Bundy Posted June 4, 2017 Share Posted June 4, 2017 Going to the Supercup in August and looking for some tips. Flying from Glasgow to Sofia, so need to organise transport to Skopje, and digs there. Any help would be appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grim Jim Posted June 4, 2017 Share Posted June 4, 2017 Favourites of mine in Sofia were the Happy Bar & Grill and a cheap wee back street bar called the Up and Down. In Skopje, go across the Old Stone Bridge to the Old Bazaar area for food & drink. We drove from Sofia to Skopje (mainly so we could also visit Ohrid), and it was an adventure in itself. The hire company provided the right border papers & insurance for Macedonia. I needed an international driving permit, but don't see them on the country list any more. August there will be a furnace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bundy Posted June 4, 2017 Author Share Posted June 4, 2017 6 hours ago, Grim Jim said: Favourites of mine in Sofia were the Happy Bar & Grill and a cheap wee back street bar called the Up and Down. In Skopje, go across the Old Stone Bridge to the Old Bazaar area for food & drink. We drove from Sofia to Skopje (mainly so we could also visit Ohrid), and it was an adventure in itself. The hire company provided the right border papers & insurance for Macedonia. I needed an international driving permit, but don't see them on the country list any more. August there will be a furnace. Cheers Jim, won't get much time in Sofia as I'm getting the bus to Skopje (I hope) first thing in the morning after a late arrival. Fully expecting it to be crazy hot, will need plenty fluid intake. Any watering holes in the Old Bazaar area that stood out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grim Jim Posted June 4, 2017 Share Posted June 4, 2017 Can't remember any names Bundy, but the restaurant/bar owners were tremendously friendly and keen to explain the food. Kinda low-budget (except the wine bar... where we got told off for asking about beer after a hot climb there ). Tables under trees & canopies in some small, rustic squares were nice. The posher bars are on the other side of the river, where they had different prices for locals vs tourists. The bazaar seems mostly Muslim, so some places are strictly soft drink, but you'll be glad of that in the afternoon perhaps Any, it's been a while, and the place was changing fast (building site), so explore and enjoy. We loved it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanderer Posted June 5, 2017 Share Posted June 5, 2017 (edited) I preferred Skopje in 2008 as I felt in 2013 it had gone a bit to Las Vages-ish with all the new buildings which are suppose to replicate the city before the earthquake in the 1950's and the over the top statues (locals seemed very unhappy that money was being pumped into these stupid projects rather than where it was really needed), but still a really nice place and somewhere I would like to return to one day. Hotels, first time I stayed in Hotel Square (naturally, was on the main square) and second time in Hotel Anja..... out the two I slightly preferred Anja, but as you are going in August I will assume its for the Super Cup Final? In which case, this hotel is located right on the main drinking area of the city along side the river (effectively a row of 10-15 bars, cafe's and restaurants along side the river (watch yourself here as the staff in some of these bars can be quick to fleece you for your cash when the time comes to pay for your drinks) but at night can be very rowdy (saying that, Hotel Square is just around the corner). I preferred the old town a lot more, and while people will tell you it is unsafe, I never felt that once (can not recall name, but there was a cracking outside bar that everyone gathered there at the last game). Good place to eat is Kaj Marsalot.... little back street restaurant that does brilliant food roughly half way between the main square and the stadium. Doing the cable car up to the Millennium Cross and a hike up Lake Makta is also a must do Edited June 5, 2017 by wanderer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newryrep Posted June 5, 2017 Share Posted June 5, 2017 54 minutes ago, wanderer said: I preferred Skopje in 2008 as I felt in 2013 it had gone a bit to Las Vages-ish with all the new buildings which are suppose to replicate the city before the earthquake in the 1950's and the over the top statues (locals seemed very unhappy that money was being pumped into these stupid projects rather than where it was really needed), but still a really nice place and somewhere I would like to return to one day. Hotels, first time I stayed in Hotel Square (naturally, was on the main square) and second time in Hotel Anja..... out the two I slightly preferred Anja, but as you are going in August I will assume its for the Super Cup Final? In which case, this hotel is located right on the main drinking area of the city along side the river (effectively a row of 10-15 bars, cafe's and restaurants along side the river (watch yourself here as the staff in some of these bars can be quick to fleece you for your cash when the time comes to pay for your drinks) but at night can be very rowdy (saying that, Hotel Square is just around the corner). I preferred the old town a lot more, and while people will tell you it is unsafe, I never felt that once (can not recall name, but there was a cracking outside bar that everyone gathered there at the last game). Good place to eat is Kaj Marsalot.... little back street restaurant that does brilliant food roughly half way between the main square and the stadium. Doing the cable car up to the Millennium Cross and a hike up Lake Makta is also a must do look out for poisonous snakes - I kid you not nearly stumbled across one on the path - scared the crap out of me as we were an hour from civilisation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bundy Posted June 5, 2017 Author Share Posted June 5, 2017 12 hours ago, wanderer said: I preferred Skopje in 2008 as I felt in 2013 it had gone a bit to Las Vages-ish with all the new buildings which are suppose to replicate the city before the earthquake in the 1950's and the over the top statues (locals seemed very unhappy that money was being pumped into these stupid projects rather than where it was really needed), but still a really nice place and somewhere I would like to return to one day. Hotels, first time I stayed in Hotel Square (naturally, was on the main square) and second time in Hotel Anja..... out the two I slightly preferred Anja, but as you are going in August I will assume its for the Super Cup Final? In which case, this hotel is located right on the main drinking area of the city along side the river (effectively a row of 10-15 bars, cafe's and restaurants along side the river (watch yourself here as the staff in some of these bars can be quick to fleece you for your cash when the time comes to pay for your drinks) but at night can be very rowdy (saying that, Hotel Square is just around the corner). I preferred the old town a lot more, and while people will tell you it is unsafe, I never felt that once (can not recall name, but there was a cracking outside bar that everyone gathered there at the last game). Good place to eat is Kaj Marsalot.... little back street restaurant that does brilliant food roughly half way between the main square and the stadium. Doing the cable car up to the Millennium Cross and a hike up Lake Makta is also a must do Cheers Wanderer, I'll be sure to check those out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scot scotland scottish Posted June 6, 2017 Share Posted June 6, 2017 On 6/4/2017 at 0:01 PM, Grim Jim said: Favourites of mine in Sofia were the Happy Bar & Grill and a cheap wee back street bar called the Up and Down. In Skopje, go across the Old Stone Bridge to the Old Bazaar area for food & drink. We drove from Sofia to Skopje (mainly so we could also visit Ohrid), and it was an adventure in itself. The hire company provided the right border papers & insurance for Macedonia. I needed an international driving permit, but don't see them on the country list any more. August there will be a furnace. Going to Ohrid fairly shortly. How did you find it? The weather there just now is causing me anxiety!! (very thundery and stormy) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grim Jim Posted June 6, 2017 Share Posted June 6, 2017 6 hours ago, scot scotland scottish said: Going to Ohrid fairly shortly. How did you find it? The weather there just now is causing me anxiety!! (very thundery and stormy) Loved Ohrid. A smallish town, and is the touristy bit of Macedonia. Lots of small bars/restaurants, with probably something for all tastes. The hill around the fortress is testing in the heat, but a nice view. Had some fun in a storm there ourselves. Sitting in an open restaurant perched over the lake, we could see it coming in across the water. Soon the waves were coming up through the floor while the rain fell in the beer. There'll be live folk music playing in some restaurants. There were some restaurants up the hill around a church (St Sophia?) which were quite romantic at night. The tiny St Jovan Kaneo church is very picturesque in the sun. Macedonian bevvy is Rakija (as an aperitif or digestive ) and beer is usually Skopsko. Instead of butter, try ajvar (red pepper spread) on yer bread. Night life, I dunno. Usually knackered and gone to bed early. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scot scotland scottish Posted June 7, 2017 Share Posted June 7, 2017 15 hours ago, Grim Jim said: Loved Ohrid. A smallish town, and is the touristy bit of Macedonia. Lots of small bars/restaurants, with probably something for all tastes. The hill around the fortress is testing in the heat, but a nice view. Had some fun in a storm there ourselves. Sitting in an open restaurant perched over the lake, we could see it coming in across the water. Soon the waves were coming up through the floor while the rain fell in the beer. There'll be live folk music playing in some restaurants. There were some restaurants up the hill around a church (St Sophia?) which were quite romantic at night. The tiny St Jovan Kaneo church is very picturesque in the sun. Macedonian bevvy is Rakija (as an aperitif or digestive ) and beer is usually Skopsko. Instead of butter, try ajvar (red pepper spread) on yer bread. Night life, I dunno. Usually knackered and gone to bed early. Excellent - cheers for that. I'm looking forward to it a lot Night life will be of no concern of mine - I'm too old for that! And going with the wife and our wee 2 year old in anycase. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gavin Posted June 9, 2017 Share Posted June 9, 2017 We booked a taxi in 2013 from Sofia Airport last time through http://www.viptaxi.com.mk. No money to pay up front and they were fine. I am sure we were under Euros 100 each way way last time although I see the price has increased a bit since then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doonhameronthedon Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 Stayed at the City Park Hotel the 2nd time and the guest service was the best I've ever experienced. Free lift up to the big statue, another to Lake Makta and tips about the city, even a few free beers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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