Every Step Tells A Story
Every Step Tells A Story
Macedonia
Day-by-Day Summary
Arrival at Skopje Airport. Meet with the local English-speaking guide. Transfer to the hotel and check-in. Dinner at your leisure.
DAY 2: SKOPJE – MATKA CANYON – MONASTERY OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST
Breakfast. We begin with a visit to the magnificent Matka Canyon, situated west of Skopje and covering an area of approximately 5,000 hectares. This destination, one of the most famous in North Macedonia, is also home to numerous medieval monasteries.
We’ll take a boat trip to the picturesque Vrelo Cave. Lunch included. We’ll
then continue to one of Macedonia’s most fascinating natural regions to visit the prestigious Monastery of St John the Baptist. Finally, we’ll arrive in Ohrid. Check-in, dinner at your leisure.
DAY 3: OHRID – ST NAUM – OHRID
We’ll start the day with a visit to the Cathedral of Saint Sophia, built between 1037 and 1056, renowned for its extraordinary 14th-century frescoes. At 10.00 am, we’ll set off by boat to visit the picturesque Monastery of St Naum.
Lunch at your leisure. In the afternoon, we’ll explore the historic centre of Ohrid, considered the most charming city in Macedonia and one of the jewels of the Balkan Peninsula, recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Situated on the eastern shore of Lake Ohrid, it is renowned for its elegant white houses, winding streets and priceless artistic treasures, including no fewer than 365 churches – one for every day of the year. We will then admire the magnificent scenery from the Church of St Kaneo, one of Ohrid’s landmarks (external view), and the Church of St Clement, known as Plaosnik (external view). Return to the hotel. Dinner included.
HERAKLEA – BITOLA – KAVADARCI – DEMIR KAPIJA
Departure to visit the ancient city of Heraklea, founded by Philip II, father of Alexander the Great, around the mid-4th century BC. Among the site’s most fascinating ruins, visitors can admire the thermal baths, the colonnade, the amphitheatre and the remains of two churches with extraordinary colourful 5th-century mosaics, which depict geometric patterns, trees, birds, flowers and animals.
We set off for Bitola, the largest city in the Pelagonia region. Of the many mosques built during the Ottoman occupation, only a dozen remain. The most fascinating is the Isak Dzamija, named after a wealthy merchant called Isaac who financed its construction. We then continue towards the wine-growing region, but first we’ll stop in Kavadarci to visit a woodcarving workshop, where we can watch the master craftsmen at work.
We’ll observe at close quarters the skill and precision with which they create intricate works of art in wood, an ancient local tradition that continues to be appreciated for its beauty and originality. The day will culminate with a visit to one of the region’s most famous wineries. Dinner and a tasting of local wines.
DAY 5: SKOPJE – AIRPORT
After breakfast, departure for Skopje. Guided walking tour of the city. We’ll explore the Kale Fortress in the historic centre, the Mustafa Pasha Mosque and the Church of St Saviour, famous for its imposing iconostasis created by the Filipovski brothers between 1819 and 1824.
We’ll also discover the old Muslim quarter and lose ourselves in the streets of the Old Bazaar, admiring the Stone Bridge, a symbol of the city due to its historical significance and its role in connecting the two parts of Skopje. We’ll cross the bridge to reach the modern part of the city, where we’ll see the Memorial Centre dedicated to Mother Teresa and the city’s old railway station. Lunch at your leisure. Free time for shopping. Transfer to the airport.
“Skopje was such an unexpected highlight of our trip. We loved wandering through the Old Bazaar, seeing the Stone Bridge and enjoying the lively atmosphere around the city center. It felt like a fascinating mix of history and modern Balkan life.”
“The journey from Ohrid to St. Naum was spectacular. The crystal-clear lake, mountains and monastery made this one of the most memorable days of our Balkan holiday.”
“We loved this part of North Macedonia because it took us beyond the usual tourist route. The ancient ruins of Heraclea were fascinating, while Bitola had such a charming café culture and relaxed atmosphere.”