Macedonia Cultural Heritage Tours

Simply Macedonia has developed an eight day, two centre tour of Macedonia which will take in many of the features detailed above, but will include four nights at Lake Ohrid, described by many as the Pearl of the Balkans. The town of Ohrid is a world heritage site protected by UNESCO and holds a unique charm and beauty that words alone cannot describe. The lake is the oldest and deepest in Europe and changes mood as the day progresses. You will have the opportunity to travel its full 31 kilometre length and to reach the Bilijana Springs, which has often been described by the author of this site as how the ‘Garden of Eden’ must have been all those centuries ago.

The full itinery is set out below:

An Introduction to Macedonia; Its culture and people
8 Day 2-Centre Cultural Heritage Tour

Accommodation

In the capital city of Skopje, you will stay at the 5 star ARKA hotel. A modern, comfortable hotel with a swimming pool, sauna, jacuzzi and fitness room, which is in direct contrast to its ancient Ottoman Empire setting. The 7th floor terrace has a unique 360 degrees views over this ancient and modern city and will whet your appetite for the city tour the following day. At Ohrid, you will stay at a Lakeside Hotel, overlooking the deepest and oldest lake in Europe.

Itinerary

Day 1

Depart on your scheduled flight to Skopje, Macedonia’s capital, changing at Budapest. On arrival in Skopje, our guide will arrange transfer to the hotel for a 3 night stay. Following an introductory meeting, dinner will be provided at a typically Macedonian restaurant.

Day 2

Enjoy a guided tour of this ancient and modern city. Places of interest include, the fortress, the Church of St Demetrious, the Church of the Holy Saviour and the Daut Pasha Amam art gallery, which house a permanent exhibition of Macedonia Fine Art, with lunch included at the 16th century caravansary. In the afternoon we will take a short walk to the Museum of Macedonia. After some free time to explore the city, we will meet dinner at the nearby 5 star Stone Bridge Hotel, where the Sky Restaurant offers further panoramic views over the city and mountains.

Day 3

Guided tour of historically important Stobi Roman ruins and refreshments, before a trip to Negotino, to visit the Bovin winery. There you will have a winery tour, lunch and of course, sample the local produce - reputedly Macedonia’s best! Return to Skopje late afternoon for a free evening.

Day 4

Leave Skopje and travel south to the 2,500 year old, Lake Ohrid, stopping at Lake Mavrovo for refreshments, and to visit St.Jovan Bigorski, a 19th century monastery, where lunch and a tour will be provided. At Ohrid, you will stay for 4 nights and meet for dinner at the St. Sophia restaurant, over looking the 10th century church of St Sophia, with its 13th and 14th century frescos.

Day 5

A half day guided tour around the charming small town of Ohrid, with its cobbled streets and quaint buildings, featuring St. John Caneo, one of the most magnificent churches in Macedonia, a walk up to St. Clement’s Monastery at Plaosnik, situated on the clifftop with beautiful views of the lake, the Kale and so much more. A late lunch will be provided at the Dalga restaurant, overlooking the lake.

Day 6

A full day boat excursion to the Monastery at Sveti Naum, first established 900 years ago. The tour of this wonderful monastery with its ancient frescos will be followed by lunch in this most exquisite setting. After lunch there will be a small boat trip to the beautiful springs that feed that the Lake and some free time to explore this pretty area, before returning to Ohrid.

Day 7

Free day in Ohrid, with time to relax and make your plans to return to this UNESCO protected pearl of the Balkans. No meals are included for this day.

Day 8

Coach transfer to Skopje airport.

This tour will be offered once the appropriate ATOL licence has been secured by Simply Macedonia, but if you would like to receive information on the detail of this tour and expected tour dates, please complete our contact form.

Sensible walking shoes are required for this tour as the cobbled streets and uneven pavements do provide a hazard.

Optional Tours

Tour 1

A visit to the 12th century church at St Panteleimon, at Nerezi about 20 minutes from the centre of Skopje. The church contains many ancient frescos commissioned by the Byzantine prince, Alexios Komnenos and its setting overlooking the city is most impressive.

After taking refreshments within the Monastery grounds we travel the short distance to the Treska canyon where you can walk by the side of beautiful Matka Lake. Here, too, at this lake side setting you will find 14th century monasteries with frescos and spectacular views across the canyon. If it’s culture, walking, bird watching or canoeing you are into, this is the place for you. A late lunch will be provided at one of the pretty restaurants overlooking the canyon either on the outside terrace or inside where the restaurant is built into the rocks.

Tour 2 - Macedonian Wine Tour

Details to follow.

Tour 3 - Photographing Macedonia