Organized departure from Skopje (or Ohrid) in the early morning hours. Transport with a modern air-conditioned bus or van. Panoramic sightseeing of the hilly-mountainous region alongside highway E-75 with basic historical/cultural/geographical/political information about Macedonia provided by a professional tourist guide during transportation. Arrival to Stobi - archaeological remnants of an ancient city lying on a fertile valley just a few minutes off the central highway.
Its name was first mentioned and documented in the 4th century B.C. In the mid of the 3-rd century B.C. Stobi was one of the most important ancient towns in the region and thereafter the capital of the Roman Province-Macedonia Solutaris. Sightseeing the archeological site Stobi, the roman building structures, early-Christian buildings (Baptistery, Civil Basilica, Episcopal Basilica, Episcopal Residence), the Casino, Stobi Museum.
Lunch break at a national restaurant. Proceed to Heraklea Lyncestis. Sightseeing walk around Heraclea, the most beautiful and well preserved roman and early-Christian center in Macedonia.
Although the exact age and its founder are still argued, most of the historians agree that it was founded by the ancient ruler Philip II of Macedon in the middle of the 4th century B.C. It was an important strategic center of the ancient Kingdom of Macedon, and continued developing during the Roman and Byzantine period.
You will have the opportunity to witness the abundant archaeological heritage of the site, collected through earlier investigation and presented at the archaeology exhibition in the museum as well as the archaeology exhibition on the very site of Heraclea.
Departure back to Skopje (or Ohrid) in the late afternoon Hours.
Organized departure from Skopje in the early morning hours. The tour starts with a visit of the only megalithic observatory on the Balkans, and one of the few in the world. The locality is often called the Macedonian Stonehenge – KOKINO. It was built on volcanic rock structures, on a hill 1.013 meters above sea level.
Although currently subjected to intensive research, its origin was estimated to date back from 1.815 B.C. People used it for tracking movements of the Sun and the Moon, as well as for observing other atmospheric phenomena.
On the way to Kokino we first arrive in the village of Mlado Nagoricane, where we shall visit the basalt slabs that witness the once-active volcanic activity in the area. Visit to the Kostoperska rock at the bottom of which remains of a Neolithic settlement have been found. Continue to Tatichev rock, where the ancient observatory is located, at an altitude of 1013 m. Ten minutes climb to the interior of the observatory – KOKINO. You will then descend to one of the most significant cultural monuments in Macedonia, located near Kumanovo, in the village of Staro Nagorichane. It is the church dedicated to St. George, which by its architectural and monumental Byzantine artistic uniqueness is considered as one of the pearls of Christian artifacts on this territory.
There is a legend related to the construction of this church about the hermit Prohor Pchinski and the Byzantine army leader Roman Diogen, which you will hear on-site. Lunch will be served in traditional national restaurant. Transfer back to Skopje in the late afternoon hours.
Gathering at and leaving from hotel upon time agreed, transport with a modern air-conditioned bus / van and a professional tourist guide. Visit the medieval Fortress Kale, the mosque of Mustafa Pasha (built in 1492), the Church Of St. Spas (sarcophagus of the greatest Macedonian revolutionary Goce Delchev) and the Historical-Ethnological Museum. The tour will continue with a walk through the Old Bazaar (XV – XX century) to Daut Pashin Amam (a Turkish bath) and over the Stone Bridge to the modern city square. Visit the house of Mother Teresa and the Old Railway Station.
Drive to picturesque Matka canyon with a visit to the church of St. Andrea, built in the XIV century. Short tea or coffee break. Lunch break at the restaurant located in St.Pantelejmon’s Monastery gardens, Vodno mountain. Guided sightseeing of St. Pantalejmon Church (built in 1164 - Byzantine period).
Organised departure from Skopje in the morning hours. Traveling through Tetovo and Gostivar. Panoramic sightseeing of the mountainous region with basic historical/cultural/geographical/political information about Macedonia, provided by a professional guide during transportation.
Guided visit of the prominent St. Jovan Bigorski monastery complex, dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. It offers exceptionally rich cultural and religious inheritance including one of the world’s most impressive wooden iconostasis hand-carved by the Miac’s masters.
Its location allows for breathtaking views of the beautiful valley of River Radika surrounded by the wild slopes and alpine summits of Bistra Mountain massive.
Proceed to Mavrovo National Park – the oldest national park and largest Ski Centre in the country. The magnificent mountainous landscape, lush forests and the Lake located close to the ski centre makes Mavrovo a popular holiday resort all year around.
After panoramic sightseeing and stops for nature appreciation/photography, lunch will be served in a luxury hotel at the centre of the resort.
Gathering at and leaving from hotel upon time agreed, transport with modern air-conditioned vehicles, accompanied by a professional tourist guide. Drive along Treska recreation center and Treska River Canyon to the monastery and church of Virgin Mary. Short walk through the picturesque narrow stone paths surrounding Lake Matka with impressive views of the dam as well as different geological formations along the canyon (flutes, valleys, cracks, crevices, caves…). Visit the church of St. Andrea, built in the XIV century. Short tea or coffee break. Proceed to the 12th century (Byzantine period) monastery of St. Pantalejmon located on the southern slopes of Vodno Mountain, with panoramic views over the capital city. Apart from viewing the frescoes and iconostasis, the church guide will provide you with the main stories and most important early-renaissance paintings, one of which is the “Lamnation of Jesus”.
Supplied with water by natural springs, the monastery complex is also valued for the rare natural beauty of its setting as well as the traditional-cuisine restaurant nested in the monastery’s gardens, where lunch will be served. Visit the Markov Monastery, located at only 20 km away from the city amidst flowering woods in the ambience of the Markova Sushica Village. The construction of the church, dedicated to the martyr St.Demetrius, began during the reign of King Volkashin (1346/47) but was painted and completed some 30 years later.
Unlike many monasteries affected by the Ottoman rule,Markov has retained its original structure and form. The complex comprises dormitories, richly decorated dining rooms, a bell tower, an old mill, a “wish well” full of cold spring water, and storerooms. Head off to Skopje and visit the church of St. Spas, located next to the old part of the city – the Old Bazaar. The church is characterized by an unusual design as half of it was constructed underground, which resembles the 17th century edict of the Turkish Sultan prohibition of Christian structures from being higher than (or levelled with) the mosques. The church contains impressive wooden iconostases hand-carved in the 19th century. The sarcophagus of Goce Delchev – the greatest Macedonian revolutionary and founder of the Macedonian liberation movement (1903) is located in the courtyard of the church.
Organised departure from Skopje in the early morning hours. Traveling through Tetovo, Gostivar and Kicevo. Panoramic sightseeing of the mountainous region with basic historical/cultural/geographical/political information about Macedonia provided by a professional guide during transportation.
Arrival in Ohrid (the city protected by UNESCO) before noon. Transfer to central Ohrid where you will have the chance to discover and explore one of the most beautiful, romantic and historically rich towns on the Balkans. Some like to call it the “Balkan’s Jerusalem”. It is a city protected by UNESCO, which through the history has many times been the center of Macedonian cultural and spiritual life. At present times it is the most popular tourist centre in the country.
The guided sightseeing tour begins at the old historic part of town, which leads to St. Sofia – large and well preserved cathedral temple with frescoes from the 11th century; St. Clement’s church in Plaoshnik – the first Slavic University and one of the most exhilarating Byzantine-style churches in Macedonia built over and surrounded by archeological excavations from an Early Christian sacral building from the 5th century. Visit the Roman Amphitheatre (3rd century B.C.).
Visit the Museum / House of Robevci and the gallery of icons. We will then tour the 3 km long Samuel’s Fortress imposingly dominating the old part of Ohrid. It was built by Tzar Samoil in the 10th century. Descend to St. Jovan Kaneo (13th century). The church is amongst the favorite symbols of Ohrid as it proudly stands on a steep lakeshore cliff offering magnificent views over the town and lake, whilst its small secluded beach is one of the most famous romantic getaways.
Traditional-cuisine lunch will be served in a lakefront restaurant at the center of Ohrid, which will be followed by some free time at your leisure.
Departure back to Skopje in the late afternoon hours.