Albania, Macedonia and Beyond

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.

Days 1 - 3, 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, 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.

Day 7, Elbasan Castle and Durres
On your drive today from Ohrid to the Albanian Adriatic port town of Durres, stop to visit Elbasan Castle. Excavations suggest that the outer walls were first built in the 4th century A.D., and today the castle stands as a monument to a bygone era. This afternoon, arrive in Durres. For centuries the largest port on the Adriatic, Durres now holds the title of Albania’s second-largest city. Most impressive are the ruins of a Roman amphitheater in the center of town. Explore the site before visiting the archaeological museum to learn more about this historically rich area.

Days 8, Berat and Applonia
Depart Durres this morning and drive to the ancient hilltop town of Berat, a marvel of ancient houses, winding stone paths and magnificent vistas. Stroll through Berat’s fortified castle, one of the few castles in Europe still with houses and inhabitants residing within its walls. No visit to Albania is complete without a trip to the ruins of Apollonia. Founded by the Greeks in the 6th century B.C., it developed into a cultural center for literature and music until it fell into decline some 700 years later. Still only partially excavated, explore its ancient roads, the expansive library, and an orthodox monastery which was transformed into an archaeological museum.

Days 9 and 10, Saranda, Gjirokastra and Butrint
Travel along the unspoiled coastline on your way to Saranda, the southernmost town on the Albanian coast at the Ionian Sea. Be delighted at the dramatic and rugged beauty of the Albanian Riviera, with its steep backdrops to white sandy beaches. Set on the Adriatic, Saranda looks across the sparkling waters to the jewel-isle of Corfu. Explore Butrint, marveling at the layers of civilizations — Greek, Roman, Venetian and others, brought to light by the excavations. Visit the Roman amphitheater, the well-preserved Byzantine basilica, the ruins of a 2nd-century nymphaeum, and the famous Lion’s Gate.

Days 11 and 12, Gjirokastra, Albania, and Ioannina, Greece
Perched on a cliff above the rushing clear waters of the Drino River, Gjirokastra is famous for its uniquely well-preserved Ottoman architecture. The original settlements, dating back to the first century B.C., developed into a fortress — the imposing Gjirokastra Castle. Explore the castle to learn about the history of this region and its people. Enjoy a guided tour of the highlights of Ioannina’s old town before taking a boat out to the island in the middle of sparkling Pamvotis Lake. On this picturesque island, visit several churches and see how the less than 100 permanent inhabitants go about their daily lives. Lunch is served in a restaurant specializing in local delicacies. Later, drive on to visit the Dodoni archeological site. The oracle at Dodoni was the oldest in ancient Greece and travelers would come from all over the world to ask questions about their fate to the priests who lived there.

Day 13, Metsovo and Meteora
The tiny mountain village of Metsovo draws travelers with its blend of beautiful scenery, picturesque architecture and cobblestone pathways. Spend the morning exploring the charming Swiss-like village, known for its traditional way of life. Continue to Meteora for lunch. Afterward, explore the stunning complex of mountaintop monasteries that are wonders of the modern world. The monastic cells and churches have been carved from massive sandstone pillars. Ascend through the clouds to visit these miraculous creations of ancient hermit monks.

Days 14 - 16, Kalambaka, Thessaloniki and Depart for Home
Embark on a scenic drive through northern Greece on the way to Vergina, the last resting place of the great Macedonian rulers of old. The most impressive ruins are the monumental palace with its intricate mosaics and glorious painted stuccoes, and the necropolis which houses the tombs of Phillip II (Alexander the Great’s father) and other Macedonian royalty. After lunch in Vergina, continue to Thessaloniki. Since its founding in 315 B.C., Thessaloniki has been home to a number of civilizations with both a strong Hellenistic presence and a rich Byzantine history. Visit the massive Rotonda, built by Galerius Caesar in 300 A.D., as well as the church of St. Dimitrious and the old city walls with marvelous views of the Thermaic Gulf. Explore the Archaeological Museum and its artifacts from the city’s more than 2,000 years of history. On the evening of Day 15, enjoy a cocktail party and farewell dinner with your fellow travelers and your Travel Director. The morning of Day 16 you will be taken to the airport in Thessaloniki for your flight home or on to your next destination.

Package price is per person, based on double occupancy. Single supplement applies. Intra-tour air pricing is subject to change. International airfare is additional. Other restrictions may apply. Contact us for complete journey details.

Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
6/8/2012 - 6/23/2012	$7,695
6/22/2012 - 7/7/2012	$7,695
9/14/2012 - 9/29/2012	$7,695
10/12/2012 - 10/27/2012	$7,695
Note: Departures appearing above in green are guaranteed to operate by the tour operator.
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

Be one of the few to explore the ancient Roman ruins at Albania’s Butrint

Enjoy an exclusive dinner at Lekursi Castle on the Adriatic Sea

Ascend to the sky at the mountain monasteries of Meteora

Visit remote Kruja, with its imposing fortress and bustling bazaar

Cruise to Sveti Naum, one of the most famous sights in Macedonia

Enjoy a private folk dance performance in Tirana

Soak up the atmosphere in the peaceful village of Vevcani

Alluring Accommodations

Tower Rooms, Sheraton Tirana

All tour prices are per person, in US dollars, based on double occupancy.

Single Supplement $1,290

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