Sunshine state

Is this a trip to the tourist haven of Florida? No. It’s a nod to this nation’s vibrant flag – a yellow, beaming sun rising on a bright red background. It’s one of Europe’s lesser visited countries but is worth a glance.

This landlocked Balkan state has been known as North Macedonia since February, resolving a long dispute with neighbours Greece. It was the southern flank of Yugoslavia until that country began to fragment in 1991.

A short tour through North Macedonia took in the capital city Skopje, which is littered with grand buildings and countless statues, some of them peculiarly oversized. You have the sense this country is grasping for an identity.

Travel to the south-west of the country and you’ll find the tranquil shores of Lake Ohrid where North Macedonians take their holidays. The small city of Ohrid is laced with old architecture, churches and magnificent ramparts.

North Macedonia isn’t yet a tourist hotspot – surely the best time to visit?

Click first image to see gallery

Tags: architecture, Balkans, Former Yugoslavia, geography, history, Lake Ohrid, nature, North Macedonia, photography, Skopje, tourism, travel

12 thoughts on “Sunshine state”

literarylydi on August 25, 2019 at 23:25 said:

Ah I’ve just seen the other photo posts below!

https://literarylydi.wordpress.com/

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literarylydi on August 25, 2019 at 23:24 said:

Thanks for the tip! I like the way you drew me into your post with me trying to guess what the flag was! More photos of N. Macedonia please!

literarylydi.wordpress.com

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- mikeosbornphoto on August 25, 2019 at 23:38 said:
  
  Thanks for coming this way, Lydia. I was stopped in my tracks by your Rapa Nui post – amazing island! I’ve published one too.
  
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  - literarylydi on August 25, 2019 at 23:46 said:
    
    I just looked at your Rapa Nui photos – amazing! I love the fact that you’ve tried different filters and the wide angle lens for the landscapes. It just shows what a good camera can achieve! What do you use? I just took my pics with my camera phone and edited them a bit to clean them up. Rapa Nui is probably one of my favourite destinations – it really captured my imagination and it’s the perfect place for an artist/photographer isn’t it!
    
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    - mikeosbornphoto on August 25, 2019 at 23:50 said:
      
      Yes and it was more than just the statues, as important as they are. I use a Fuji X-E1 and do some work in post processing though try to keep it fairly minimal. Easter Island was a lovely bonus after visiting Chile which is magnificent :)
      
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      - literarylydi on August 25, 2019 at 23:51 said:
        
        Yes I enjoyed Chile too! But not as much.
        
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        mikeosbornphoto on August 25, 2019 at 23:54 said:
        
        Ah! I loved it. So rich and diverse. And they have an amazing Pacific island territory too!
        
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        literarylydi on August 25, 2019 at 23:56 said:
        
        Oh yes, I mean the rest of Chile!
        
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ckponderings on August 18, 2019 at 10:41 said:

Ooh, lovely! Brilliant sunshine, bright colours and, by the look of it, unspoilt! :) What’s not to love?

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- mikeosbornphoto on August 18, 2019 at 10:55 said:
  
  This is true although a fair amount of quirkiness too (which I don’t object to!)
  
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  - ckponderings on August 18, 2019 at 11:15 said:
    
    Quirky is good. Quirky makes a place memorable!
    
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    - mikeosbornphoto on August 18, 2019 at 11:22 said:
      
      I agree! It’s also cheap in N Macedonia. Another plus point :)
      
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