Romanian driving through Albania
Posted by 2doR_8@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 47 comments
Hello fellow Balkans,
That's my first post here, my apologies if something is wrong.
I've heard that travelling through Albania as a Romanian with RO plates might be dangerous. I enjoy driving and I was thinking about going to the "Albanian Riviera" at the end of the summer, with my car. So far, I spent my summers on sea side of our Bulgarian brothers and had an amazing experience. Great service, very nice people, but I really like to visit Albania as well. It seems like a very beautiful country as well.
There might be some political tensions, but how the Albanian-Romanian relationship feels in real life, on the street? Is it dangerous to travel from Romania to Albania? Is there any region to avoid?
Flimsy-Resident261@reddit
I’m sorry what? Did I miss something? Since when we have problems with Romanians? If any Romanian has had bad experiences here, it’s not because of their origin. Serbian propaganda is getting out of hand. We’re not some barbarians that throw sticks and rocks towards “fresh blood”. Also, we don’t associate you with Roma
aSimpleTeen@reddit
I voted Albania in the last 4 years of Eurovision, we are safe brother ❤️
ThickCaterpillar9867@reddit
Wtf🤣🤣🤣
2doR_8@reddit (OP)
Crazy idea or what? 😂
Individual_Special18@reddit
As a Serb who visited Albania just act normal and u won’t have any problems.
ThickCaterpillar9867@reddit
Crazy idea to think it will be dangerous and to think Albanians-Romanians have bad relationship
If you go in june visit this place
https://youtube.com/shorts/gnsXohLE6Eo?is=G8zy3mLJw8Pu6Ob8
2doR_8@reddit (OP)
So my whole life was a lie? I've only heard that it might be dangerous, to avoid it, better not go there or fly instead of driving.
Ksamil might be the no1 reason I want to go there. Vlore, Durres and Sarande as well. Also, I bet I can find beautiful surroundings at countryside as well.
AnaMiro91@reddit
Don’t go to Ksamil, it’s horrible during the season
2doR_8@reddit (OP)
I was thinking about going in the early October
Ok-Letter3775@reddit
Yeah better not come, you might fall in love with the Mediterranean climate and the nature and you will never leave the country again…
2doR_8@reddit (OP)
I'm not as worried about the climate, nature and beautiful landscapes as I am about the beauty of Albanian women 👀
Ok-Letter3775@reddit
Yeah that you should worry about.
Jokes aside, Albanians are friendlier than Serbians, Bulgarians and Romanians. Trust me, I have been and lived in all these countries. Have fun!
2doR_8@reddit (OP)
Never been to Serbia 😞 but at least on my encounters the Bulgarians were very nice. Now I expect the same from Albanians.
Thank you!
oblivion_mike@reddit
Ksamil full season is a nightmare. The epitome of a tourist trap.
ThickCaterpillar9867@reddit
It is not dangerous ,people drive recklessly but it is not that problematic ,you get used to it.
Do not go to Ksamil in the middle of the season,it will be over crowded,vistting Theth ,Valbone and Shala rivers would be also a good idea if you got enough time.
Elderberry-Mediocre@reddit
Bro, this is what we got by watching "Taken" 😄 Albania should sue the producer.
Strange-Bat-7977@reddit
Batshit crazy idea. I dont think most albanians have ever even had thought about Romania, let alone supposed tensions between the two.
And the ones that have, usually love it because a lot of the pioneers of the Albanian enlightenment operated from Romania. The albanian national hymn was composed by a Romanian. One of the first Albanian Language newspapers was printed in Romania. The first books for albanian schools were printed there.
And after all that, Romanian has a huge albanian stratum, words like gard, buza and fluture (and a lot more) have the same meaning in Albanian.
Plus most of the Rivera are Orthodox Christians, it probably doesnt matter to them, but the romanians seem to care about this religion stuffs.
2doR_8@reddit (OP)
Despite the fact that I'm pretty ignorant regarding the political and historical facts, I've heard most of the connections between those two countries, also Sarrande, I think it was administrated by Romania at some point and Nicolae Iorga had some important activity there. However I was thinking that in "real word" the things are different. Happy to see that there are problems and everyone is safe out there.
Laluci@reddit
Don't worry, you're not driving through western Europe to worry about being in danger 🤣🤣
Istar10n@reddit
Did I miss some scandal between Romania and Albania?
I know we have some problems with Kosovo due to our far right... Actually, a bit of searching shows Kosovo and Albania are very close, so I guess this is it.
2doR_8@reddit (OP)
This might be it, maybe some isolate experiences also or maybe some made-up stories "i know a friend who knows a friend...", honestly I don't know. It's a shame I've lived with that impression until now.
harvestt77@reddit
Come back and post your impressions after visiting Albania. Sinve you seem open to new infirmation about Albania, have a look at https://albaniaperomaneste.com/
harvestt77@reddit
Albania is very dangerous for Romanians. As a EU citizen you ahould go to Greece/s.
Salt-Wolverine-6367@reddit
Political tensions? Between albania and romania? With what exactly lol?
Nah bro you wont have any issues. The biggest issue you will face is dealing with drivers, those idiots drive way too fast and aggressive for no reason.
rubenknol@reddit
i would say it's probably less about the plates, and more about the general level of danger in driving - people in albania tend to drive quite crazy. but as someone from romania you're probably no stranger to that, and will be able to navigate it just fine
NightZT@reddit
It's really not thaaaat bad tbh, I found southern Italy more stressful
2doR_8@reddit (OP)
We have a bad reputation as well, there are a lot of crazy mf. I'm kind of used to it. However, I was referring more to situations when I leave the ca parked, or stop at the gas station somewhere on highway.
rubenknol@reddit
i don't think foreign license plate cars are at risk of stuff so much, but you have to apply common sense e.g. not leave anything in the car when you're parked that's visible through the window
when i was in albania with my croatia license plate car nothing bad happened
EdliA@reddit
What do you mean dangerous lol? I doubt anyone will even know what RO stands for
2doR_8@reddit (OP)
ROgypsies, as everyone call us 😂
Jokes aside, I've heard stories that people might give you dirty looks when they see Romanian license plate, or that you could even get robbed. Apparently same BS is being spread about Bulgarians - at least in my close area I don't want to think that's the general opinion.
EdliA@reddit
People here don't really have any opinion about Romania. We haven't really been in touch with each other much for positive or negative opinions to form. Nobody will care.
2doR_8@reddit (OP)
I was hoping to hear that in the end. You know that bad things spread fast and sometimes are complete BS.
BeneficialAd8431@reddit
From a pragmatic POV Albanians are everywhere and in all sort of circumstances. So Serbian plates might be an Albanian living in Serbia. Romanian plates, might be someone who bought a car from romania, has Romanian wife or everything else. So you can never jump into conclusions accurately.
From reality, nobody cares about anyone's origin. Thousands a Serbs every year don't hide their identity and never reported any issue. So why would Romanians have.
As for the opinion of average Albanian towards Romania. It's a bit mixed feelings. There's many positives, and many neutral and slight negative. But I'd say it's a way better avg opinion than Romanians have towards Albania.
Tldr you'll be fine
2doR_8@reddit (OP)
Thank you for your input, really appreciated.
gushi1-@reddit
You will be fine roads kinda suck in places.
2doR_8@reddit (OP)
That's applicable to my country as well... unfortunately.
oblivion_mike@reddit
Lol. It’s uncomfortable how much you tried.
Nobody cares man, really.
Leave that BS behind where you picked it up and enjoy your time in Albania
This sub is riddled with this type of cringe. Not even funny
2doR_8@reddit (OP)
I didn't mean to be cringe. I heard that from people I know, quite a long time ago to be fair, and my bad I was not curious enough to check this information until now.
JumpApprehensive9949@reddit
you have to stop being so easly manipulated by serbian propaganda. The same is happening in Macedonia
2doR_8@reddit (OP)
That's not Serbian propaganda. I heard these stories a long time ago, to be fair, from different people and definitely not from Serbs. Only now crossed my mind to check the opinions of the people who actually live there and maybe had encounters with Romanians.
JumpApprehensive9949@reddit
When did Albania had or have tensions with Romania? Neither does Albania nor does Kosovo.
It’s strange! Never heard of it
2doR_8@reddit (OP)
I don't know, honestly. I have to admit that I'm very ignorant when it comes to political conflict, w*rs and other s#$% like that, and didn't cross my mind until now to check whether it's a real issue or complete BS. Some people talk, it got stuck into my head, and I wanted to check it here as I think it's the best place to read opinions from people who actually know.
Unable-Stay-6478@reddit
Serbian propaganda? Lots of Serbs go to Albania on vacation. I don't see any Serb posting 'is it safe in Albania' type of questions.
Visible-Star-6079@reddit
You're more likely to get into trouble before crossing outside Romania.
And it's Balkaners. The Balkans are the mountains.
2doR_8@reddit (OP)
you're right, I edited.
Well, I didn't have any problems anywhere in Romania or even in Bulgaria, where the same people told me that my car might get stolen 😄 Now I'm thinking that those people are just exaggerating or maybe they are simply jealous that I'm visiting these countries 😂
zekohonda1@reddit
what tensions???
RalfAlbania@reddit
There is absolutely nothing to worry about, even if you would have Serbian plates it still would not be a problem.