Macedonia
Give your next vacation destination a real chance to bring you back in time and teach you about an entirely new culture when you visit Macedonia. Macedonia is a landlocked country bordered by Bulgaria, Serbia, Greece and Albania and is filled with historical monuments from the Byzantine and Ottoman empires. Learn more about modern-day Macedonia and see the ancient relics this country holds when you visit here.
There are 4 major cities in Macedonia, including Ohrid, Prilep, Veles and the capital of Skopje. You can find great shopping in the city of Skopje, taking in local shops and finding great items you can buy for other family members, friends and of course, yourself!
In addition to the shopping, there are a number of things to do is Skopje. Visit the Kale Fortress, which is a dominant force in the landscape. Built of stone blocks during the Roman rule, you can see this Fortress looking over a large parks, listening to the sounds of Macedonian folk music in the background. The River Vardar is nearby and you can enjoy renting a boat and sailing down these waters. Over the waters of the River Vardar is the Old Stone Bridge or the Kameni Most. Considered one of the most recognizable features in all of Skopje, you can see a bridge with 12 half-arches carved out of tstone. It was believed to have been built in the 6th century and updated in the 16th century.
Mother Theresa has her monument here. After all, this saintly nun was born here in 1910. Since her mother was Albanian and her father was Vlach, The Macedonians, Albanians and Vlachs all honor her along with the rest of the world. The statue of her monument is on Macedonia Street, just off the main plaza.
The National Gallery of Art in Macedonia is actually the former building of the great Turkish baths. These baths were once the largest in the region, but its size was one of the reasons that it had to close because it was too expensive to run. There are a number of Macedonian icons from the 14th – 19th century, as well as artwork from Macedonian artists. This gallery is an excellent place to spend the afternoon with your family, friends or as a couple, touring the displays and exhibits.
Macedonia has a number of festivals every year. Plan your vacation to coincide with these festivals to gain a better appreciation for the Macedonian culture and traditions. The Skopje Film Festival starts in mid-March, while the Skopje Jazz Festival is later in the year in October. May offers Opera Evenings, while the summertime has the Skopje Summers, which has a variety of events, exhibits, concerts and more. Finally, the International Children’s Festival features children from all around the Eastern European region to dance traditional songs and stories for a good look at the folklore in the area.
Macedonia has plenty to offer its local and visitors as far as outdoor sports are concerned. You can enjoy paragliding clubs, hiking, cycling and more. Find rental houses and apartments with a pool in the backyard to jump into after a long day in the Macedonian area. The mountain of Vodno is a must-visit experience in Macedonia. If you enjoy hiking, Vodno provides excellent trails, scenery and a worthwhile surprise at the top. Vodno is the ideal place to escape into the forest and enjoy nature. You can go cycling up this mountain on one of the Extreme Bike routes or just enjoy hiking for miles. Once you get to the top, you can see the Paragliding team and enjoy the Millenium Cross, which makes the hike, cycle or walk quite worth your while.
For a piece of cultural significance in Macedonia, you can visit the St. Pantelejmon monastery. Built in 1164 in the village of Gorno Nerezi, this monastery provides excellent views of Skopje below in the local restaurant that is there. In this way, you can blend the cultural sight with the regional cuisine for an all-around great experience.