Rural tour to East Macedonia - from Skopje, North Macedonia

Explore the rural area of east Macedonia. Pick up from any hotel or address within Skopje and drive towards Kratovo, small town located in the base of an old volcano. Stop and visit to Kuklici site. The so called "Valley of the stone dolls" is a natural phenomenon, caused by the long-lasting erosion of volcanic rock with varying resistance: ignimbrites, andesite and tuffs. Scientists, however, say that the stone figures were created 10 million years ago, when there were still no people on the planet. The vertical erosion of the volcanic rocks created "dolls" higher than ten metres, which still dominate the tame environment today. Over time, nature shaped rare masterpieces of them which is connected to a local legend. Kratovo is located in the northeastern region of Macedonia and is located in the southwestern foothills of the Osogovo Mountains in the valley of the Kratovo River. Under the name of Kratis or Koriton, the settlement was mentioned in the Byzantine period, and today's name originates from the location of the city in the crater of an extinguished volcano. The relief conditions of the space required in Kratovo a special architectural and construction approach, that is, a typical Kratovo architecture to develop. Walk in the narrow streets and coffee break. Lesnovo monastery, officially called Monastery of St Archangel Michael and St Hermit Gabriel of Lesnovo, is a medieval monument in Macedonia. It is perhaps the best preserved endowment of a Serbian noble of the 14th century, with well-preserved frescoes. The monastery is located on the south-west slopes of osogovo mountain, in the middle of a volcanic crater. It lies at the beginning of Lesnovo village, at the height of 870 meters. Berovo is the city in the eastern part of Macedonia, which is located below the slopes of the Maleshevski Mountains on an area of 595 km. It is located near the Berovo Lake, at an altitude of about 800-900 metres. The tame and gentle landscapes of the Maleshevo Mountains are equally beautiful in all seasons, whether you visit them when they are covered with snow or when the smell of mountain tea is spreading in the spring air. Overnight at traditional hotel Manastir in Berovo and chance to taste some local culinary specialties during the dinner at the hotel restaurant (included in the price)

Southeast Macedonia and Tikvesh wine region. Morning drive on a mountain road from Berovo towards the city of Strumica. Strumica is a cultural, trade and political center of the Southeast region that actually covers the valley between the mountains Belasica, Ograzden and Elenica. It is the largest city in the region, surrounded by the Strumica field and Mount Elenica in the west, along with the King’s towers. Strumica is a Slavic name of the city, obtained according to the name of the river Strumica, diminutive in the name of Struma. Koleshino waterfall is located on the northern slopes of the mountain Belasica, in the lower course of the Baba River, at an altitude of 600 m. It is one of the highest waterfalls in Macedonia, with a height of 15 m, with a width of about 6 m. According to the outset, it is a tectonic waterfall, created in granite stones. Contrary to the Koleshino Waterfall, some few smaller waterfalls are located at a distance of about 100 meters, scattered in a row, 2 to 4 meters high, belonging to its central basin.The Koleshino Waterfall has a magnificent view of each period of the year. In the summer, they invite with the green surroundings, the pleasant temperatures and fresh soothing air, while in winter with the ice landscape and silence. Veljusa Monastery is an active female monastery dedicated to St. Mary, located at altitude 400 meters above sea level, 8 km west of Strumica. The monastery church was erected by the monk Manuel in 1080. Preserved to this day, the church is a great representative of the high achievements of the Byzantine sacral architecture in the Middle Ages. The interior of the church was frescoed in three time periods, in 1085, 1164. and in the XIX century. Particularly interesting is the representation of Jesus Christ in the dome, where he is portrayed as a child of 12, which is a real rarity. Macedonia’s vineyards heartland, Tikves, has produced wine since the 4th century BC. It features rolling vineyards, lakes, caves and mountains, plus archaeological sites and churches. It’s especially beautiful at dusk, when the fading sunlight suffuses soft hills laden with millions of grapes. Tikves’ local grapes generally retain an ideal sugar concentration (17% to 26%). Tikves is the most well-known wine region in Macedonia. It is located in the very heart of the country and stretches along similar latitudes as the Bordeaux region in France, Tuscany region in Italy and the Napa Valley region in California. The wine district is situated on around 2,000 sqm of fertile land, surrounded by mountains on three sides. Wine tasting (3 kind of wines paired with 3 traditional meals) at the local winery restaurant (included in the price). In the afternoon drive back to Skopje. End of the tour