Culture & Cuisine of North Macedonia

Fly to Skopje, transfer to the Alexander Square Hotel, or similar in Skopje and check in for 2 nights.

• Hotel Description

Begin your journey in Skopje, exploring both its modern centre and historic heart on a guided walking tour. Highlights include the main square, the Old Bazaar, and key landmarks that reflect the city’s Ottoman and Balkan heritage. Continue to the hillside village of Nerezi to visit the Byzantine Church of St Pantelejmon, famed for its remarkable frescoes, before enjoying a traditional local lunch. This afternoon, ascend Mount Vodno by cable car to the Millennium Cross for sweeping views over Skopje and the Vardar Valley. Return to the hotel for a relaxed evening. (B,L)

• Hotel Description

After breakfast, travel south from Skopje towards Ohrid, passing through the dramatic landscapes of Mavrovo National Park. Stop at Mavrovo Lake to see the striking submerged Church of St Nikola, before continuing to the historic St. Jovan Bigorski Monastery, renowned for its carved iconostasis. Enjoy lunch at a traditional restaurant within the park, then continue to Ohrid for check-in and a relaxed evening at leisure. (B,L)

• Hotel Description

After breakfast, enjoy a guided walking tour of Ohrid, exploring its rich historical layers. Visit the City Museum and Robevci House, before continuing to St Sophia Cathedral, built in 1037, and the ancient theatre. Discover the frescoes of St Bogorodica Perivleptos, then walk to the Upper Gate and Samuil's Fortress. Continue to Plaoshnik to visit St Clement’s Church and St John the Theologian. This afternoon, drive to the nearby village of Orman to visit a family-run rakija distillery for tastings and light local bites, before a free afternoon at leisure. (B,L)

• Hotel Description

After breakfast, travel to the hillside village of Konjsko and enjoy a scenic walk to Elshani, with sweeping views across Lake Ohrid and the surrounding mountains. On arrival, enjoy a home-cooked lunch hosted by a local family using produce from their own garden. This afternoon, drive along the southern shores of the lake to visit the prehistoric Bay of Bones, before continuing to St. Naum Monastery near the Albanian border. Explore the monastery complex and take a short boat trip to the crystal-clear springs that feed the lake. Return to the hotel for a free evening. (B,L)

• Hotel Description

After breakfast, travel to Bitola, set beneath Pelister National Park and known for its layered history and cultural diversity. Enjoy a guided walking tour, followed by free time to soak up the town’s café culture and have lunch at leisure. Continue to the nearby archaeological site of Heraclea Lyncestis, famous for its exceptionally preserved Roman mosaics. This afternoon, drive south to the Demir Kapija wine region. Visit Queen Maria Winery for a tasting and dinner, before settling in for an overnight stay at the winery. (B,D)

• Hotel Description

After breakfast, enjoy a short walk around Demir Kapija, set within a dramatic wine-growing gorge, before visiting Popova Kula Winery for a relaxed tasting accompanied by local cold cuts and cheeses. Leaving the Tikveš wine region, continue north to explore the remarkable archaeological site of Stobi, once a major Roman and early Byzantine centre, renowned for its theatre and intricate floor mosaics. Continue onwards to Skopje for your final overnight stay. (B,L)

• Hotel Description

After breakfast, travel from Skopje to the dramatic Matka Canyon, one of North Macedonia’s most striking natural landscapes. Enjoy a boat trip through the canyon to Vrelo Cave, followed by free time to relax and enjoy lunch (not included )beside the water. Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK. (B)