9 DAYS / 8 NIGHTS IN NORTH MACEDONIA

Arrival at Skopje Airport. Transfer to the city center. Accommodation. Optional dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Skopje.

Breakfast. City tour in the center of Skopje: Mother Theresa’s Memorial House, Macedonia Square with the monumental sculptures of the “Skopje 2014” project, St. Spas Church, the Old Market, Skopje Fortress. Visit to the church of St. Spas – one of the most beautiful examples of Balkan Baroque. In the afternoon – visit to St. Panteleimon Monastery in the slopes of Mount Vodno, famous for its unique medieval fresco ensemble including the masterpiece “Lamentation of Christ”. From here we continue by the ski lift to the top of Mount Vodno to enjoy the panorama from the Millennium Cross, built on its highest peak to commemorate 2000 years from the birth of Christ. Return to the city center. Optional dinner. Overnight in Skopje.

Breakfast. Drive to Lake Matka – relaxed park area in the beautiful surroundings of River Treska Canyon, where the oldest artificial lake in North Macedonia has been built. Visit to St. Andrew Monastery, built in 1389 by one of the famous local mediaeval rulers – Andrew. We continue to Tetovo, one of the largest cities in North Macedonia, for a visit to the famous Painted Mosque – one of the emblems of Ottoman architecture in North Macedonia. Continuing to the south, we will make a photo-break at the shores of picturesque Mavrovo Lake with its famous flooded church. Visit to the beautiful monastery of St. John Bigorski – founded in the beginning of 11th century, it has been an important cultural center throughout its long and turbulent history. Drive to Ohrid. Accommodation and optional dinner at the hotel at the Ohrid Riviera. Overnight in Ohrid.

Breakfast. Drive to Struga. Walking tour in the town center and visit to the church of St. George from 1863. Drive to Kalishta Monastery, located on the shores of the deepest lake on the Balkan Peninsula – Ohrid Lake. Tour of the complex, consisting of 5 churches, of which the oldest is the rock church of “Sveta Bogoroditsa” (Virgin Mary) from 15th century – one of the typical representatives of Ohrid late mediaeval painting school. Visit to the rock church of St. Erasmus, dedicated to the first Christian missionary in this region who baptized thousands of people in the waters of Ohrid lake back in 3rd century. In the afternoon – walk to the rock church of St. Stefan, located on a steep cliff above the shore of Ohrid lake. Return to the hotel. Optional dinner. Overnight in Ohrid.

Breakfast. Walking tour in the old town of Ohrid: St. Sophia Church, St. Mary Peribleptos Church, St. John Kaneo Church, St. Clement and Panteleimon Church, Ancient Theater, Tsar Samuel’s Mediaeval Fortress. In the afternoon – drive to St. Naum Monastery, which is considered to be sacred place by both local Christians and Muslims. Tour of the complex – Church of the Archangels, St. Petka Chapel. Boat trip to the 14th century church of St. Mary – Zaum, accessible only from the lake, where the oldest icon depicting St. Naum has been discovered. Return to the hotel and optional dinner. Overnight in Ohrid.

Breakfast. Visit to the village of Kurbinovo and walk to the church of St. George – one of the most beautiful medieval churches in North Macedonia. Drive to Bitola. Visit to the Revival church of St. Demetrius from 1830. Drive to Prilep. Visit to the Varosh monastery of Archangel Michael. Accommodation in Prilep, optional dinner and overnight.

Breakfast. Drive to Stobi and tour of the archaeological reserve – one of the most developed Roman cities in the province of Macedonia, early Christian center. Drive to Shtip. Sightseeing tour of the town and visit to Novo selo with the church of Holy Trinity - one of the most impressive Revival temples in North Macedonia. From here we continue to Lesnovski Monastery – here you can witness the last of the wooden iconostases created by Filipovi brothers in the 19th century. Drive to Kratovo – small town located in an old volcanic crater in the mountains that gave its name. Accommodation, optional dinner at the hotel and overnight in Kratovo.

Breakfast. Walking tour in Kratovo: old bridges, local feudal towers, St. John Church. Drive to Osogovo Monastery – founded in 13th century by legendary monk Theodor, today it includes two temples – St. Joachim Osogovski, where the relics of this legendary saint have been preserved, and Virgin Mary with its holy water fountain. Drive to Skopje. On the way – photo break by St. George church in Staro Nagorichane – one of the masterpieces of Macedonian mediaeval architecture. Accommodation, optional dinner and overnight in Skopje.

Breakfast. Tour to Marko’s Monastery at the slopes of Mount Vodno – 14th century monastery complex, commissioned by the last Christian rulers of mediaeval Macedonia – King Valkashin and his son, Prince Marko. Return to Skopje. Transfer to the airport and departure.