Semi-Private Tour; Best of North Macedonia in Eight Days

After enjoying a delicious breakfast, we move on towards Veles. The city of Veles is focused on the production of porcelain and silk. Nowadays it has historical sites and natural attraction that are well-worth a visit. The city is also known for being the birthplace of Kocho Racin, the founder of North Macedonian modern literature. We will visit the clock tower, which sticks out from the other buildings and is the focal point of the city. The Gemidzi monument and the Ilinden Rebels monument will also be visited during our tour through the city. Outside of the center, we will see the Saint Panteleimon church on the side of a hill in a beautiful white colour and stunning painted icons on the inside. 

The second destination for today is a famous winery, shaped as a castle, and the surrounding vineyards. Macedonians have a big affinity for wine that goes back centuries, proven by many archaeological findings. Even at the exact location of this winery, findings show connections to wine dating back to the 13th century. At this winery, we will have a chance to try some of North Macedonia’s finest wine. They use 11 different types of grapes from small vineyards in the region, besides the grapes they grow themselves. This place offers us the possibility to enjoy the beautiful surroundings and unwind from the daily stresses with a glass of wine in our hands. Overnight near the winery.

Taking a step back in time, we will visit the ancient city of Bitola, the second largest and oldest city of North Macedonia. Bitola combines the old with the new, Ottoman buildings next to modern office buildings. Our tour continues to the ruins of Heraclea Lyncestis, named after the legendary Greek mythical hero, and it dates back to approximately 4th century BC, but many of the remains discovered are from around 2nd century BC when the Romans invaded and conquered it. Heraclea has excellent ruins including an Amphitheatre once used for gladiator fights and preserved mosaic floors. The site is the most authentic well-preserved city from the ancient Macedonian empire in the whole country. We will also walk through the pedestrian boulevard full of shops, cafes and restaurants. Overnight in Bitola.

We will continue our tour to St Naum near the Albanian border and one of the most beautiful locations in N. Macedonia. On our way there, we will have to go through the Galichitsa National Park, located between the Albanian border, Ohrid Lake and Prespa Lake, with again stunning nature and impressive mountains. The monastery of St. Naum carries the name of a holy place. It is situated right at the source of River Crni Drim, which flows through Lake Ohrid. This monastery complex is part of the National Park Galichitsa and belongs to one of the strictly protected areas. Crystal clear, spring water reflects both the surrounding greenery and the mountain peaks in the background. You can have lunch in one of the restaurants there, or simply enjoy some time on the beach. In the afternoon we will drive towards  Ohrid. Overnight in Ohrid.

Ohrid is one of the most seductive destinations in N. Macedonia, indicated as one of the oldest human settlements in all of Europe. Ohrid city and Ohrid Lake are part of UNESCO World Heritage since 1980. Ohrid Lake and its surroundings where inhabited by the Illyrian Tribe of Enkeleys. The Lake was named by the Romans as “Lyhnidas” (the Light Lake). Our tour continues to the city of Ohrid (UNESCO world heritage) an important centre of Orthodoxy. We will continue our tour and visit the famous view point of church of St. John, the church of St. Nicolas and the mosque Halveti Hayati Tekke. Ohrid became an important centre for the Orthodox believers during the Byzantine Empire and is famous for its 365 Orthodox churches, said to have one church for each day of the year. During the Ottoman Empire the city grew on the hills and surrounding areas by the lake. Today the city is famous for its architecture, the churches, the castle on top of the city, the amphitheatre, the beautiful view of the lake surrounded by mountains and the pearls from the lake. Overnight in Ohrid.

Our journey continues towards Mavrovo National Park. Looming high along Drini valley you will be amazed by the wild nature and high Mounties. Our first destination will be the picturesque village of Janche, located by the winding canyon of Radika in Mavrovo National Park. It is one of the oldest settlements in the Miyak region and it still keeps the authentic smell of untouched nature. The village is characterized by traditional architecture of North Macedonia, with houses arranged in a row, making up a complex unity. The region offers several local tourist attractions which we will try to discover during the day. Our final destination for today will be Mavrovo, a natural and national wonder of green verdant countryside. Mavrovo National Park, one of the most famous skiing destinations and the largest park in N. Macedonia. The park area is home to other interesting natural phenomena like: waterfalls, glacial lakes, alpine bogs and rare karst relief. Many travellers choose to stay in Mavrovo for both ski and summer seasons. During the summer season the park truly converts into a lush carpet of deep-green. Overnight near Mavrovo National Park.

Our next destination is Tetovo. The city is located in the North Macedonian region where the largest ethnic group is Albanian, which explains the differences in appearance from the other cities that we have visited on this tour. The Pena River flows right through the city with on the sides some interesting landmarks, such as the Hamam of Tetovo, and the beginning of some boulevards. We will also visit the “painted mosque’’, Sharena Dzamija, in the old part of the city. This mosque is covered with geometric and arabesque ornaments in a Middle Eastern style, unique for the Balkan region. The Leshok monastery is another site in Tetovo worthy of a visit. The monastery has an excellent location to enjoy some fresh air and appreciate the surroundings. Inside of the monastery, you can find all sorts of frescos from different periods - the outside is just as impressive. Overnight in Tetovo. 

After finishing our breakfast in Tetovo, we will have a city tour of Skopje, the capital of Macedonia. The city has European, Ottoman and even Asian influences. The Stone Bridge connects the new part to the old part of the city. Impossible to miss in Skopje is the Alexander the Great Statue in the centre. Another bridge that stands out is the Art Bridge that leads to the Archaeological Museum. The bridge is lined with flamboyant street lanterns and statues of Macedonian artists and musicians. We will wander through the Old Bazaar of Skopje, the biggest one in the Balkans, that combines the modern way of living with centuries of history. The cross on top of the mountain can be seen kilometres away from Skopje and has become a symbol of the city. The city tour of Skopje remarks the end of this amazing experience through history and culture.