Macedonia Tour Packages

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Program 1
Discover Macedonia | 07 Nights / 08 Days | Skopje

Day 01: Arrive Skopje – Matka
Arrive Skopje meet and assist at the airport and transfer to Hotel. Our destination for today will be Matka near Skopje. It is impressive how this beautiful nature paradise is located so close to the bustling capital. Besides the fun boat trip through the canyon, Matka has much more to offer, such as caves, medieval castles, spectacular hiking routes and the option to go swimming in the turquoise waters. You will get some free time around 12:30 on every day of the tour to enjoy a delicious lunch and explore the area by yourself till 14:00. The Vrelo cave in Matka is part of the top 77 of the best natural sites in the world by the New7Wonders project. Near the entrance of the Matka canyon, there is a small monastery, Saint Andrew. Close to this monastery, there is another one on top of a cliff above the canyon, offering a spectacular panoramic view of the entire area. Overnight near Matka.

Day 02: Matka – Veles – Winery                       B
After breakfast near the Matka canyon we move on towards Veles. The city of Veles is focused on the production of porcelain, silk and lead. Veles made the news during the US elections in 2016. Teenagers in the small city in North Macedonia created sensationalist stories on fake news websites to earn money from the advertisements. Nowadays it has historical sites and natural attraction that are well-worth a visit. The city is also known for being the birthplace of Kocho Racin, the founder of North Macedonian modern literature. We will visit the clock tower, which sticks out from the other buildings and is the focal point of the city. The Gemidzii monument and the Ilinden Rebels monument will also be visited during our tour through the city. Outside of the center, we will see the Saint Panteleimon church on the side of a hill in a beautiful white colour and stunning painted icons on the inside. The second destination for today is a famous winery, shaped as a castle, and the surrounding vineyards. Macedonians have a big affinity for wine that goes back centuries, proven by many archaeological findings. Even at the exact location of this winery, findings show connections to wine dating back to the 13th century. At this winery, we will have a chance to try some of North Macedonia’s finest wine. They use 11 different types of grapes from small vineyards in the region, besides the grapes they grow themselves. This place offers us the possibility to enjoy the beautiful surroundings and unwind from the daily stresses with a glass of wine in our hands. Overnight at the winery.

Day 03: Winery – Prilep – Krushevo – Bitola                          B
Today we will visit three cities in North Macedonia, all with their own charm. The first city will be Prilep, the fourth largest city of North Macedonia. Here we first go to the Treskavec monastery on top of the hill, built in the 12th century and offering a spectacular view of the surroundings. It is hard to find an empty spot on the wall that is not covered with frescoes dating all the way back to the 14th century. Before we reach the center of Prilep, we will stop at the St. Archangel Michael monastery situated on the side of a cliff. This monastery is said to be one of the most important – and beautiful – cultural and religious monuments. We will also walk through the city and pass by the clock tower, the Holy Metamorphosis church and the city’s own Alexander the Great statue. The Old Bazaar in Prilep is small but vibrant and characteristic, where you can sit down at one of the cafes or explore the little stores.We will continue our tour towards Krushevo, the highest city of North Macedonia and in the Balkans, 1350m above sea level. The small streets, restaurants and cafes all around the city create a unique atmosphere. We will visit the Meckin Kamen statue, honouring Pitu Guli, who fought against the Ottomans to protect the town, and the Ilinden monument, honouring a group of Macedonians that fought against the Ottoman beginning the movement that resulted in a free Macedonia. Even though the Saint Jovan church and Saint Nicola church got destroyed in 1903, the original architecture is still present here. The last destination for today is the city of Bitola, the second largest city and also the oldest city of North Macedonia. Overnight in Bitola.

Day 04:Bitola – Prespa Lake – Ohrid                                 B
We will begin our day with a city tour of Bitola. The city combines the old with the new, Ottoman buildings next to modern office buildings. Our first visit is to the museum of Bitola that houses the region’s most valuable cultural and historical treasures. The building used to function as a high school before it became a military academy and eventually a museum. Our tour continues to the ruins of Heraclea Lyncestis. The site is the most authentic well-preserved city from the ancient Macedonian empire in the whole country. We will also walk through the pedestrian boulevard full of shops, cafes and restaurants. As we move towards Ohrid, we will make a stop at the Prespa Lake. This lake is shared by North Macedonia, Greece and Albania. From here, we will have an amazing view of the other side of the lake.The last destination for today is Ohrid. Ohrid is one of the most seductive destinations in North Macedonia, indicated also as one of the oldest human settlements in all of Europe. Both the city and the lake are part of UNESCO World Heritage since 1980. Overnight in Ohrid.

Day 05: Ohrid – Bay Of Bones – St Naum – Galichitsa National Park – Village Near Ohrid Lake                B
After city tour of Ohrid. Ohrid Lake and its surroundings where inhabited by the Illyrian Tribe of Enkeleys and the lake was named by the Romans as “Lyhnidas” (the Light Lake). We will visit the church of St. John, the church of St. Nicolas and the mosque Halveti Hayati Tekke. Ohrid became an important centre for the Orthodox believers during the Byzantine Empire and is famous for its 365 Orthodox churches, said to have one church for each day of the year. During the Ottoman Empire the city grew on the hills and surrounding areas by the lake. The houses were built with a very specific architecture that created narrowed streets, tunnels and tiny yards on the hilly terrain, making it possible for every house to have a good view of the lake. Today the city is famous for its architecture, the churches, the castle on the top of the city, the amphitheatre, the beautiful view of the lake surrounded by mountains and the pearls from the lake. Our next destination is the Bay of Bones museum, which floats on the water. The name ‘’Bay of Bones’’ refers to the numerous animal remains that were found at the site. Part of the site is a recreation of the settlement dating back between 1200 and 70 B.C. This will give us an exclusive chance to learn more about life during the prehistory.We will continue our tour to St Naum near the Albanian border and one of the most beautiful locations in Macedonia. On our way there, we will have to go through the Galichitsa National Park, located between the Albanian border, Ohrid Lake and Prespa Lake, with again stunning nature and impressive mountains. The monastery of St Naum is also known as Sveti Naum where stunning nature blends with religious heritage, creating a picturesque location. Your trip through Macedonia would not be complete without visiting this monastery. Overnight in a village near Ohrid Lake.

Day 06:Village Near Ohrid Lake – Struga – Tetovo                 B
From the village, we will go to Struga near Ohrid Lake. The Black Drin river flows right through it with multiple bridges crossing the river, which gives a special look to the city. Struga has many cafes and restaurant to enjoy a coffee next to the river bank. We will walk through the Old Bazaar and visit the Saint George church. We will also visit the Kalistha Monastery, consisting out of four churches and located in a rocky environment. In the village of Radozda, a few kilometres away from Struga, you can find a church in cave, the Saint Archangel Michael church. The small medieval monastery was built by monks, dedicated to the Archangel Michael, and many frescos are still visible. Our next destination is Tetovo. The city is located in the North Macedonian region where the largest ethnic group is Albanian, which explains the differences in appearance from the other cities that we have visited on this tour. The Pena river flows right through the city with on the sides some interesting landmarks, such as the Hamam of Tetovo, and the beginning of some boulevards. We will also visit the ‘’painted mosque’’, Sharena Dzamija, in the old part of the city. This mosque is covered with geometric and arabesque ornaments in a Middle Eastern style, unique for the Balkan region. The Leshok monastery is another site in Tetovo worthy of a visit. The monastery has an excellent location to enjoy some fresh air and appreciate the surroundings. Inside of the monastery, you can find all sorts of frescos from different periods – the outside is just as impressive. Overnight in Tetovo.

Day 07:Tetovo – Skopje               B
After breakfast in Tetovo, we will have a city tour of Skopje, the capital of Macedonia. The city has European, Ottoman and even Asian influences. The Stone Bridge connects the new part to the old part of the city. Impossible to miss in Skopje is the Alexander the Great Statue in the center. Another bridge that stands out is the Art Bridge that leads to the Archaeological museum. The bridge is lined with flamboyant street lanterns and statues of Macedonian artists and musicians. We will wander through the Old Bazaar of Skopje, the biggest one in the Balkans, that combines the modern way of living with centuries of history. The cross on top of the mountain can be seen kilometres away from Skopje and has become a symbol of the city. It is as high as a 20-store building and can be reached by cable car. Overnight in Skopje.

Day 08:Depart Skopje                        B
After breakfast departure transfer to airport to catch the flight for onward journey.

Includes
– Welcome on arrival with fresh flower garlands.
– Meet to attend airports / hotels by our office representative.
– 07 nights in accommodation as per the program.
– Meals as per Program – Guide Services ( English language )
– Entrance fees to the monuments.
– All taxes.

Excludes
– International flights
– Personal Expenses.
– Camera / Video Camera Fees.
– Medical Aid.
– Tipping.
– Travel Insurance.
– Visa If any.

Importanat information
– Accommodation in good hotels.
– Check-in / out time is 12 noon at most of the hotels.
– Extension to other places is also possible with a minimal extra cost.
– Additional nights are available at each place with minimal supplement.
– A visa is required and must be obtained prior to your departure from your Country.
– If quoted hotel is not available, we will provide one of a similar category and standard.
– Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, road conditions, flight schedules and room availability.
– In case the government changes presently applicable taxes, increase in airlines prices, fuel surcharge our rates will need to be adjusted accordingly.
– In Asia, there is no relevance between the distance and time of travelling, as it depends upon the condition of the roads and congestion of the traffic.
– While every effort will be made to maintain the itinerary, in view of local strikes etc that are beyond our control all schedule and itineraries are subject to last moment changes.
– Clients must be fully insured, as the company cannot accept liability for loss or damage to client’s property, medical emergencies or any other loss suffered by them whilst on tour.
– In Case of issuing Domestic or International air tickets, SGV is not responsible for any refund if the flight is delayed or cancelled, as it is the responsibility of airline.

Hotels

Place	Night (s)	Hotels
Matka	01	Park Hotel & Spa
winery	01	Guest House
Bitola	01	Grand Central Hotel
Ohrid	01	Villa Varosh
Ohrid Lake.	01	Inex Olgica Hotel & SPA
Tetovo	01	Mercure Tetovo
Skopje	01	Skopje Marriot Hotel

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Program 2
Macedonia Tour Experience | 07 Nights / 08 Days | Skopje

Day 01: Arrival – Skopje
Arrival at Skopje airport, transfer to the city of Skopje. Accommodation in luxury hotel, located in the heart of the city center, free time. Dinner and overnight.

Day 02: Skopje City Tour This day is booked for Skopje discovery. The most important points of visit in the capital city are: old railway station destroyed in the huge earthquake in 1963, monument of Mother Theresa who was born in Skopje, the old church Sv. Spas located in the old city center next to the Stone Bridge, museum of Macedonia, Kale fortress, and of course the Old Bazaar with numerous oriental restaurants is mall shops, which are typical for this part of the city.In the afternoon guided tour of the scenic Matka Canyon. Dinner and overnight in hotel.

Day 03:Tetovo – Lake Ohrid In and around Ohrid, Tetovo After the breakfast we departure for Ohrid, on the way we make visit to the city of Tetovo, known for its Colorful Mosque. Then we continuing our journey to the much known monastery of Sveti Jovan Bigorski, hidden in Macedonian Mountains. According to its 1833 chronicle, the monastery was built in 1020 by Ivan I Debranin. The Ottomans destroyed the monastery in the 16th century, but it was restored in 1743 by the monk Ilarion. Now this is the most visited monastery in Macedonia. Then we make a visit to the woman monastery Sv. Georgija where the heads of high priest from Macedonian Orthodox Church are decorated. With the beautiful views from Debar Lake and spectacular mountains the journey continues to Ohrid Lake. But before you could see the lake you will take off to the mountain village Vevecani where you will have traditional lunch and you get explanation about the history and tradition of Vevcanski Carnival. Late afternoon arriving in Ohrid in hotel Bellevue. Dinner and overnight in Hotel. Day 04: Ohrid Day reserved for visit to the old town of Ohrid. Located at 287 m deep Ohrid Lake, with its characteristic architecture and many Byzantine churches and frescoes from the 11th and 14th century. The “Museum City” Ohrid is a cultural treasure and is often called “the Jerusalem of the Balkans”, recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage. Visit to the main churches and the icon gallery with its world famous Byzantine icons. From a historical perspective it is also important to mention, that the remains of the famous Roman road “Via Ignatia” still can be seen in Ohrid. The city is known for the activities of Sv. Kliment & Sv.Naum, the first students of Cyril & Methodius, who invented Slavic alphabet. Dinner Overnight in Hotel.

Day 05: St. Naum Monastery
After breakfast we will visit the monastery of St. Naum, one of the most attractive locations in the region, followed by a rowing boat trip along the springs of the river Black Drim. The monastery is best known for the activities of St. Naum and St. Kliment. The last one was a leading student of the propagators of the Slavic lighting, Cyril and Methodius, and creator of the Cyrillic script which is still used by several Orthodox countries. Visit to the hidden monastery on the lake .Organized fish lunch in restaurant in Pestani. Dinner and overnight in hotel.

Day 06: Bitola – Popova Kula
Today we depart from Ohrid and we are heading to Bitola. On the way we will visit nearby excavations of Heraclea Lyncestis, with well-preserved mosaic floors. Visiting the old part of the town and city center. Journey continuous to the Winery Popova Kula where you will have organized Wine Degustation with traditional dinner. overnight in hotel. Day 07: Skopje Trip continues to Skopje arrive and check in at hotel afternoon.free. Organized Good Bye dinner in restaurant in Skopje. Overnight in Hotel. Day 08: Depart Skopje After Breakfast departure transfer to the airport to catch the flight for onward Journey.
Tour Ends Includes
– Welcome on arrival with fresh flower garlands.
– Meet to attend airports / hotels by our office representative.
– 06 nights in accommodation as per the program.
– Meals as per Program – Guide Services ( English language )
– Entrance fees to the monuments.
– All taxes.

Excludes
– International flights
– Personal Expenses.
– Camera / Video Camera Fees.
– Medical Aid.
– Tipping.
– Travel Insurance.
– Visa If any.

Importanat information
– Accommodation in good hotels.
– Check-in / out time is 12 noon at most of the hotels.
– Extension to other places is also possible with a minimal extra cost.
– Additional nights are available at each place with minimal supplement.
– A visa is required and must be obtained prior to your departure from your Country.
– If quoted hotel is not available, we will provide one of a similar category and standard.
– Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, road conditions, flight schedules and room availability.
– In case the government changes presently applicable taxes, increase in airlines prices, fuel surcharge our rates will need to be adjusted accordingly.
– In Asia, there is no relevance between the distance and time of travelling, as it depends upon the condition of the roads and congestion of the traffic.
– While every effort will be made to maintain the itinerary, in view of local strikes etc that are beyond our control all schedule and itineraries are subject to last moment changes. – Clients must be fully insured, as the company cannot accept liability for loss or damage to client’s property, medical emergencies or any other loss suffered by them whilst on tour.
– In Case of issuing Domestic or International air tickets, SGV is not responsible for any refund if the flight is delayed or cancelled, as it is the responsibility of airline.

Hotels

Place	Night (s)	Hotels
Skopje	02	hotel Holiday Inn.
Ohrid,	02	inex olgica hotel & spa
Ohrid	01	hotel Park Lakeside.
Skopje	01	hotel Holiday Inn.

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Program 3
Explore Macedonia with Balkans | 14 Nights / 15 Days | Sofia

Day 01: Join trip in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria
Arrive in Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital. Sofia has a long history which can be seen in the onion-domed churches, Ottoman mosques, Roman ruins and old Soviet monuments. However, it is largely modern and youthful with a wealth of museums, art galleries, cafes and restaurants. For those arriving on time our Leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 6pm for the welcome meeting and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner. There are no other activities planned today, so you are free to arrive in Sofia at any time. If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you’ll need to arrive into Sofia Airport (SOF), which is about 30 minutes’ drive from the city centre. Should you miss the welcome meeting, your Leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up. If your flight arrives earlier in the day or you’re extending your stay by a night, perhaps you might choose to visit the Archaeological Museum where there are Thracian, Roman and medieval artefacts on display in a former mosque dating from 1496. Or perhaps the Museum of Socialist Art where you’ll find many of the items removed from around the country when the Soviet era came to an end such as unwanted statues of Lenin, the red star from Sofia’s Party House and footage from old propaganda films. There are also the ancient ruins of Serdica, which were discovered during the building of a new metro station. Now partially excavated you can see a small section of eight streets, an early Christian church and a bathhouse from this old Roman city. A short distance from Sofia is the beautiful Vitosha Nature Park with a number of hiking routes up Vitosha Mountain and it is also home to the working Dragalevtsi Monastery, which is probably the oldest of its kind in the country. It contains colourful murals and is renowned as being one of the hiding places of the anti-Turkish rebel leader Vasil Levski. This evening you’ll have your first chance to sample the local cuisine. Food in Bulgaria tends to be hearty and made from fresh local produce and dinner usually starts with a salad such as ‘shopska salata’ consisting of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and white cheese. Other specialities include ‘kebapche’ small and spicy minced meat rolls and ‘surmi’ stuffed cabbage or vine leafs. Both red and white wines are popular, as is the local brandy ‘rakia’ or the aniseed spirit ‘mastika’.

Day 02:Sofia city tour; stay overnight in a Macedonian monastery
We start our day with a guided walking tour of Sofia where we visit the neo-Byzantine Alexander Nevski Cathedral, which was built to commemorate the 200,000 Russian soldiers who died fighting for Bulgaria’s independence. Along the way we will also see the synagogue, Presidential Palace and Saint Sofia’s Church. After our walk we have free time for lunch before we leave the city and drive to the border with North Macedonia and on to the Saint Joakim Osogovski Monastery. This well preserved historic monastery is nestled amongst the picturesque hillside forests and this is where we spend the night. The drive today will take us around three hours in total. 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 (modern day Istanbul). We will see the brightly coloured 18th century frescoes before settling in to our unique accommodation.

Day 03: Explore Kratovo and Skopje including Kale Fortress
This morning we drive to the charming historical Roman mining town of Kratovo, located in the crater of an extinct volcano. A local guide will take us down the winding cobbled narrow streets and show us the main sights of this small town, known for its Ottoman towers and high stone bridges which cross the deep ravine which divides the town in two. We will also have the opportunity to sample a homemade lunch, which will often be accompanied by traditional music played on a sheepskin bagpipe, before we drive on to Skopje, North Macedonia’s capital. This afternoon we will go on a guided walking tour of Skopje including Fortress Kale, the Church of Saint Spas and the old Turkish bazaar, which is the largest and most well preserved in south-east Europe. In 1963 a huge earthquake rocked the city and destroyed an estimated 75%, but it is still rich in historic culture and Ottoman heritage. Skopje has been used a pawn in many wars, including World War II and many empires have ruled over the city, all having influenced the architecture, religion and traditions. Despite the turbulent and sometimes violent history, Skopje is now a peaceful city where residents are free to practice all religions, the main faiths being Macedonian Orthodox and Islam. The city boasts many beautiful churches and mosques, although you’ll notice mostly minarets on the skyline due to a historic law that was enforced by the Turks stating Christian buildings could not be taller than mosques. This evening you are free to have dinner. A popular Macedonian dish is ‘turlitava’, a meat and vegetable stew baked in a terracotta pot. ‘Ravanija’ is a traditional dessert which originates from when the country was under Turkish rule; it’s a type of cake with a sherbet top. Macedonian wine is a popular choice with red being the more dominate option; usually made using the Vranec grape or sometimes Stanusina Crna, which is indigenous to the country.

Day 04: Excursion to the dramatic Matka Gorge with the chance for a boat trip
A half-day excursion this morning takes us to Matka Gorge, on the outskirts of the city, where we visit the spectacular karst formations and the manmade Matka Lake, created by the damming of the Treska River. Fluctuating temperatures and the impact of the mountain rivers has resulted in a landscape of valleys, crevices and caves that carve their way through the 50 square kilometre canyon. Of the 1000 or so species of plants in the gorge some 20% are endemic, including the Kosanini Violet and the dainty lavender coloured Nataly’s Ramonda. There are also 119 varieties of butterfly in the canyon. There is the option to take a boat ride out onto the lake above the dam and appreciate the canyon views and visit one of its numerous caves. Or you may prefer to take a walk along the gorge and visit an old church that is tucked in beside the water. Returning to Skopje this afternoon the rest of the day is free for you to explore and perhaps to visit some of the museums, mosques and galleries dotted around the city, or maybe pay another visit to the bustling bazaar. Skopje is an excellent city in which to wander, given that much of the centre is pedestrianised.

Day 05: Scenic drive to Lake Ohrid via Mavrovo National Park
Today we drive a scenic route, largely through the Black Drim River Valley, to reach the shores of Lake Ohrid. En route we make a stop to visit one of North Macedonia’s finest monasteries – Saint Jovan Bigorski – dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. It is famous for its remarkable iconostasis, which is among the most beautiful in North Macedonia, constructed by intricate wood carving between 1829 and 1835. We will also stop at the foot of Mount Jablanica in the typical Macedonian village of Vevchani. Here we have time for lunch and to see the pretty meandering streets and babbling waterfalls. On arrival in Ohrid town late this afternoon we have time to settle into our hotel before heading into the centre for free time for dinner this evening. Alternatively, you may like to stretch your legs with a walk along the lakeshore.

Day 06: Guided walking tour of Ohrid; afternoon relaxing by the lake
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 today with a walking tour of Ohrid including a visit to Tsar Samuel’s Fortress, Saint Sophia’s Church and the Roman amphitheatre for sensational panoramic views. When we reach Saint Clement’s Church and the Plaosnik archaeological site we will walk down the steps to the Church of Saint John at Kaneo with its fantastic views out over the lake. From here we board a boat for the short ride back to the centre of Ohrid. This afternoon is free for you to relax and further explore. You might like to stroll around the cobbled lanes of the Old Town or boats run frequent trips across the lake. The lakeshore also has a good array of beaches should you wish to take it easy. There’s a good choice of restaurants and old Turkish shops in the lower town area. Each year, between mid-July and mid-August, the Ohrid Summer Festival takes place, with concerts and plays held in outdoor venues around town.

Day 07: Free day in Ohrid with the chance to visit Albania
Today is free for you to continuing discovering Lake Ohrid or you might like to join a full day excursion further afield to neighbouring Albania. Lake Ohrid straddles the border line and this morning our drive will take us through Struga at the northern tip of the lake and across the Albanian border. Our first stop is in the small fishing village of Lin, where we will hopefully have the opportunity to see mosaics dating from the Ottoman period (due to local conditions access to the mosaics might not always be possible). From here we continue to the town of Podgradec where we have four hours free time to relax in the town, enjoy the Ohrid springs or visit the summer villa of the former dictator Enver Hoxha. We will also have time for lunch and the opportunity to try the local specialty of Ohrid trout. We return to Ohrid crossing back over the border at the southern end of the lake near Saint Naum having driven the whole way around the lake.

Day 08: Visit to Saint Naum Monastery en route to Pelister National Park
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 Ohrid and Prespa. Large, deep valleys and a long mountain ridge typify the relief of the massif, with peaks reaching over 2000 metres. With the crest falling between the two lakes it ensures dramatic views over both on a clear day. Today we set out to explore this region by bus, a short walk and by rowing boat. Firstly we drive along the lakeshore to the photogenic Saint Naum Monastery, located on a bluff stretching out into the lake and close to the Albanian border. Inside the monastery we can admire the 19th century frescoes and iconostasis dating from 1711. Next we enjoy a short trip by rowing boat to the bubbling springs that feed Lake Ohrid. Then we continue across Galicica National Park and over the Livada Pass (at 1568 metres), before heading down to Lake Prespa where we’ll stop for photos. We drive on to Podmochani village to visit the privately owned Ethno Museum. A local farmer has amassed an impressive collection of jewellery, weaponry, coins and over 140 national costumes, some of which date back over 300 years. Next we visit the ancient site of Heraclea with a local guide. 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 raided by the northern tribes and eventually falling into decay after an earthquake in AD518. Leaving here we drive on to the Pelister National Park where we will spend the night. This evening there is the opportunity to join a cooking class in our hotel to make the Macedonian speciality Zelnik.

Day 09: Visit the birthplace of Alexander the Great and UNESCO Listed Vergina (Greece)
This morning we leave North Macedonia and drive towards Thessaloniki, Greece’s second city. Our first stop will be at Vergina, which in ancient times was known as the city of Aigai and was the capital of the Macedonian kings. The ruins of Aigai were only rediscovered in 1977. With our local guide we will visit the spectacular royal tombs of King Phillip II and the young prince Alexander IV among others sights during out visit. After free time for lunch we will head back to Thessaloniki where you are free for the rest of the afternoon. We drive next to Pella where we take a guided tour of the ancient site and visit the museum. 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 is the mosaics depicting mythological scenes in coloured stone. We arrive at our hotel in Thessaloniki where this evening is free for you to have dinner and sample your first taste of traditional Greek cuisine, such as scrumptious aubergines, tomatoes and cheese washed down with ouzo or raki or perhaps you’d prefer to sample some of the fresh local seafood. The city tavernas here are known for their delicious grilled meats and the slow-cooked pork shank is especially worth trying.

Day 10: Explore Thessaloniki on foot with a local guide; free afternoon in the city Filled with the reminders of Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman rule, Thessaloniki is a vibrant city situated on the Thermaic Gulf. This morning on a guided tour we will discover the steep narrow streets and walk among the whitewashed houses with overhanging balconies leading to magnificent views down to the gulf and across the city. Along the way we’ll see the Roman Rotunda, the White Tower, Acropolis and impressive Saint Demetrius Church. After our explorations on foot you have the rest of the day free to discover more at your own pace. You might like to visit the Archaeological Museum or Byzantine Museum. Day 11: Drive to Kavala via Halkidiki Peninsula; boat trip to Mount Athos 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. We continue to Ouranopoli at the northern end, 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 and it’s still forbidden for women to step foot on the island. At its peak there were said to be 40 monasteries, but today the number has declined by half. After viewing the monasteries from our boat we have free time back on the mainland for lunch and to relax on the beach before continuing our journey to Kavala, a very attractive city formed around a harbour with an old quarter dominated by a Byzantine fortress. Day 12: Excursion to Thassos Island to explore or relax on the beach We begin today by driving to Keramoti to catch the ferry to Thassos Island (the crossing takes around 30 minutes). We have free time to explore the island on foot or local bus from the capital of Limenas, or relax on one of its superb beaches. Around Limenas there are a number of archaeological sites, including an ancient Roman theatre and a medieval fortress that offers stunning views of the surrounding area. Later in the afternoon we return by ferry to the mainland and to Kavala.

Day 13: Explore historical Philippi; drive to Bansko (Bulgaria)
This morning we leave Greece and head back to Bulgaria. We drive to Bansko via the ancient site of Philippi for a guided tour. Philippi’s claim to 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 was the army of imperial Rome, led by Mark Anthony and Octavian, and 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. In winter Bansko is a popular ski resort, sitting at 927 metres above sea level in the foothills of the Pirin Mountains. It has a pretty old town centre with its winding cobbled streets and stone clad buildings with red terracotta tiled roofs. There are a variety of restaurants, bars and shops here.

Day 14: Discover the beautiful Rila Monastery; free afternoon in Sofia
Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Rila Monastery is an important religious and cultural centre for the Bulgarian people. Remaining in wonderful condition it has the most stunning brightly coloured frescoes and distinctive striped brickwork. Originally founded in the 10th century the monastery served to preserve Bulgarian culture during the 400 years of Turkish rule and was a hiding place for the Bulgarian revolutionaries. Today the magnificent church and its museum house a priceless collection of frescoes, gilded iconostasis and religious art and artefacts. This morning we will have time to explore 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.

Day 15: Trip ends in Sofia, Bulgaria
The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Sofia. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Sofia at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you need to depart from Sofia Airport (SOF), which is about 30 minutes’ drive.

Includes
– Welcome on arrival with fresh flower garlands.
– Meet to attend airports / hotels by our office representative.
– 14 nights in accommodation as per the program.
– Daily breakfast, – Guide Services ( English language )
– Entrance fees to the monuments. – All taxes.

Excludes
– International flights
– Personal Expenses.
– Camera / Video Camera Fees.
– Medical Aid.
– Tipping.
– Travel Insurance.
– Visa If any.

Importanat information
– Accommodation in good hotels.
– Check-in / out time is 12 noon at most of the hotels.
– Extension to other places is also possible with a minimal extra cost.
– Additional nights are available at each place with minimal supplement.
– A visa is required and must be obtained prior to your departure from your Country.
– If quoted hotel is not available, we will provide one of a similar category and standard.
– Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, road conditions, flight schedules and room availability.
– In case the government changes presently applicable taxes, increase in airlines prices, fuel surcharge our rates will need to be adjusted accordingly.
– In Asia, there is no relevance between the distance and time of travelling, as it depends upon the condition of the roads and congestion of the traffic.
– While every effort will be made to maintain the itinerary, in view of local strikes etc that are beyond our control all schedule and itineraries are subject to last moment changes.
– Clients must be fully insured, as the company cannot accept liability for loss or damage to client’s property, medical emergencies or any other loss suffered by them whilst on tour.
– In Case of issuing Domestic or International air tickets, SGV is not responsible for any refund if the flight is delayed or cancelled, as it is the responsibility of airline.

Hotels

Place	Night (s)	Hotels
Sofia	01	Hilton Sofia
Macedonia Monastry	01	Macedonia Monastry
Skopje	02	Skopje Marriot Hotel
Ohrid	03	Inex Olgica Hotel & Spa
Pelister National Park	01	Hotel Shator
Thessaloniki	02	Ad Imperial plus hotel Thessaloniki
Kavala	02	Oceais Kavala
Bansko	01	Kempenski Hotel Grad Arena
Sofia	01	Hilton Sofia