Day 1 | Thessaloniki - Ohrid

Thessaloniki, the second-largest city in Greece located in the heart of the Greek Macedonian region. Upon arrival in the northern city, we will board the bus and meet the local team as we head towards neighboring Macedonia. Very close to the border crossing, we will visit an archaeological site dedicated to the memory of Philip, the father of Alexander the Great, and learn about the fascinating Hellenistic culture and the space in which one of history's greatest conquerors grew up. From here, we continue to Bitola, the modern city where a vibrant Jewish community once lived and operated, earning the nickname "Monastir Jewish Community." We'll hear the captivating story of the Sephardic Jewish community until its tragic end in World War II, stroll through the city's picturesque main street, and then head to the beautiful city of Ohrid, where we will settle in and prepare for the folklore festival held annually in the city.

Day 2 | Ohrid - Sveti Naum Church - Drin River

This morning, we will explore the surroundings of the beautiful city of Ohrid and learn about its fascinating history as one of the most important cities in the Bulgarian Empire. Our important stop today will be at the Drin River, where we will walk to the source of one of the most important and impressive rivers in the Balkans, the Drin River. After a magical boat ride on the calm river among the weeping willow trees adorning its banks, we'll stop for lunch at a lovely local restaurant where we'll get a taste of fascinating Macedonian folklore. Then, we'll visit the Sveti Naum Church, adorned with various magnificent decorations, and approach the peacocks wandering in the vicinity of the church, symbolizing longevity and eternal life in Christian belief. As evening approaches, we'll return to Ohrid to welcome Shabbat together before those interested set out for a leisurely evening walk and visit the main stage where our first performance will take place the next day.

Day 3 | Ohrid

On Shabbat, we'll take it easy and embark on walking tours around the beautiful city of Ohrid, the city that once served as the capital of the Bulgarian/Macedonian kingdom. At the beginning of our tour, we'll ascend to the fortress of Tsar Samuel, then proceed to the adorned church of St. Clement with its impressive decorations, and descend to the main street of the city full of interesting shops, restaurants, and cafes until we reach the Hagia Sophia Church, one of Ohrid's iconic landmarks. After returning to the hotel and arranging for additional rehearsals, we'll head out in the evening for our performance within the framework of the Alexander the Great Festival. Lodging and dinner in Ohrid.

Day 4 | Ohrid and Surroundings

This morning, we'll visit the village of Radolista, from where we'll ascend to visit a special church perched on the Karst rock characteristic of the area, offering a beautiful view of the landscape and Lake Ohrid. From here, we'll continue to visit the Kalishta Monastery, situated on one of the most beautiful spots on Lake Ohrid. We'll converse with the monks and learn from them about making preserves and flavors from a variety of seasonal fruits. Then, we'll cross the border to neighboring Albania, where we'll hear the story of the country that was closed to visitors for years, explore the beautiful fishing village of Lin, and then return to Ohrid for our final performance in the framework of the Alexander the Great Festival. Lodging and dinner in Ohrid.

Day 5 | Ohrid - Mavrovo Reserve - Skopje

This morning, we bid farewell to the beautiful city of Ohrid and will embark on a scenic journey south towards the fascinating Greek city of Thessaloniki, tasting the local wine at a local winery along the way. Upon crossing the Greek border and arriving in Thessaloniki, we'll head to the fascinating coastal promenade, visit the synagogue and the Jewish museum telling the glorious history of the city, stroll through the picturesque Turkish quarter, and conclude our unforgettable journey with a local tavern dinner until our flight time. As evening falls, filled with joy and satisfaction, we head to the airport for a direct flight back to Tel Aviv (landing in the early morning of the eighth day).

Day 6 | Skopje and its sites

On our penultimate day in Macedonia, we dedicate our time to visiting the local capital city: Skopje. We'll stroll through the city fortress, from which a unique view of the entire ancient city below can be seen. Continuing on to the Church of the Holy Savior, we'll be impressed by the impressive monument dedicated to the esteemed figure considered the pride of the nation, Alexander the Great, and the fountain adorning the monument. Crossing the Ottoman Bridge over the Vardar River, we'll conclude our tour in the new city center and at the museum that chillingly recounts the story of the Jewish community of Macedonia. Towards evening, we'll head out for a combined dinner with a folklore show and a concluding farewell party.

Day 7 | Skopje - Thessaloniki 

This morning, we'll leave the capital city of Skopje and head south to the captivating Greek city of Thessaloniki, not before tasting the local wine at a local winery along our route to the border. Upon crossing the Greek border and arriving in Thessaloniki, we'll embark on a journey to the fascinating beach promenade, visit the synagogue, and explore the Jewish museum recounting the city's glorious past. We'll wander through the picturesque Turkish quarter streets and bid farewell to the journey with an unforgettable local tavern evening until the time of departure.