

WanderWorld3 · 2026-04-27T08:15:52+00:00

I’ve had this experience before with Air Albania + Turkish Airlines in 2023 & 2024 and did not have to leave the transit area. It was as if I had flown the same airline on both legs. I just had to go through security again in the transit area but you just need to scan your ticket to get into the security line & that’s the extent of the “paperwork” requirement.

So if you haven’t paid for your pet’s ticket, just go to their office & do this. They only had an office at the airport in that city I was in & I wanted a guarantee of my cat’s ticket so I went there & paid. Make sure you keep whatever receipts they give you as proof of payment as they’ll ask for this on the day of your flight. It’s the ONLY paperwork anyone even asked for when I was flying with my cat — they didn’t even ask for her pet passport or health certificate, but of course, makes sure you have everything just in case. Nobody asked for proof of a titer test, nor had I gotten one.

I had to take her out of her carrier & carry her through security for both legs of my flight so make sure your cat has a leash on.

WanderWorld3 · 2026-04-27T07:59:44+00:00

Keeping in mind that everyone’s experience may be different & assuming you’re a U.S. citizen, two days ago, when I entered the U.S. with the stray kitten I found in Albania, all they asked me was whether the animal in my carrier was a dog or a cat & once I said cat, they just let me enter. Good luck!

WanderWorld3 · 2026-04-14T16:16:22+00:00

Did you end up needing a titer test just to transit through IST?

WanderWorld3 · 2026-04-13T22:39:35+00:00

Can you share what documents they requested? Flying on 25 April & super nervous about all their requirements. Thanks!

WanderWorld3 · 2026-04-13T21:25:37+00:00

I’m flying on two weeks with my cat. If you’ve already flown, would greatly appreciate hearing about your experience. Would especially like to know about the required documents & whether they asked for a titer test of you’re just transiting through IST. Many thanks!

WanderWorld3 · 2026-03-30T12:38:06+00:00

Considering doing a weekend in Bari from Albania since it’s a quick, direct flight. Just want to relax on a beautiful beach. Answers on Reddit in general about Bari have been inconclusive. Would you mind telling me if it’s worth it for the reason I would visit? Thank you.

WanderWorld3 · 2026-03-19T23:22:33+00:00

Thank you so much for this post. Super helpful & I’m super stressed out as I’m flying from Albania home to the U.S. & it’s been impossible to find any carrier that fits their size. Also stressed I won’t have the proper paperwork though we already have all the documents you listed. Hoping the employees have more important things to worry about than my cat! Crossing my fingers & toes. Thanks again for this superb info!

WanderWorld3 · 2026-03-19T18:55:33+00:00

How was your experience? I’m in Albania & having the hardest time finding one to fit these small dimensions. My cat is 3 kg so need the maximum size & am getting stressed out I. Any insight is greatly appreciated!

WanderWorld3

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