Macedonia is a beautiful county, situated right in the centre of the fascinating & diverse ‘Balkans’ region of Europe. However in recent years, with a lack of package holidays, it has largely been unvisited by Westerners.
 

Ancient Name – New Country The name ‘Macedonia’ is certainly familiar to most, and is arguably the oldest surviving country name within the continent of Europe. However, the modern country of Macedonia is very new, gaining its independence from The Former Yugoslavia as recently as 1991. Despite having an estimated half a million foreign visitors annually prior to its independence, it has almost become the forgotten country of this region – a real shame, as it has lost none of its riches, charm and attraction. The fact that it is so little known and visited, is now part of its appeal, and Macedonia and its people are ready and excited to show off their ‘new’ country, and make the visitor feel as welcome as they can.

History Archaeological evidence suggests that European civilisation existed in the area of the modern independent Macedonia, as long ago as 3500 BC, but Macedonia’s ancient history is dominated by the legendry Alexander the Great who reigned between 356 and 323 BC.

Right up to very modern times, it has been subsequently conquered, divided, and influenced by the various surrounding empires, powers and counties. This diverse, layered and dramatic history, has left a country with Roman, Byzantine, Slavic and Turkish influences, and one that is rich in archaeology, ancient relics and sites - a real melting pot of religions, traditions and cultures.

Geography and Climate Located right in the centre of the Balkans region of Europe, and bordering Greece, Serbia & Montenegro, Bulgaria and Albania, Macedonia is often referred to as the ‘Pearl of the Balkans’. The country only covers an area approximately the size of Wales, yet, like its history, its Geography and Climate are both dramatic and varied.

The landscape is mostly mountainous and forested, with huge natural Lakes in the South West. A continental climate of hot dry summers and cold winters exists, with local variations especially in the areas of the large lakes, where a more seasonal climate can be found.

The Region of ‘Ohrid’ The region of the City of Ohrid and Lake Ohrid on which it sits, is quite rightly considered as the ‘Jewel of Macedonia’. The region provides all Macedonia has to offer in one place, and certainly offers the country’s most pleasant climate.

Since 1980, the city and region of Ohrid, has been declared as an area of outstanding natural beauty, and one of the world’s few United Nations’ UNESCO ‘World Heritage’ sites. The climate around Lake Ohrid is very comfortable and pleasant, with daytime Summer temperatures ranging from the high 20’s to the low 30’s

The Old Town area of Ohrid City is full of charm and character, and with its unique architecture, squares, cobbled streets, and ancient sites, it is in itself a ‘living museum’. One of the oldest cities in the Balkans, the city is full of churches, basilicas and monasteries, some of them tiny and hidden away, and often containing incredibly intricate wood carvings, and numerous unique frescos and icons.

The shops sell traditional items that are often unique in the world to this city, such as ‘Filigree’ – hand made silver jewellery, and perhaps most famous – ‘Ohrid Pearl’, made from the scales of the lake’s little fish ‘Plasica’, and fashioned into numerous types of jewellery and ornaments.

The Ohrid Summer Festival, held every year, provides classical music, ballet, opera and theatre, mainly from the Balkan region, but also from the rest of Europe and the world. Performances are held in the magnificent ancient venues of the city, notably the 3000 seat open air Antique Greco-Roman Amphitheatre (300 BC), and the beautiful Cathedral Church of St. Sophia ( 11th Cent. ).

Ohrid offers many choices for eating and drinking, and the pleasant evening temperatures and unrushed nature of the restaurants means one can enjoy a meal, listen to the live Balkan music, gaze out at the lake, and relax…The food varies from local delicacies such as Ohrid Trout, (large, delicious and unique to this lake), through to the usual European cuisine.

Large open air meat grills offer huge BBQ dishes, such as ‘Kebabcinja’ – a stack of small kebab type sausages served with traditional bread, salad, and usually a nice cold beer !

As well as the excellent local beers, meals may be enjoyed with the very high quality local wines, and for the brave hearted, the local spirit ‘Rakija’ – a grape or plum based drink, best drunk in small doses ! With a restaurant meal often costing less than £ 5 per person, a good bottle of wine less than £3, and a beer under £1, you can certainly afford to eat and drink well here !

For those that want to party, the numerous bars and clubs, mainly dotted along the edge of the lake, are open till late and are accommodating and friendly, ( there is definitely no ‘binge-drinking crowd’ here ! ).

Lake Ohrid is the largest and most beautiful of the Macedonian lakes, with crystal clear water, and surrounded by high mountains. It is actually the oldest lake in Europe and one of the deepest, its water’s clarity due to it being fed by numerous natural springs. Its shores are mainly populated by small fishing villages, and at the Macedonian / Albanian border the 900 AD St Naum Monastery can be found – a real paradise, and famous for being the birthplace of the Cyrillic alphabet.
 

Numerous beaches exist along the shores, and in summer the water is clean, warm and calm – perfect for bathing. The Lake and its shores may be explored by boat, car, bicycle or foot, boat often being the only way to access some of the sites and beaches. For the more adventuress, and if you know where to go, trekking, mountain biking and even paragliding are available in the surrounding mountains.

Macedonia, and in particular the region of Ohrid, is a perfect mixture of old world charm and beautiful resort, and somewhere new, different and immensely rewarding to visit.

With its climate, unspoilt character, refreshing lack of noisy tourists, low prices, and numerous attractions and treasures, it is somewhere that will appeal to a complete range of visitors - historians, archaeologists, walkers, sun bathers, families, couples, individuals, young and old alike.