Odyssey’s Macedonian tours offer a route through the country’s fascinating history, via some of the most beautiful vistas in Europe. The Ohrid region, in the southwest of the country, is a superlative UNESCO world heritage site. The region sits around one of Europe’s deepest and most ancient lakes. The freshwater lake has existed since the pre-glacial period. The biological continuity has left the lake with a unique ecosystem that is one of the most diverse on Earth. Hundreds of species of wildlife, flora and fauna can be traced back to ancient times, much of which cannot be found anywhere else on the planet. On the shores of the lake lie multiple archaeological sites, easily covered on a walking tour, revealing some of the oldest human settlements ever found on the European peninsular. Whilst the ancient flora and fauna has survived almost unchanged since those first settlers, the human archaeological remains reflect the history of development in the Balkans. Around the lake sits the oldest Slavic monastery and university. The ring of surrounding mountains has guarded the towns against many of the tides of history, and so much of the town exists in beautiful inertia. This state extends to the collection of Byzantine structures, with 2.5 kilometres of frescoes and over 800 monuments. These monuments include the Holy Mother of God Perivleptos and St. John Kaneo, reflecting the pinnacle of Byzantine culture. North Macedonia is easily accessible through Skopje airport, with regular international flights to most countries.