Kadmo Lounge Bar - Three visits As soon as you walk in, you can feel the warmth and friendly vibe of the staff. The views are something else, and they're perfect for sunset drinks (beer, wine, and spirits only, no cocktails) and soaking up the landscape of Old City Ohrid. It's magical! The lounge bar is modern and comfortable, designed to relax and enjoy the views. You are blessed again with the clearest of waters; it truly is a little oasis just off the bustling cobblestone alleys of Ohrid. It is located in the heart of the old town. The menu offers a delicious selection of traditional Macedonian cuisine. We will definitely be back. This will be ideal if you want a little hidden gem for breakfast with a view or a quiet spot to work and have a coffee. Update: We visited Kadmo Lounge for lunch and breakfast before leaving, and the level of service continued, with quality dishes for lunch. The breakfast menu was very limited, with only two options, so we definitely recommend it for lunch and dinner. PORTA—Restaurant & Lounge was our favourite breakfast restaurant, a few minutes' walk from Kadmo.

Le Petit Bistro Lihnidos - One visit It is a great local hotspot in Ohrid, where you can enjoy excellent cocktails in a warm and friendly environment. Indoor and outdoor dining available and recently refurbished, very modern with high quality furnishings. Definitely a great place to catchup with friends from breakfast to dinner, just seconds from the lake, so you enjoy wonderful views. The team is very welcoming and bursting with positive energy, making your visit more enjoyable. Primarily a fish restaurant and local Macedonian cuisine, also a hotel, rooms are very modern and spacious with spectacular views of the lake.

Cuba Libre Beach & Bar - Two visits After researching Ohrid before we arrived, Cuba Libre Beach Bar was on our list. Our first weekend, we couldn't wait to visit—the perfect way to spend our Easter Saturday with a lazy lunch at this local hotspot. A beautiful beach bar with spectacular views of Lake Ohrid overlooking the old town and the surrounding mountain ranges. Service was warm and friendly, and we enjoyed chatting with our waiter, who was kind enough to give us a cozy lounge by the water. It warmed our hearts when 20 mins in, our lovely waiter Jovan came over and said to us, 'You both have so much positive energy, I just want to tell you that you have made my day'. Fortunately, we found our new favourite Macedonian wine, Tikves Bela Voda. We were equally impressed when we saw that it was a vintage from 2013—the most fantastic chardonnay to enjoy in the sunshine and soak up the views. The menu is full of variety, with lots of tasty Cuban cuisine. We couldn't pass up the Grilled Tortilla with gorgonzola cheese. Thank you, Jovan, for the recommendation—you were spot on! The Chicken Croquettes were also a treat. During our second visit, we enjoyed their version of the Bruschetta—it was delicious! The cocktails were exceptional, and kudos to the mixologist, who obtained his experience from cruise ships and is an asset to Cuba Libre. Overall, it is a fantastic venue, with many seating areas indoors and outdoors. The decor is modern and quirky. As the sun sets, the candles are lit, making for a very cosy atmosphere. It's a lovely stroll along the waterfront from Old City. You can enjoy all the wonderful views, local life, and nature. It's approximately 20-25 minutes' walk, or you can catch a boat from the Port in Ohrid, which is a magical experience too (especially at sunset) with B & F Cruise—Ohrid Lake Boat Tours. We were fortunate we were still in Ohrid when they opened up again after a three-week closure to dine in due to COVID, and we were not disappointed on our next visit, from the warm welcome back from Jovan and Riste to the delicious food and cocktails.

B & F Cruise - Ohrid Lake Boat Tours - One visit Pure bliss cruising on Lake Ohrid in Macedonia during the golden hour with the sun setting. A sunset cruise with Nikola of B & F Cruises was the perfect way to arrive home from Cuba Libre after a long, lazy lunch. The views of the old town and the magical St. Johns Church were breathtaking, and we were also fortunate to experience the lake like glass. Thank you to Nikola, our fabulous Captain, for recommending such a wonderful experience and the door-to-door delivery; it felt like royalty. We recommend going from 7 pm, when the vivid colours of the town light up, the sun sets over the water, and there are fewer boats, making the lake quieter. Add this experience to your bucket list of items in Ohrid; you won't be disappointed.

Pizza Via Sacre - One visit Unfortunately, the location is not enough in the heart of the old city, just by the lovely Saint Sophia church. We were very unimpressed with the quality of the food. It started well with some delicious homemade lemonade, followed by a margarita pizza, which was great. We then ordered a traditional chicken pide, mainly raw chicken pieces (the stray cats even passed it up). Our waiter asked us if something was wrong. We mentioned the uncooked chicken, and he responded, 'Well, I didn't cook it', which was very disappointing. An apology would have been more appropriate. It's definitely a tourist trap, and I recommend avoiding it to ensure you stay healthy during your visit. You are spoilt for choice in Ohrid, so it's best to give this one a miss. I guess we can't win them all. After dining out numerous times a week for four years, this was the first restaurant that failed the 101 cooking test and served our chicken medium rarely.

Saint Sophia - Two visits The beautiful “St. Sophia” church is in the heart of the old town of Ohrid, Macedonia. Surrounded by beautifully maintained gardens and lawn, relax on the park benches to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the stunning church. It is one of the most important churches in Macedonia. The church is dedicated to the Holy Wisdom, built in 9th century, on the foundations of an early Christian basilica from the 5th century. The church houses architecture and art from the Middle Ages, you can enter for a small fee to view. Views from Villa Varosh are magical, also the best guesthouse in Ohrid.

Temperament Restoran - One visit Temperament Restoran is a slick and modern restaurant on the famous Savamala Esplanade. There are also a host of restaurants along the esplanade in Beton Hala (Concrete Hall), on the riverfront of the Sava. The modern interior is impressive, with a great outdoor seating area, comfortable cushion chairs and heating. Very authentic, fresh-quality Balkan food. The extensive menu was excellent. We enjoyed a fresh, light risotto and the most succulent lamb. There is an extensive wine list. Take the time to peruse the list, as we found some hidden Serbian gems. They also have a beautiful wine wall display inside the restaurant. When visiting the restrooms, you are also spoilt with a luxurious waiting area, a nice touch. Take the effort with the staff; you will be rewarded. A simple hello and thank you in Serbian always rewards you with warm and friendly service. Temperament is frequented by the locals, which is always a positive sign you have chosen the right place, and we were not disappointed.

Mia's Favorite Hotel - Four nights Warm and friendly hotel in Mavrovo National Park, you felt like part of the family. First and foremost, the team is an absolute delight. Everyone was full of energy, and the service was very attentive. The location is ideal for your stay in Mavrovo; you are within walking distance of nearby restaurants and local sites; a favourite was Mavrovski Merak. The hotel is beautifully designed with exceptional views and is the perfect place to relax and enjoy. The outdoor and indoor dining space was incredible. The rooms are clean and comfortable. We stayed in the Premium Room (Room 108) for a night (below) and then moved into the apartment, which was very spacious with wonderful views. We then moved into the VIP Superior Apartment, which was very spacious with beautiful views of the lake and mountains and a kitchen on level two (Room 202). The food was amazing. We dined in the restaurant a few times over the four days, and every meal was delicious. We also tried Roe Deer, a traditional dish cooked to perfection. Don't miss the meatballs; they were mouthwatering, along with the roast lamb. The drinks were a real treat; if you are a cocktail lover, experience them from the fantastic bar staff. There was an extensive wine selection, and the wines were not overpriced. We became friends with the staff, and lovely Nikola was kind enough to drive us to our next destination, Matka Canyon. He also surprised us one morning with our first Turkish coffee in Macedonia. Breakfast was made to order, and the coffee was excellent. Our time at Mia's was exceptional, and we are very grateful to the team for making us feel so welcome. We were sad to move on; we could have stayed much longer.

Mavrovski Merak - Two visits It's a gorgeous restaurant in Mavrovo, from the location to the staff to the food! Don't miss dining at Mavroski Merak during your stay in Mavrovo. It is also a hotspot for locals and visitors and is always busy. It is on the lake with magical views of the mountains, homes, and churches. It felt like little Switzerland. Bojan and the team were delighted; they were very friendly, generous, and kind. The food was another level, just mouthwatering, and we worked through the menu. The meat dishes were of the highest quality. We loved the pork ribs, and the grilled zucchini was divine! Don't forget to try the meat pie with sour cream, an excellent traditional dish. A great selection of local wines for all palates and priced well.

VK Hospital As a foreigner & traveller, I would not recommend this hospital; please visit VinMec. We visited VK Hospital before attending VinMec, which was not very clean. They were not able to diagnose the problem, and there were long waiting times. They also completed a procedure that did not fix the issue. The doctor also asked for a tip and confirmed he had no idea what was wrong after he had completed the procedure. The receptionist was extremely rude and only accepted cash. Equipment was dated, and the ancient hospital and English were minimal. Go to VinMec instead.