REPUBLIC   OF   MACEDONIA

Macedonia - that unforgettable name evoking images of ancient, great civilizations and exotic adventure - is also a warm and welcoming modern-day republic in the very heart of south-eastern Europe. While easily accessible from all points abroad, and boasting all the amenities of the Western world, Macedonia remains one of Europe’s last great undiscovered countries: a natural paradise of mountains, lakes and rivers, where life moves to a different rhythm, amidst the sprawling grandeur of rich historical ruins and idyllic villages that have remained practically unchanged for centuries. Macedonia’s geographical and cultural position as bridge between East and West, as the crossroads between Christian Europe and the mystical Orient, is attested to today in its inhabitants. The Macedonian people – a mixture of ancient Macedonians and Slavic tribes that settled here starting in the 5th century C.E. – make up the greatest part of a country where that mixed population is a vibrant reminder of Macedonia’s rich and lengthy history. In essence, today’s Macedonia is a unique patchwork of cultures, where Balkan bloodlines have mixed with others more exotic still.  Such a diverse range of peoples has co-existed for thousands of years in Macedonia, a place where hospitality always welcomes visitors and it comes from the heart. And indeed, the country’s charms have not been lost on an increasing number of Westerners today who are now choosing it as their second home!    Today, Macedonia’s Christian heritage is visible everywhere, from the myriad churches that fill up the landscape throughout the country to the enormous “Millennium Cross” that lights up the Skopje night sky from high atop nearby Mt. Vodno. While firmly rooted in its traditions and nostalgia for the past, today’s Macedonia is also a forward-looking country that has embraced its diversity and is becoming integrated within European political and economic institutions, continually expanding its links to the greater global community and economy. It thus provides the curious traveller with the best of both worlds: age-old traditions, historical treasures, and a pristine natural environment, as well as all of the modern amenities, services and consumer goods that today’s sophisticated travellers need. Macedonia today is an undiscovered jewel in the heart of Europe, offering something for tourists of all ages, nations, interests and desires.

About SKOPJE

Skopje - Macedonia’s capital is a synthesis of old and new, of antiquity, modernity and a future rich with possibility. In its varied architecture, the city of Skopje attests to a long history of great civilizations and turbulent events. Here one can find sleek modern hotels above cobblestoned Ottoman streets, stately neoclassical homes right around the corner from grand old Yugoslav-era buildings, chic cafes, shopping malls and brightly-collared new offices, as well as the more humble brickwork of Byzantine churches.                                                                                                             
Here one can find sleek modern hotels above cobblestoned Ottoman streets, stately neoclassical homes right around the corner from grand old Yugoslav-era buildings, chic cafes, shopping malls and brightly-collared new offices, red-bricked Byzantine churches and rounded Turkish mosques. The concentrated complexity of Skopje today entices visitors, offering a great variety of things to see and do and constantly reminding of the city’s storied past. Chief among sights to see is the Stone Bridge crossing the River Vardar, the Ottoman-era Old Town (Stara Charshija), and the Kale Fortress walls. In the meandering narrow streets of Stara Charshija one feels the spirit of the old city, with its little shops, mosques with their ceramic tiled interiors, and the outdoor bazaar and hamam that survive from Turkish times. A short climb up to the Kale Fortress is well rewarded; from this hilltop where Skopje’s masters ruled for centuries one enjoys a commanding view of the city and its environs. The world’s best cities all contain at least one secluded natural escape. Skopje has two – a long, tree-lined park along the river, and the forested hills of Mt. Vodno, which overlooks the city from the southwest and offers excellent hiking and wilderness serenity within walking distance of downtown Skopje. The summit of Mt. Vodno is also crowned by the enormous Millennium Cross that presides over the city. From here one gets even more magnificent views of Macedonia’s capital. Macedonia’s capital offers something to satisfy all modern tastes and appetites. It features brand-new cinemas, hotels and restaurants, as well as shopping malls offering all of the latest fashions, and usually at lower prices than in Western countries. The city is a major regional centre for concerts, theatrical performances, dance and sporting events, all of which frequently involve well-known stars from abroad, as well as the best in local talent.

“Macedonia Square”	The KALE
Fortress	“Stone Bridge”
The Skopje at Night

                                                                       
HOW TO COME TO SKOPJE ???

By air: International airports in Skopje and Ohrid connect Macedonia with several major European cities. Close regional airports in Belgrade, Sofia and Thessaloniki can also be used, as they are all within a few hours’ drive from Macedonia.

There is unfortunately no airport shuttle bus yet in Skopje, which means you are obliged to take a taxi for the 17 km (10.2 m) trip to Skopje. This costs around 10 euros ($12) or more.
***But ELSA RM will provide you a comfortable transport from the airport to the City centre. ***
Useful links:

www.mat.com.mk, www.jat.com, www.croatiaairlines.hr, www.adria-airways.com, www.austrianairlines.com, www.malev.hu, www.turkishairlines.com, www.csa.cz/mk, www.alitalia.com, http://skp.airports.com.mk/

***!!! Also you can book a flight with the low cost companies to Sofia, Thessaloniki or Belgrade and the take a bus or train. It’s absolutely not far away and it will take you from 3-5h to get to Skopje! Or try with low cost companies to take a flight to some of the connections cities, like Prague, Milano, Vienna…, and then take the regular flight line from there to Skopje!!!***

HERE IS THE LIST OF ALL FLIGHTS TO SKOPJE

By train: An international train, operating twice daily, connects Ljubljana, Slovenia and Thessaloniki, Greece by way of Macedonia. Stops include Tabanovce (the Macedonia-Serbia border crossing point), Kumanovo, Skopje, Veles, Gradsko, Negotino, Demir Kapija, and Gevgelija (Greek border crossing point), as well as a few small villages. An east-west railway to connect Bulgaria with Macedonia is at present under construction.

Here are some destinations:

Belgrade EKS 335 4 (BG- Nis- Leskovac- Vranje- Kumanovo- SK)    => Departure: 21.00 p.m         Arrival: 05.48 a.m
Belgrade FAST 391 1 (BG- Nis- Leskovac- Vranje- Kumanovo- SK) => Departure: 14.05 p.m          Arrival: 22.28 p.m
Thessaloniki EKS 4104 ( Thess.- Gevgelija- D.Kapija- Veles- SK) => Departure: 08.21a.m              Arrival: 11.47 a.m
Thessaloniki EKS 334 4 ( Thess.- Gevgelija- D.Kapija- Veles- SK) => Departure: 18.50 p.m            Arrival: 22.06 p.m
Bar FASR 393 1 (Bar- Podgorica- Nis- Leskovac- Kumanovo- SK) => Departure: 20.30 p.m           Arrival: 13.20 p.m
Ljubljana EKS 411 4  (Ljubljana- Zagreb- Belgrade- Nis- SK)=> Departure: 21.00 p.m                      Arrival: 15.45 p.m

By car: The international highway E-75 runs north-south from Serbia to Greece, bisecting Macedonia. This is the most common route for overland tourists to take for entering Macedonia. There are also good roads connecting the country with Bulgaria to the east and Albania to the west.

By bus: A number of bus lines connect Macedonia with all neighbouring countries and other European cities. Buses are frequent, and offer relatively inexpensive fares and professional service.

Here is the list of all ARRIVALS/ DEPARTURES to/ from Skopje:
You can find all the arrivals and departures on this web:http://www.sas.com.mk/en/timetable.php

          
USEFUL INFORMATIONS:
EXCHANGE RATES:

MONEY:

The Macedonian currency is (Macedonian Denar - MKD).
Money should be exchanged in official exchange offices (banks, post offices, hotels, tourist agencies) according to current exchange rates. When leaving Macedonia foreigners can exchange MKDs back into foreign currency (at official places) only after presenting the evidence on exchange for Denars when entering the country.

TIME:

Central European Time zone (CET), summer season - from end of March to end of September - 1 hour shifted forward.

USUAL WORKING HOURS:

Institutions and offices:
from Monday to Friday 8.00 am - 8.00 pm or 9.00 am - 5.00 pm
Banks:
Mon to Fri 8.00 am - 7.00 pm, Sat 8.00 am - Noon, on airports, railway and bus stations prolonged.

 CREDIT CARDS:

Some major credit cards (Diners, American Express, Visa and MasterCard/Euro Card) and Euro-checks can be used for payments wherever noticed, as a rule in most hotels, shops, and restaurants.

SHOPPING:

Shops in Macedonia offer a great variety of domestic and imported wares.
Duty free shops are generally situated in duty free zones (airports and road border crossings).
Usual opening hours of shops:
Mon to Fri 8.00 am 8.00 pm or to 9.00 pm in summer, Sat 8.00 am - 3.00 pm, in tourist resorts prolonged in summer.

Famous people born in Macedonia

• Justinian the Great - Eastern Roman Emperor (482 - 566)
• Alexander the Great (356-323 B.C)
• Yahya Kemal Beyatlı - famous Turkish poet (1884 - 1958)
• Mother Teresa - Roman Catholic Humanitarian (1910 - 1997)
• Darko Pancev - European Cup Football Winner (1965 -)
• Milčo Mančevski - Macedonian film director (1959 -)
• Atina Bojadzi – Marathon swimmer- First woman that swam La Manche Channel (1944-)
• Vlatko Stefanovski- One of the top 10 guitar player in the World (1957- )
• Tose Proeski- One of the best pop singer in the Balkans (1981-2007)
• Goran Pandev – One of the best Macedonian football players (1983-) –now plays in Lazio
• Boris Trajanov - Macedonian operatic baritone ( 1959- )
• Simon Trpcevski- great classical pianist (1979-)

About MAVROVO

The highest mountain peaks in Macedonia are all found in Mavrovo National Park, located in the western-central edge of the country. These peaks, which include the Sara, Desad and Bistra, are topped by the imposing Great Korab Mountain (2,764 meters or 9,069 feet high). Not only do these mountains provide magnificent visual landscapes, they also offer some of the best skiing in the Balkans. Mavrovo’s impressive forests contain more than 100 rare species of trees, and its rugged hilltops are rich in wild teas and herbs that can be easily gathered by hand.Lake Mavrovo, located just beneath the ski center, makes Mavrovo National Park a popular weekend resort all year around. Mavrovo is an interesting tourists attraction with unique natural beauties. This tourist centre is believed to be one of the most beautiful tourist attractions in Macedonia. It is a place of many natural beauties, magnificent passages, a crystal clear lake, high mountain hills from where you can see panoramas of Bistra and its nearby village suburbs. Marvovo attracts tourists during all seasons, but it is more attractive in winter when it is all covered with deep snow.
The Mavrovo region is situated around the lake of Mavrovo from the Mavrovski's Anovi, all the way to the village of Mavrovo. The most attractive tourist object is the hotel "Bistra" which during winter is visited by many tourists. This tourist centre is also visited by school students during winter holidays. The hotel is situated in the lower part of mountain "Bistra" close to the shores of Lake Mavrovo. It truly represents a beautiful attraction in this region. This mountain is very rich with flora and fauna.
Mavrovo and Mavrovo Anovi represent two tourist suburbs, joined together in one tourist region. The whole tourist complex manages with 1200 beds and over 1000 villas, with many hotels, restaurants and shops.
The Mavrovo region hosts ski tournaments and other sport recreations. This region is very active throughout the year. The northern peaks of Rusino Brdo, Sultanica and Sandaktas, have good condition for winter sport activities. The popularity of Mavrovo is growing more and more each year with the attraction of many tourists. Mysterious and romantic, sheltered by the high hills of mountain Korab, Mavrovo region was famous during centuries, by the hospitality of its well-known inns in the past, and by its ski center Zare Lazarevski today.

***It’s only 1Hour and 10 min. by bus from Skopje!!!***
!!!And the transportation from Skopje to Mavrovo will be provided by ELSA Republic of Macedonia!!!