NORTH MACEDONIA - THE HIGHLIGHTS
Experience the most beautiful regions of North Macedonia in one week! We start at the birthplace of Mother Teresa in the capital Skopje, enjoy a boat trip in the magnificent Matka, visit the colorful Alaya Mosque from Ottoman times and go to Ohrid, the city with a UNESCO World Heritage status and 365 churches. We walk through the ancient mosaics in the city of Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great and try the best of North Macedonia: the intense, fine wines and the delicious Macedonian cuisine.
Tour-Code: MCD01
Culture tripPeople, nature & history
8 Days/ 7 NightsIncluding the days of arrival and departure
Number of participantsSmall groups: 4-14
Accommodation4* & Boutique Hotels
FeaturesCooking classes, wine tasting, meals with locals families!
Meals7 x breakfasts, 6 x lunch in a restaurant, farewell dinner
TransferFrom & to the airport, all excursions
GuideEnglish speaking guide throughout the entire trip
ITINERARY
Arrival and transfer to the hotel
Your driver will meet you at the airport in Skopje and escort you to the hotel.
Overnight in Skopje
Your driver will meet you at the airport in Skopje and escort you to the hotel.
Overnight in Skopje
Highlight: Skopje - all day
Today we will visit Mount Vodno and take a cable car to its top for the best view of Skopje and the surrounding mountains. Then we take a tour through the historical squares of the city: the memorial house of Mother Teresa, the Macedonian square with the great Alexander fountain and the old stone bridge. Here we enjoy the old cobblestone streets of the old bazaar with Ottoman mosques and baths.
Overnight in Skopje
Today we will visit Mount Vodno and take a cable car to its top for the best view of Skopje and the surrounding mountains. Then we take a tour through the historical squares of the city: the memorial house of Mother Teresa, the Macedonian square with the great Alexander fountain and the old stone bridge. Here we enjoy the old cobblestone streets of the old bazaar with Ottoman mosques and baths.
Overnight in Skopje
1. Highlight: Excursion to Matka Canyon
20 caves and several side canyons can be found in the Matka Canyon. The specific climate of the region contributes to the life of many endemic plants and animals. There are over 250 different species of butterflies livingin this place! We take a boat along the river to visit the Ubava Cave and a 14th century Byzantine church built into the rock above the lake. There are beautiful icons and inscriptions on the walls. We spend lunch in a restaurant at the lake.
2nd highlight: drive to Ohrid
In the afternoon our journey continues to the beautiful city of Ohrid on the shores of the Lake Ohrid, the oldest lake in Europe. The sublime city is North Macedonia's most alluring travel destination. It lies on the edge of the Lake with an atmospheric old town, which rushes through steep streets, seems to be dotted with beautiful churches and is crowned by the bones of a medieval castle. Traditional lakeside restaurants and cafés liven up the cobblestone streets, especially in midsummer.
Overnight in Ohrid
20 caves and several side canyons can be found in the Matka Canyon. The specific climate of the region contributes to the life of many endemic plants and animals. There are over 250 different species of butterflies livingin this place! We take a boat along the river to visit the Ubava Cave and a 14th century Byzantine church built into the rock above the lake. There are beautiful icons and inscriptions on the walls. We spend lunch in a restaurant at the lake.
2nd highlight: drive to Ohrid
In the afternoon our journey continues to the beautiful city of Ohrid on the shores of the Lake Ohrid, the oldest lake in Europe. The sublime city is North Macedonia's most alluring travel destination. It lies on the edge of the Lake with an atmospheric old town, which rushes through steep streets, seems to be dotted with beautiful churches and is crowned by the bones of a medieval castle. Traditional lakeside restaurants and cafés liven up the cobblestone streets, especially in midsummer.
Overnight in Ohrid
1st highlight: Ohrid
Both the city of Ohrid with its great historical heritage and Lake Ohrid with its amazing biodiversity are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Ohrid is a city with 365 churches, important archaeological sites and medieval buildings. Here, among other things, the Slavic alphabet was created!
In the morning we visit the most photographed church in the Balkans and the ancient theater (3rd century BC), which is still used for performances today, on a tour through the old town. We'll explore how paper is made on one of the last two remaining (and operational!) Gutenberg presses in the world.
2nd highlight: free time at the lake
We enjoy the local cuisine in a restaurant on Lake Ohrid. Then you can explore the hidden alleys of the old town, buy the world famous Ohrid pearls or enjoy the serenity of the lake on one of the beaches.
Overnight in Ohrid
Both the city of Ohrid with its great historical heritage and Lake Ohrid with its amazing biodiversity are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Ohrid is a city with 365 churches, important archaeological sites and medieval buildings. Here, among other things, the Slavic alphabet was created!
In the morning we visit the most photographed church in the Balkans and the ancient theater (3rd century BC), which is still used for performances today, on a tour through the old town. We'll explore how paper is made on one of the last two remaining (and operational!) Gutenberg presses in the world.
2nd highlight: free time at the lake
We enjoy the local cuisine in a restaurant on Lake Ohrid. Then you can explore the hidden alleys of the old town, buy the world famous Ohrid pearls or enjoy the serenity of the lake on one of the beaches.
Overnight in Ohrid
1st highlight: boat trip to the St. Naum monastery
After breakfast, we take the boat to the "Bay of Bones", an archaeological complex and at the same time an excavation site on the edge of Lake Ohrid. Here is an authentic reconstruction of parts of a prehistoric pile dwelling settlement located, in which artifacts from the end of the Bronze Age and the beginning of the Iron Age can be seen.
Further south - just before the border of Albania - is the monastery of St. Naum, which was built on a cliff above Lake Ohrid used in many Eastern European countries, especially Russia.
2nd highlight: boat trip to a fishing village & lunch
In the lagoon of the sources of the river Crni Drim, which flows into Lake Ohrid, we get into a boat and continue to a small, romantic fishing village on the lake shore. Here we enjoy our afternoon on the beach in a quiet location and later on drive back to Ohrid.
Overnight in Ohrid
After breakfast, we take the boat to the "Bay of Bones", an archaeological complex and at the same time an excavation site on the edge of Lake Ohrid. Here is an authentic reconstruction of parts of a prehistoric pile dwelling settlement located, in which artifacts from the end of the Bronze Age and the beginning of the Iron Age can be seen.
Further south - just before the border of Albania - is the monastery of St. Naum, which was built on a cliff above Lake Ohrid used in many Eastern European countries, especially Russia.
2nd highlight: boat trip to a fishing village & lunch
In the lagoon of the sources of the river Crni Drim, which flows into Lake Ohrid, we get into a boat and continue to a small, romantic fishing village on the lake shore. Here we enjoy our afternoon on the beach in a quiet location and later on drive back to Ohrid.
Overnight in Ohrid
1st highlight: Bitola
After breakfast, we drive to the second largest city in Macedonia - Bitola - with a 1600 years old history. Upon arrival we will visit the ancient city of Heraclea Lyncestis, built in the middle of the 4th century BC. It was founded by Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great. This city is known for its mosaics, which represent the worldview of that time.
Then we will explore the unique mix of the past and present of the city of Bitola, as well as its traditions and urban life. From a historical point of view, Bitola is known as an important administrative and cultural-political center of the 13th - 16th century. During the Ottoman period, the consular offices of many countries were located here. Bitola is still an economic, cultural and political center in the southern part of the country.
2nd highlight: Popova Kula & farewell dinner
In the afternoon, we continue to the wine region of North Macedonia. After the evening tour through the cellars of the Popova Kula Castle we enjoy a delicious farewell dinner together.
Overnight in Popova Kula
After breakfast, we drive to the second largest city in Macedonia - Bitola - with a 1600 years old history. Upon arrival we will visit the ancient city of Heraclea Lyncestis, built in the middle of the 4th century BC. It was founded by Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great. This city is known for its mosaics, which represent the worldview of that time.
Then we will explore the unique mix of the past and present of the city of Bitola, as well as its traditions and urban life. From a historical point of view, Bitola is known as an important administrative and cultural-political center of the 13th - 16th century. During the Ottoman period, the consular offices of many countries were located here. Bitola is still an economic, cultural and political center in the southern part of the country.
2nd highlight: Popova Kula & farewell dinner
In the afternoon, we continue to the wine region of North Macedonia. After the evening tour through the cellars of the Popova Kula Castle we enjoy a delicious farewell dinner together.
Overnight in Popova Kula
Highlight: Drive to Skopje
Enjoy breakfast with a view of the rolling vineyards and the rocks of the "Iron Gate". ON this day we drive back to Skopje and check in at the hotel.
Overnight in Skopje
Enjoy breakfast with a view of the rolling vineyards and the rocks of the "Iron Gate". ON this day we drive back to Skopje and check in at the hotel.
Overnight in Skopje
Breakfast and Transfer to the airport
The driver will take you to the airport in Skopje.
The driver will take you to the airport in Skopje.
7 nights in 4 *& boutique hotels
7 x breakfast
6 x lunch
farewell dinner
Cable car to Vodno mountain
Boat trip in the Matka Canyon
Boat trip to the St. Naum monastery
Transfers from & to the airport and all excursions
English speaking guide throughout the entire trip
All entrance tickets
7 x breakfast
6 x lunch
farewell dinner
Cable car to Vodno mountain
Boat trip in the Matka Canyon
Boat trip to the St. Naum monastery
Transfers from & to the airport and all excursions
English speaking guide throughout the entire trip
All entrance tickets
Flights to Skopje and return
Drinks during meals
Meals & drinks not listed
Individual visits and excursions
Insurance
Tips
Drinks during meals
Meals & drinks not listed
Individual visits and excursions
Insurance
Tips
Note for people with reduced mobility: This product is generally not suitable for people with reduced mobility. When making your booking, please ask whether it still meets your individual needs.
DATES & PRICES
We will be glad to prepare this tour on other dates upon your request!
Guaranteed discounts:
- 8% for groups of 10 people or more
Guaranteed discounts:
- 8% for groups of 10 people or more
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