All Tastes of Macedonia

This Macedonia Gastro tour deepens cross-cultural understanding of regional lifestyles and offers a unique insight into a community’s view of the world. Culinary type of travel is highly valued by tourists as it allows visitors time to relax and appreciate the local gastronomy, while sharing enlightening conversation with others and drinking in the surrounding natural beauty. Uniquely attractive Macedonia tour with plenty of various memorable experiences and soft hiking and outdoor activities in cooperation with our great Macedonian partner Macedonia Travel

Day 1     Skopje arrival

Meet your guide over a dinner in the Bohemian district of Skopje, and discuss the tour logistics and Macedonian customs while sampling grilled cheese, peppers, and courgettes and while learning the first lesson in Macedonian cuisine – Eat slow ! Enjoy your fresh “meze” /starter/, as you sip rakiya. Overnight in 4 stars hotel in Skopje. (D)

Day 2     Skopje gastro tour – culinary course

Rise early so you can buy the best ingredients on the green market of Skopje ! Your chef will guide you through the colorful booths with fruits and spices, and will teach you how to find the most aromatic and best tasting tomato, zucchini or garlic and during the joyful culinary course make you know how to use how to use them in your make-your-Balkan-style-lunch classes. Premium Vranec wine tasting …. Afternoon walks in Canyon Matka Nature Reserve, with boat ride along the nature reserve – home to the Bald Eagle and to over 200 butterfly species. Overnight in Skopje hotel. (B, L)

Day 3     Skopje – Tetovo – Mavrovo NP

Explore Skopje on foot: from the Mother Teresa monument in the busy center, and over the recently reconstructed city square with many monuments, baroque museums and bridges over the Vardar river enter to the maze of narrow cobble-stoned streets of the Skopje Old Bazaar, lined with art-craft shops and oriental restaurants and Turkish teashops. Departure to Mavrovo NP, visit the Painted mosque and the Dervish convent in Tetovo and stay overnight in Mavrovo 4 stars hotel. (B, L, D)

Day 4     Mavrovo Galicnik country tour 

Join the shepherds on Mt Bistra and learn how they produce their sharp sheep cheese. We’ll spend the day walking in the Mavrovo National Park with few stops in old mountain villages to taste and learn the recipes of their natural homemade products. Optional: roll up your sleeves and try to milk a sheep. It’s fun! In Galicnik village we’ll meet Mrs. Elena, we’ll try her delicious natural homemade jams and we’ll learn how to make the original kachamak and homemade yoghurt. Dinner on the balcony with best view over the Radika River valley. Overnight in comfortable 4 stars hotel in tiny Jance village. (B, L, D)

Day 5    Mavrovo – Ohrid 

Morning coffee with the local women at their home, where we’ll learn about their traditional lifestyle and their colorful handmade accessories. On our way to Ohrid, we’ll visit the cave churches and the monk cells carved in the rocks above Ohrid Lake. Afternoon guided tour of Ohrid old town – the cultural capital of Macedonia protected by UNESCO and the birthplace of the Cyrillic script. Dinner in a restaurant on the beach. Overnight in Ohrid 4 stars hotel. (B, L, D)

Day 6    Ohrid – Saint Naum Monastery – Dihovo village

Boat ride along the Ohrid lake shore with few stops to visit the prehistoric settlement of the Bay of Bones, the monastery complex of Saint Naum and for swim on a hidden beach by Saint Zaum. After the lunch in a fishermen village we’ll drive to Dihovo village for relaxing evening with our lovely hosts over a delicious dinner paired with their homemade beer and wine. Overnight in Dihovo village household or Bitola 4 stars hotel. (B, L, D)

Day 7     Bitola – Mariovo farm – Popova Kula Winery Hotel

Morning walk and coffee in one of the cafes on the main pedestrian street of Bitola – the “city of consuls” with typical neoclassical style buildings. Visit of the lively old town and bazaar in Prilep to taste the best “bieno” (beaten) cheese made by Mariovo farmers. Afternoon drive through the wine area with visit of the Royal winery and to a small communist style winery – the main supplier of wine to the great Marshall Tito. Dinner with wine-tasting and tour of the cellars of chateau Popova Kula. Overnight in Popova Kula hotel. (B, L, D)

Day 8    Popova kula Winery – Skopje 

After breakfast visit of the wine museum in Demir Kapija, and continue to Skopje Airport for flight home, or to extend your tour at a rural household, or in Serbia. If time allows, we’ll visit Stobi archaeological site on our way – the ancient trading city built at the sunset of the great Macedonian kingdom. (B)

Note : tour can be extended with 2 days either in Dihovo village or with similar route in Serbia.

Prices /double occupancy/

4-5 participants 1355 EUR per person; 6-7 participants 1195 EUR per person
8-11 participants 1050 EUR per person; 12-16 participants 895 EUR per person

Included in price: Accommodation: 2 x hotel 5*, 2 x hotel 4*, 1 x guesthouse, 1 x boutique hotel, 1 x winery chateau, Meals: 7 x breakfast, 6 x lunch, 6 x dinner, Transport by air-conditioned van / minibus, full escort by professional tourist guide, cooking classes (2 days), boat ride in Matka and in Ohrid, cheese farm visit in National Park Mavrovo, tasting of homemade products in Galicnik, traditional welcome by the women artisans in Mavrovo, hiking guide in Mavrovo, entrance fees for cultural sites, 24 hours support and logistics by Macedonia Travel and Panacomp Wonderland Travel

Not included in price: drinks during the meals, travel insurance, any extra personal expenses not mentioned under „included in price”

APPLICATION DEADLINE : 90 DAYS PRIOR DEPARTURE