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www.escortedgreecetours.com A division of the Atlas Travel Network |
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Albania, Macedonia and Beyond A 16-Day tour starting from $7,995 |
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Live, experienced travel consultants available:
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About This Tour |
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| Closed to travelers for decades, Albania’s glories are now blossoming in the country’s rebirth. Go where few have gone before and explore this hospitable country, rich in tradition and culture. Walk in the footsteps of Scanderberg, Albania’s national hero, as you visit his birthplace, the idyllic medieval town of Kruja. Cross the border to ancient Ioannina to visit Meteora’s majestic monasteries. Travel even further back in time as you explore the ruins of prehistoric Butrint. Along the way, marvel at pristine mountain lakes, the shimmering Adriati coastline, and a way of life that has remained much the same for centuries. | ||||||||||||||||||
What's Included? |
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| Tirana, Sheraton Tirana Hotel: The first five-star hotel in Albania, the Sheraton Tirana hotel and towers, is located within a shopping and entertainment complex in the heart of Tirana. Facilities at the hotel include a fitness center, sauna, indoor heated and 2 outdoor pools, a business center and an adjacent shopping center. You may dine at the metropolitan restaurant featuring fusion cuisine, and relax at the infinity piano bar and lounge with live entertainment. There is also 24-hour room service. The 151 airy guest rooms are filled with comforting touches like deep-stained wood floors and beds created for a wonderful night’s sleep. Room amenities include air-conditioning, deluxe bath amenities, a hairdryer, a desk, coffee maker, data port, in-room safe and TV with cable channels. Ohrid, Hotel Bellevue: The hotel was build 1989, and completely renovated in 2007. The property is expansive and spacious, consisting of five floors. Hotel features include a broad open air terrace with breathtaking view of the lake, 2 outdoor pools, a billiard hall, 3 tennis courts, and multiple courts for basketball, volleyball, soccer and beach volleyball. There are a variety of restaurants offering a wide choice of cuisine, as well as an Aperitif Bar. The Hotel Bellevue has 156 rooms, fully equipped with a Pay TV system, radio, telephone, a mini bar, and room and laundry service. Durres, Adriatik Hotel: A superb 5 star, in the very heart of Albanian seaside, the Adriatik Hotel is one of the best hotels in Albania. Enjoy the relaxing environment of the white sandy beach in front of the hotel, as well as the cocktail bars, and the palm garden around a big swimming pool. Other hotel features include a casino, beauty salon, fitness center, 24 hour room service, laundry, ironing, souvenir shop, exchange office, tennis court, and three restaurants with a bar and tavern. Hotel Adriatik has 69 rooms, all elegantly furnished with the modern amenities include a jacuzzi, shower cabin, hairdryer, safe box, direct telephone line, air conditioning, satellite TV and desk. Vlora, Hotel Vlora International: Located in the center of the city and very close to the sea, the Vlora International Hotel offers an excellent location for visiting the historic city center, museums and shops. At the hotel you will find a bar, a restaurant, internet access as well a swimming pool, fitness center and sauna. The hotel has 54 comfortable and spacious rooms. All the rooms are equipped with bathroom, shower, air-conditioning, central heating, TV and mini-bar. Saranda, Hotel Butrinti: In Saranda, a part of the Mediterranean that has remained miraculously pure, there is Butrinti Hotel, located peacefully near the sea. This five star hotel is a new structure that offers you a luxurious piano bar and pub ambience, where you may relax with the sounds of music and cocktails. The Bar, restaurant and the open air terrazzo and a cuisine that takes care of the breakfast, salads, traditional side dishes of the Albanian gastronomy. Hotel facilities include a swimming pool, sauna, health club with modern exercise equipment as well as jogging and bike paths along sea side. The hotel offers air conditioned elegantly furnished rooms, all equipped with TV, telephone, fridge-bar, high-speed Internet access, hair dryers and 24-hour room service. Ioannina, Hotel du Lac: The Hotel Du Lac is just a few minutes from the centre of Ioannina and very close to the renowned and impressive lake PamvotiS and also to the castle. The building combines the distinct traditional architecture with modern and luxurious comforts. Built in 1998, the hotel is designed in a mansion-traditional style. It is surrounded by extensive lawn gardens and offers a great many modern facilities including an outdoor swimming pool, children's pool, restaurant, lounge, bar, laundry and room service. The Myrtali Restaurant offers you fine tastes from international cooking, to traditional local recipes in a warm and comfortable atmosphere. The 130 elegantly decorated rooms are fully equipped with air-conditioning, satellite TV, mini bar, radio, Internet services, in-room safety boxes and luxurious marble-covered bathrooms with a hairdryer and 110 & 220 V shaving plug. Kalambaka, Amalia Kalambaka: The latest addition to the chain, built in 1991, the Amalia Kalambaka showcases spacious lounges with traditional interior decorations including Byzantine like frescoes, an outdoor swimming pool surrounded by its beautiful gardens. Additionally, the hotel offers a coffee-shop, bar, restaurants, and a shopping arcade. There is also a laundry service and room service available. The 175 modern fully air-conditioned rooms all have with private bath or shower, along with direct dial telephone and TV. Thessaloniki, Makedonia Palace Hotel: Ideally located in the heart of the city and by the sea, the Makedonia Palace Hotels attracts celebrities, leading fashion designers and crown heads-of state. The hotel offers breathtaking views of the white Tower and Thermaikos Gulf. Hotel facilities include a fitness area, Sauna, 2 outdoor swimming pools, Laundry & dry-cleaning service, 24-hour room service, a Hairdressing salon, Newspaper shop and a Shopping arcade. There are several restaurants; the largest is The Restaurant, offering an exciting new twist on Mediterranean and traditional Greek dishes. Wednesday to Saturday enjoy live Greek music: every Sunday Argentinean Tango, while Tuesday night is Latin night, filled with an exciting blend of Salsa, Cha-Cha, and Mambo. Each one of the guestrooms at the Makedonia Palace reflects the tradition and classicism of this legendary hotel, masterfully combined with the warmth and comfort of a contemporary apartment. Room windows open onto either the Alexander the Great Ave, overlooking the White Tower, the International Exhibition Center, and the city lights or the deep blue of the Thermaicos Gulf. Room amenities include air-conditioning, a balcony, free High Speed Internet Access, Direct dial telephone, Satellite and Pay TV, a Mini bar, in-room safe, Marble bathrooms, hairdryer, Dual voltage plug and a desk. |
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Sightseeing / Highlights |
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Alluring Accommodations |
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Optionals & Add-Ons |
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| Explore More? Travel to the Heart of Greece Walking through Athens is like taking a stroll through history; everywhere there are signs of the legendary glory of the Greek Empire. But it’s not all about the past. Amble through sunny plazas, watch a game of chess and stop for a coffee and a piece of baklava in a friendly cafe. Both historical treasures and contemporary delights await you as you explore the ancient streets of Athens. Days 1 – 3, Athens From your luxury hotel in the heart of the city, spend a few days exploring this most ancient of capitals. Inhabited since 3,000 B.C., the city boasts monuments, temples, churches, and palaces around every corner. From the heights of the magnificent Acropolis to the gorgeous sculpture and artwork in the National Archaeological Museum, the grand history of Athens intoxicates with its heady perfume. Day 4, Delphi Northwest of Athens on the slopes of Mount Parnassus lies the site of the oracle of Delphi. In the ancient world, supplicants would journey for weeks to reach this spot and pose their questions on everything from governmental policy to personal matters to the enigmatic oracle. After falling into a trance, she would offer her mysterious replies, which would then be interpreted by the priests who lived at the shrine. Today, the shrine is empty, but the spirits still haunt the gorgeous hills and valleys of Delphi. |
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Your Itinerary |
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| Days 1 - 3, Friday - Sunday - Depart for Tirana, Albania Your journey through the history and culture of Albania, Macedonia and Ioannina begins in Tirana, where you explore Ethem Bey Mosque and visit the home of one of Albania’s foremost painters. Discover the hillside city of Kruja with its impressive fortress and bustling bazaar. Days 4 - 6, Monday - Wednesday - Ohrid, Sveti Naum, Macedonia Visit Kalishta Monastery where the monks’ cells have been carved from the rock of the surrounding cliffs. The peaceful village of Vevcani tempts weary travelers with its famous springs. Stroll the ancient streets of Ohrid and be constantly reminded of its different periods in history. A daytrip takes you to Sveti Naum where hospitable peacocks welcome you to a fabulous Byzantine church high on a cliff overlooking cerulean Lake Ohrid. Days 7 & 8, Thursday & Friday - Durres, Berat & Apollonia, Vlora Stroll along the ramparts of ancient Elbasan Castle before continuing to Durres where you’ll step into the past at the striking Roman amphitheater. On the banks of the Osum River, Berat boasts a magnificent hilltop fortress. Immerse yourself in antiquity at Apollonia, founded more than 2,000 years ago. Days 9 & 10, Saturday & Sunday - Saranda, Gjirokastra & Butrint Situated in a lush river valley, Gjirokastra enchants with its centuries-old Ottoman architecture and imposing citadel. Prehistoric Butrint boasts the best-preserved ruins in the country. Continue your walk through history with a gala dinner at 17th-century Lekursi Castle on the Adriatic Sea. Days 11 & 12, Monday & Tuesday - Ioannina, Greece Cross the border to the northwestern mountains of Greece and pay a visit to the oracle at Dodoni, the oldest in the ancient world. Discuss your fortunes over dinner at a traditional Greek taverna. A diamond in the middle of Lake Pamvotis, Ioannina Island offers ancient churches and delicious cuisine. Days 13 - 16, Wednesday - Saturday - Meteora & Thessaloniki Explore Metsovo’s romantic stone houses before continuing to the spectacular monasteries of Meteora, perched atop immense sandstone pillars. Visit the tombs of the ancient rulers of Macedonia. Thessaloniki’s world-class archaeological museum provides a perfect summation on the final day of your journey through time in Albania, Macedonia and Ioannina. |
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Dates & Prices |
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Additional Information |
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| Important Note: All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability. These pages are not endorsed or supported by the tour operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 1-800-942-3301 to confirm availability and pricing. |
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