Arrival Skopje – Skopje City Tour
Arrival at Skopje International Airport. Transfer at the hotel. In the afternoon we start the city tour of Skopje, inhabited since at least 4000 BC. Visit the city center, the bridges, old ottoman bazaar and Kale Fortress.
Entrance to the Archeological Museum, offering archeological relics from ancient Macedonian times, including coins & statues. Welcome dinner in a local restaurant, with a traditional menu and overnight.

Skopje – Skupi – Aqueduct – Matka – Skopje
This morning we visit the archaeological site of Skupi,
Skupi is one of the largest Roman towns dating from the Late Antiquity. The site contains structures which date from the first to the sixth century, as well as remains of an early Christian church and tombs around it. It is estimated that the territory of Skopje has been inhabited for at least 4000 years with evidence of Neolithic settlements found in the Kale Fortress in the city center.
During the era of Philip of Macedon and his son Alexander, Skopje became more important during their expansion of ancient Macedonia. In the first century under Roman rule it became a legionary camp. After the ninth century Skopje became a significant Byzantine seat for the Orthodox Church in Macedonia. In 1392 it was conquered by the Ottoman Turks for the next 5 centuries.
Next to the center of Skupi, we will visit an ancient very well preserved aqueduct.
In the afternoon we depart to Matka Canyon, which is a protected nature reserve and home to several medieval monasteries, caves, and rich flora and fauna.
Relaxing time in the park and in the afternoon we enjoy a boat trip through Vrelo Cave.
In the evening return to Skopje for overnight,

Skopje – Stobi Archeological Park – Heraclea Lyncestis – Ohrid
Today we head towards the UNESCO town of Ohrid, passing by 2 main archeological sites: Stobi and Heraclea
Stobi, or Stoboi, was an ancient town of Paeonia, later conquered by Macedon, and later turned into the capital of the Roman province of Macedonia Salutaris.
In 168 BC, the Romans defeated Perseus and Macedonia was divided into four nominally independent republics. In 148 BC, the four areas of Macedonia were brought together in a unified Roman province. In the reign of Augustus the city grew in size and population. The city grew further in 69 BC once it became a municipium, at which time it began to produce coins printed with Municipium Stobensium. The citizens of Stobi enjoyed Ius Italicum and were citizens of Rome. Most belonged to the Roman tribes Aemila and Tromentina. During Roman times Stobi was the capital of the Roman province Macedonia Salutaris. Emperor Theodosius I stayed in Stobi in 388. Late in the 5th century the city underwent a terrible turn of events. In 479, it was robbed by Theodoric, an Ostrogothic king. The citizens reconstructed the city, but in 518 it was struck by a powerful earthquake. Avaro-Slavic invasions in the 6th century destroyed the city’s economy and infrastructure.
Stobi region is famous also for its vineyards and wineries. We stop for lunch and wine tasting in one of the local wineries.
In the afternoon we visit Heraclea Lyncestis, an ancient Greek city in Macedon, ruled later by the Romans. It was founded by Philip II of Macedon in the middle of the 4th century BC.
In the evening we arrive in Ohrid, an old town located in the shores of Ohrid Lake – one of the biggest in the region. Overnight,

Ohrid – Bay of bones – Boat tour in the lake – Ohrid
This morning we take a guided tour of Ohrid, a jewel of Macedonia. In it’s narrow alleys lies history dating back over 3.000 years. Both the city and the lake are inscribed on the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage list.
We walk through the streets of Ohrid to reach the highest point – Samuil’s Fortress, which offers wonderful landscapes of the city and Lake. We will visit the cathedral Church of St. Sofia, the Ancient theatre, and from the medieval church St. John the Evangelist,
Boat tour in the lake, before our transfer to the reconstruction of a prehistoric settlement from the Bronze age, called The Bay of bones or Museum on water. Relaxing afternoon in Ohrid, and overnight.

Ohrid – Mavrovo National Park – Skopje
Today we return to Skopje for our last overnight in Macedonia.
Along the way we visit the National Park of Mavrovo and St Bigorski Monastery, founded in 1020. Inside the church, we will see the Miraculous Icon of St. John the Baptist, more than 12 centuries old.
Driving further we stop in small town of Tetovo.
Archaeologists have found evidence of human settlement dating back more than six thousand years ago. We will see the old fortress dating back from 1820 and many beautiful churches and mosques. We will visit the Aladza Painted Mosque with the beautifully-decorated exterior located in the old part of Tetovo.
In the evening we reach Skopje, and stop for farewell dinner in a local restaurant with traditional cuisines and live folk music.

Skopje – Return Flight
Breakfast at the hotel. Free time in Skopje until transfer to the airport for your return flight.