Macedonia Fly-Drive Holiday

Explore the national parks and Ottoman treasures of Macedonia at your own pace on a 10-day flydrive starting in the historic capital. Drive through the Vardar River Canyon to the ancient city of Stobi, an archaeological site from the second century offering sweeping views of the central Macedonian plain. Park up the hire car and enjoy an overnight stay at the Popova Kula Winery and perhaps try one of over twenty different varieties on offer. Drive to Ohrid and spend time exploring the lakeside churches before finishing the holiday in stunning Galicica National Park where mountain peaks frame picturesque rural villages.

Tour Itinerary

DAY 1

FLY TO SKOPJE

Fly to Skopje and collect the car from the airport. Drive to the hotel (25km and check in for a two night stay).

DAY 2

SKOPJE & ENVIRONS

Free day to explore Skopje. Perhaps visit the Church of Holy Salvation, Old Bazaar, Kale Fortress, The Museum of Macedonia (National Museum), Mustapha Pasha Mosque and Daut Pasha Baths, followed by the medieval churches in Skopje and surroundings. (B)

DAY 3

SKOPJE TO DEMIR KAPIJA

Visit the Canyon Matka and the 14th century church of St Andrew near Skopje. Here, it is possible to take a boat ride through the canyon and visit Nad Vrelo Cave. Drive through the Canyon of the Vardar River and town of Veles to reach the ancient city of Stobi. This archaeological site offers sweeping views of the central Macedonian plain and contains buildings such as the 2nd-century amphitheatre. Continue to Demir Kapija (110 kilometres) and check into the Popova Kula Winery for one night. (B)

DAY 4

DEMIR KAPIJA TO BITOLA

Drive on to Prilep and enjoy a short walk through the bazaar before continuing to Bitola, Macedonia's second largest town. Bitola is an extraordinary mixture of old and new and a meeting point of different cultures and civilisations. In the afternoon, visit the Roman ruins of Heraclea, famous for its mosaics, ancient theatre and Roman baths. Check in to the hotel in Bitola for an overnight stay. (B)

DAY 5

BITOLA TO OHRID

Drive to Ohrid (70 kilometres) via the village of Kurbinovo. Arrive in Ohrid and check into hotel for three nights. (B)

DAY 6

OHRID

Free day to explore Ohrid. Highlights include the churches of St. Sophia and St. Clement, a classic Byzantine church that dominates the Old Town. The church of St. John at Kaneo stands alone on a small promontory jutting out into the lake at the western end of the Old Town and provides spectacular panoramic views of the lake. (B)

DAY 7

OHRID

Free day to explore Ohrid. (B)

DAY 8

GALICICA NATIONAL PARK AND ST. NAUM

Drive to the villages of Velestovo, Konjsk and Elsani, all situated in the stunning Galicica National Park (136 kilometres). Visit the monastery of St. Naum, situated close to the springs of the Black Drim River and famous for its miraculous healing powers before returning to Ohrid. (B)

DAY 9

OHRID TO SKOPJE VIA STRUGA AND MAVROVO

Drive back to Skopje (256 kilometres) with stops in Struga and the Mavrovo National Park. Struga is famous for its wall of water, where the Black Drim River flows out of Lake Ohrid on its way to the Adriatic. Continue to the canyon of the River Radika and visit the monastery of St John Bigorski. Drive through the Mavrovo National Park, where the highest peaks in Macedonia can be found. Arrive Skopje and check in for one night. (B)

DAY 10

FLY TO THE UK

Return the car to the airport and flly back to the UK. (B)