Macedonia Adventure Travel

Join tour Sofia and check-in at the hotel. We begin our exploration by walking around the old town lit by streetlights and yellow-paved central boulevard, marvelling at the architectural mix of this compact city. It is a breathtaking experience to begin your journey with.

Overnight Standard Hotel

Sofia is an old settlement, situated in the basin between the Balkan mountain range and Vitosha Mountains. Today we start our day with visit to neo-Byzantine Alexander Nevski Cathedral, which was built to commemorate the 200,000 Russian soldiers who died fighting for Bulgaria’s independence. After our visit we drive to the Monastery of St Joakim Osogovski at Kriva Palanka in Macedonia. Founded in the 12th century the monastery became a place of worship for both Christians and Muslims, situated as it was on the main route to Constantinople. We stop and visit the monastery with its 18th century frescoes. We check-in and spend the night in this unique accommodation.

Overnight Standard Monastery Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we drive to Kratovo to explore this historic Roman mining town, located in the crater of an extinct volcano, before we head on to Skopje, Macedonia’s capital. This afternoon we will make a tour of the city, visiting the site of Fortress Kale, the Church of St Spas and the old Turkish area, before ending our tour in the new city.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

A half-day excursion this morning takes us to Matka Gorge, on the outskirts of the city, where we visit spectacular karst formations and the man-made Matka Lake, created by the damming of the Treska River. The gorge is the result of fluctuating temperatures and the impact of the mountain rivers, resulting in a vista of flutes and valleys, crevices and caves that carve their way through the 5000 hectare canyon. Of the 1000 or so species of plants in the gorge some 20% are endemic, including the Kosanini Violet and Nataly's Ramonda. There are also 119 varieties of butterfly in the canyon. There is an option to take a boat ride out onto the lake above the dam and appreciate the canyon and visit one of its numerous caves. Returning to Skopje this afternoon the rest of the day is free for personal sightseeing, perhaps to visit some of the museums, mosques and galleries dotted around the city, or perhaps pay another visit to the bazaar. Skopje is an excellent city in which to wander, given that much of the centre is pedestrianised.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Today we drive a scenic route, largely through the Black Drim River Valley, to reach the shores of Lake Ohrid. En-route we’ll make a stop to visit one of Macedonia’s finest monasteries – St Jovan Bigorski – dedicated to St John the Baptist. The monastery is famous for its remarkable iconostasis, perhaps the most beautiful one in Macedonia, constructed by quite intricate wood carving between 1829 and 1835. On arrival at Ohrid town we’ll have time to settle into our hotel before heading into the centre. Alternatively, you may wish to stretch your legs with a walk along the lakeshore.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Our setting for the next few days is simply sublime, with a dramatic mountain backdrop almost encircling the tranquil waters of Lake Ohrid. Founded over 2400 years ago, Ohrid has a wealth of heritage and is today an important cultural and spiritual centre. To help its protection both the town and lake were classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980. Lake Ohrid is one of the oldest lakes in the world and allegedly there are some 365 churches, monasteries and other religious sites around the lake. We start with a walking tour of Ohrid that includes a visit to Tsar Samuel’s Fortress and the Roman amphitheatre for sensational panoramic views. Then there’s chance to stroll around the Old Town on cobblestone lanes. During our two full days based in Ohrid flexibility is key to our stay here as there are many optional activities available. Boats run frequent trips across the lake and there will also be an option to walk between two of the villages perched high above the lake. The lakeshore has a good array of beaches should you wish to take it easy at some time during your visit. A good choice of restaurants and old Turkish shops (in the lower town area) also exist. Each year, between mid-July and mid-August, the Ohrid Summer Festival takes place, with concerts and plays held in outdoor venues around town.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Located close to Ohrid is Galicica National Park, part of the Sara-Pind mountain range. With its exceptional natural beauty and wealth of endemic flora and fauna the park was created in 1958, covering an area between the lakes of Ohrid and Prespa. Large, deep valleys and a long mountain crest typify the relief of the massif, with peaks reaching over 2000m. With the crest falling between the two lakes it ensures dramatic views over both lakes on a clear day. Today we set out to explore the region by bus, a short walk and by rowing boat. First we drive to the Monastery of St Naum, close to the Albanian border. Here we’ll enjoy a short trip by rowing boat to the bubbling springs that feed Lake Ohrid. Then continuing across Galicica National Park and over the Livada Pass (1568m), we head down to Lake Prespa and then onwards to the nearby Pelister National Park, our stop for the night. There are several walking trails around the hotel.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning we visit the ancient site of Heraclea. Founded in the 4th century BC by Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great, Heraclea grew to be an important trading town under the Romans, before being sacked by the northern tribes and eventually falling into decay after an earthquake in AD518. After our visit we leave Macedonia behind and drive to Thessaloniki in Greece. Travelling east we reach Pella. Lying on the Macedonia Plain, Pella is most famous as the birthplace of Alexander the Great, who was born here in 356BC. Nowadays the main draw of Pella though is the mosaics depicting mythological scenes in coloured stone. After visiting the town we continue on to Thessaloniki, Greece’s second city. Filled with the reminders of Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman rule, Thessaloniki is a vibrant city situated on the Thermaic Gulf.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Today we visit some of the prime sites of the city with a local guide. The steep narrow streets of the district are all that is left of the city's 19th century period and a walk among the whitewashed houses and overhanging balconies leads to some quite magnificent views down into the gulf across the city. We then head for Vergina, the ancient city of Aigai, ancient capital of the Macendonian kings, it was only discovered in 1977. we will visit the spectacular royal tombs of King Phillip II and the young prince Alexander IV among others during out visit. We will then end our tour back in the city where you can enjoy at your leisure the Byzantine and the Archaeological Museum.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Leaving Thessaloniki early this morning we head across the Halkidiki Peninsula to Kavala, set in the foothills of Mount Symvolon on the Gulf of Kavala. Travelling along scenic roads we pass through Arnea to the Athos Peninsula, the easternmost of the three-pronged Halkidiki. Here we head for Ouranopoli at the northern end of secretive Athos, from where we take a boat along the coast of Mount Athos. Known as 'The Holy Mountain', it is a semi-autonomous region of monastic orders originally settled in the 4th century. At its peak there were said to be 40 monasteries on the peninsula, today the number has declined to half. After viewing the monasteries from our boat we continue our journey to Kavala.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Today we travel by ferry to Thassos Island where we have a free day to explore the island by foot or local bus, or relax on one of its superb beaches. Around the capital of Limenas there are a number of archaeological sites, including an ancient Roman theatre and a medieval fortress that offers some stunning views of the surrounding area. Later in the afternoon we return by ferry to the mainland and drive onto Kavala, a very attractive city formed around a harbour with an old quarter dominated by a Byzantine fortress.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we leave Greece and head back to Bulgaria. We drive to Bansko via the ancient site of Philippi. Philippi’s fame is twofold. It was the first European city to accept Christianity in the 5th century, but prior to that it was the scene of a decisive battle between two Roman armies in the 1st century AD. On one side the army of imperial Rome, led by Mark Anthony and Octavian, on the other representatives of republican Rome, led by Cassius and Brutus. The outcome of the battle was a victory for the imperialist and the death of the republic (not to mention Cassius and Brutus). We will also visit the baptistery of Lydia, time permitting.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Rila Monastery is an important religious and cultural centre for the Bulgarian people. Reamining in beautiful condition it has the most stunning brightly coloured frescoes. Originally founded in 927 the monastery served to preserve Bulgarian culture during the 400 years of Turkish rule. Today the magnificent church and its museums house a priceless collection of frescoes, gilded iconostasis, religious art and artifacts and this morning we spend time exploring the monastery complex. This afternoon we complete our journey through ancient Macedonia when we return to Sofia for our final evening. On arrival there should be time to explore a little more of this charming city and maybe do some last minute shopping.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

The tour ends in Sofia this morning after breakfast.

Included meals: Breakfast