독특한 문화를 지닌 마케도니아(Macedonia)

마케도니아는 유럽과 이슬람 문화가 융합되어 이루어진 흥미롭고 독특한 문화를 자랑한다.

주요 여행지로는 단연 마케도니아에서 가장 큰 도시이자 유럽 최대 규모의 바르다르강을 끼고 있는

마케도니아의 수도 스코페로 ‘프로젝트 스코페 2014’로 세워진 신고전주의 양식의 여러 건축물과

도시 곳곳에 설치한 거대한 여러 동상을 구경할 수 있다.

‘본도 힐’(Vondo Hill)에서는 도시의 전경을 감상할 수 있으며 언덕 꼭대기에는 세계에서 세 번째로 높은 밀레니얼 십자가를 볼 수 있다.

그 외에 우거진 자작나무와 소나무로 둘러싸인 에메랄드빛 호수와 폭포를 자랑하는 마브로보 국립공원은 마케도니아의 숨은 보석이다.

11세기 이래 비잔틴 문화의 거점으로 번영했으며 유네스코 세계문화유산 도시인 오흐리드는 작년 론리플래닛에 의해 여행하기 좋은 도시 5위에 올랐다.

유럽에서 가장 오래되고 수심이 깊은 오흐리드 호수가 있다.

마케도니아는 터키 이스탄불, 세르비아의 베오그라드, 그리스 아테네로부터 훌륭한 기차 연결편을 자랑한다.

Day 1 & 2: Skopje

Day 3 & 4: Ohrid

Day 5: Bitola

Day 6: Prilep

Day 7: Tetovo

Day 1 & 2: Skopje

Skopje is the capital of Macedonia, and its history of diverse rule makes it an architecturally and culturally fascinating city to travel.

• Visit the capital’s famous Stone Bridge, considered by many to be the symbol of Skopje.

• Splash out at the Old Bazaar, an Ottoman style bazaar complete with shops, cafes and markets.

• Want to get some fresh air? Take a hike up the nearby mountain of Vondo.

How to get there?

Skopje is easy to reach by rail from neighbouring Serbia

– there is a night train from Belgrade that takes just under 10 hours. Alternatively,

Skopje International Airport fields flights from many destinations around the world.

Day 3 & 4: Ohrid

Ohrid is a small resort city located on the shores of the beautiful Lake Ohrid.

• Pack some snacks and head for the Church of St John at Kaneo

• – it offers beautiful views over the lake, as well as plenty of picnic space.

• Samoil's Fortress is a Byzantine era city wall that run for three kilometres, and are a fascinating historic relic to visit.

• Get your blood pumping with some outdoor activities – you can paraglide, kayak or even go diving.

How to get there?

Take the train from Skopje as far as Kichevo - the journey time is just under two hours.

From there, Lake Ohrid is just 60 minutes away by bus.

Day 5: Bitola

Bitola is a city located in southwestern Macedonia, close to several natural attractions in the lower half of the country.

• Visit Peliser National Park – it’s a beautiful 170 square kilometre park famous for its beautiful plant and animal life.

• Explore the city on foot – there are several architectural gems to visit, including the Saat Kula, Yeni Mosque, Heraclea Lyncestis.

• Looking for a bite to eat in the heart of the action? Head to Širok Sokak, a beautiful pedestrianized street lined with restaurants and cafés.

How to get there?

You can reach Bitola from Ohrid by bus or taxi, depending on your budget.

The journey time between the two is one hour by car, and approximately 90 minutes by bus.

 

Day 6: Prilep

Prilep is one of the larger cities in Macedonia and it has an extensive and interesting history.

• The Treskavec Monastery is a beautiful monastery built in the 12th century, and it’s located 8km north of the city.

• Take a walk back in time with a visit to Markovi Kuli - they are towers named after Serbian medieval Prince Marko Mrnjavčević

• and surrounded by impressive scenery.

• Prilep’s Old Bazaar is a fascinating market to visit - even if you’re not looking to pick any food or other odds and ends.

How to get there?

Prilep is just 30 minutes away by train, and there are typically four trips to the city from Bitola per day.

 

Day 7: Tetovo

Tetovo is located close to the capital, located close to Šar Mountain, and divided by the Pena River.

• Stretch those legs with a trip to Popova Šapka – a massive peak popular for skiing in winter, and hiking in summer.

• Visit the Šarena Mosque - a beautiful mosque dating back to the mid-1400s.

• Explore the Arabati Baba Tekḱe, a monastery that opened in 1538 and still holds marked significance to the people to Tetovo.

How to get there?

Complete the loop within Macedona by catching a train back to Tetovo

– an easy 4-hour train ride that requires one connection in the capital Skopje.

 

 

Itinerary

Day 1: Skopje / Tetovo / Ohrid                                          

Day 2: Ohrid                                          

Day 3: Saint Naum / Ohrid                                          

Day 4: Galichica National Park / Bitola                                          

Day 5: Prilep / Stobi / Skopje                                          

Day 6: Skopje

Day 7: Gorno Nerezi / Matka

Day 8: Skopje

Day 1. ARRIVAL - SKOPJE

Day 2. SKOPJE CITY TOUR

Day 3.TETOVO - LAKE OHRID

Day 4. OHRID

Day 5. St. NAUM MONASTERY

Day 6. BITOLA - POPOVA KULA

Day 7. SKOPJE

Day 8. DEPARTURE

Macedonia wine tour

Day 1: Skopje

Day 2: Skopje / Veles

Day 3: Skopje / Kratovo / Demir Kapija

Day 4: Stobi

Day 5: Ohrid

Day 6: Ohrid

Day 7: Ohrid / Tetovo / Skopje

Day 8: Skopje

Day 1: Start in the afternoon at the hotel in Sofia, Bulgaria. After the main briefing, there will be a 2 hour walking sightseeing tour of Sofia.

Day 2: Transfer to Melnik stopping at UNESCO sites Boyana Church and the famous Rila Monastery en route. Free afternoon upon arrival into Melnik.

Day 3: Morning visit to the Smolare waterfall. After lunch transfer to the wine region of Tikvesh for evening wine tasting via the ancient town of Stobi.

Day 4: Morning visit to archaeological site and town of Heraclea Lyncestis. Transfer to city of Bitola after lunch and enjoy a walking tour and visit the old bazaar.

Day 5: Pelister N.P, lunch in Dihovo, transfer to Lake Ohrid

Day 6: Morning visit to the Vevcani Springs, followed by lunch in the village; Free afternoon in Ohrid.

Day 7: Morning visit Tetovo Mosque. Afternoon walking tour of Prizren.

Day 8: Transfer to Skopje visiting the Monastery of Gracanica along the way. Late afternoon arrival into Skopje, followed by walking tour.

Day 9: Free morning in Skopje before transferring back to Sofia.

Day 10: End Sofia.