Day
1
Skopje
Skopje has blossomed into a vibrant city and an exciting tourist destination. Skopje can be gladly visited the whole year-round. Summer lasts from June to August. In March and April it is SKOMRAHI- an international meeting of film and drama students from Southeastern Europe and Austria ; in May you can visit the May Opera Evenings which has been held since 1972 and the International Book Fair and Libro Graphic. In June or August, the Skopje Summer Festival is held, and in October, Skopje Jazz Festival.
Skopje is the capital of Macedonia, and a large part of the city is newly built, as many buildings collapsed during the earthquake in 1963. The city’s most attractive neighborhood is Skopje old town with its bazaar. The area is full of shops and restaurants, and it is also here that you’ll find The Church of Holy Saviors and most of the monuments from the time of the Ottoman Empire. The old town has atmosphere and charm and can tell you interesting stories about the city’s history.
Part One of this tour
We begin the sightseeing of Skopje from Skopje Fortress which is renewed and from where you have a magnificent view over the town. Then we’ll see the old Church of Holy Saviour with its fantastic iconostasis. Five Hundred years of Ottoman influence in the region have left Skopje with a distinct oriental feel and look. Мany of these interesting and important historical and cultural monuments from that period remain and are the real tourist attraction and on this tour, we shall visit most of them. Among them is Sultan Murat Mosque also known as Mustafa Pasha Mosque built by Sultan Murat II, the Ottoman Inns (Hans), and the Old Bazaar which is a genuine Balkan experience with many small streets and houses, hand craft shops, restaurants and coffee places.
From there we’ll cross the River Vardar over the ancient Stone Bridge which has been the symbol of Skopje and is the characteristic element of the coat of arms of the city, and head to the newer part of the town on the right side of the river. On the new rebuild, Macedonia square we’ll see the grandiose statue of Alexander the Great, the other statues and new interesting buildings around the square. Walking along the main street, Macedonia street, we’ll come to Mother Teresa memorial house. The peace Nobel prize winner Mother Teresa was born and brought up not so far away from the memorial house. The first part of this Skopje one day tour will end at the Old Railway station ruined by the earthquake in 1963 which is the museum of Skopje.
Part Two
After a short break (lunch) will continue with a visit to the church St.Panteleimon on the Mountain Vodno and the Millennium Cross where there will be an able panoramic view of the City of Skopje and the beautiful landscape of the surrounding mountains and their green valleys. We continue to Canyon Matka where we will have the opportunity to enjoy the many amenities of the canyon. (Optional drive to the deepest cave Vrelo). Return to Skopje and visit one of the three aqueducts on Balkan which is assumed to be built in the time of the Roman Empire.