FIRST IMPRESSIONS of North Macedonia | LAKE OHRID (Motorhome Travels Europe)

We crossed into North Macedonia from Greece at the Medzhitlija Border Crossing receiving a warm welcome from the border officials and a friendly warning that the week to come would be a rainy one! The short drive from the border to Bitola was on one of the worst pieces road we've ever encountered - add pouring rain and our spirits were somewhat low. So we were more than happy with the somewhat sloping parking to spend the night outside of the Ancient Macedonian City Heraclea Lyncestis. The following morning we left for Lake Ohrid in search for sun!
Ohrid is the largest city on Lake Ohrid. In 1979 and in 1980 respectively, Ohrid and Lake Ohrid were accepted as Cultural and Natural World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
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Welcome! We’re Andre and Lisa. A married South African couple who have been travelling together for almost 20 years, to more than 40 countries. In 2017 we took stock of our life, made the decision to 'retire early' and gave up our professional careers and all our personal possessions in order to explore the world as full-time nomads. Over the past two years, we have been travelling through Europe with our 20-year-old Motorhome. Please subscribe to follow along and join us on our adventure! You can find our blog at www.wewillnomad.com where we post regularly about the destinations, we visit along with travel tips and what we spend on travelling.
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#wewillnomad #vanlifeeurope #northmacedonia #ohrid

[@WeWillNomad]

Should we just give up on ice-cream tasting? 🤔

[@davidadebruyn2653]

Nope, never😅

[@adriannavanderpoll4745]

In the mid 50s my dad toured through the former Yugoslavia in a combi van. According to him it was the most beautiful of all the European areas he visited during his travels. I always wanted to go there but somehow was always drawn to Italy and never made it. Looking forward to seeing those regions through your upcoming videos.

[@WeWillNomad]

Thanks Adrianna! So far we can definitely say it's been both beautiful and very affordable. We hope you enjoy exploring this region with us now and then perhaps for yourself one day! 😊

[@chrisp9176]

Happy stay! Lovely video. Thanks

[@WeWillNomad]

Wow! Thank you so much Chris! 🤩

[@ad9898]

Great content as usual 😊

[@WeWillNomad]

Thank you so much and also for always giving us feedback, it's much appreciated! 😍

[@packingourtrunks]

Really lovely video as always and yet again you get us itching to travel further afield! The parkup would be so monetised here in the UK, in fact it would probably have a height barrier! Anyway, keep these lovely videos coming and have fun 💙

[@WeWillNomad]

Yup, that's one huge advantage of visiting a country where "motorhome travel" isn't yet that popular! We have really felt very welcome in North Macedonia. One important thing though is that you need to be completely self sufficient - don't expect camper services or campsites everywhere. Although there are some campsites at the more popular spots. Another one for the neverending travel list! 😜

[@Babsi139]

Compared to some of the roads in the Transkei, that road looked not so bad, and at least it was not an obstacle course to drive around cows and goats and dogs, although the Transkei also has it beauty. Lake Ohrid looks really beautiful from your video.

[@WeWillNomad]

🤣 That is true! We remember travelling those Transkei roads by motorbike, dodging potholes and being grateful we only had 2 wheels! Driving a 3.5t camper on a broken tar road feels somehow worse! Thanks for joining us! And yes, the Transkei is beautiful 😊

[@creekyknee]

What a wonderful way top spend 20 minutes. Thanks guys for sharing these videos with us, I know that it takes a lot of time and effort so rest assured we all appreciate it. I loved... - That amazing lake, how clear is that water - that cherry blossom tree - that cute black dog who was perfectly behaved on camera, Lisa was imagining the early morning barking, it wasn't him, it was the cat ! - Andre's face when trying to explain/understand why you were in North Macedonia - the fact that it seems to have worked out and you are enjoying it - Lisa's constant positivity about everything, even the mediocre ice creams ! You are now the Pothole Meisters.... Keep safe and looking forward to the next update. By the way, what drone do you have ? a DJI mini ?

[@WeWillNomad]

Thanks Ronan! And we so appreciate your positive feedback and interaction, it really helps make it all worthwhile! Drone is DJI Mini 2 😊

[@littleboatcaptain6962]

It will get better when you get them coats off . Looking forward to some sunshine 😊

[@WeWillNomad]

They come off... then back on again, then back off again!! 🤣 Thanks for travelling along with us 🤞 for that sunshine 😊

[@user-pz7mu6xe2h]

After exiting Skopje, most roads seem to turn to shit.

[@SiNERw211]

You should have stoped by florina or nymfaio before exiting greece they are right on the highway!They are both amazing and you could see it all in half an hour tops if you were in a hurry!Google them to see what you missed :P

[@WeWillNomad]

Oh no! We actually stopped in Florina but it was raining 😞 Now we have marked them for next time! Thanks for watching and for the tips! 👍😊

[@savingelectric]

Always need food after watching your channel, don't know why.....

[@WeWillNomad]

🤣 Don't watch tomorrow's Skopje video then! 😜

[@alesbaricic]

oHHHHrid

[@bobandonevski7266]

You guys picked the worst road to get in😂

[@WeWillNomad]

Definately! And the rain didn't help.

[@makedonfilms]

Beautiful video! 🇲🇰 🇲🇰 🇲🇰 🇲🇰 🇲🇰 🇲🇰 🇲🇰

[@WeWillNomad]

Thank you! 😃

[@Tapshanov]

Welcome to our country! Enjoy 😊

[@WeWillNomad]

Thank you so much! We feel very welcome here 😊

[@Tapshanov]

@@WeWillNomad Camp Ljubanista is very nice, the beach is the best there. Have an awesome time!

[@WeWillNomad]

Oh wow, that does look like a nice place! The weather did not allow us to go further south or to Lake Prespa, but hopefully next time! 😊

[@Tapshanov]

@@WeWillNomad Something to come back. If you are staying longer, we would be happy to recommend few places that will be great to visit with a van. Safe travels 😊

[@dannyb8169]

Hi guys. I love your videos, I have been following your travels since the first Albanian video. I am originally from Kosovo, Albanian living in Western Australia since 1999. When you visit Kosovo you must visit the city of Prizren, also Gryka e Rugoves . Pristina the capital city is where I was born is also nice. There is a nice place to park your caravan which I will tell you about in the coming videos. Safe travels 😃 👍

[@WeWillNomad]

Thanks Danny! We're actually in Kosovo right now! 😊

[@Video_al464]

Guys where is the video that shows your opinion on Albania. I hope that you make one.😢

[@WeWillNomad]

Don't worry it will come! We just need to find some time 😎

[@davidadebruyn2653]

Wonderful to see all these places that we will never be able to visit through your 📸 What about some turkish delight 😋

[@WeWillNomad]

Too many temptations. 😁 In Ohrid there are specialist Turkish shops which makes Turkish delicacies we've last seen in Istanbul. And then.. the Baklava.. 😬 Next video in Skopje we tasted 4 desserts in a single sitting. 🤔😬

[@davidadebruyn2653]

@@WeWillNomad Can't wait🤩🤩

[@familyrovers]

I would like to tell you the road gets better but I will lie. The motorways have improved drastically but on the side its either good or bad. As for the desert "Trilece" my favorite. Burek also a delicacy, in Serbia there should be even better one. If you stay in Ohrid should get trout from the area.

[@WeWillNomad]

We will happily suffer the bad roads for ongoing Burek and Trilece! 🤣

[@familyrovers]

@@WeWillNomad When it comes to food you won't be disappointed. Although should avoid pizza and ice cream. We can't beat italy there!

[@WeWillNomad]

😂 Funny how we are never tempted to try pizza in foreign places (even though we love pizza) but we always want to try ice-cream! 😝

[@Alekosssvr]

Go to Zagori. You still have time before the flock of tourists arrive.

[@WeWillNomad]

Thank you for that great suggestion! Unfortunately we have already left Greece but we've got it marked for next time now 👍 Thanks for watching! 😊

[@ag5688]

You need to explore the Albanian side of lake Ohrid. the Town of Pogradec and City of Korca. Pogradec was a flower town during Communist era Korca was known as the most cultured city in Albania. I know you already been to Albania Riviera and going to Albania again is a-bit of overkill but it will be amazing if you can see the lake Riviera of Albania. Last year we did 6 days in Saranda where we sun and tanned and 3 days in Pogradec where we really cooled and relaxed from the beach vibe. It was an amazing experience doing it that way

[@WeWillNomad]

Thanks so much for your comment! We really would like to go back and see MUCH more of Albania but unfortunately it probably won't be right now. Next time we will definitely buy the full month of insurance so we can stay longer! 😊

[@creekyknee]

North Macedonia reminds me of Ireland before we joined the EEC/EU. And thanks to the hard working Germans we got funds to improve our roads and infrastructure. We are now a first world economy with an excellent road network and are a net contributor into the EU coffers. I am so glad (and thankful) for what our European neighbours/friends have done for us. I'm a big fan of the EU project. methinks that Macedonia could benefit from being in the EU family.

[@WeWillNomad]

That's an interesting comparison. It's all comes across as a bit confusing and one can't help but wonder how things will change if they do join the EU. 🤞

[@sasho888prm]

Problem is they hate their neighbours (Greece and Bulgaria), and to be in the EU you must be on good terms with your neighbours. They also like to invent their own history by claiming Greek and Bulgarian heroes and figures as their own, since Macedonia is a Communist invention from the 1940's.

[@thecatsari9217]

But eu didn't make anything for bulgarian roads. They wouldn't make anything for the Macedonian too. They're stealing bulgarian and greek history and that's the reason they will never join.

[@mellake7052]

Sadly, that is unlikely to be the case for Macedonia. They have bent over backwards to fulfill their obligations and have been let down every single time. They are unlikely to get in (for reasons I won't go into) but if they did, I would predict they would be lumbered with all the responsibilities and none of the benefits. Sad for such a beautiful country with mostly lovely and positive people.

[@RU-Aussie]

Bulgars are Tatars and Modern day Greeks are Turks, Slavs and Albanians.

[@cistamakedonija8210]

Hope you enjoyed your stay in my homeland MACEDONIA. You should return to Ohrid and Bitola as you missed a fair bit!

[@WeWillNomad]

Thank you! Yes, we will definitely return for longer next time! 😊

[@greekmetalhead1805]

Writing "MACEDONIA" in all caps doesn't change the fact that you are a Slav with no connection to ancient Greece and that your land wasn't even part of the original Macedonian Kingdom. Cope.

[@GoceDelcevMKD]

Nice video guys enjoy Macedonia :)

[@WeWillNomad]

Thanks! 😃