MACEDONIA Culinary experience (9 days)

Macedonia remains one of Europe’s last undiscovered spots. Being centrally located in the Balkans, this country is a crossroad between the East and West, Christianity and Islam, melting pot of civilizations, mix which has always reflected in its culture and overall way of life even to this day. In this trip You will experience firsthand Macedonia’s rich and diverse gastronomy and beautiful nature in the areas of Skopje, Mavrovo, Ohrid, Prespa and Tikvesh, while exploring the historical amenities of Skopje and the beautiful Ohrid – Macedonia’s UNESCO world heritage site and one of Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited human settlements. In each area visited, the guests will sample local cuisine typical for the place from locally sourced ingredients, cook together with the hosts if they wish so, and pair the delicious food with Macedonia’s famous wines and spirits.

Itinerary

1^st day: flight to Skopje

Meeting at the airport, departure to Macedonia.

2^nd day: Skopje

Arrival to Macedonia. Transfer to the hotel. Short walking sightseeing tour of amenities in the old part of town (Skopje Fortress, Old Bazaar, Stone Bridge, Mother Theresa memorial house, Old Railway Station). Welcome dinner is served in traditional restaurant in the old part of Skopje.

Activities: sightseeing
Meals: D (local restaurant).

Accommodation: 4* hotel in Skopje

3^rd day: Matka Canyon – Tetovo – Mavrovo

Checkout after breakfast and departure to the Matka Canyon – Skopje’s most famous tourist attraction. Sightseeing of the medieval monasteries in the canyon (St.Andreja, St.Nikola Shishevski). There is the possibility for a boat trip along the lake (30 mins in one direction), to the Vrelo cave. On the way back from the canyon, in the village of Shishevo our guests will enjoy the typical dishes of Skopje (traditional meze – appetizers), pleaskavica/kebabche (meat dishes). After lunch, we are transferred to our next base, the Mavrovo National Park. If time allows, we can make short en-route stop at the Painted Mosque of Tetovo (XV century), one of most beautiful Islamic structures the Ottomans left behind them in the Balkans. The mosque is famous for its beautifully decorated façade. Dinner and overnight in the Mavrovo National Park.

Activities: sightseeing / gastronomy

Meals: B, L (Shishevo), D (restaurant)

Accommodation: 4* hotel in Mavrovo

4^th day: Mavrovo National Park – Gastronomy of Miyak area

Breakfast. Today we enjoy the gastronomy of the Mavrovo National Park. After breakfast, the group will be transferred to the village of Galichnik, one of most celebrated locations in recent Macedonian history, also a place known for its premium dairy products – the white and yellow sheep cheese, sour milk (kiselo mleko), and bakardan (dish made out of corn flour). Before lunch, we will tour the village, admire it’s typical Miyak architecture, the central church of St. Nikola, and if time allows, pay a visit to the village museum. Lunch is served in a small family owned restaurant in the early evening hours. Dinner and overnight.

Activities: walking / gastronomy / sightseeing

Meals: B (hotel), L (Galichnik), D (local restaurant)

Accommodation: 4* hotel in Mavrovo

5^th day: Mavrovo National Park – Gastronomy of Reka area

Breakfast. Today we explore the southern part of the Mavrovo National Park, ethnically and culturally different from the other areas because of the presence of indigenous community of Macedonian Muslims. After checking out from our hotel, we will get transferred to the villages of Rostushe and Janche, two largest living villages in the area. In Rostushe we will visit the beautiful Duf waterfall (cca 40mins visit), and in Janche we will sample the local culinary wonders (pie, zelnik, sheker pare, mountain tea from local herbs), food prepared by local village women.

In the afternoon we get transferred to Ohrid. Short en-route stop is made at the Monastery of St. John the Baptist (XI cent.), most famous in the area for its wooden carved iconostasis. Arrival in Ohrid in the evening hours.

Activities: walking / gastronomy / sightseeing

Meals: B (hotel), L (Janche), D (restaurant)

Accommodation: 4* hotel in Ohrid.

6^th day: Ohrid – UNESCO world natural and cultural heritage site of Macedonia – Gastronomy of Ohrid

Breakfast. We will use this relaxing day for morning walking sightseeing tour of the old part of Ohrid – UNESCO world cultural heritage site. Sites visited include: Tsar Samuil’s Fortress, the Amphitheater, Plaoshnik complex, church of St. Sofia. After the sightseeing, we will get transferred to the village of Kuratica, in the area of Debarca. Lunch is arranged in a family house. Today’s selection is dishes typical for the Ohrid area: Gjomleze (local pie), stuffed peppers, eggs with dried red peppers, pork with leeks. After lunch, guests are transferred back in Ohrid, where they will enjoy free afternoon/evening.

Activities: gastronomy / sightseeing

Meals: B (hotel), L (Kuratica)

Accommodation: 4* hotel in Ohrid.

7^th day: Gastronomy of Prespa – village of Brajchino

Breakfast. After checkout and cca 1.5 hours transfer in the morning, we will arrive in the picturesque village of Brajchino. Brajchino is the most beautiful village at the east side of the Prespa lake, in the Pelister National Park. Our hosts for today will demonstrate preparation of Prespa Carp, komat (local pie) and different cold appetizers from peppers (pindzur) and garlic (makalo). In the late afternoon we will depart to the Tikvesh wine region, in the vicinity of Demir Kapija. Wine tasting is arranged for our farewell dinner in a local winery. Overnight.

Activities: walking / gastronomy / wine tasting

Meals: B (hotel), L (Brajchino), D (winery)

Accommodation: Winery in the Tikvesh region

8^th day: Skopje – back

Breakfast, check out. Transfer to the Skopje airport. Departure to your destination.

9^th day: Flight back

Arrival to your destination.