Family Adventure Tour

Overview

A memorable family experience that will take you on new challenges, reconnect you with nature, and show you places that you learned in history classes. You choose if you wish a dose of adventure, or to enjoy a less intensive holiday, or somewhere in the middle. Our approach is flexible, so let us know what you like and we’ll tailor your holiday to your needs.

Highlights:

- Skopje historic sites, the Mother Teresa memorial house, Charshi – the biggest Ottoman time market in Europe, the Millennium Cross on the top of Vodno Mountain
- A fun day of truffle hunting with specialized dogs
- Visit the Kokino megalithic observatory and the Valley of the Stone Dolls
- Fun and climb adventure at the rocks of the Iron Gate
- Explore the mountain villages and historical trails in Pelister National Parks
- See Bitola, the town with an urban tradition of 1.600 years and the famous mosaics of ancient Heraclea Lyncestis
- Immerse yourself in the beauty of Ohrid and Ohrid Lake – they are both on the UNESCO World Heritage list
- Connect with nature on a camping trip in the National Park Mavrovo
- Take a boating tour to Cave Vrelo in Canyon Matka nature reserve

Difficulty Grading:

Easy walks are designed for people who enjoy the outdoors and relaxed walks with ample time to enjoy the attractions along the route.

Itinerary:

DAY 1-3: Skopje

Your family adventure starts in Skopje, the capital city of Macedonia. Explore this ancient city with its eclectic blend of Byzantine, Ottoman, and Roman treasures. Take the cable car to the Millennium Cross for the spectacular 360-degree panorama of the mountain chains surrounding Skopje Valley.

Go truffle mushroom hunting in the footsteps of professional truffle hunters and their specially trained dogs.

DAY 4-5: Kratovo

Learn how the ancient community used the Kokino megalithic observatory to observe the movements of the sun and moon. According to NASA, it is the fourth oldest observatory site in the world, after Abu Simbel in Egypt, Stonehenge in Britain, and Angkor Wat in Cambodia. See the “Stone Dolls,” eroded rock formations that over time have transformed into intriguing shapes that resemble humans.

Explore Kratovo, the town of medieval bridges and towers, and enjoy the fun & climb experience at the rocks of the Iron Gate. Our guides and instructors will prepare everything for you, so you can only climb and enjoy.

DAY 6-7: Bitola

Explore Bitola, with its pedestrian-only walkway lined with colorful, romantic, neo-classical buildings that tell of the former glory of the town, when every major European country had a consulate here. See the mosaics at the archaeological site of Heraclea, founded in the mid-4th century BC by Philip II of Macedonia, the father of Alexander the Great.

Walk through pine forests on the WW1 trail in the National Park Pelister and see the fascinating world of honey bees at a local beekeeper. He will share with you the secrets of bees, beekeeping, and bee products as you walk together around the bee hives (protective clothes included).

DAY 8-10: Ohrid Old Town

Take a stroll through the cobblestoned alleys of Ohrid Old Town, one of the oldest settlements in Europe, with archaeological sites from the Neolithic, Bronze Age, and Hellenistic periods. See Tzar Samoil’s fortress, shop for Ohrid pearls, and visit the unique workshop for hand-made paper.

Take a boating tour and dine at the fisherman’s house, visit the ancient Bay of Bones on a kayaking tour, and enjoy swimming on a hidden beach. Learn about the Cyrillic script at its birthplace, at St Naum monastery. Enjoy sailing, paddleboarding, or a cruise in the calm waters of Ohrid Lake.

DAY 11-13: Mavrovo National Park

Connect with nature! We will take you camping in the forests of Mavrovo National Park where you can switch off, relax, and get back in touch with nature and the family. We will provide tents, inflatable camping mattresses, and sleeping bags. You will engage in the BBQ together with us.

DAY 14-15: Canyon Matka

Explore Canyon Matka. Home to bald eagles, endemic plant life, and over 130 different types of butterflies, this scenic landscape plays host to a few stunningly located 13th-century Orthodox monasteries, as well as one of the deepest caves in Europe.

When To Go:

Possible: June to September
Recommended: July & August
Not available: All other dates

Price:

Available on request.

INCLUDED IN PRICE:

Accommodation on a bed & breakfast basis in family apartments

Private transfer from Skopje International Airport to Skopje

Rent-a-car

All activities of your choice

Stand by support

Extensive manual with tips and recommendations

24/7 support by Macedonia Travel agents

NOT INCLUDED IN PRICE:

Transport to and from North Macedonia

Personal medical and travel insurance (mandatory)

Any personal expenses ’