GRC-Albania-Macedonia
GRC-Albania-Macedonia
Day 1
Day 1 – Tuesday, October 10, 2017 - Flight to Munich, Germany
Overseas Adventure Travel
Northern Greece, Albania & Macedonia: Ancient Lands of Alexander the Great
Anna Zika
Mother Nature brought the first snowfall to Elephant Rock yesterday. The golden scrub oak, the green pines, and the white snow were...
Day 2
Day 02 - Wednesday, October 11, 2017 - Arrive in Thessaloniki; Transfer to Hotel
During the night we traversed the central United States, Canada, then crossed the Labrador Sea and the tip of Greenland. We flew over the North Atlantic, traveled over the United Kingdom, and on to the continent...
Day 3
Day 03 - Thursday, October 12, 2017 - Explore Thessaloniki; Visit Ano Poli; Visit Traditional Markets; Museum of Byzantine Culture; Greek Politics & Economy
After our buffet breakfast we met the group for a Welcome Meeting at 9:00. Anna introduced herself and gave us a Greek language lesson. We had...
Day 4
Day 04 - October 13, 2017- Mount Olympus; Sacred City of Dion; Lunch in Litohoro; Afternoon at Leisure
Our group gathered at 9:00 to meet Stefanos and Eleni for our ride to Mount Olympus. We drove out of town through the western part of the city known for its industrial...
Day 5
Day 05 - Saturday, October 14, 2017 - Journey to Meteora; Visit Ancient Capital of the Macedonian Kings; Museum; Dinner with Syrtaki Dance Performance
We left Thessaloniki and the Aegean Sea at 8:15 with a new driver, Tasoss. Everyone was ready and on time, always a good sign for our...
Day 6
Day 06 - Sunday, October 15, 2017 - Rock Formations of Meteora; Icon-Painting Workshop; Dinner with Greek Music
The temperature was 46 degrees and there was not a cloud in the sky this morning. We met Dina, our local guide for our tour at 8:30. The morning activity was to...
Day 7
Day 07 - Monday, October 16, 2017 - Drive to Metsovo; Explore Mountain Town; Cooking Lesson & Lunch at Local Taverna; Visit Ioannina Metropolis of Knowledge; Drive Into Zagoria
Our morning began with the news that the Broncos lost to the Giants in American football - bummer! Our son told...
Day 8
Day 08 - Tuesday, October 17, 2017 - Explore Zagoria Region; Vitsa and Vikos Gorge; Hike to Kapesovo; Afternoon at Leisure or Vikos Gorge Rafting
It was amazing what a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice will do to start your day! The temperature was 46 degrees and it was...
Day 9
Day 09 - Wednesday, October 18, 2017 - Cross Into Albania; Explore Ruins of Butrint; Evening in Gjirokaster
This morning we said goodbye to our National Geographic award winning Aristi Mountain Resort. Anna reminded us that we needed to have our passports in our personal possession today. We left the...
Day 10
Day 10 - Thursday, October 19, 2017 - Explore Gjirokaster; City of Stone; Kalaja Castle; Skenduli House Museum; Lunch in Dhoksat; Late Afternoon on Our Own
Our group met Ilir in the lobby at 9:00. Our mission this morning was to visit the Kalaja Castle. The road was too narrow...
Day 11
Day 11 - Friday, October 20, 2017 - Visit Wine Producing Berat; Berat Castle; Drive to Tirana; Visit Blloku District
The temperature was 54 degrees and the humidity was 84%; there was heavy dew on the windows of the bus. Almost everyone was in the bus before the designated time....
Day 12
Day 12 - Saturday, October 21, 2017 - Meet With Tirana Local Expert; National History Museum; Communist Regime Discussion; Optional Tour to Dajti Mountain
At 8:30 we gathered in the hotel lobby and walked with Ilir to a nearby coffee shop called Komiteti Kafé. Second only to Italy, Albania has...
Day 13
Day 13 - Sunday, October 22, 2017 - Enter Macedonia; Drive to Lake Ohrid, Orientation Walk in Ohrid; Afternoon at Leisure
The city was still asleep when we left Tirana at 9:00. Our A3 route took us south and east through several small mountain villages because there was a detour...
Day 14
Day 14 - Monday, October 23, 2017 - Ohrid - Natural and Cultural Heritage Site; Walking Tour of Old Town; Boat Ride to Bay of Bones; Dinner with Macedonian Folk Music
We woke up to 52 degrees and light mist over the lake. The weather forecast for the day was...
Day 15
Day 15 - Tuesday, October 24, 2017 - Explore Elshani; Visit Local School; Meet Villagers; Traditional Meal; Home Hosted Lunch; Leisure Afternoon
Burrrrrr! It was chilly this morning with overcast skies and 42 degrees. At 9:00 we left for our “Day in the Life” OAT activity in the small village...
Day 16
Day 16 - Wednesday, October 25, 2017 - Travel to Skopje; Visit Šarena Džamija; Explore Matka Canyon; Boat Ride; Drive to Skopje & Check In
Another crisp day! It was 46 degrees but we had blue skies, a fantastic sign for our last travel day. At 8:30 we departed for...
Day 17
Day 17 - Thursday, October 26, 2017 - Explore Macedonian Capital; Mother Teresa Memorial House; Archaeological Museum; Turkish Bazaar; Afternoon On Our Own; Farewell Dinner
The further north we went, the colder it got. When we got up at 7:00 am the temperature was 39 degrees but the sun was...
Day 18
Day 18 - Friday, October 27, 2017 - Flight Home by way of Vienna, Austria; Frankfurt, Germany; to Denver, Colorado
The wake up call came at 1:30, a short night indeed! We were down to the lobby fifteen minutes early. Anna was there to send us off. She had arranged...
Day 19
Overseas Adventure Travel
Northern Greece, Albania & Macedonia: Ancient Lands of Alexander the Great
Anna Zika
Trip Evaluation
We had visited southern Greece in 2001 but had not visited the northern portion. As a history teacher and professor I had always been so impressed with Alexander the Great. This trip...
Day 20
Overseas Adventure Travel
NORTHERN GREECE, ALBANIA & MACEDONIA: ANCIENT LANDS OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT
Hotel Evaluations
Mediterranean Palace Hotel - Thessaloniki, Greece
http://mediterranean-palace.gr/
"WELL LOCATED AND GREAT STAFF"
LOCATION: Very good location, easy to walk to the harbor and main streets with great variety of food choices. Many restaurants...
Featured Journal
Day 13: Azores & Madeira: Portugal's Unspoiled Archipelagos
Day 13 - Saturday, April 22, 2022 - Depart for U.S.
The hotel prepared a box breakfast for us as we had to be in the lobby way before the breakfast room was open.
Last night we found out that our departure flight back to...
