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Old Mavrovo Church - One visit St Nicholas Church, also known as Old Mavrovo Church , is an abandoned church in Mavrovo , Macedonia , submerged in Mavrovo Lake . Old Mavrovo Church - Mavrovo On our visit to Mavrovo, the church is now accessible by land, a short walk from the road that you can visit as it is currently being restored. Old Mavrovo Church - Mavrovo The church is in ruins, the roof has caved in, the interior has been destroyed, but you can safely walkthrough . Despite being submerged in water, the church has preserved its initial construction. Its bell tower still exists. The church is located on the lake ; we enjoyed spending the afternoon practising flying our drone ; it is peaceful with beautiful views as it is abandoned . The church was built in 1850 with icons painted by Dicho Zograf. It served as the main village church of Mavrovo . With the construction of the hydroelectric power station in Mavrovo and the artificial Mavrovo Lake, the church was submerged underwater . During summer periods of drought, the church is accessible through the land.

Enoteka Johan - Two Visits This restaurant is hidden away and well worth finding; you'll be guaranteed the freshest fish, that can be made perfect with a wine from their extensive wine list (including a number of verticals) and an excellent champagne selection at great value. Enoteka Johan - Tirana Sally and I love champagne, and after extensive research, we found that this restaurant sells the cheapest Taittinger champagne in Tirana. The staff is super friendly, and when dining upstairs, you have a view of the kitchen (a perfect location on a rainy day). This restaurant would be a perfect place for summer with an extensive outdoor area. While primarily a seafood restaurant, I can attest that the menu selection will satisfy non-fish eaters. An extensive menu with something for everyone and the best value food in Tirane in a fine-dining restaurant: three courses, a bottle of French champagne, and a glass of wine each, all for AUD 120. Enoteka Johan - Tirana

Vino Bar Bure - Five visits Fabulous wine bar in Magnolia Square with a warm and positive atmosphere in Bitola, Macedonia. Vino Bar Bure - Bitola On our first day in Bitola, we chose the perfect spot to introduce ourselves to our new destination; from the moment we walked in, the lovely staff were full of laughs and high energy. Located in the heart of Bitola at the top of Širok Sokak, a long pedestrian street of Macedonian and Ottoman architecture, with a very European style and views of the clock tower and surrounding monuments. There is a full menu of delicious sharing-style plates and traditional food, a great wine selection, and excellent value. The meatball tacos are a favourite, bursting with flavour and high-e the warm and friendly community, which is quality meat. We enjoyed our afternoon watching the world go by and experiencing the warm and friendly community. It is a local hotspot. Vino Bar Bure - Bitola Our lovely servers surprised us with a beautiful dessert and coffee to complete our afternoon; a big thank you for making us feel special and for your kindness and generosity. Vino Bar Bure has become one of our favourites in Bitola. We love soaking up the sun, people-watching, and enjoying a bottle of wine with delicious snacks. I recommend this wine bar to feel part of the community and experience the local vibe. Vino Bar Bure - Bitola It was a wonderful experience visiting Vino Bar Bure during our stay in Bitola. We enjoyed afternoon cocktails with the lovely friends we had made there. Thank you for making us feel so welcome. We were excited to visit again and discover they had purchased the ingredients for our favourite cocktail, Negroni. You have to love Bitola and its fantastic vibe and people. Vino Bar Bure - Bitola

Tone - One Visit It is a tremendous gourmet burger restaurant where you sit in a beautiful square and people-watch. Tone - Rovinj I especially love that you can select the type of beef for your gourmet burger. I would eat here again (that's a hint for Sally). Tone - Rovinj Again, this place gets bustling, so book, or you will miss out.

Falco's Restaurant - Bar - Club - One Visit Rock Me, Amadeus. If you love 80s music, drop into Falco's restaurant and bar. Falco's Restaurant - Bar - Club - Vienna Falco was an Austrian singer and songwriter from 19 February 1957 to 6 February 1998. Falco had several international hits, including "Rock Me Amadeus," "Der Kommissar," "Vienna Calling," "Jeanny," "The Sound of Musik," "Coming Home (Jeanny Part II, One Year Later)," and, posthumously, "Out of the Dark." "Rock Me Amadeus" reached No. 1 on the Billboard charts in 1986, making him the only artist whose principal language was German to score a vocal number-one hit in the United States. It's just a lovely, feel-good venue with good food. Nothing is better than having a wiener schnitzel and beer and listening to classic 80s tunes surrounded by memorabilia. You will leave with such positive vibes.

Restaurant Casablanca - One visit The restaurant you wish you had found earlier was one of the best in Macedonia and exceeded our expectations. Restaurant Casablanca - Skopje Our last lunch in Skopje and Macedonia ticked all our boxes. First and foremost, it was air-conditioned so that we could enjoy and relax over lunch, a reprieve from the hot, scorching days, with a view of the Vardar River. The staff was an absolute delight. They were hot, friendly, and attentive, and they were all full of enthusiasm. The food was exceptional, with the wine to match. We started with a salad; it was the freshest we have experienced. Roast lamb and mouthwatering followed it, definitely on par with Australian lamb, followed by Wiener veal schnitzel, which is also delicious. We were overwhelmed to receive a glass of wine from the house—the exact wine we were drinking, our favourite, and only available by the bottle. Very comfortable dining. The furniture was designed for a perfect, long, lazy lunch or dinner with beautiful glassware. We wish we had encountered this fine dining gem much earlier when we arrived in Skopje to enjoy culinary delights and comfort.

Backyard Restaurant - One Visit Backyard Restaurant in Pula is a delightful hidden gem. Its charming outdoor seating area offers a warm and inviting atmosphere. The menu features a mix of Mediterranean and Croatian dishes with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Backyard Restaurant - Pula The seafood platter and homemade pasta are noteworthy, showcasing the chef’s skill and attention to detail. The friendly and attentive staff ensures a pleasant dining experience. With its delicious food, cozy ambience, and excellent service, Backyard Restaurant is a must-visit in Pula. Backyard Restaurant - Pula

Trattoria Pizzeria Toscana - Six Visits We enjoyed dining at Trattoria Pizzeria Toscana, a gem that's become a staple for anyone craving authentic Italian fare. From the moment hubby and I stepped into this quaint restaurant, located at 98/4 North Pattaya Beach Road, we were enveloped by an atmosphere that blends rustic Italian charm with the relaxed beach vibe of Pattaya. The menu was a delightful journey through Italy, offering everything from perfectly charred pizzas to the most succulent meats and perfectly al dente pasta. Moreover, their selection of Thai dishes hinted at a harmonious blend of cultures, catering to many tastes. What truly set Trattoria Pizzeria Toscana apart for us was not just the quality of the food but also the warmth with which it was served. The service here is something worth writing home about—attentive, personalised, and always with a smile. It's the service that turns a meal into a dining experience. And for dessert? A slice of their heavenly tiramisu was the cherry on top of a delightful dining experience. Trattoria Pizzeria Toscana - Pattaya Over the years, our dining experiences at Trattoria Pizzeria Toscana have been memorable. It is a must-visit for anyone looking for an authentic Italian experience with a touch of Thai hospitality.

Lizaz Bodrum - Two visits Lizaz Bodrum transports you to another world. It is a modern, authentic Lebanese restaurant in the heart of the pedestrian zone in the centre of Bodrum. Lizaz - Bodrum From the moment you walk past the well-stocked bar and the infectious energy of the team (we'll come back to that soon), you've been greeted with simply an awe-inspiring view of the harbour with a gentle catamaran swaying against their moorings (just out of our reach). Lizaz - Bodrum You know you're in for a great eating experience when the restaurant is not trying to pull you in from the street; instead, letting the food and service speak for themselves. The guys are all genuine, full of the biggest smiles and energy. You can't wait to sit and enjoy a long lazy lunch or dinner; let's say we were back twice on the same day. We've only experienced Lebanese food a few times, so this restaurant allowed us to jump headfirst into sharing what Lebanese dining is all about, and we loved it. Your taste buds will thank you for selecting this restaurant; sit back and be guided by the warm and friendly team. Lizaz would have become one of our go-to restaurants if we had more time in Bodrum. A small but solid wine list covering old and new world wines, and make sure you pace yourself so that you can explore the expansive and tasty cocktail menu. We enjoyed lunch so much that we were back in the evening. We sat at the bar and chatted with the team; new friendships were formed over tasty cocktails made with Pierre's love and passion. We walked past many restaurants that lacked warmth or soul, but this restaurant stands out for its approach to fitting into the surroundings. With magical harbour and castle views, the restaurant is the perfect size to provide a high level of service and give the chef time to prepare quality dishes. It has a cosy summery vibe with comfortable decor. You can also enjoy dining or drinking literally on the waterside. Lizaz - Bodrum Pricing was very reasonable and excellent value. There are no English menus, but a tip is to use Google Translate to take a snapshot of the menu; you don't want to miss out on all the fantastic dishes. Lizaz - Bodrum

Hotel Dva Bisera - Three visits We finally found a fine dining restaurant in Ohrid, Dva Bisera in Lagadin, ticking all the boxes. Hotel Dva Bisera - Lagadin The spectacular views are located ten minutes from Ohrid in Lagadin on Lake Ohrid. Very warm, friendly, and professional service, even during busy times. It's a hot spot for locals. The menu was packed with options for everyone, from traditional Macedonian cuisine, seafood, meat (every which way), pizza, and pasta. They are also well known for their fish stew (we missed out on trying this), so make your breakfast reservations. Hotel Dva Bisera - Lagadin During our three visits, we enjoyed fresh salads, soups, local starters, steak, schnitzels (beef is a must), and village meat cooked in a clay pot, which was mouthwatering. The restaurant has recently been refurbished. It has a great indoor/outdoor dining area, and you can also enjoy dining on the lakeside. The dessert menu offers excellent options, including delights from a Macedonian patisserie called ' Chocoholic '. We loved that Dva Bisera was only a short walk from our stay at Villa Bisera. We took advantage of being so close to a fine dining establishment, enjoying our lazy lunches with 5-star service and a premium selection of Macedonian wines and spirits.