Macedonia is so close and beautiful!
At the beginning of the summer tourist season on the Internet, I read the list of visa-free countries for Ukrainians. And I do not know why the country of Macedonia is remembered. Probably because of the association with Alexander the Great. Maybe because of the country's neighborhood with Albania, and maybe because of the magic word Balkans. I thought, look at the country! And to imagine that this could happen soon, did not believe for a long time. But...
But the collection of documents, obtaining a transit visa to Bulgaria, and purchasing Wizzair plane tickets ended. Yes, only after receiving a plane ticket, and you can do it in the travel company "Extravaganza", calmed down.
And the day of departure came. The new terminal at Zhulyany airport was pleased with the service coordinated by the work of staff. However, for some reason the employee did not understand why the visa to Bulgaria is only for two days. And all the explanations that this is transit, and I'm leaving today, but not coming back tomorrow did not help.
The whole dialogue of the employee was with concern for me, and for me the concern turned into a fear of not flying away. But it ended, fortunately. And then I remembered the company Feeria.
Well done! Employees of Feeeria join their trips to Macedonia to a trip to Albania, with which Ukraine has a visa-free regime. Thus, the need for a Bulgarian transit visa disappears. In this case for me. And another option is a Schengen visa, a multi-visa. There were no questions for their owners.
We are all on board the plane. The flight takes a little over an hour before landing at Sofia Airport.
Employees do not have any questions at customs. The stamp in the passport was received, as well as a wish to have a good time. Customs passed.
The building of the airport is very reminiscent of the old building of Zhulyany airport in the 70s of the last century. This is an old house, and coming out of it in the distance you can see a modern all-glass house.
But Wizzair is a budget company.
When unloading passengers' luggage, departing luggage is loaded at the same time. That is, without delay. Maybe that's the secret.
We are met by representatives of the Macedonian travel company Fibula. Great bus, enough seats. I get a place under the window, which means the opportunity to take pictures of the trip, even from the bus.
The Sofia-Skopje road is just under 200 km away.
They passed customs without delay and were granted permission to leave Bulgaria and enter Macedonia. Everyone is correct and friendly.
Here! This is the moment we have been waiting for. Macedonia before my eyes. And you can even say at your feet. The border between the states is high in the mountains. On the territory of the state the size of 200x200 km. 80% of the territory is occupied by mountains. The rest of the territory is in the valley between the mountains. The country has many rivers and lakes. All this complicates fast driving.
Climbing the mountain, and then descending from the mountain, passages in the tunnels do not leave the bus a chance to accelerate, despite the fact that the condition of the roads is almost excellent.
And after an hour of driving, already in the autumn darkness, we entered the capital city of Skopje. It is customary to judge the country in the capital, but I only got a night city.
The first action in the city is a settlement. We settled in the hotel "Sun", located outside the center and on the mountain. Cozy rooms, prudent staff and great views of the bright night capital.
Action two - tired and hungry tourists from Ukraine were taken to the restaurant of the hotel "Ambassador", located in the central part of the city. A well-fed and rested person is always full of energy. That's how we became and went to get acquainted with the city.
After a quarter, we get to the central part of the city. Therefore, the confirmation is the government building with two government flags at the same time.
In front of the house is a group of ancient statues. We received comments for the photos, but in such a soft form that it didn't even get scary. But they went fast.
Very close is part of the fortress of Calais, built in the IX century with beautiful night lighting.
And here is the bridge over the river Vardar decorated with lions, cute guards. And great!
After crossing the bridge, it's as if you're going back in time. Here is the oldest part of the city. Preserved Turkish baths of Daud Pasha, built in the 15th century and the temple of Dmytro Solunsky. The temple is the pride of the country. But for us, all the objects remained for external inspection. Like the old bazaar of the Bazaar, with its shops with souvenirs and sweets, and pride - twelve arched stone bridge of the XV century - a symbol of Skopje. And also a new bridge with sculptures and even a fountain!
The whole city glows and is immersed in illumination.
In this part of town there is Museum of Macedonia, National Theater, Art Gallery. And the decoration of antiquity, without exaggeration, are fountains. Working at night!
Fountain with lions; fountain with horses; a fountain glorifying women; fountain of warriors. Passing the arched bridge across the Vardar, we add another to the list of fountains - the river. And the bridge took us to the central square, which was named Macedonia in 2004. The central place in the square is occupied by a musical fountain with a sculpture of Alexander the Great on horseback and King Samuel sitting on the throne. There was no music, but the fountain worked.
I said the main ones for a reason, because there are others in the square - men on horses and in clothes, which speaks of their services to the state. But there is a modern composition - girls who do shopping. And even Justinian I. , who looks at everyone at once.
The central entrance to Macedonia Square is the Arc de Triomphe.
If during a walk around the city I wanted to be in daylight, then here, in my opinion, a good night with such a "royal" lighting. Fantastically!
And despite the night time, we are not alone. Lots of people everywhere, music. In the old town on the terraces of cafes young people and not only relax with a cup of coffee, a glass of wine, a game of dice. Locals unmistakably identify foreigners. They are interested in which country we are from and having received an answer, Ukraine shows Guth and smiles! They offer to take a picture of themselves. How nice it is.
After getting acquainted with the central part of the capital, and no longer have the strength, and time two hours of the night, we decide to return to the hotel.
There is a taxi near the Arc de Triomphe. You raise your hand, a gesture for all countries of the world and the taxi comes without problems.
That's when the hotel business card was needed.
After showing it to the taxi driver and paying 120 denars, equal to a cup of coffee, 5 minutes later we returned to the hotel.
To continue the acquaintance with Macedonia tomorrow.
