I traveled to Albania, Macedonia and northern Greece in June ’11. Albania is trying very hard to attract and impress tourists. I encountered friendly, welcoming, accommodating people, and they were not just those in the tourist industry.
In Macedonia, our local guide was not as friendly as the one in Albania.
In northern Greece, the Meteora mountaintop monasteries were stunning. I stayed at the 64-room Hotel Meteora* (2o klm. Ioanninon-Kalambakas, Kastraki Trikalon, T.K. 42200, Greece; phone 011 30 24320 78 180, fax 78 182). Isolated at the top of a mountain, with woods all around, it was clean but somewhat basic. It did have air-conditioning and satellite TV.
Thessaloniki, where I had some great salads without having to worry about tummy troubles, was enjoyable, but I spotted some anti-American graffiti on the promenade outside the Makedonia Palace Hotel. The promenade, itself, was superb for jogging every morning.
CLARA ROTH
Orange, NJ
*With many choices, rates at Hotel Meteora range from €50-€70 (near $63-$88) for a single or €60-€90, double room, up to €200, suite.