The essential of MAacedonia

Group trips

DAY 1: BRUSSELS - SKOPJE

Arrival in Skopje. Meet with the local guide. Welcome dinner and traditional music with a special menu in a local restaurant.

DAY 2: SKOPJE

Breakfast. Guided walking tour of the Kalé fortress, located in the old town, Mustafa Pasha mosque, St. Spas church. Visit the old Muslim quarter and stroll through the old bazaar. Visit the memorial center dedicated to Mother Théresa as well as her place of birth and then make a short stop at the old station of the city. In the afternoon, walk in the modern part of the city and visit the Cathedral of St. Clement of Ohrid. Free time for shopping, dinner and overnight at the hotel.


DAY 3: SKOPJE - TETOVO - KALISTA - STRUGA - OHRID (190 KM)

Breakfast and departure to Tetovo, a town famous for its painted mosque, considered a masterpiece of Ottoman art. The building is fully decorated with floral and geometric patterns. Drive through one of the most beautiful natural regions of Macedonia to visit the most important Macedonian monastery of Saint John Bigroski. Lunch in a fantastic traditional restaurant. Departure to Struga and en route, visit the Kalishta monastery and its beautiful church in a cave. You will then meet the locals and leave to Ohrid. Overnight at the hotel.


DAY 4: OHRID - ST. NAUM

Breakfast and visit to the old town of Ohrid considered to be the most beautiful city in Macedonia and one of the most fascinating on the Balkan peninsula (UNESCO heritage). The city is known for its pretty white houses, winding streets, artistic treasures and 365 churches, one for each day of the year. Visit of the most important churches: Ste.Bogorodica Perivlepta, the cathedral Ste. Sophie, Plaosnik and St. Kaneo. After lunch, boat excursion to visit the monastery of St. Naum, built on a rocky ridge. Stop at the museum of th Bay of Bones. Dinner at a local restaurant with folk show.

DAY 5: OHRID - RESEN PODMOCANI - HERACLEA - BITOLA

In the morning departure to Resen to visit a private ethno museum in the village of Podmocani to discover the traditional Macedonian costumes. Visit the ancient city of Heracléa where you can admire the hot springs, the colonnade, the amphitheater and the remains of the two mosaic churches. Arrival in Bitola and visit of the military cemetery, followed by a visit to the city conquered by the Turks in 1382 and which took the name of Monastir. Visit of St. Dimitrija Church followed by a lunch where you can enjoy a unique experience: typical Macedonian welcome, visit of the family home, local food and homemade rakija (brandy). Dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight at hotel in Bitola.


DAY 6: BITOLA - TIKVES - KAVADARCI - DEMIR KAPIJA (100 KM)

Breakfast and drive to Kavadarci to visit the private workshop of a wood sculptor. Depart to Demir Kapija and visit the largest and oldest winery in the Balkans, Tikves: lunch and wine tasting. After lunch, visit the Wine Museum. Accommodation and dinner in the Popova Kula vineyard.


DAY 7: DEMIR KAPIJA - STOBI - ST. PANTELEJMON - SKOPJE (110 KM)

Breakfast and visit of the Roman city of Stobi, one of the largest Roman cities in the region. 15 hectares of the city have been renovated. The tour extends for several hundred meters along the old causeway, surrounded by the foundations of public buildings, housing, public baths and certain churches. Finally, you will arrive at the amphitheater and the basilica.
Lunch in the charming Stobi Vinicole vineyard. Continue to Skopje. Visit the St. Panteleimon monastery on the heights of Skopje, near Nerezi. Dinner and overnight in Skopje.


DAY 8: SKOPJE - BRUSSELS

Breakfast and free time. Transfer to the airport and return flight. 

Services included

• Transfers: airport - hotel - airport 
• The entire tour by minivan/coach bus
• English-speaking guide during the entire tour
• 7 nights accommodation in 4* hotels with full board (according to the program)
• Wine tasting session and folklore dinner 
• Entry fees to the sites/monuments mentioned in the program 
• VAT and local taxes

Services not included

• Roundtrip flights Brussels - Skopje 
• Hotel extras 
• Drinks, personal expenses and tips 
• Travel insurances