Bulgaria & Macedonia

Zemen St. JoanSt Joan

Macedonia - Cradle Of Culture, Land Of Nature

4 day/3 night cultural tour, starting from  Sofia.This tour provides an excellent opportunity to see the roots of a century-old culture, impressive mediaeval churches and monasteries and Nature, which beauty will take your breath away. We visit Plaoshnik where St Clement of Ohrid founded the first University in Europe and educated 3,500 students at the end of the 9 c (887 - 893 AD). St. Clement ‘simplified’ the Glagolitic alphabet, designed by St.St.Cyril and Methodius, and in honour of his Teacher – St. Cyril, named it “Cyrillic”.
HIGHLIGHTS: UNESCO site – St. Clement of Ohrid church, the Ohrid Lake, St. Naum monastery, lovely villages of whitewashed houses with red tiled roofs. Local cuisine is another hidden secret, worth your special attention.

Day 1: Sofia - Kriva Palanka - Skopje

Early morning departure to Skopje. Sightseeing tour of the city, a historical crossroads between East and West. See the Old Stone Bridge, the old bazaar, City fortress, the Church of Holy Salvation with the marvelous wood-carved iconostasis, Monument of Mother Teresa- she was born in Skopje. Drive to the archaeological site of Scupi and see the Roman aqueduct. Welcome dinner in a local restaurant and overnight in Skopje.

D Accommodation at a 3*** hotel in Skopje.

Day 2: - Skopje - Debar - Ohrid

Hot breakfast at hotel. Drive to Ohrid via Debar, across the gorge of Treska River and visit the famous Matka Monastery, a mediaeval center of spiritual life in the region of Skopje. Visit also the largest monastery in Macedonia - St. Bigorski Monastery, the most important monastery in Macedonia. Reach Ohrid for dinner and overnight.

B, D Accommodation at a 3*** hotel in Ohrid.

Day 3 Ohrid - Struga - Ohrid

Following breakfast, enjoy a full day tour of Ohrid, the Ohrid Lake and the neighboring village of Struga. Visit the old town with the fantastic Mediaeval Orthodox Churches: Church of St. Kliment - UNESCO site, Church of St. Sofia, Church of St. John Kaneo, Roman Theatre, Fortress of Tzar Samuil.  In the afternoon visit the Monastery of St. Naum, located in the southern banks of the Ohrid Lake. The monastery was established in the year 900 A.D. by St Naum of Ohrid himself, who is also buried here. St. Naum is one of the most prominent desciples of St.St. Cyril and Methodius, who in 855 A.D. developed the first Bulgarian alphabet (Glagolitic). The beautiful setting - high mountains above the blue lake, makes the monastery the most popular destinations in the region. Drive back to Ohrid for overnight.

B Accommodation in Ohrid at a 3*** hotel.

Day 4 Ohrid - Bitola - Lake Tikvesh - Sofia

Early hot buffet breakfast at hotel. Proceed to Bitola, the third largest city in Macedonia, still preserving traditional architecture, arts and crafts. Walk downtown and see the Clock Tower - the city's symbol, the Old Bazar and St. Demetrius Church. Visit the ruins of the ancient city of Heraklea Linkestis, founded by Philip II of Macedon. The ancient city of Heraklea Linkestis had more than 30,000 citizens, being a significant crossroad on Via Ignatia. Stop over at the famous Tikvesh region winery and enjoy a wine/or brandy tasting session. Drive back to Sofia, where tour ends.

Tour price for 2010:

EUR 735 per person for a party of 6; EUR 890 per person for a group of four. Price based on double occupancy. Single supplement is EUR 60;

No extra charge for private tours.

Your price includes:

  • 3 nights at three star hotels (best available),
  • fully insured sedan/minivan with climate control, for the entire distance,
  • fuel & parking fees included,
  • all sightseeing tours & cultural connections,
  • 5 meals: 3 breakfasts, 2 dinners
  • professional English speaking guide to accompany you throughout,
  • guides’ expenses
  • all transfers
  • admissions to museums, sites, churches as per itinerary
  • VAT and local tax

You'll visit 1 UNESCO World Heritage Site:

-  St. Kliment Church in Ohrid

Not included:

  • Other meals than stated,
  • Beverages,
  • Porterage,
  • Photo/video fees at sites, museums, etc.,
  • Gratuities of any kind.