Villagers in Macedonia are known for unique crafts skills as woodcarving and filigree and weaving colorful blankets and carpets. In old bazaars (street markets) in the larger cities, one comes across dozens of artisans. These include small goldsmith and silversmith shops run by various local craftsmen and selling beautiful, delicate jewelry; stomnari, or urn-makers, who still produce glazed terracotta utensils such as urns, pitchers, cups, and bowls; and Asian-style carpet shops. Though mostly mountainous, Macedonia also encompassed the valleys of the Bistrica (Halijakmon), Vardar (Axios) and Struma rivers, all of which drain into the Aegean Sea. Macedonia as also known as Vardar Macedonia named after the Vardar River which flows almost the entire length of the country. For the local people of different parts of the country, waterfalls are places where religious holidays are celebrated, where illnesses are healed, where winter is bid farewell and spring welcome. Believed it or not, there are about 150 waterfalls in Macedonia. The highest one is on mountain Korab. It is 138 meters high and is located under the top Mal Korab, near the former village Zuznje. Hidden in the deepest forests, visited only by the bravest and the most persistent nature lovers, the waterfalls may be a unique event and adventure. There are waterfalls on the mountains Korab, Shara, Jablanica, but the most visited are the waterfall in Smolare and Koleshino, at the slopes of the mountain Belasica. At the border between Macedonia, Bulgaria and Greece, at 650 meters above the see level the Smolare waterfall is located. It is one of the biggest waterfalls on Belasica, where the water falls from the rocks at a height of 35-40 meters. The area around the waterfall is abundant with vegetation and moss that never changes its green color. Here, during winter, nature creates the most beautiful icicles hanging over the rocks. In front of the waterfall there is a hole for which the locals tell their own story. The legend says that King Marko jumped with his horse from the waterfall, and the horse's shoe made a hole in the stone. The people from Smolare call this whole "dira". Combining these qualities with the country's dramatic mountains and canyons, its deep lakes and rivers, Macedonia has something for everyone...

To wake up with a view at Prespa Lake, to feel the excitement of the visit to the unique snake island Big City or to touch the three century old, hand-made folk costume - is there anything more exciting than that!. In the morning try a local desert made of figs or mush, for launch try fresh "gjomleze" baked under vrshnik (iron pan for baking a bread), in the evening before you go to bed, have a liquor made in Strumica and nail your look to the beautiful mountain of Belasica. Then you'll feel Macedonia.

Major tourist centers/spots of Macedonia : Bitola, Dojran Lake, Galicica National Park, Jakupica Mountain, Kokino, Korab Mountain, Krusevo, Mariovo, Marko's Monastery, Matka Canyon, Mavrovo, Ohrid, Ohrid Lake, Pelister National Park, Prespa Lake, Prilep, Saint Panteleimon Monastery in Nerezi village, Saint John the Theologian Bigorski Monastery, Scupi, Stobi, Struga, Skopje, Sar Mountain, Trebeniste village, Zrze Monastery.....

Skopje is the capital of Macedonia with over 600000 inhabitants. Major tourist centers of Macedonia are Ohrid, Struga, Prespa, Dojran and winter ski centers are Shar Planina, Pelister, Mavrovo and Krushevo. The three ancient tectonic lakes of Ohrid, Prespa and Dojran have been protected by law, owing to their unique natural characteristics and their importance for science. Scenic Ohrid and Prespa Lakes are located close to each other and are surrounded by spectacular mountain ranges that provide abundance of natural and cultural attractions. In the gorgeous mountainous area above Ohrid and Struga are the municipalities of Debarca and Vevcani with some of the most interesting villages in the world. Every village has traditional architecture including churches, which are filled with burning candles, ancient murals and icons of Orthodox saints. There are picturesque stone houses and barns and outdoor ovens for baking bread and orchards and vineyards and fast flowing streams and old women dressed in colorful traditional costumes..... Here shepherds and their dogs tend flocks of sheep and goats and donkeys laden with hay nostalgically make their way down narrow trails and up cobblestone streets. In Vevcani village there is a complex of textile washing mills, more than 300 years old, unique in the region and real rarity of Macedonia. All kinds of textile products are being washed and milled in these textile washing mills, but most of all the products such as bed covers, carpets, rugs etc are made of natural wool. When being dried on the pleasant Macedonia sun in the heart of the nature they get beautiful Every where there are friendly people eager to offer you priceless insights into their timeless existence...

Eastern part of Macedonia is even more tempting. Forgotten by outsiders and Macedonians alike, the enchanted east of the country is brimming over with natural beauty, historical attractions and sheer life. "Poleka, poleka'' ('slowly, slowly') say the Macedonians; this approach to life helps explain a sluggish economy, but is also highly instructive for the way one should approach traveling in their country. A good time to go to the southeast is the second week of September, when it's still hot but not oppressively so, and the red peppers are drying in every door frame, and the leaves are just starting to turn in the highest isolated peaks. The villages around Berovo area flourish with time-honored tales of bleak nature and the hardy folk who've tamed it. In Vladimirovo, a few miles to the west, locals speak reverentially of the man who wrestled a wolf with his bare hands until the beast was dead; no one can remember another case where such a thing was heard of. Berovo village is also well known for its potato and the white cheese. The Malesevo region is full of pine and oak trees, which is why Berovo craftsmen are well known for their skill in traditional wood crafting.

http://www.macedonia-timeless.com/ Macedonia Tourist Destination Pristop