Byzantine Ohrid – Skopje and Thessaloniki

After breakfast, we will visit the central square of St. Clement, passing through the picturesque alleys of the old town to visit one of the 365 churches in Ohrid, the Church of St. Sophia from the 11th century. We will also visit the Roman theater from the 1st century AD, located on the heights of the city. Free time in the central pedestrian street for shopping and strolling. In the afternoon, we will take a cruise on Lake Ohrid, the second largest lake in the Balkans, to enjoy a view of the city from the lakeside. Return to the hotel, dinner, and overnight stay.

After breakfast, we will depart for the Water Museum, known as the "Bay of Bones." This is a floating museum, unique in its kind, which showcases a prehistoric settlement dating back to 1200-700 BC. Next, we continue to the Byzantine Monastery of St. Naum, located on a hill with panoramic views of the lake and nearby Albanian shores. In the monastery’s gardens, you will see numerous peacocks roaming freely. The monastery features stunning frescoes, and from here, the Greek monks Cyril and Methodius began teaching the Slavs the alphabet (Cyrillic) and the Bible. Return to the hotel with free time in the evening. We recommend a stroll or a coffee with a view of the beautiful lake. For art lovers, a visit to the Robi House, housing the archaeological and ethnographic museum of the city, is also suggested. Dinner and overnight stay.

After breakfast, we will head to the neighboring resort of Struga for a tour. We will then continue along a beautiful green route, crossing the Rantica Canyon, the largest accessible canyon in Europe, next to the Driem River, where nature presents a stunning display of colors. We will visit the St. John the Baptist Monastery - Bigorski, known for its magnificent wooden iconostasis. Our next stop will be the resort of Mavrovo, located on the shores of the homonymous lake. There will be free time for a walk and coffee. Finally, we will arrive in Skopje, check-in at the hotel, and have free time. Overnight stay.

After breakfast, we will start our tour in Skopje with a walk around the central square, seeing Mother Teresa’s house, the old railway station, the old stone bridge, the Bridge of Artists, and the Church of the Savior. We will then head to the old town and the Oriental Bazaar, where you will have free time for shopping in the numerous Oriental-style shops and tasting the famous kebabs. We continue our journey to the Matka Canyon, a UNESCO-protected area, renowned for its extraordinary beauty. The Treska River flows through the canyon, creating several deep lakes. It is considered one of the 77 top natural attractions in the world. You can take a walk to enjoy the views, or for those interested, take a boat ride. Return to the hotel in the evening. We suggest an optional night out at a venue with music.

After breakfast, you will have free time to complete any shopping in Skopje. Early in the afternoon, we depart for the border and, with suitable stops, arrive in Thessaloniki. Check-in at the hotel with free time for the rest of the day.

After breakfast, you will have a little free time in Thessaloniki before transferring to the airport for the return flight to Larnaca. Another unforgettable journey ends, filled with the beauty of nature and the rich cultural heritage of the cities we visited.