Macedonia (FYROM) (Interrail Countries)

The Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia is a small country, situated in the south of the Balkan Peninsula. By many this magnificent country is named "the land of lakes" or "the pearl of the Balkans" for it’s natural beauties and rarities. As well as mountainous, the climate is moderate continental and Mediterranean. It has got a rich history and cultural heritage and often hosts different literature festivals. It is a country with a vas range of traditional dishes, best quality wines and  an attractive architecture.

Country characteristics

Land of lakes
Macedonia is rich in water resources. Because of its numerous tectonic, glacial, and man-made lakes, It is often called ‘the land of lakes’. There are about 50 large and small lakes, the most significant ones being the lakes of Ohrid, Prespa and Dojran.

Skopje
Skopje, the capital of Macedonia, is situated in central Balkans, on the crossroads of the horizontal and vertical road transversal on this peninsula. What gives Skopje its unique charm is the mixture of old and new. Its modern architecture makes an interesting contrast to the old spirit, felt in the old part of the town. Rich in history, monuments, and events, Skopje has a lot to offer to everyone.   

Ohrid
The town of Ohrid, situated on the shore of Lake Ohrid, with its natural beauties, historical and cultural heritage enjoys the protection of UNESCO. This ‘hidden pearl’ on the Balkan Peninsula is famous for its 365 churches, one for each day of the year. Its exquisite natural beauty and the unique charm of the old part of the town make Ohrid one of the most desirable destinations for visitors to Macedonia.

Active tourism

• Creek trekking - A type of a speleological activity of descending waterfalls and creeks of tidal mountain rivers.
• Speleology - There are 346 registered caves in Macedonia - a heaven for adventurers and high-adrenaline lovers. Due to inaccessible routes and non-exploration, only four caves are under state protection as natural rarities: Gorna Slatinska, Mlecnik, Ubavica and Pesna. All remaining caves are a challenge for explorers.
• Gold sieving - Kratovica, Konjska Reka and Markova Reka  are known places where you may try your luck and experience gold sieving in rivers.
• Hunting - The state of Macedonia runs four hunting grounds: Polaki, Jasen Lesnica an Milisin.  These are high-level tourist hunting venues for special categories of hunters and they are under the Macedonian Government's management. There are charges for the hunt.

Spiritual tourism
Explore Macedonia's churches and monasteries, a total of 992, featuring 150,000sq.m of fresco paintings, 23,000 icons, 240 iconostases, and other church items carved in wood.

The lives of monks and nuns, their prayers, and their exploits are interwoven not only with the Macedonian culture and education, but also with the very soil of this country. One cannot leave Lake Ohrid without a lifelong impression of the unique harmony between the country's nature and spirit.

Source http://www.interrailnet.com