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Ancient Macedonia

15 days
Start and end in Sofia
4.3
39 traveler reviews
Ancient Macedonia - Explore!
From
US $3,020
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Plan your adventure:
Tour Operator:
Explore!
Max group size:
18
Age range:
16 to 85
Operated in:
English
Tour id:
124374
Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Highlights

  • Experience the natural wonder of Matka Gorge
  • Visit the ancient capital of Macedonian Kings at Vergina
  • Enjoy a boat ride along the coast to 'the holy mountain'
  • Explore the crumbling Roman remains of Thassos Island
  • Bask in the historical buildings and beauty of Lake Ohrid
  • Admire the coloured frescoes of UNESCO Rila Monastery

Itinerary

Expand All
  1. Introduction
  1. Day 1 Join trip in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria
  2. Day 2 Sofia city tour, stay overnight in a Macedonian monastery
  3. Day 3 Explore Kratovo and Skopje including Kale Fortress
  4. Day 4 Excursion to the dramatic Matka Gorge
  5. Day 5 Scenic drive to Lake Ohrid via Mavrovo National Park
  6. Day 6 Guided walking tour of Ohrid, afternoon by the lake
  7. Day 7 Free day in Ohrid with the chance to visit Albania
  8. Day 8 Visit to Saint Naum Monastery en route to Pelister National Park
  9. Day 9 Visit birthplace of Alexander the Great and UNESCO Listed Vergina (Greece)
  10. Day 10 Explore Thessaloniki on foot with a local guide, free afternoon in the city
  11. Day 11 Drive to Kavala via Halkidiki Peninsula, boat trip to Mount Athos
  12. Day 12 Excursion to Thassos Island to explore or relax on the beach
  13. Day 13 Explore historical Philippi, drive to Bansko (Bulgaria)
  14. Day 14 Discover the beautiful Rila Monastery, free afternoon in Sofia
  15. Day 15 Trip ends in Sofia
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What's Included

Expand All
  • Accommodation
  • Guide
  • Meals
  • Additional Services
  • Transport

What's Not Included

  • Additional Services

Where You'll Stay

All accommodations are subject to change

Operated by

Explore!

Number of tours

445

Age Range

16 to 85 years old

Response time

within 1 day

Response rate

100%

Explore is a global adventure travel company with 42 years’ experience in providing exciting and authentic travel experiences. With over 350 trips in around 100 countries, Explore’s expertly crafted itineraries combined with award-winning tour leaders, small group sizes and a commitment to...

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Sustainability Initiatives

Reduce Carbon Emissions

Animal Welfare

Supporting Destinations

Sustainability Programs

Your Peace of Mind Options

Cancellation Policy

A transparent overview of applicable fees.

Travel Insurance

Be covered for any unforseen circumstances.

Customer Reviews

  • Overall Rating
    Excellent
    4.3
  • Itinerary
    Excellent
    4.4
  • Guide
    Excellent
    4.6
  • Transport
    Excellent
    4.3
  • Accommodation
    Good
    4.0
  • Food
    Excellent
    4.1
  • 4.5
  • Most Recent
  • Most Popular
  • Highest First
  • Lowest First
  • ET
    · June 19th, 2024
    I had a fantastic experience and was very impressed with the quality of the tour. The itinerary was well-planned and covered all the key historical sites in the region, from Pella and Vergina to Amphipolis and Philippi. The tour guide was extremely knowledgeable about the history and culture of ancient Macedonia, and did a great job bringing the sites to life with detailed explanations and insights. The logistics of the tour were also very well-handled, with comfortable transportation, good accommodation, and an overall smooth flow to the schedule. I never felt rushed or like we were missing out on anything. Overall, this was an exceptional tour that exceeded my expectations. I learned a tremendous amount and left with a much deeper appreciation for the legacy of Alexander the Great and the kingdom of ancient Macedonia. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone with an interest in classical history.
    Show more
    Explore! commented on this review
    Hi Elizabeth - Thank you so much for your feedback! It brings immense joy to hear about your experience. We're thrilled that your Explore Leader left such a positive impression. We'll make sure to pass on your kind words. We hope to have the opportunity... Show more
    Trip date: June 2024
  • A
    · May 24th, 2023
    Lake Ohrid The churches and monasteries - especially Rila. Vergina, Pella and Philippi The boat trip Thassos The food
    Trip date: May 2023
    Review collected by Explore!
  • A
    · June 19th, 2023
    Skopje, Ohrid, Thassos Island trip
    Trip date: June 2023
    Review collected by Explore!
  • A
    · June 23rd, 2023
    Lake Ohrid, Skopje
    Trip date: June 2023
    Review collected by Explore!
  • A
    · August 6th, 2023
    My favourites were Aigai, Vergine, and Philippi museums and archaeological sites.
    Trip date: July 2023
    Review collected by Explore!
  • A
    · August 6th, 2023
    Ohrid was a lovely town and I like Skopje. The ancient sites were excellent and the Thessaloniki guide was excellent at all 3 sites.
    Trip date: July 2023
    Review collected by Explore!
  • A
    · August 7th, 2023
    Ohrid, Pella, beautiful monasteries & churches.
    Trip date: July 2023
    Review collected by Explore!
  • A
    · August 17th, 2023
    Enjoyed the guided archaelogical tour of Philippi, and the musuem at Vergina, Greece. Enjoyed the trip and hike at Laker Ohrid.
    Trip date: July 2023
    Review collected by Explore!
  • A
    · September 20th, 2023
    exploring Skopje, the rowing boat trip to the Ohrid springs, the Royal tombs at Vergina
    Trip date: September 2023
    Review collected by Explore!
  • A
    · September 25th, 2023
    For landscape and scenery Matka Gorge and the Vrelo cave which was also a very relaxing time too, but for an unexpected delight the museum of the tomb of Philip II at Vergina and his burial treasure, I had not expected something quite to dazling and so brilliantly well presented.
    Show more
    Trip date: September 2023
    Review collected by Explore!

Dates & Availability

15 days
Ancient Macedonia
From Sofia to Sofia

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Good to Know

  • Currencies
    лв.
    Bulgarian Lev
    Bulgaria
    Euro
    Greece
    ден
    Denar
    Macedonia
  • Plugs & Adapters

    As a traveller from USA, Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand you will need an adaptor for types C, E, F, D, M. As a traveller from South Africa you will need an adaptor for types C, E, F.

    Type C
    Bulgaria, Greece and Macedonia
    Type E
    Bulgaria, Greece and Macedonia
    Type F
    Bulgaria, Greece and Macedonia
    Type D
    Greece
    Type M
    Greece
  • Vaccines
    • These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
    • Hepatitis A - Recommended for Bulgaria, Greece and Macedonia. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
    • Tuberculosis - Recommended for Bulgaria. Ideally 3 months before travel.
    • Hepatitis B - Recommended for Bulgaria, Greece and Macedonia. Ideally 2 months before travel.
  • Visa
    • Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
    • Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
  • Payment information
    • For any tour departing before January 22nd, 2025 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after January 22nd, 2025, a minimum payment of 10% is required to confirm your booking with Explore!. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 75 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
    • Some departure dates and prices may vary and Explore! will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
    • The following cards are accepted for "Explore!" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
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    Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveller, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team, who are ready and waiting to help you.

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