Kosovo the Youngest country in Europe
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The Republic of Kosovo is a Balkan country in Southeastern Europe, and its capital is Pristina (Prishtina). It shares its borders with four countries; Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Albania. Kosovo is the smallest country in the Balkans and also the second poorest country in Europe. However, it is one of, if not the cheapest, of all European countries. Its population comprises 93% Muslim ethnic Albanians, 6% Eastern Orthodox Serbians, and 1% Bosniaks, Gorans, Turks, and Roma. Maybe that is why the Albanian flag is most prominent on display throughout the city. Although not recognized as an independent state by all nations, it does not change the fact that Kosovo the youngest country in Europe is an independent country. It is a low-keyed, off-the-beaten-track tourist destination, and a golden find for the adventurous and budget traveller.
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I will begin by declaring my Love for Macedonia!!! I love you Makedonya!! The Republic of North Macedonia is in South-eastern Europe. It borders Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Kosovo, and its capital is Skopje. North Macedonia (pronounced MAKEDONYA by the locals) is a small but beautiful Balkan country. It is the perfect destination for anyone on a tight budget. The country is religiously tolerant because all religious bodies (Macedonian Christian Orthodox, Muslim, and Christian) coexist peacefully and harmoniously. North Macedonia was once part of the Ottoman Empire from 1493 to 1913. Moreover, it is the only country to have gained independence from Yugoslavia in 1991 without shedding blood. Additionally, North Macedonia has many historical sites, beautiful lakes and is home to some of the oldest ruins in the world. Oh… And most importantly, the locals see themselves only as Macedonians and not as North Macedonians. Please continue reading to learn more about North Macedonia – the birthplace of Mother Teresa.
Minimum 15% savings available on new accommodation bookings at participating properties indicated by the “Late Escape Deals” badge on the search results and room selection pages. Bookings must be made before 9:59 am CET on 7 January 2025 for stays with check-in from 1 October 2024 and check-out on or before 7 January 2025. Discount applies to the cost of room only (excluding any additional fees or taxes). If you make any changes to your booking you may lose your discount and be liable for the full amount. Discounts cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotion except Genius discounts. Room rates labelled “Partner Offer” are excluded from this promotion. This offer is provided by the participating property and is subject to availability.
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North Macedonia is an underrated country. I think it should be one of the top tourist destinations in Europe. It is a hidden gem. Yes, the locals boast they receive many tourists during the summer, but in the over 70 countries visited, I have not previously met anyone who has been to Macedonia nor recommended it.
I was quite ecstatic to discover that Macedonia had a one-year (January to December 2022) short-term visa (Type C) waiver for all non-visa-free entry countries. However, to take advantage of it, you must have a USA, Canadian, or United Kingdom visa. Of course, I happily took advantage of this opportunity to visit and fell in love with Macedonia. Furthermore, I enjoyed and loved Macedonia so much that I modified my travel plans to revisit it a second time the following month.
It’s a pity I did not visit years ago had I known it is this peaceful, safe and beautiful, but the fact that I need a visa, and its inaccessibility is the main reason I did not. It is a bit of a drawback and a deterrent for many. Even worst, is its online unavailability and the lack of Macedonian embassies/consulates in most countries. Therefore, to apply for a visa, one must apply in the country with a Macedonian embassy closest to theirs. All this can be tedious and expensive.
From my research, the application requirements for a Macedonian visa are more rigid than an American or Canadian visa. It has its advantages and disadvantages. Yes, it will keep the undesirables out, but it is also an obstacle to those who want to visit for tourism.
My first visit to North Macedonia was via the bus service from Albania. This is because there are no flights between Albania and North Macedonia. In fact, there were other passengers travelling to Macedonia’s airport to exit the country because of limited flights from Albania. Using a bus is the longer way to enter, but very scenic.
The journey is a little over 8 hours. Moreover, entry is not automatic as you must visit border control (border police) similarly to if you are at the airport. Every transport carrying passengers must stop at the border and stand at the Immigration window for passport/visa checks, processing, and stamping before they allow you into the country. The duration of time at the border depends on the number of passengers to be processed. All passengers had to identify their luggage and open it for a quick search.
The male officer’s only question he asked was the length of my stay. He then stamped my passport, and I re-joined the line with the other passengers until the completion of the process. Then we were on our way to Skopje, the capital. The entire process took no more than 30 minutes.
On exiting the country, I used the Skopje International airport (aka Skopje Alexander the Great Airport), which is 23 kilometres from the city. The airport is the largest of the two in North Macedonia and is open 24 hours. It is medium size, modern, and very user-friendly.
The TSA officer I dealt with that day was rather hyper. As soon as I handed him my passport, he kept repeating, “visa, visa, do you need a visa?” I simply replied, “No”. What was he going to do, prevent me from leaving? Ha-ha. Apparently, he didn’t get the visa waiver memo like the border officers. He then passed the passport to the other officer, who said something to him. After this, he stamped it and returned it to me. I then proceeded to my gate.
When I re-entered the following month, I used the Skopje International airport. It appeared it was the first time the female immigration officer saw a Caribbean passport because she stared at the passport cover for a long time and flipped through it. She then passed it to her colleague, who said something to her, then in English, with her Macedonian accent, she asked me most militantly, “what are you doing here?” I know she meant, what is the purpose of my visit, as most officers usually ask. My response was, “vacation”, she asked the length of stay, and I replied, then stamped the passport and returned it.
To this day, I still laugh at it and try to sound like her. It’s all part of the travel thrills, but as I previously wrote, I am never worried or anxious at any country’s border. After doing the research, I am always well prepared and have all the needed documents.
My last exit from North Macedonia was once again via a bus. The male border officer I encountered was quite pleasant and hilarious. He seemed to appreciate the view of me in a hat with the country’s name written on it because he looked at it and smiled but asked no questions. I then asked him what happen if I wish to return next year when the visa-free entry ends. He said, “go to your embassy and apply for a visa”, I said there is no Macedonian embassy in my country, and he laughed and said, “then find a Macedonia man” that was so funny we both laughed. He then stamped my passport and was on my way.
Whether you are leaving the airport for the city or returning to the airport, it takes an average of 30/35 (minutes) (by bus) and taxi (17 minutes). The transportation options are a shuttle bus (departs every two hours) or a taxi. Note there is no ride-sharing platform such as Uber, Lyft, etc. The taxis are more than affordable and much cheaper than other taxis in the region for the same distance.
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Skopje is the largest city in North Macedonia. It is a unique and beautiful city. Picture a soup bowl. Skopje is the bottom of the bowl, and the sides are gorgeous hills, the rim snow-covered. That is my best description of the city’s appearance. Many persons may not be aware that Nobel prize winner and missionary Mother Teresa, founder of the Order of the Missionaries of Charity, was born in this city (to parents of Albanian heritage) and not Calcutta, India.
Skopje is the city of statues. Her memorial site is also in the city, and is a definite must-see. I have never seen so many quirky statues in any one city before. Almost everywhere you turn, there is a statue. It seems there are more statues than people, ha-ha… joking, but one cannot help but notice this. Most prominent is the 28 meters’ tall statue of Filip 11, father of Alexander the Great Macedonian – the noble warrior (king of ancient Macedonia) at the main square. They say it costs about 10 million euros.
An earthquake destroyed the city over 40 years ago. However, the government has since been on a mission to redevelop the city and give it a face-lift (Skopje 2014) by repopulating it with statues. Skopje is an inexpensive city. It is another city that any budget traveller will be excited to visit. There is much to see and do in Skopje and the surrounding areas. The cable car rides to the cross at Mount Vodno, and a visit to Matka Canyon and the lake are definite must-dos.
From the prominent Stone (Dusan) Bridge, you can enjoy the view of the Vardar River (the longest river in Macedonia) as it crosses. Further along this river is the Art Bridge, a pedestrian bridge lined with many gorgeous statues. Across this, you can see many historical and government buildings like the Archaeological Museum of Macedonia and the Museum of Macedonian Struggle. You can enjoy the ambience of the main square from any of these bridges. This area looks like an outdoor museum, perfect for a wedding photo shoot. Truly breath-taking.
Skopje has a special something about it. It’s a feeling I cannot describe, but from day one, when I entered the city and saw that cross on the highest hill, I felt it. The cross is visible from almost every point of the city. At night it looks like a marker or a star pointing the way home to Skopje. It is an exceptional sight and feeling. This specifically, gives the capital an extra oomph!
1 USD = 61.75 NMD
1 Euro = 61.52 NMD
1 Pound = 70.57 NMD
North Macedonians are very pleasant, kind, and very helpful people. They might not be the ones to smile first nor approach you and strike up a conversation but are really pleasant once you break the ice. It is rather strange though, that a large percentage of the people who live there are Albanians, but they are not as outwardly friendly as those in Albania, the most hospitable country in Europe.
From my observation, Macedonians focus their energy on what they have to do, and get about doing it. Lazy is not a word you will use there, as I have seen in a couple of other countries I previously visited. I can testify to meeting some really genuinely pleasant, down-to-earth, and sweet people in Macedonia. Shouting out, especially Marijan and all the others like the local Kenny Rogers. Many other have touched my heart and caused me to fall in love with Skopje and the Macedonian people.
Yes, I saw many beggars in the city, and many were children. It is sad but not unexpected in poor countries. Macedonia is among the ten poorest European countries, so it is not an uncommon sight, not even in wealthy countries. Not because poverty exists means that crime is an issue there. There were no purse snatchers, bandits, or gun violence in the city. No such things exist in Skopje. I honestly cannot remember seeing many police officers in the city except for a male and female officer near the Alexander the Great statue. They looked like they were on observation duties than expecting or preventing crimes.
I have no incidents to report regarding my safety, and neither did I hear anything untoward or crimes taking place during my visits. During my stay, I went about the city both day and night, I also used buses to other cities, and all was safe and crime-free. As I always remind everyone, nowhere in the world is 100% crime free, so I took precautions as a single woman travelling alone (see 28 safety tips for solo travellers).
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Prices for everything in Macedonia are affordable. That includes meals, accommodation, and all transportation.
In North Macedonia, the public transport system comprises buses, taxis, and trains (inter-city). However, taxis and buses are the best way to circumnavigate the city quickly and affordably.
In Skopje, you can secure a beautiful, fully-furnished city center apartment in a great location (I highly recommend City Lux Apartments check it on Booking.com) for a price as low as 25 – 30 USD. Additionally, 10 USD -15 USD can buy your meals for the entire day (not junk food).
Traditional Macedonian cuisines are renowned for their meats, dairy, bread, tomatoes, and beans. They create most of their dishes from local produce they grow during summer. Macedonians love bread and will eat it with almost anything. Therefore, they serve flatbread with most meals.
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North Macedonia is like Albania. Why? It is super cheap! Maybe 10% cheaper than Albania. The accommodations, transportation, meals, and shopping were all very affordable and the sites were gorgeous. To all my budget travellers, Skopje, North Macedonia is the place to visit on a tight budget and still enjoy. Because not only is it affordable, but as previously mentioned, it has so much to offer. North Macedonia – the birthplace of Mother Teresa, is a country with beautiful, helpful people, gorgeous sites, and very safe. What else can you ask for on a perfect trip? Nothing! Those who are not budget travellers can stay longer and truly enjoy the beauty of this country without feeling it too much in their pockets. Enjoy!
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The Republic of Albania is in Southern Europe in the Balkans, and its capital is Tirana. The head of state is the President, and the head of government is the Prime Minister. Albania is famous for its bunkers and has about 173,000 – 750,000 throughout the country, built by the former communist dictator. The country has many castles, archaeological sites, and its unique Albanian Alps. Albania is one of the ten poorest countries in Europe, but from my observation, it doesn’t appear this way. However, what stood out for me most about Albania was the affordable cost of food, accommodation, and transport and mainly their hospitality. Furthermore, the Albanian hospitality was so overwhelming I declare Albania is the most hospitable country in Europe, especially since I have been to all European countries save six of the fifty-one. Continue reading to find out what else is special about Albania.
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Luxembourg, also known as Grand Duchy, is a European country encompassed by France, Belgium, and Germany. Many years ago, I thought Luxembourg was a state in another country. However, as my travel knowledge grew, I realised it is a quiet, independent country and one of the world’s major financial and business centers and tax havens. Luxembourg is one of the smallest and the second-richest countries in the world. According to its GDP per capita, it is the second richest, if not the richest country in the world. It is also another one of the more expensive countries I have visited during my travels. However, compared to Switzerland, it is an average of 15% cheaper. Luxembourg is also the name of the country’s capital and is one of the safest, most peaceful, and cleanest countries/cities worldwide. Additionally, Luxembourg has some of the smoothest roads I have ever seen. Even in rural areas, they maintain the roads with proper signage and reflectors. Please continue reading to find out what’s it like to travel to Luxembourg the second richest country in the world.
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Luxembourg the Second Richest country in the world Read More »
I am almost sure many people have not heard of Liechtenstein. Well, for those unfamiliar with it, here goes. Liechtenstein is in central Europe, between Switzerland and Austria, and its capital is Vaduz. It is the only country in the world located 100% in the Alpine region. Therefore, it offers the option of ski slopes for ski enthusiasts. Moreover, it is the 4th smallest European country (Vatican City the smallest country in Europe) and one of the wealthiest and most expensive. Liechtenstein is in the top 5 richest countries in the world (by GDP per capita). Its head of state is a prince, a prime minister head of government. Liechtenstein is one of the financial centers worldwide. Read on to learn more about Liechtenstein, the least visited country in Europe.
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The federal republic of Switzerland is a small country in central Europe, and its capital is Bern (I am almost sure most people think it is Zurich). The city of Geneva is the headquarters of governmental and non-governmental organisations, and Zurich is the largest city and the economic, social, and cultural center of Switzerland. Switzerland has many mountains, small villages, alpine lakes, pristine farms, and grassland (this makes for happier cows and better quality dairy products). Also, what you should know before visiting Switzerland is that Switzerland is home to some of the best chocolates and cheeses. Consequently, it was one of the three reasons, besides visiting the alps, that I was excited to go.
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Is this your first trip abroad or possibly another routine trip? Whether or not it is, mistakes happen, no matter how often we travel. Therefore, I am a big advocate for detailed planning and preparing for your vacation months in advance. So here are 22 travel mistakes you should not make and how to avoid them in your future travels.
Minimum 15% savings available on new accommodation bookings at participating properties indicated by the “Late Escape Deals” badge on the search results and room selection pages. Bookings must be made before 9:59 am CET on 7 January 2025 for stays with check-in from 1 October 2024 and check-out on or before 7 January 2025. Discount applies to the cost of room only (excluding any additional fees or taxes). If you make any changes to your booking you may lose your discount and be liable for the full amount. Discounts cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotion except Genius discounts. Room rates labelled “Partner Offer” are excluded from this promotion. This offer is provided by the participating property and is subject to availability.
22 Travel mistakes you should not make Read More »
You have big travel dreams, but your travel budget is small or possibly non-existent? How do you eke out an international trip with little money? No problem! I am here to share some helpful tips and step-by-step guidance on how to plan a vacation with little money. The focus will be on overseas travel and not a Staycation. So, continue reading to learn how to plan a vacation with little money like a pro.
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Many countries have what some people may term weird customs, laws, and or gestures. Depending on where you are from, they might seem somewhat quirky, frown upon, and or punishable offenses. Additionally, some travellers are unaware of most and can end up in uncomfortable situations. Therefore, I am sharing 32 weird customs, laws, and gestures worldwide, which stood out most from some of the countries I have visited. Consequently, they may probably help you to avoid sticky situations when travelling around the world.
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