Following the Holy Fathers

Take a closer look at how we have nourished the roots of our culture, values and traditions by embarking on this tour. Familiarize with our rich and varied cultural heritage that consists of archaeological sites, Byzantine churches, monasteries, old fortresses, old market places, and mosques, and gain a deeper understanding of our constant efforts to preserve and protect it.

Day 1

Arrival at the Alexander the Great airport. Tranfer to a hotel and accomodation. Skopje sightseeing conducted by a local tour guide ( the Bitpazar market, the Old Bazaar (Stara Charsija), the new square and the Kale Fortress, the Mother Theresa Memorial House, the church in construction Ss. Konstantine and Elena, the Stone Bridge, the St. Dimitrija church, Daut Pashin Amam, Cifte Amam, Kapan Han, Kurshumli Han, the Macedonia museum (exhibitions-archaeological, etnological and historical), the collection of icons and the church of St. Spas with the tomb of Goce Delcev. Lunch at a restaurant (Destan). An afternoon visit to the monastery that dates back to the 11th century, located on the slopes of the Skopska Crna Gora mountain, St. Nikita (a picturesque church painted by the icon painters Mihajlo and Eutihij). Returning to the hotel and spending the night.

Day 2 Skopje- Vodno- St. Pantelejmon- Matka (St. Bogorodica and St. Andrea)

A visit to the Vodno Mountain. Getting to the top of the mountain, Krstovar, by a cable car. A panoramic view to the city. Short break. Heading for the St. Pantelejmon monastery. A visit to Matka and the St. Bogorodica monastery and the church of St. Andrea. Lunch at the Canyon Matka restaurant in a pleasant atmosphere created by the surrounding lake and the high peaked rocks. After the lunch there is an optional visit to the Vrelo cave (an underwater cave which is 212 meters deep; it is the deepest cave on the Balkans and second in Europe), or free time activities. Returning to the hotel and spending the night.

Day 3 Skopje-Staro Nagoricane (St. Georgija)- Berovo (St. Archangel)

Departure for Berovo. A stopover in the church of St. Georgija, Staro Nagoricane (fresco elaborated by the famous icon painters Evtihij and Mihajlo). A stopover in Kratovo (one of the oldest towns in the Republic of Macedonia, located on an extinguished volcano) and a short break for lunch at the Kanu restaurant (pastrmajlija). After the lunch, visiting the town of Kochani (famous for the Kochani rice and the geothermal water). Arrival at Berovo. A visit to the St. Archangel Michael monastery. Accommodation at the hotel. Free time activities .

Day 4 Berovo-Strumica (Vodocha and Veljusa)- Prilep

Heading for Prilep in the morning hours. A stopover in the monastery of Vodocha ( a complex of churches, St. Leonti, and an icon painting school), and Veljusa (raised by the monk Manuil, dedicated to Holy Mary (the Holy Mother of Jesus) and counted as one of the most important monasteries contributing to the church and cultural history not only in the southeast part of Macedonia, but on the Balkans as well. Explanation of the resurrection of the monkhood in Macedonia. Heading for Prilep for lunch at a traditional Macedonia restaurant. Accommodation at the hotel. Free time activities.

Day 5 Prilep (Treskavec, Zrze) – Kurbinovo- Ohrid

An organized visit to the monastery in Varosh, Markovi Kuli and sightseeing. Lunch at the Treskavec monastery. A visit to the Zrze monastery with the ascetics’ caves complex dating back to the 11th century. Heading for Ohrid with a stopover at the Prespa lake and a visit to Kurbinovo. A stopover in the church dedicated to the Macedonian Saint Erasmo. Arrival at Ohrid and accommodation at the hotel. Free time activities. Spending the night.

Day 6 Ohrid (Plaosnik, Kaneo, St.Sofia, St. Bogorodica) – St. Naum- Ohrid

An organized visit to to Plaosnik ( St. Clement’s bones), Kaneo, the ancient amphitheatre, the Samoil’s Fortress, St. Bogorodica with the collection of icons, St. Sofia and other churches from the old part of the town. Heading for the monastery complex of St. Naum by bus or boat (the tomb of St. Naum). Arrival. Lunch at the Ostrovo restaurant. An organized visit to the monastery and the surrounding churches. Heading back to the hotel. Spending the night.

Day 7 Ohrid- Jance- St. Jovan Bigorski

Heading for the monastery of St. Bigorski with a stopover in Rajcica for a visit of the St. Gjorgji monastery, the atelier for making mitres and for getting familiar with the monastic life. Arrival at the St. Bigorski monastery and accommodation. A detailed explanation about the fresco and the iconostasis given by Father Sergej. Heading to village of Jance. Accommodation and lunch at the Tuto restaurant. Free time activities

Day 8 St. Jovan Bigorski- Mavrovo- Skopje

Setting out for Mavrovo after the home-made breakfast, served with mountain tea or fresh coffee. Sightseeing and lunch at the Mavrovski merak restaurant. Heading for the Skopje airport.

DURATION: 8 days – 7 nights
AVAILABLE DURING: from March till October
INCLUSIONS: Accommodation : Skopje /Berovo/Prilep/ Ohrid (4*Hotel /BB) Janche village (3*Hotel/BB) , all transfers with a comfortable A/C car or minivan, 8 lunch courses , Entrance fee in the Churches, Professional tour guide (in Skopje, Ohrid) , tour guide
EXCLUSIONS: Entrance fee for Museums, Room Service, Dinners, Drinks , travel insurance (recommended) , tips and gratuities (optional)