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