30 November 2013

PHOTOS: Snowing in Macedonia

Skopje

Bitola

Struga

Ohrid

Tunisian company to build factory near Kavadarci

Tunisian company, partner of Germany's Dräxlmaier, intends to build a plant in Kavadarci, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski told reporters on Sunday.

"The company representatives have already visited Macedonia and according to their statements thus far it is certain that the Tunisian company will come to the country to manufacture certain parts for Dräxlmaier", Gruevski said during his visit to Kavadarci region.

The PM said he couldn't reveal the company's name yet.

"The Tunisians are Dräxlmaier's business partners, and open own factories wherever Dräxlmaier does in favor of reducing the transportation costs," Gruevski said.

He also announced that a UAE investor would built a fruit distribution center in Resen.

This center will give momentum to the agriculture in Prespa region, bolstering the export of apples and other fruits, especially in the Middle-East countries, the PM said. 

10 November 2013

Matka Divers find church foundations

Divers of speleo-diving club "Vrelo" and diving club "Akvatek" found Sunday remains of foundations, believed to be of an old Macedonian church, during their underwater expedition in the waters of lake Matka near Skopje.



The campaign aimed at researching and documenting the lake bottom structure.

"Prior to the construction of the Matka dam, the so-called Road of Strength was located here, which linked Macedonia's northeast with the southwest. We wanted to locate, research and map all archaeological sites, which are now under water", said Vrelo president Kiro Angeleski.

The campaign was also environmental, with divers mapping waste locations that are set to be cleaned.

The campaign is part the 2013 global programme GUWAA (Global Under Water Awareness Association).

07 November 2013

Macedonian Airports hit record passanger traffic

According to the statistical data by the operator TAV Macedonia, the number of transported passengers via both Macedonian airports in October increased by 37.6 percent compared to the same month last year, marking the highest monthly growth thus far.




A total of 88.992 passengers flew via Skopje Alexander the Great Airport and Ohrid St. Paul the Apostle Airport, TAV Macedonia says.

The number of flights has gone up for 15.1 percent, while the cargo services increased for 4.9 percent in comparison to October 2012.

Istanbul has been the most popular destination in January-October 2013, followed by Vienna, Zurich, London and Malmo.

01 November 2013

Lonely Planet puts Macedonia in top 10 countries to visit for 2014

Populat tourist guide Lonely Planet has put Macedonia as the in the top best countries to visit for 2014. It's #9 to be precise, while the top spot went to Brazil.
In its guide, Lonely Planet describes the Macedonian capital as becoming increasingly visitor-friendly, with a bevy of cool new hostels, upscale wine bars and bistros, and one of southeastern Europe’s best club scenes.



Beyond Skopje and the more established tourist sites such as Lake Ohrid, Mavrovo ski area and ancient Stobi, new things are happening elsewhere. Quiet Berovo, near the border with Bulgaria, is an up-and-coming contender on the spa-hotel scene.

- Also in Macedonia’s idyllic eastern half, sturdy old Kratovo – with Ottoman-era stone bridges and cobblestone lanes – is revitalising previously derelict Turkish mansions, attesting the bygone wealth of this old mining town. And in the arid central vineyard region of Tikveš, new quality wineries are catering to thirsty visitors - concludes Lonely Planet.