From Skopje to Tikvesh wine region
Pick up from your hotel or address within Skopje
Vodno mountain and the Church of St Panteleimon
Vodno mountain is located to the southwest of the capital city Skopje. The highest point of the mountain is at Krstovar peak on 1066m where so called Millennium cross was built at year 2000. Vodno is a favorite destination for all Skopje citizens for hiking, trekking or simply walking in the nature. Near the village of Gorno Nerezi and only 20 min drive from Skopje city center, high on the forested slopes of Vodno mountain, the 12th century church of St. Panteleimon is founded. It is one of the oldest and most important churches in Macedonia, built and painted in 1164 under the patronage of Byzantine Prince Alexios Komnenos whose name is made immortal by being carved in marble, right above the entrance in the church. It was dedicated to St. Panteleimon, the protector of health.
Stobi archeological site
Stobi or Stoboi was an ancient town of Paeonia, later conquered by Macedon, and finally turned into the capital of the Roman province of Macedonia Salutaris It is located near Gradsko, Macedonia, on the main road that leads from the Danube to the Aegean Sea and is considered by many to be the most famous archaeological site in North Macedonia. Stobi was built where the Erigon (Crna River) joins the Axios (Vardar), making it strategically important as a center for both trade and warfare. Well preserved Roman amphitheater, unique mosaics, the Baptistery and many more makes this site most see.
Wine museum
The local Wine Museum of Kavadarci represents a specialized regional museum and the very first of its kind in Macedonia. By opening it, the city obtains the status of a regional center for the development of wine tourism. Spreading on a property of 100 m2, the museum consists of exhibits and a commercial section, which introduces a variety of different wines from almost all Tikvesh wineries. The wines are displayed in special cabinets and have been produced either by bigger or smaller wineries all from the Tikvesh region. The oldest item in the museum is the “Ebullioscope”, from 1534 and it is amongst the first ones on the Balkan. It used to serve for measuring the alcohol strength and volume of the wine and it was listed as 153th in the world.
Tikvesh wine region
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 with lunch
Upon arrival at one of the most famous wineries in the region, You will be invited to have a wine tasting of 3 kind of wines paired with 3 traditional meals.
Back to Skopje late afternoon.
