Tirana - Post Report Question and Answers
What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Getting to know the local people. Traveling around the country. - Aug 2016
The travel all over Europe and throughout the Balkans has been wonderful. The beaches in Albania are stunning. - Aug 2015
Travel - we have been to Montenegro, Macedonia, Bosnia, Croatia, Slovenia, Italy, Vienna, Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam, Paris, and a few places in Albania thus far. All with a toddler in tow. We hope to make it to Greece and Istanbul before we leave in a few months. Food - the grocery shopping is straightforward at Carrefour and Conad, and the local markets are wonderful. The fresh produce is AMAZING. This is a good post for anyone who likes to cook. As for restaurants, Albanian food is good but menus are repetitive. - Aug 2014
We loved taking family vacations around Europe while serving at a 20% hardship post -- the best of both worlds. It is surreal to drive out onto a dark blue Mediterranean beach with white pebbles -- not a soul to be seen for miles -- and jump into the Adriatic all by yourself. I wouldn't say that Albanian cuisine is a highlight, but there are specific food items that I have loved here: the olive oil is delicious, the seasonal fruit (particularly the cherries in May-July) is wonderful, the availability of fresh produce, feta cheese, and good Italian cheeses, and charcuterie. We have loved living on "The Ridge" housing compound. It has been a highlight for our family, and we would love to take this housing arrangement with us to every post while we have young children. - May 2013
Highlights have been the great travel opportunities. We've been to 11 contries since we've been here, plus a couple trips back to the States. - Dec 2012
Travel- we have enjoyed traveling quite a bit in and out of Albania. It's probably one of the last places on earth without American chains like McDonalds. You can see amazing historical sites and ruins up close. Albanians love children and you can bring them anywhere, but be ready for strangers to try to hold, hug, and give candy to your children. - Oct 2011
