The Mountain Village of Kičinica (Кичиница, Kichinitsa) The village of Kičinica (Kichinitsa) is located about 9.5 kilometers north of Mavrovo and just a few kilometers west of Lake Mavrovo in the Mavrovo National Park on the Bistra mountain massif. Kičinica is one of the more picturesque and culturally significant villages […]
The Mountain Village of Galičnik (Galichnik) – Selo Galičnik The village of Galičnik (Galichnik / Галинчик) is located about 19.5 kilometers (35 minute drive via the Galički road) southwest of Mavrovo and 33.5 kilometers (one hour drive through Selce) northeast of Debar in the Mavrovo National Park on the Bistra […]
The Mountain Village of Janče (Janche) – Село Јанче The village of Janče (Janche) is located about 36 kilometers southwest of Mavrovo and 16 kilometers northeast of Debar in the Mavrovo National Park on the Bistra mountain massif. Janče is one of the more picturesque and culturally significant villages located […]
Тhe Village of Babino – Selo Babino – Село Бабино Selo Babino, loosely translated means village of the old women (or grandmothers). There are several legends as to the origination of the name but the name does seem to be appropriate because everyone we met or saw, with the exception […]
Skopje’s Main Public Square – Ploštad (Ploshtad) There are many sights and experiences to have in Skopje from the Old Bazaar (Stara Čaršija / Stara Charshija) to Museums, the ancient city of Skupi / Scupi to the Skopje Fortress, from river walks to walks up Mount Vodno, and palate pleasing […]
The Village of Stracin – Село Страцин (Selo Stracin) The village of Stracin is special to me as this is the birthplace of my Godfather Vančo and one day he took me to this village where we enjoyed a nice barbecue and picking fruit. On a long pole, Vančo had […]
Alternate Uses of Rakija – Using Rakija for Purposes Other Than Imbibing Below is a list of “Alternative Uses” for using rakija. Please note that the below suggestions are results from questionnaires, interviews, feedback and observations from all over the Balkans and are not uniquely attributable to Makedonija. For the […]
Making Rakija – The Basics Making rakija involves five main stages: harvest, preparation for fermentation, fermentation, distillation and aging & storage. The distillation process involves heating the fermented fruit to separate the alcohol from the water and pulp. This alcohol rises into the coils or pipes leading from the top […]
What are the Types of Rakija? One can be amazed at the many different types of rakija. Though brandy distilled from grapes is the most common in Macedonia, areas around Berovo and Kichevo also make plum brandy, near Resen & Lake Prespa they make apple brandy and near Ohrid you […]
Introduction to Rakija – the Balkan Spirit Rakija, Ракија, Rakia is a distilled spirit made from fermented fruit, in other words, brandy. In Macedonia, rakija is generally made from white and/or red grapes, though some areas such as Kichevo and Berovo do make rakija from plums. Rakija can also be […]
Tasting Rakija – Introduction The three basic components to “tasting rakija”or to judge a rakija or any brandy/cognac or any fruit spirit when tasting are: color, nose and palate. The color of a rakija can add or detract from one’s experience but color is […]
