FAQs

Question

Travel from USA to Saranda

Answer

1- Your Location- to Corfu, Greece Once arrived take the Boat from Corfu to Saranda ($40 roundtrip) by boat takes 30 min with the fast boat (delphin) or 1 hour with the slow one, which allows you to check the views. When buying a ticket add the transport from the airport to the boat. (Dont worry about your baggage you can bring aa many as you want , free of charge). I will recommend to travel light. Ela or her family members can pick you up once arrived. 2- From your Location to Tirana, Albania (car rental needed). Tirana-Saranda Duration is about four hours. 3- If traveling to Tirana ask Ela if you don’t want to rent a car to arrange something for you. Keep in mind that she will be preparing for the weeding so nothing close to the wedding date. If traveling 2-3 days before the wedding she can arrange a group travel and have everyone travel together and add you to that planning.

Question

How far away is the venue from the downtown? Sa larg esht kalaja nga qendra?

Answer

The venue is 20 min hike or 5 min drive. Local taxis are available downtown for $4 (500 Albanian Lek) or (5 euro) to the venue. Shqip: 5 minuta me makin ose taxi nga qendra.

Question

Any non alcoholic drinks? Pije jo alkolike?

Answer

English- We will provide non alcoholic drinks during the entire night such as soda, lemonade and plenty of energy drinks. Shqip- Pa limit gjithe natën do ket pije alkolike dhe analkolike

Question

Where to eat/ Ku te drekojm?

Answer

English : Saranda is known for the sea food, gyros and pizzas. See travel page. Shqip: Ca tju doj zemra! Më pyesni për rekomandime

Question

What to wear / Si te vishemi?

Answer

Late September is consider summer in Albania. Bring summer clothes, sunglasses, sun protection and swimsuit options. For the reception wear something comfortable but black attire. I recommend bringing a blazer, cardigan or a shawl with you ladies. For the men, your suit is fine. The venue is on top of a hill and it can be chilly during the night. Al : Vishuni me veshje elegante dhe lejoni nusen te jet e vetmja me veshje ngjyre te bardh.Sillni nje triko ose xhaket per naten.

Question

Who are the bridesmaids? Shoqerueset?

Answer

English : Once Ela sents the Bridesmaid proposals this question will be updated. Shqip: Do konfirmohen mbasi Ela te coj ftesat.

Question

Wedding Colors? These colors only apply to the bridesmaids :)

Answer

Forest Green, Sage Green, Light Grey and lemon yellow

Question

Reception Music? Muzika?

Answer

The music will be provided by a popular DJ in Albania. The music will be a great ratio of folkoristic Albanian Music, Ryan’s American Hit Picks, Latin Hits and of course Ela’s favorite Italian and Greek Music. Be ready for some multicultural evening! Shqip: Muzika do jet nje mix midis kengeve shqiptare dhe amerikane me ca nderthurje latine, italiane dhe greke.

Question

Pictures? Fotografite

Answer

English : We will be having a photographer and videographer for the entire day. Before the wedding the Bride and Groom will have their private photo session. On the day of the event after the ceremony the photographer will be able to take professional pictures of the bride and groom with the guests. During the reception the photographer will be taking pictures and a videographer will be recording the entire night. We encourage to take as many pictures you want during the reception but no pictures during the reading of the vows please :). Albanian : Fotografi do jet ne dispozicion perpara ceremonis per foto personale me nusen dhe dhendrin. Gjate nates ai do bej foto gjate festimeve. Ju inkurajojm te beni sa foto te doni, poor jo gjate ceremonis se marteses our cifti ndan premtimet per njeri tjetrin.

Question

Wedding Hashtag?

Answer

#thehittners2020

Question

How to RSVP? Si te konfirmojm ardhjen?

Answer

English : By responding the rsvp card on your wedding invite. Al: Me mesazh ne Facebook. Ju lutem konfirmoni ardhjen tuaj mbasi merrni ftesën fizike.

Question

Do people around me understand English?

Answer

Yes they do. Every hotel and restorant has a personnel that speaks English, Italian and Greek. Might not be perfect but you can communicate without a problem in English. To my Italian friends, you are especially lucky because everyone speaks Italian in the south. For the taxi just say the destination and they will take you there.

Question

How to get a taxi or Bus around?

Answer

If you want to travel around we recommend speaking ahead with Ela and her family. We suggest for places around town if you don’t want to walk using a taxi. They are usually about 4-5 euros depending were you are going.

Question

What currency do I have to use?

Answer

We recommend having both euros and Lek. Euros are mostly used in the south because the south likes to pretend they have entered the EU. But also you can use Lek which the convertion is way better than euros from dollars.

Question

Where to convert money?

Answer

The exchange places are everywhere close to the sea port once you arrive from Corfu. If coming from Tirana ask Ela because her cousin has an Exchange and she can offer better convertions.

Question

How to travel securely?

Answer

We encourage to be cautions during your trip. Saranda is a very quite and peaceful place but when travel keep your belongings in a secure place. Make sure to never leave expensive things unguarded especially at the beach.

Question

Can I negotiate price wise?

Answer

Absolutely. When taking a taxi always say is too much and walk slowly away, that trick works to get at least a dollar off the price they gave you initially. Never negotiate your dinner, hotel or beach rentals! Those are set prices :).

Question

Tipping?

Answer

When eating out or staying at a hotel you aren’t required to tip but a tip is appreciated since the personnel’s paycheck isn’t the greatest. I will suggest between 5-10%. Dont tip the hotel in the end but only when you see the lady cleaning your room otherwise the hotel will take the tip. After eating (not fast food) you can tip your waiter if the bill is between 10-30 euros about 1-4euros. So nothing crazy just to be nice and get a better service next time!

Question

How much is eating out?

Answer

Fast food - Gyros are between 1.5-3 Euros -Salads 3-4 Euros -Sandwiches 1-2 euros -Entire Pizza 18” - 3-6 euros Dinner for two-Sea Food -$$ Dinner for a family-Sea Food with Drinks and appetizer - $$ Pizzas Delivery to the hotel for 5-10 Euros.

Question

How much should I budget to spend on food?

Answer

It depends on you. You can eat out and spend $25 for 4 days or $100. Is up to you.

Question

Hotels with Kitchens?

Answer

On the travel page I have added couple of hotels that include a kitchen so you can cook at the hotel if you want. There are supermarkets and bakeries close to every hotel. You will never starve for bread or fresh veggies and fruits in Albania.

Question

Allergic to something?

Answer

Please message Ela and Ryan for specialty food orders.

Question

Can I bring a guess if not invited?

Answer

We will prefer for the guest to rsvp based on their wedding invitation. We will like to not extend our guest number do to venue restrictions.

Question

Kid age restrictions?

Answer

We request the guest to find a nanny or someone to watch the kids while attending the wedding. Due the the venue being literally on the top of a hill over viewing the island and so high we don’t not recommend kids under the age of 10 to attend the wedding. If you spoke with Ela and Ryan before regarding your kid attending the wedding, please talk to Ela or Ryan for possibile solutions and how to accommodate your needs. Most likely we will have the kids dine inside the castle.

Question

Temperature in September?

Answer

September is in summer in Sarandë and is typically the 5th warmest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a comfortable 23°C (74°F-81F), whilst at night (65F-72F) is normal.Although end of September will be much warmer. We recommend to bring a sweater for the night time.

Question

Rehearsal Dinner?

Answer

Albania doesn’t have the rehearsal dinner tradition. Although, we plan to have a dinner with our friends who just arrived and family out in town with pizza and drinks. That way we all meet each other :)

Question

Activities to do before the wedding?

Answer

Ryan and Ela will plan things for the close family and their foreign friends to do before the wedding and after.

Question

Where can I get my hair styled?

Answer

You are lucky! There are plenty of hairdressers around Saranda that can do a simple hair style for $10 or a good hair blowout for $3. Ela recommends you do your own makeup.

Question

What should I bring with me during the wedding reception?

Answer

Your fabulous self for starters, and an extra layer of clothing in case it gets chilly. Pack for summer and pack some comfortable shoes for outdoor activities along with your swimsuit.

Question

Can I travel trough Tirana instead of Corfu?

Answer

Absolutely. Please talk with Ela or Ryan to arrange your trip from the capital.

Question

Where to find a nanny for my kids?

Answer

We will plan to have a relative take care of 2-4 kids while the wedding is happening. Please talk to Ela and Ryan if you need a babysitter for the evening.