· Be careful what you're wishing for. Albania is not the safest place in Europe and any travel to the area requires thorough planning and preparation. I'm not just referring to the criminal elements you might encounter during your trip, but also to the extremely bad road conditions and unpredictable mountain weather.

Last year, I hitchhiked from the Netherlands to Albania alone. This type of travelling got me in touch with many local Albanians, including some warlord types. I don't recommend any independent travelling in (northern) Albania unless people are experienced and know what they're doing. Consider some of the situations you might find yourself into and ask yourself if you know how to manage them.

Make a travel itinerary and make sure you have a reason to visit the country. People open up a lot if you show a genuine interest in their country and language. During my travels in the Bajram Curri, Tropoje, Kukes and Shkoder areas I had the occasional encounter with armed bandits. In general, they exercise caution in meeting you because they are not aware of your motives or background. Your best bet is the extremely friendly, warm and hospitable local population. Bring gifts (whisky, cigarettes and some small tokens) so you won't feel embarrassed when you're getting invited for the next meal and bed. If you do intend to spent time in the mountains alone, bring good camping equipment. This should serve as an emergency backup in case things don't work out the way you thought they would and you find yourself alone without anyone in sight.

Depending on the places you're visiting resources might be very low, so make sure you bring everything you need including spares. There are unmarked minefields near the Kosovar - Albanian border so avoid wandering around there. If you intend to travel over land to Albania, you might want to check out the current situation in Montenegro.

Greetz Floor