Day 01: Arrive Skopje – Matka
Arrive Skopje meet and assist at the airport and transfer to Hotel.
Our destination for today will be Matka near Skopje. It is impressive how this beautiful nature paradise is located so close to the bustling capital. Besides the fun boat trip through the canyon, Matka has much more to offer, such as caves, medieval castles, spectacular hiking routes and the option to go swimming in the turquoise waters. You will get some free time around 12:30 on every day of the tour to enjoy a delicious lunch and explore the area by yourself till 14:00.

The Vrelo cave in Matka is part of the top 77 of the best natural sites in the world by the New7Wonders project. Near the entrance of the Matka canyon, there is a small monastery, Saint Andrew. Close to this monastery, there is another one on top of a cliff above the canyon, offering a spectacular panoramic view of the entire area.
Overnight near Matka.

Day 02: Matka – Veles – Winery                       B
After breakfast near the Matka canyon we move on towards Veles. The city of Veles is focused on the production of porcelain, silk and lead. Veles made the news during the US elections in 2016. Teenagers in the small city in North Macedonia created sensationalist stories on fake news websites to earn money from the advertisements. Nowadays it has historical sites and natural attraction that are well-worth a visit.

The city is also known for being the birthplace of Kocho Racin, the founder of North Macedonian modern literature. We will visit the clock tower, which sticks out from the other buildings and is the focal point of the city. The Gemidzii monument and the Ilinden Rebels monument will also be visited during our tour through the city. Outside of the center, we will see the Saint Panteleimon church on the side of a hill in a beautiful white colour and stunning painted icons on the inside.

The second destination for today is a famous winery, shaped as a castle, and the surrounding vineyards. Macedonians have a big affinity for wine that goes back centuries, proven by many archaeological findings. Even at the exact location of this winery, findings show connections to wine dating back to the 13th century. At this winery, we will have a chance to try some of North Macedonia’s finest wine. They use 11 different types of grapes from small vineyards in the region, besides the grapes they grow themselves. This place offers us the possibility to enjoy the beautiful surroundings and unwind from the daily stresses with a glass of wine in our hands.
Overnight at the winery.

Day 03: Winery – Prilep – Krushevo – Bitola                          B
Today we will visit three cities in North Macedonia, all with their own charm. The first city will be Prilep, the fourth largest city of North Macedonia. Here we first go to the Treskavec monastery on top of the hill, built in the 12th century and offering a spectacular view of the surroundings. It is hard to find an empty spot on the wall that is not covered with frescoes dating all the way back to the 14th century. Before we reach the center of Prilep, we will stop at the St. Archangel Michael monastery situated on the side of a cliff. This monastery is said to be one of the most important – and beautiful – cultural and religious monuments. We will also walk through the city and pass by the clock tower, the Holy Metamorphosis church and the city’s own Alexander the Great statue. The Old Bazaar in Prilep is small but vibrant and characteristic, where you can sit down at one of the cafes or explore the little stores.We will continue our tour towards Krushevo, the highest city of North Macedonia and in the Balkans, 1350m above sea level. The small streets, restaurants and cafes all around the city create a unique atmosphere.

We will visit the Meckin Kamen statue, honouring Pitu Guli, who fought against the Ottomans to protect the town, and the Ilinden monument, honouring a group of Macedonians that fought against the Ottoman beginning the movement that resulted in a free Macedonia. Even though the Saint Jovan church and Saint Nicola church got destroyed in 1903, the original architecture is still present here. The last destination for today is the city of Bitola, the second largest city and also the oldest city of North Macedonia.
Overnight in Bitola.

Day 04:Bitola – Prespa Lake – Ohrid                                 B
We will begin our day with a city tour of Bitola. The city combines the old with the new, Ottoman buildings next to modern office buildings. Our first visit is to the museum of Bitola that houses the region’s most valuable cultural and historical treasures. The building used to function as a high school before it became a military academy and eventually a museum.

Our tour continues to the ruins of Heraclea Lyncestis. The site is the most authentic well-preserved city from the ancient Macedonian empire in the whole country. We will also walk through the pedestrian boulevard full of shops, cafes and restaurants. As we move towards Ohrid, we will make a stop at the Prespa Lake. This lake is shared by North Macedonia, Greece and Albania. From here, we will have an amazing view of the other side of the lake.The last destination for today is Ohrid. Ohrid is one of the most seductive destinations in North Macedonia, indicated also as one of the oldest human settlements in all of Europe. Both the city and the lake are part of UNESCO World Heritage since 1980.
Overnight in Ohrid.

Day 05: Ohrid – Bay Of Bones – St Naum – Galichitsa National Park – Village Near Ohrid Lake                B
After city tour of Ohrid. Ohrid Lake and its surroundings where inhabited by the Illyrian Tribe of Enkeleys and the lake was named by the Romans as “Lyhnidas” (the Light Lake). We will visit the church of St. John, the church of St. Nicolas and the mosque Halveti Hayati Tekke. Ohrid became an important centre for the Orthodox believers during the Byzantine Empire and is famous for its 365 Orthodox churches, said to have one church for each day of the year.

During the Ottoman Empire the city grew on the hills and surrounding areas by the lake. The houses were built with a very specific architecture that created narrowed streets, tunnels and tiny yards on the hilly terrain, making it possible for every house to have a good view of the lake. Today the city is famous for its architecture, the churches, the castle on the top of the city, the amphitheatre, the beautiful view of the lake surrounded by mountains and the pearls from the lake.

Our next destination is the Bay of Bones museum, which floats on the water. The name ‘’Bay of Bones’’ refers to the numerous animal remains that were found at the site. Part of the site is a recreation of the settlement dating back between 1200 and 70 B.C. This will give us an exclusive chance to learn more about life during the prehistory.We will continue our tour to St Naum near the Albanian border and one of the most beautiful locations in Macedonia. On our way there, we will have to go through the Galichitsa National Park, located between the Albanian border, Ohrid Lake and Prespa Lake, with again stunning nature and impressive mountains. The monastery of St Naum is also known as Sveti Naum where stunning nature blends with religious heritage, creating a picturesque location. Your trip through Macedonia would not be complete without visiting this monastery.
Overnight in a village near Ohrid Lake.

Day 06:Village Near Ohrid Lake – Struga – Tetovo                 B
From the village, we will go to Struga near Ohrid Lake. The Black Drin river flows right through it with multiple bridges crossing the river, which gives a special look to the city. Struga has many cafes and restaurant to enjoy a coffee next to the river bank. We will walk through the Old Bazaar and visit the Saint George church. We will also visit the Kalistha Monastery, consisting out of four churches and located in a rocky environment. In the village of Radozda, a few kilometres away from Struga, you can find a church in cave, the Saint Archangel Michael church. The small medieval monastery was built by monks, dedicated to the Archangel Michael, and many frescos are still visible.

Our next destination is Tetovo. The city is located in the North Macedonian region where the largest ethnic group is Albanian, which explains the differences in appearance from the other cities that we have visited on this tour. The Pena river flows right through the city with on the sides some interesting landmarks, such as the Hamam of Tetovo, and the beginning of some boulevards. We will also visit the ‘’painted mosque’’, Sharena Dzamija, in the old part of the city. This mosque is covered with geometric and arabesque ornaments in a Middle Eastern style, unique for the Balkan region. The Leshok monastery is another site in Tetovo worthy of a visit. The monastery has an excellent location to enjoy some fresh air and appreciate the surroundings. Inside of the monastery, you can find all sorts of frescos from different periods – the outside is just as impressive.
Overnight in Tetovo.

Day 07:Tetovo – Skopje               B
After breakfast in Tetovo, we will have a city tour of Skopje, the capital of Macedonia. The city has European, Ottoman and even Asian influences. The Stone Bridge connects the new part to the old part of the city. Impossible to miss in Skopje is the Alexander the Great Statue in the center. Another bridge that stands out is the Art Bridge that leads to the Archaeological museum. The bridge is lined with flamboyant street lanterns and statues of Macedonian artists and musicians. We will wander through the Old Bazaar of Skopje, the biggest one in the Balkans, that combines the modern way of living with centuries of history. The cross on top of the mountain can be seen kilometres away from Skopje and has become a symbol of the city. It is as high as a 20-store building and can be reached by cable car.
Overnight in Skopje.

Day 08:Depart Skopje                        B
After breakfast departure transfer to airport to catch the flight for onward journey.