Itinerary
- Day 1
Sofia to Skopje
After arriving at Sofia Airport, you'll be picked up for the drive to Skopje. On the way, stop at St. Joakim Osogovski, an active 11th-century monastery surrounded by green woods near Kriva Palanka, where you can see the distinctive 19th-century frescoes. Once you get to Skopje, there's an optional evening walk through the central bar area if you're up for it. Your hotel is in Skopje for the night.
- Start point
- София, Bulgaria (Pick-up at the Sofia Airport)
Included Activities
- Visit St. Joakim Osogovski Monastery (11th century)
Optional Activities
- Evening orientation walk through central Skopje
Landmarks St. Joakim Osogovski Monastery 
- Day 2
Skopje
Start by wandering through Skopje's Old Turkish Bazaar to get a feel for where different cultures come together. Walk across the Stone Bridge to the modern city center and check out the Archaeological Museum of Macedonia, then see Alexander the Great's monument and fountain. Take the cable car up to the Millennium Cross for views across the capital. After that, head to Matka Canyon and board a small boat to visit Vrelo Cave and its natural formations. You'll have free time in the canyon before heading back to Skopje for the evening, with optional microbreweries if you're interested. Stay another night in Skopje.
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Old Turkish Bazaar
- Visit Stone Bridge
- Archaeological Museum of Macedonia
- Cable car to Millennium Cross
- Small boat ride in Matka Canyon to Vrelo Cave
Optional Activities
- Lunch at restaurant on river bank in Matka Canyon
- Microbreweries in Skopje
Landmarks Stone Bridge Monument and Fountain of Alexander the Great Millennium Cross Matka Canyon Vrelo Cave 
- Day 3
Skopje to Ohrid
Drive to Tetovo to see the uniquely painted 15th-century mosque with its distinctive 19th-century decorations, then continue on to Ohrid, a UNESCO World Heritage site with thousands of years of history. After checking in, walk through the old city and visit medieval churches including St. Sophia Cathedral, Holy Mother of God Perivleptos, and St. Clement of Ohrid at Plaosnik. You'll also see the ancient Macedonian-Roman theatre. Later, take a small boat from St. John the Evangelist at Kaneo back to the city center, and stop at a pearl shop to learn about Ohrid's famous pearls. Overnight in Ohrid.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit 15th-century Mosque in Tetovo
- Walking tour through old city of Ohrid
- Visit St. Sophia Cathedral
- Visit Holy Mother of God Perivleptos Church
- Visit St. Clement of Ohrid at Plaosnik
- Visit ancient Macedonian-Roman theatre
- Small boat ride from St. John the Evangelist at Kaneo to city center
- Visit pearl shop with explanation of Ohrid pearl production
Landmarks Tetovo Mosque St. Sophia Cathedral Holy Mother of God Perivleptos Church St. Clement of Ohrid at Plaosnik Macedonian-Roman Theatre St. John the Evangelist at Kaneo 
- Day 4
Ohrid
After breakfast, explore Lake Ohrid and the Galichitsa National Park area. Visit the Museum on Water (Bay of Bones), a prehistoric Bronze Age settlement that shows how ancient tribal communities lived. Continue to the natural springs and the 9th-century St. Naum Monastery, which holds one of the oldest Cyrillic and Glagolitic alphabet tablets. Grab lunch at the springs restaurant, then return to town with free time. Spend the evening at coastal bars. Stay in Ohrid again.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Museum on Water (Bay of Bones)
- Visit St. Naum Monastery from 9th century
- View Cyrillic and Glagolitic alphabet tablets
Optional Activities
- Lunch at restaurant in springs
- Coastal bars with ambiance
Landmarks Museum on Water (Bay of Bones) St. Naum Monastery Lake Ohrid 
- Day 5
Ohrid to Demir Kapija
Leave Ohrid after breakfast and head to Galitchitsa Mountain National Park to take in nature from several viewpoints. From there, drive to Bitola to explore its Ottoman heritage, including the Yeni Mosque, Clock Tower, wide alley, and the military academy where Mustafa Kemal Atat\u00fcrk studied. Visit the ancient site of Heraclea Lyncestis, founded by Philip II during the Hellenic period. Finish at Popova Kula, a winery and hotel in the Tikves wine region, and have dinner with traditional Macedonian wines. Stay at the winery overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Viewpoints in Galitchitsa National Park
- Explore Bitola Ottoman market
- Visit Yeni Mosque
- Visit Clock Tower
- Visit military academy
- Visit Heraclea Lyncestis archaeological site
Optional Activities
- Dinner with Macedonian wines at Popova Kula
Landmarks Galitchitsa National Park Yeni Mosque Clock Tower of Bitola Heraclea Lyncestis 
- Day 6
Demir Kapija to Sofia
Say goodbye to Macedonia and head back toward Bulgaria. Stop at Rila Monastery, set high in Rila Mountain and founded in the 11th century by St. John of Rila. This medieval spiritual site was rebuilt between 1834 and 1862 after a fire and shows Bulgarian Renaissance architecture from the 18th-19th centuries. Continue to Sofia for check-in. In the evening, join an optional group orientation walk through the central area and spend free time at Vitosha Street, known for its caf\u00e9s, bars, clubs, and restaurants. Overnight in Sofia.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Rila Monastery
Optional Activities
- Evening orientation walk of central Sofia
- Free time at Vitosha Street
Landmarks Rila Monastery 
- Day 7
Sofia
Start with a walking tour downtown from Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, built to honor the 200,000 Russian soldiers who died fighting for Bulgarian independence. Visit the Archaeological Museum, housed in a former 1496 mosque, where you can see Thracian, Roman, and medieval artifacts. Explore the ancient ruins of Serdica (Sofia's ancient name), which include eight streets, an early Christian church, and a Roman bathhouse. Head to St. Nedela Church to see its colorful murals and intricately carved wooden iconostasis. You'll have a free afternoon and evening with options for bars and clubs in the city center.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walking tour of downtown Sofia
- Visit Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
- Visit Ancient Ruins of Serdica
- Visit St. Nedela Church
Optional Activities
- Archaeological Museum visit
- Bars and clubs in central area
Landmarks Alexander Nevsky Cathedral Archaeological Museum Ancient Ruins of Serdica St. Nedela Church - Day 8
Sofia Departure
Have breakfast and free time before you head out. Around midday, your transfer to Sofia Airport will pick you up for your flight home.
- End point
- София, Bulgaria (Drop-off at the Sofia Airport)
- Meals
- Breakfast
