Cycling vacation Macedonia and Albania, August 2021

When we started, we told each other it would be an adventure. We drove our own car to Ohrid with an overnight stay in Crupija Serbia. The many border crossings, different countries and, of course, different currencies was an experience in itself.
Ohrid is a nice tourist place with many bars and restaurants. Nice to start with a hotel on the boulevard. The cycling vacation began in Mavrovo national park with a leisurely ride at a ski resort. From there in a flying descent toward Debar, only at the last a tough climb. Debar was a bit disappointing, but walking to the beach where the locals were staying was special, the music, the atmosphere, really special. Continued to Vevcani, a very nice village with good restaurants and bars with friendly people. Cycled around different villages there for a day, very nice. After two nights in the direction of Albania, really a surprise. After a brisk climb along the lake with many bars and beaches to Progadec. A real seaside resort with hotels, promenade, terraces. We did not expect this from Albania at all. The next day the longest ride but the most beautiful, at times cycling in the middle of nowhere and then again through small villages where time seems to have stood still. Here you can also see the donkeys with a cart, a cattle market and small cafes, beautiful. The overnight stay was in a very quiet area by a lake and again special. Then the queen ride, kilometers just uphill with the first part a swarm of flies around you, not pleasant but again a challenge. Getting to the top was well worth it all, a beautiful view of the lake. Then at breakneck speed down to the overnight stay in a monastery. We thought that will be very quiet but nothing could be further from the truth. Near the monastery a beach with very many tourists, boats come and go, many souvenir stores and restaurants, again very surprising. Then already the last bike ride back to Ohrid where we had a few more nights.

All in all, a very varied trip, many different overnight stays, from busy to very quiet, cycling occasionally tough but even we with a regular bike with gears doable. Highly recommended for people who like something different and are up for an adventure. Food was good and not expensive and luggage was very well arranged from the organization, our compliments to the organization.

Greetings Rutger and Anniek

In September, we did a hiking vacation in northern Macedonia. It was a really fun trip!
From the airport near Ohrid, we were taken to the only hotel in Lazaropole. A small village in the mountains where time seems to have stood still for several years.
On Saturday night, the whole village gathers in the square in front of the small supermarket and hotel. Someone with a car provides the musical accompaniment by opening their door. Young and old together, very cozy.

Beautiful walks in the pristine forests on the mountain slopes. For us ( one not athletic, the other a little athletic) the hike was tough at times. By taking enough time for it, it was still manageable.
The area was very green and there were still many flowers, trees full of apples that were golden in the sun and hops full of bells.

In Vevcani, our next stop, there are more people and more amenities. On our walks, we -apart from the shepherd with sheep- again encountered hardly anyone. The traditional wedding was fun to watch. Again beautiful walks in green surroundings with lots of butterflies.

We ended up in Ohrid. A very nice old town with cozy terraces and restaurants. Unfortunately, the old buildings are not always maintained. Like abandoned cars, they become overgrown with greenery. Nice swim in Lake Ohrid.

All in all, an enjoyable and excellent trip with beautiful walks. Thanks to the GPX, finding the route was no problem. The people we met were nice and helpful. We hope to go to Northern Macedonia again.

Wessel and Caroline

It was a very successful holiday!!!! Thanks!!! We really enjoyed the wonderful bike rides. Everything went perfectly. Klime made a very good contribution. 👍🏼
The weather at the beginning of the week was perfect for cycling. Nice sunshine and not too hot. Later in the week, things became a bit volatile. The trip from Otesevo to Ohrid is the only one we did not bike. There it was really bad. Klime then drove us. Otherwise we were able to do everything and on the day off we visited Ohrid (then it was also dry).

You have a very happy week in Ibiza and thank you very much for all your good efforts. Tip top.

Hopefully until another time?

Greetings Sandra & Fred.

We have nothing but praise for this customized cycling trip. Everything was perfectly fine. The GPS routes were correct and we enjoyed the beautiful scenery, and the nice bike rides. The hotels were small in size and always had that little something extra: view of the lake, view of the monastery, … Moreover, we were received super friendly everywhere. Northern Macedonia and northern Greece are ideal cycling destinations and especially so with Eye4Cycling.