Hello! My name is Justine (Justyna) and I'm from Poland, WELCOME to my trip. North Macedonia is still an undiscovered country, or at least discovered to a small extent. Although I am not from this country, I have been associated with it since 2016, when I came here for field research. Reason: thesis on the potential of tourism in conflict resolution. I thought that after a year I would come back and forget. I'm coming back today, I'm currently writing a book about this country, and I'm collaborating with local non-governmental organizations to support excluded groups in setting up their own businesses and joining the tourist narrative. I want to show you my friends, and my inspirations, but also to see Macedonia through your eyes and in your questions. No question is stupid! My motto is: let's talk to people, not about people. What is included in the price? * Accommodation in hostels and hotel on a BB basis, shared rooms * Transportation (local bus and private minibus) with driver * English-speaking guide and your trip mate :) * Parking and fuel, accommodation and meals for driver * 2 dinners: light dinner in Ohrid; dinner with a local host in Ramne * 1 lunch with a local host in Demir Hisar * 1 wine degustation The price does NOT include: * Insurance * Transfer from and to the airport * Airline tickets * Tips * Entrances costs * All personal expenses * Optional activities on request Do you have a question? Let me know in the Q&A section!
I have wide and deep knowledge about Macedonia and other Balkan countries, but I will not bore you with dozens of monuments and museums - these will be optional for people who have this vibe. This trip is focused on getting to know the local people as closely as possible and letting them tell their stories. I will only be an intermediary, sometimes a translator, but I will try to make as little as possible lost in translation.
There will be two types of accommodation. In Ohrid, we will be staying in the hostel and depending of the availability, we'll have triple room or one big hostel room with shared toilet. In Demir Kapija, we will be staying in the hotel, in twin rooms. I will send all the accommodation details when the tour is confirmed.
What's included?
local bus transportation
private bus&driver for 4&5 day
B&B accommodation
meals: 1* lunch, 2* dinners
wine degustation in Demir Kapija
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You can chat with Justyna once you reserve your spot.
Trip Itinerary
1
Skopje
Day 1
PLEASE NOTE THE TOUR STARTS IN THE MORNING! I can help you to find accommodation for the previous night but it's not included in the price! Early in the morning we will grab some snacks in a local bakery, catch a taxi to Canyon Matka, and spend a lovely morning in one of the most beautiful places nearby Skopje and in Macedonia. Willing people will go for easy hiking to the monastery hidden in the mountains, where we can have a picnic, or go on a short motorboat trip to the Vrelo Cave, which is considered the deepest underwater cave in the world.
2
Canyon Matka
Day 1
In Matka Canyon, willing people will go for easy hiking to the monastery hidden in the mountains, where we can have a picnic, or go on a short motorboat trip to the Vrelo Cave, which is considered the deepest underwater cave in the world.
3
Skopje
Day 1
Back in Skopje. Time for coffee! You can order your boring cappuccino or americano, but if you want to try something local, order a strong, black Turkish coffee. Then a walk around the center of Skopje - from the heart of the old bazaar and Ottoman monuments, to the effects of the Skopje 2014 project, which completely changed the face of the capital. Break for souvenirs, shopping and lunch. We will then catch a local bus to Ohrid - to the city called the Balkan Jerusalem, arousing the admiration of all visitors, located as picturesquely as Italian Garda, between Lake Ohrid and the Galichica mountain range...
4
Ohrid
Day 1-4
Day 2: Breakfast. We will go for a walk, starting from the beautifully renovated church of Perivlepta, the ancient theater and the city walls, and stop for a moment at the fortress of Tsar Samuel, from where there is a view of the city and the lake. A coffee break. Then we continue the walk - the place where the Slavic alphabet - Cyrillic was born, and the "first university", older than the one in Bologna! We will end with the most photogenic place in Ohrid - the cliff church in Kaneo. Free time. Light dinner in a traditional-modern cafe with a beautiful view of Lake Ohrid at the highest point in the city. Day 3: Breakfast. Free day for exploring the city. Those interested can go on a full-day (long, but not technically demanding) hike, during which there will be a panorama of the two lakes. Dinner in the village of Ramne, overlooking Lake Ohrid, which we will prepare together with the hostess. The table will be full of local, seasonal Macedonian delicacies! Other possible activities (paid extra, on request) – kayaking; yacht sailing; make your own gourd lamp with a local craftsman; tackle one of the world's oldest crafts, silver filigree; light artistic lunch in a beautiful scenery with natural products, including edible flowers and micro-plants.
5
Krushevo
Day 4
Breakfast. Today, we will move to the region of Pelagonia, where... tobacco is grown! First, we will enter one of the highest-situated towns in the Balkans, Krushevo, called an ethno-city, enchanting with its architecture. Kruševo is a city of great importance for the history of Macedonia. Here, in 1903, the city freed itself from the Turkish occupation for ten days, and the Krushevo Republic was established, an event that is still an important element of the Macedonian identity. At the same time, apart from the city of revolutionaries, it is also the city of Toshe Proeski - a singer who died in a car accident at the age of only 26. National mourning was announced in Macedonia, and the singer himself ... almost became an Orthodox saint. Why? Find out on the spot!
6
Demir Hisar
Day 4
After walks, coffee, and visits to selected museums or relaxing by the local lake, we will go to a place off the tourist trail, where Aleksandra will host us in her kingdom. In a homely atmosphere, we will try liqueurs, wine, and local pastes from recipes dating back several decades from her own pantry. You won't be hungry after this meal for a loooong time!
7
Demir Kapija
Day 4-5
After a coffee and lunch, we will continue to Demir Kapija, and the scenery will change completely. We are about to enter a Vardar Valley, Macedonian biggest wine region - and you have to know, Macedonia has a very good wine, especially red one! Degustation and a night in a local winery.
8
Thessaloniki
Day 5
Breakfast. From Depir Kapija is only around 1,5h to Saloniki, and even less than one hour to the Greece border. That's where we are heading for! Prepare your passports while we will be leaving North Macedonia and entering Eagean Macedonia. In Saloniki, our trip will come to an end. It doesn't mean we have to say goodbye immediately! There will be a time to explore the city or grab a lunch and have a coffee together. You can stay in Saloniki to enjoy this multicultural city, plan a hike the Mount Olympus or catch a flight or bus and continue exploring new country!
Trip Summary
Accommodation
Hostel & Hotel
5 days trip
Skopje, Canyon Matka & 6 more
Transportation
Car
What's excluded?
flight tickets
meals not mentioned in the program
insurance
optional activities
personal expenses
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