Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is known for its centuries-old architecture and rich culture, influenced by Southeast Asian, Chinese, and French. At its heart is the chaotic Old Quarter, where the narrow streets are roughly arranged by trade. Many little temples, including Bach Ma, honouring a legendary horse, plus Đồng Xuân Market, selling household goods and street food.

Lokanta 1741 - One visit A fine dining establishment that is a hidden oasis tucked away in a 300-year-old Hamam and from the intensity of the bustling city. While the upstairs is graced with a view of the old brickwork, the downstairs is also perfect for the colder winter Turkish months by the cosy log fire. Traditional Turkish food is simple but cooked to perfection. Think melt-in-your-mouth lamb and the Pides are a must. An excellent wine list accompanies all this. Be sure to follow with the rice pudding. It was divine! Thank you to the team for the lovely surprise and a Haman farewell gift; it is a nice touch. The perfect ending to your meal is sampling the high-quality cocktails they have on the menu. It seems the cocktail scene is growing, and this place was exceptional. It is a friendly team; you can watch the chef and his team in action upstairs. This restaurant will make its mark next summer season. It has so much to offer. It is the most idyllic rooftop to relax and enjoy a long, lazy lunch or a romantic dinner.

Ciflik Winery - One visit We were very excited to visit our first winery during our recent travels to Bitola, Macedonia. Upon arrival, we had a rocky start, but our lovely waiter, Bojan, soon turned things around. Bojan's warm and friendly nature, professional service, and knowledge were exceptional. After chatting, we learned he had been trained in Dubai. You could see customer service was very important to him, and all guests received the experience they came to enjoy. After talking, we learnt he was trained in Dubai. You could see that customer service was essential to him, We reserved a table for lunch via Facebook Messenger, which was all smooth sailing. Upon arrival, we were seated in the casual dining area on a small undressed table in the centre, as the dressed area was for a private function. We asked to move to a larger table, and it was reserved. The waitress told us this was our only option after we sat unattended for five minutes waiting for menus. We decided to take matters into our own hands and give them a chance, as there was ample outdoor seating. We headed out and chose a table, which they kindly dressed for us. Lunch was to begin with a bottle of fine French bubbles followed by an impeccable local red from the winery. Bojan definitely took us on a journey of wonderful food and wine. There is a large menu full of traditional options and all your international favourites. We started out with a beautiful fresh salad with the most divine jam, accompanied by Bruschetta with a local roasted pepper spread called Ajvar. It was very special indeed. We ordered steak and beef tagliata for our mains, which were delicious and cooked to perfection. Desserts were a special treat from a fellow guest after his little son sampled ours from another restaurant the day prior. I was incredibly generous, and we were not concerned at all with the little one being brave and popping over to say hi and check out our dessert:-) The winery is a ten-minute drive from Ohrid, and it is easy to catch a taxi. It is surrounded by lush green mountains, clean air, and nature.

Grand Central Hotel - Three nights It is a lovely new luxury boutique hotel in Bitola, Macedonia, located in the heart of Bitola. The rooms are very modern and beautifully furnished, with gorgeous bathrooms. We chose the Luxury Quadruple Room to ensure we had extra space; it has a separate lounge area and is a spacious room. The room faces the mountains with views of the mosque; it was a great introduction to Bitola. The staff is friendly and very kind. Breakfast is included in your room and served in the restaurant downstairs, and you will not go hungry. It is delicious and fresh. It was full service. Unfortunately, they do not have a coffee machine, so coffee options were limited. However, you are spoilt for choice on your doorstep, so you will still get your coffee fix. The location is very central, and the Širok Sokak, a long pedestrian street and Stara Charshija, the old bazaar, are within minutes' walk from the hotel. It was very quiet during the nights, and we loved the call to prayer every few hours, which reminded us that we were in this beautiful country.

Restaurant Oskar - One visit Restaurant Oskar, a gem of a traditional Macedonian eatery, is just a short drive from Bitola and comes highly recommended by the locals for its unique offerings. Upon arriving, you walk through a lovely garden with quirky decor and garden ornaments. Stepping into Restaurant Oskar, you're greeted by warm, friendly staff and a serene outdoor dining area that sets the perfect mood for a delightful meal. It's a local restaurant. We loved that they catered to Macedonians with local menus, which always makes it fun to translate and the surprise as your meals arrive. We started with a local chardonnay, instilled with 24-carat gold flakes from Kamnik winery. The food was exceptional, very fresh and we enjoyed another local dish (see above), it was grilled village meat wrapped in a thin layer of pastry. It made the experience very exciting. We enjoyed another local dish (see above): grilled village meat wrapped in a thin layer of pastry. It m Restaurant Oskar is the perfect place to enjoy a lazy lunch. It offers excellent service, food and wine, and tranquil surroundings.

Airbnb - Two weeks Look no further; if you are lucky enough to have found this Airbnb, be sure to book it. The most spectacular views over Bitola, it is on Level 13, don't worry, there is a lift:-) As soon as you enter, you are mesmerised by the beauty of Bitola. The apartment has been designed to capture views from every room, with a large glass window to ensure uninterrupted views. The apartment is modern and furnished beautifully, very spacious and comfortable. Enjoy your morning coffee or afternoon wine sitting at the window or on the balcony, soaking up the views. The natural light makes your day brighter each day streaming through. We initially booked for four nights and extended to 14 nights. The apartment was perfect for an extended stay; it felt like home. It is fully equipped with everything you need to relax and cook at home (although we have opted to dine out most days due to the incredible value and the opportunity to experience the fantastic hospitality and local culture). You can also access total cleaning products; the apartment is sparkling clean. The apartment is in the heart of Bitola, with all the hotspots and essentials on your doorstep. If we had tried, we couldn't have found a better apartment in Bitola, but this Airbnb is the best in town. Ema, our host, is an absolute treasure. She is a delight to deal with and responds immediately. Ema is full of recommendations for exploring and experiencing wonderful Bitola. We enjoyed our time in Bitola; it was beautiful. If you are a history and cocktail lover, visit Bar Carsija in the old bazaar. You won't be disappointed.

Bar Carsija - Five visits The best cocktail bar in Bitola is located in the Old Bazaar in a 500-year-old Hammam Turkish bath. As you enter, the staff's energy, warmth, and friendliness envelop you, creating an atmosphere of genuine welcome and a sense of being part of the historical narrative. Each cocktail is a labour of love, prepared to perfection. The best part? It's not just the taste that's exceptional, but also the value for money, making it one of the most affordable bars in Bitola. The atmosphere is unique, as you enjoy your drinks in a beautifully designed bar in a historical hammam from the Ottoman Empire with a view of a mosque. We loved the cosy lounge ambience and the quirkiness of the bar, from flowers to bicycles on display. If you are looking for locals and many friendly faces, visit over the weekend; there is great music and a vibe. I definitely recommend visiting Bar Carsija while you are in Bitola. You won't be disappointed. It has become a local spot for us to enjoy evening cocktails with the friendly team and friends.

Pepsito - Three visits An authentic Macedonian experience at Pepsito restaurant by the Dragor riverside in Bitola. An excellent local restaurant, also a favourite for the locals, you could easily spend an afternoon enjoying watching the world go by in the old bazaar and the river views. The food was exceptional, with a selection of local wines. It truly felt like we were a local. At Pepsito, it was not just good; it was excellent. Each dish was an accurate representation of the rich flavours of Macedonia. And the local wines, they were the perfect accompaniment, adding a touch of authenticity to our dining experience We enjoyed warm and friendly service, and we loved that the menu was in Macedonian. Although ordering was challenging, you always got by, and we enjoyed a delicious grilled plate. We were overwhelmed by the generosity of our neighbouring table after chatting with them; they popped over and filled our glasses of wine twice:-) We enjoyed our dinner and will be back; we were also amazed when we received our bill for AUD 19; you have to love Macedonia. We have visited Pepsito another couple of times, and the food has been very consistent and continues to surprise us. A couple of times again, the lovely owners are delightful and make us feel part of the family. It's not just a late lunch spot, it's a place where you instantly feel part of the community, a feeling that keeps drawing us back.

Bela Kuka Hotel Bistro - Three visits A quaint restaurant is part of a hotel, just a short walk from Shirok Sokak Street, also known as the "White House." The wine list is excellent, and we found a special bottle of red wine we were hunting for from Bovin Winery. Tucked away on a quiet street, a hidden little oasis, perfect for breakfast or lunch. The staff at Bela Kuka Hotel Bistro is not just friendly; they are welcoming. The wine list is not just good; it's great. We were delighted to find a special bottle of red wine from the Bovin winery, a true gem. It's a place that doesn't just meet your expectations; it exceeds them. It has an extensive menu with more wonderful food, fresh salads, and delicious meat perfectly cooked. We returned for breakfast over the weekend, and Wayne was very excited to receive his favourite bacon and eggs (for AUD 3.85), the best bacon in Macedonia to date. Recommend if you are looking for a comfortable, quirky, and well-priced restaurant.

La Playa Beach Bar - One Visit Ok, beach bar. There is no real view, and to be honest, there are better places that have a view and better quality drinks and service. My recommendation is to go to Bonaca Restaurant Lounge Bar.