Christmas Day this year was all about reflecting on our Christmas Days and the destinations for the past 17 years from 2004. We have celebrated Christmas worldwide and a couple of precious ones at home in Australia with friends and family, which we hold very close to our hearts. It has been an incredible journey, and it was special reminiscing together. Australia (5) Fitzroy | 2006 & 2011 Southbank | 2008 &2015 Bendigo | 2013 & 2014 Germany (1) Frankfurt | 2017 Montenegro (1) Zabljak | 2020 Morocco (1) Essaouira | 2019 Cruises (2) New Zealand | HAL ms Oosterdam | 2012 New Caledonia | Celebrity Solstice | 2016 Thailand (4) Bangkok | 2004 Koh Samui | 2009 & 2018 Pattaya | 2010 US (3) San Francisco | 2005 New York | 2007 & 2014

Krushevska Odaja - Two visits It is an authentic Macedonian restaurant in Krushevo, from the delicious food to the decor and atmosphere. As soon as you walk in, you are greeted by the warm and friendly team, all born and raised in magical Krushevo. You can feel the community vibe, and you instantly feel part of the family. I enjoy all the traditional dishes, as they are all fantastic. We had to go back for seconds to try the slow-cooked beef and mushrooms; it was mouthwatering. You may need to ask for this, as it was not on the menu. We dined twice at this beautiful restaurant: once outdoors and once on the terrace. Both areas were enjoyable and comfortable. We felt very special when we were treated to local desserts, which were the perfect end to a perfect dining experience. Be sure to take a tour indoors to enjoy all the decor, traditional clothes, and items on display; it helps you understand the times. We were very impressed by the lovely Ratko, who is incredibly professional and ensures your lunch is a memorable experience. We were very grateful to have met Ratko during our time in Krushevo and to have created another special friendship on our travels through Macedonia. Excellent value for the exquisite cuisine, service, and selection of local Macedonian wines. You will not be disappointed if you are lucky to be in magical Krushevo and dining at Krushevska Odaja.

Club Planet - Three visits We stumbled upon Club Planet whilst exploring Krushevo; it was full of locals and exuded positive energy with great tunes. It is located at the base of the steps in the centre of Krushevo, with beautiful views of the church and surrounding architecture. We felt instantly welcomed by the warm and friendly staff. There was a wide selection of drinks available, all very well-priced. We opted for gin and tonics, and they didn't disappoint. A favourite with the locals, and was always busy as we walked by, we continued to visit a few times during our stay in Krushevo.

Pizza Skar - One visit Pizza Skar is in the heart of Krusheveo, in a little laneway, a great spot to feel part of the community. It is a quaint little cosy restaurant, busy with locals and beautiful decor. We sat down to enjoy a lazy lunch, and the lovely waitress sourced our favourite bottle of Bela Voda, which wasn't listed on the menu. The food was very good. The waitress managed the restaurant on her own, basically, and made sure we were always taken care of. She was incredibly kind to treat us to a delicious selection of desserts. The generosity of the staff is always unexpected. Upon receiving the bill, this was the first time we had been treated as foreigners, where they felt they could charge us double for our favourite local wine. We were very disappointed, especially after having this wine for the past two months. Many times, the highest we have been charged was 2500 denar, but here they thought they could take us for a ride and charged us 4000 denar. I recommend checking the bill closely. In hindsight, we should have questioned the price of the wine, as this left us feeling down on Krushevo. Fortunately, all faith was restored when we dined again at the fantastic Krushevska Odaja.

Gostilnica Marchelo - One visit We loved this little bar nestled in the cobblestoned laneways of Krushevo. It is a perfect spot for a quick drink on our last evening in his quaint village. We enjoyed a small bottle of local wine each, we were also tempted to try it with a slice of lemon, a local tradition we were told, we decided this was not to our tastebuds; it's like popping a strawberry in champagne; a definite no-no for us:-) The staff was incredibly friendly and went out of their way to ensure we were well taken care of. I even asked for a phone charger, and as they didn't have the correct one, he went to borrow another from down the road (unfortunately, it was the wrong one, too, but the level of service was heartwarming). Again, we wished we had more time to enjoy this lovely little bar with a positive vibe in the heart of Krushevo.

Makedonium Ilinden Monument - One visit Makedonium is a very interesting Yugoslavian architecture perched up on the hill in Krushevo, a memorial for the soldiers. Ilinden, also known as Makedonium, is a monument in Kruševo, Macedonia. Makedonium was officially opened on August 2 of 1974, on the 30th anniversary of the Second Session of the Anti-fascist Assembly for the National Liberation of Macedonia and the 71st anniversary of Ilinden uprising. We enjoyed learning to fly our drone around this magnificent piece of architecture. It was very peaceful, tucked away with beautiful views and surrounded by nature. The locals bring their horses to feed, and the bells chiming around their necks as they trim the grass add to the ambience. Unfortunately, the monument was closed, so we could not enter to enjoy the stained glass windows as the sun set indoors. To learn all about the history of the Macedonians, click here.

Panorama Hotel & Spa - Six nights Three nights turned into six nights in this beautiful hotel with the best views over Krushevo. It is a perfect hotel to enjoy the surrounding nature and fresh air. It was a magical walk into town surrounded by forest, beautiful giant pine trees, and wildlife; we even saw our first woodpecker during our walks, busy chiselling the trees. The rooms were beautiful, with heavenly beds, high-quality linens, and a firm mattress. The views were incredible, and all the rooms had views. The hotel restaurant staff were hot and friendly, the food was exceptional, and you must try the local dishes; we loved the Alto burger, which wasn't what we expected, but we were very impressed when it arrived. The ribs also melted in your mouth, slow-cooked and delicious. The salads were always very fresh and tasty. A great selection of local Dalvina wines, especially reds and sparkling wine, was also impressive at 1200 denar. Note that one section was very smoky, but they did have another section that was no smoking and much fresher. You could also dine outside to enjoy the lovely sunshine and views. The hotel is clean, although the maid service was relatively poor in the rooms, and when you did receive the service, the minimal was done. Towels and toilet paper were replaced, and the bed would remain unmade some days. Be sure to check your invoice on checkout, as we had agreed on a rate of 92 euros for the additional three days, and they tried to charge us the same weekend rate we had on the arrival of 110 euros. Fortunately, we picked it up, and after explaining, they cleared it all up and apologised. There seemed to be a lack of communication amongst staff. Overall the hotel is beautiful, just a few minor improvements above could be made to tick all the boxes for your stay, but I wouldn't let this deter you from enjoying the experience.

Seli Taxi - Two weeks of trips It all started on a hot summer's day. We had just finished shopping in the Skopje mall, and Seli was the first taxi in the rank. He was hot and friendly, spoke English, and had air conditioning! Upon arriving home, he gave us his card and said feel free to call me anytime +38970550348. We took him up on the offer to take us to lunch the next day. Unfortunately, we only had 1000 Denar, and the hotel could not change it. Seli says no worries, pay me when I return to pick you up. We were overwhelmed by the trust; being from Australia, a taxi driver would never let you out until you had paid. Each time we messaged him (via WhatsApp), he was minutes away and never kept us waiting. We gave him the 1000 Denar and used it as credit for the next few trips. Each ride is approximately 100-150 Denar (2 EUR). It was only natural that we booked Seli to take us to Serbia. He switched his taxi for a very comfortable transfer, and we arrived safely in Serbia, which was only a 1.5-hour drive from Skopje for 70 EUR. We enjoyed the ease of communicating with Seli and his incredible energy. He always brought smiles and laughter each trip, and we felt like we had our driver for all our needs in Skopje.

Restaurant And Terrace UNO - Two visits This family-owned restaurant is located in the majestic village of Trpejca, a short boat cruise from Ohrid. Crystal-clear waters are at your doorstep. We were fortunate to enjoy a private lunch prepared by this restaurant on our magical boat cruise of Lake Ohrid with B & F Cruise—Ohrid Lake Boat Tours. The owners had freshly caught the famous Ohrid trout from the lake that morning. They prepared it uniquely on the grill that few restaurants offer in Ohrid. It was mouthwatering. Our lunch was set up on the boat in a packed restaurant style. We anchored in a small alcove to enjoy a private lunch and a lovely local bottle of wine on the boat. The setting was magical. Stefan picked up our lovely captain Nikola from the restaurant so we could dine privately. 1.5 hours later, we messaged him once we were ready, and he was delivered back to us. Stefan then cleared the boat from the lunch setting (table and all). It was a fun experience. The food was delicious, and Stefan and the team were charming. We enjoyed the complete experience and recommend dining at the restaurant and organising a lunch on the lake. You will not be disappointed; it was perfection. Second visit to Restaurant UNO We had another perfect dinner with lovely Nikola and Stefan on our last night in Ohrid. It was nice to arrive by car and enter the village from another angle. There is a beautiful stepped walkway down to the restaurant. We were blessed to arrive at the golden hour and experience sunset from the restaurant. We had more magical views, fun times, and delicious food. This time, we tried the traditional Macedonian dish 'Village meat with vegetables baked in a clay pot' and were not disappointed. The restaurant has recently been refurbished and is very modern, designed with lovely lights and a great ambience. Be sure to stop by the viewpoint for the sensational view of Trpejca. We truly wished we had stayed here, an absolute hidden gem of Macedonia.

Vila Bisera - Six nights It is a beautiful, peaceful resort with magical views over Lake Ohrid in Lagadin, Macedonia. As soon as you arrive, a short 10-minute drive from Ohrid, you instantly feel like you are on holiday. The views from the rooms and the recently refurbished restaurant and bar by the pool are incredible. We booked a three-bedroom apartment, which was fully equipped with a very spacious kitchen. The rooms are designed with a beach loft theme, making for a very comfortable stay. From the main room on the lakeside, you have total views of Lake Ohrid. We were amazed at the quiet ambience, which ensured your nightly sleeps were uninterrupted. The team at Villa Bisera is very welcoming and ensures your stay is perfect. Breakfast is included in your room and served a la carte from the restaurant. There is an excellent selection for everyone. We opted for the healthy option of yoghurt and fresh fruits. There are two pools, one of which is located by the restaurant. It was perfect for evening drinks and enjoying the magnificent views, and you were blessed each night with the most amazing sunsets. Villa Bisera is located on a hill, an easy walk down to the lake and nearby restaurants. Dva Bisera is a well-known restaurant only 200m from the villas and worth visiting; we enjoyed three excellent lunches here, and the food was incredible. Activities include magical lake cruises with B & F Boat Cruises and quad biking in the national park. The Bay of Bones museum and Monastery of St. Naum are also a short drive away. I recommend Villa Bisera for a luxury getaway with the best views of Lake Ohrid and the surrounding mountains.