Holiday Guide Macedonia
One of Europe's newest republics, Macedonia was once part of the former Yugoslavia. Although the country is fighting to get ahead, its mixed population of Bulgarians, Albanians, Slavs, Turks and Serbs has left the country troubled by racial tensions and violence. In spite of its instability, this small republic offers visitors some interesting cities and lovely national parks worth checking out.
Skopje is the capital of Macedonia, a proud city on the banks of the Vardar river, right in the middle of the Balkans. It has been plagued by various disasters, including the 1963 earthquake which destroyed much of Skopje. Most of the city has since been rebuilt, so visitors will find there are many interesting sights that include mosques, minarets and Turkish architecture.
Popular attractions in Skopje include the ancient Oriental bazaar and the 15th century Turkish baths. You'll find Skopje's top museum, the Municipal Art Gallery, near the Turkish bridge. The Museum of Macedonia is also worth a visit, and is filled with regional artefacts.
Another interesting city is Bitola, which is about two hours outside of the capital and home to many Macedonian relics, including a Christian palace and the Roman ruins of Heraclea.
There are also many fascinating towns within easy reach of Bitola, including UNESCO World Heritage site Ohrid. This charming town is filled with quaint houses, cafés and restaurants, and surrounds the world's second-deepest lake after Baikal lake in Russia.
Outdoor lovers will also find plenty to do in Macedonia. There are four national parks which cover an area of 130,000 hectares. The oldest of the lot is Pelister National Park, protected since 1948 and home to the five-needle Pelister pine - the only such tree species in the world.
Unfortunately, the political situation in Macedonia is still unresolved, with ethnic tensions lingering. Having comprehensive travel insurance is necessary if you want to safeguard yourself against financial stress in the event of an emergency.
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