Before there was a Cleopatra in Egypt there was Cleopatra of Macedon, the sister of Alexander the Great and a strong player in early Hellenistic politics. The name Cleopatra brings to mind Greco-Egyptian princesses, but the name was once stock for Macedonian princesses. The most notable of them may be she who is now often [...]

A landlocked nation within the central Balkan Peninsula, Macedonia may be a fusion of various cultures. The mix of cultures is also a consequence of a long history of foreign power Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman and Yugoslav. The architecture of its capital metropolis, Skopje, manifests this kind of blend, from the Ottoman paved streets, to ancient [...]

Macedonian monasteries and mosques, 11th century Byzantine art , bargain shopping and Lake Ohrid, the oldest in Europe, are reasons to visit this world heritage site. Not only is Ohrid one of the most pleasant places in the Republic of Macedonia. It’s also one of the most historically significant in Eastern Europe. The city (then [...]

Historical and geographical Macedonia is divided between the Republic of Macedonia, the Greek province of Macedonia and a corner of Bulgaria called Pirin Macedonia. The largest portion of the historic Macedonia region is now Greek territory, a point that Greeks are always quick to make when disputing Macedonia’s use of the name, as they invariably [...]

For the adventure travelers out there, Macedonia offers a treasure trove of little-visited destinations to discover all on your own. Guidebooks barely cover Macedonia, the land-locked country in Eastern Europe, so even visiting the main cities might feel like an off-road adventure. Here are a few ideas to really get out and see the country [...]