A Letter from Our Expert in N. Macedonia - Hristijan Gjorgievski
Dear Travelers,
We are now at the end of September 2025, and our inaugural journey to North Macedonia, in October, is upon us. The excitement is real, and anticipation high. The first trip is always special, and we’ve had a blast planning this one. Now we can’t wait to welcome our first guests and give them an experience we know they’ll be talking about long after they get back home.
So, what’s in store when you travel with Democracy Journeys to North Macedonia? We begin in Skopje, the country’s capital and the birthplace of Mother Teresa. Over exceptional meals and a tour of the Old Bazaar, we’ll sit down with some of the country’s most compelling democratic voices—journalists, professors, and former activists who led the Colorful Revolution. Their stories will bring alive how citizens stood up to authoritarianism and how, today, the struggle for democratic accountability continues. Skopje itself is a city of contrasts: Ottoman caravanserais beside socialist-era boulevards, centuries-old mosques next to newly built monuments, and conversations over strong coffee that somehow manage to cover both gossip and geopolitics in one sitting.
From there, we journey to Ohrid—a place I hold especially dear, not the least since I was born and raised there. Perched on the shores of a lake that predates human civilization, Ohrid is a living museum of faith and culture, recognized by UNESCO for both its natural beauty and cultural heritage. Here, Byzantine churches with glittering frescoes stand alongside Ottoman houses and medieval monasteries carved into cliffs above the water. But the magic also comes in the smaller, more intimate encounters: one afternoon we’ll break bread—homemade! —with Slavica and her family in their Old Town home. Sitting around her table, we’ll share stories, laughter, and a glimpse of daily life in a place where history isn’t preserved behind glass but lived every day.
Along the way, food and wine will be our constant companions. In just a few days, we’ll move from the grand cellars of the region’s oldest and largest wine producer to the intimate setting of Maestro Brzanov’s family winery, where organic wines are paired with dishes, he cooks himself. These meals are more than just stops on an itinerary—they are part of the story of North Macedonia, where hospitality, tradition, and resilience go hand in hand.
This first journey is only the beginning. We already have journeys in the books for 2026 — we’ll build on what we learn this fall and add new layers of history, culture, and conversation. But October comes first, and with only a few remaining spots left, I can’t wait to welcome our guests to my home.
Warmly,
"Lake Ohrid has been here longer than human civilization itself, but it still feels like it belongs to each of us who sit by its shore. For me, growing up in Ohrid, this view was a daily reminder of both peace and history flowing together."
-Hristijan