That was the challenge laid down by one reader when he commented on our blog post last week. So we accept the challenge. Why go to Macedonia?

What’s in a name?

Similar in size to Massachusetts and Wales, Macedonia is a country in the southern Balkans that would dearly like to cut a dash on the international tourist circuit. So far, so good… or perhaps not.

US readers may remember those full page ads in the New York Times a few years ago where the Athens government protested that its northern neighbor used the name Macedonia. So to pacify those ruffled Hellenic feathers, the international community dubs the country (at least when Greeks are in earshot) the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (or “FYROM” for short).

Sveta Sofia church in Ohrid

Cut through the politics surrounding the name, and the Republic of Macedonia is keen to welcome visitors.

Macedonian variety

But why Macedonia rather than Greece or Albania? If you are a dedicated culture-vulture, Macedonia arguably packs more into a small space than any of its neighbors. It is the juxtaposition of a rich Orthodox Christian tradition with a lively Islamic heritage that underpins Macedonia’s appeal.

Then there are other inviting aspects of local culture, such as the Torbeshi and Vlach communities in the hills, and Europe’s largest Roma settlement at Suto Orizari, and dedicated followers of European minorities can enjoy a Macedonian feast. Suto Orizari, for example, could be a good magnet for culturally sensitive travelers.

Throw in great fresh salads, superb wines (especially the hefty reds) and you have many key ingredients to make the Republic of Macedonia a first-class destination.

Byzantine style

True, you’ll find that same engaging cultural combination, particularly the mixed Christian and Islamic heritage, in Albania (though certainly not in Greece). But Macedonia captures that religious variety better than Albania.

The sheer density of fine Byzantine art and architecture in Macedonia is dazzling. Sveta Sofia church in Ohrid (pictured, above right) boasts subtle frescoes that give a beautiful tutorial in 11th-century ecclesiastical politics, when the Great Schism divided the Christian Church into its two principal branches, viz. Latin (or Western) and Greek (or Eastern).

The monastery of Sveti Jovan Bigorski (St. John the Baptist) has a world-class carved iconostasis. And whether it be in the crumbling monastery at Treskavec (so desperately in need of renovation) or at the tiny church perched on the cliffs by Lake Ohrid at Kaneo, Macedonia offers rich insights into the Orthodox tradition.

A rich Islamic tradition

Yet frescoes and icons, no matter how splendid, may not induce you to travel to the Republic of Macedonia. For us, the country’s huge appeal lies in other pilgrim trails which meld Byzantine glory with other aspects of culture. One day, the Macedonian government will wake up to the reality that the country’s mosques and Muslim culture may be a trump card.

Bektashi beliefs

Visitors to Macedonia who take the trouble to visit the country’s Islamic communities will begin to appreciate the various strands of Muslim belief in the country. This is a chance to see something of the Bektashi community, a relatively small sect often regarded as part of the Sufi tradition, which has a number of tekkes or lodges across the country.

The city of Tetovo is a good starting point, where you can see a very fine mosque (pictured, left) and a Bektashi tekke. Curiously, the Bektashis blend elements of Christian religious practice into their own faith, such as venerating the tombs of the dead. There are even examples of shared shrines in Macedonia where Christians and Bektashi converge on the same sacred spaces (though not, perhaps, always for the same reasons).

How to get there

The main airport at Skopje (named after Alexander the Great in a move that does nothing to appease neighboring Greeks who also assert ownership over Alex) has regular flights from Zürich, Budapest, Vienna, Prague, Ljubljana and Belgrade. Wizz Air launches four times weekly connections from London on June 19.

The country’s second airport at Lake Ohrid reopened this week after a period closed for refurbishment. This spring and summer, Ohrid will benefit from direct flights from Ljubljana (Adria), Belgrade (JAT) and Amsterdam (ArkeFly).

The Bradt Guide to Macedonia

There are excellent train connections, with this summer’s schedules showing direct trains to Skopje from eight other countries. However and whenever you visit, take along Thammy Evans’ Bradt Guide to Macedonia. Her handling of the cultural complexity of the country is superb.

The post Why Travel to Macedonia? The Macedonian Question appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

One (rather tasty) way that Cheapos can discover these elements of Parisian life is through the numerous restaurants in Paris devoted to non-French cuisines. Sometimes such places are even less expensive than traditional French fare.

Tea and couscous at the Mosquée de Paris

The Paris Mosque (pictured above) was constructed after World War I as a tribute to the North African soldiers who fought alongside the French. Today, the religious site is largely financed—and frequented—by Algerians.

Visitors can feast on North African cuisine at the mosque’s restaurant, which serves up heaping portions of couscous, grilled specialties, and tagines (a stew-like dish with meat and vegetables). In the summer months, the interior courtyard is the perfect backdrop for spending a couple of hours over a delicious meal. (Just watch out for the restaurant’s other visitors, the fearless sparrows who swoop down to peck at unprotected plates—even if you aren’t finished eating!)

For a lighter gustatory experience, head over to the salon du thé, where refreshing glasses of mint tea cost just €2. There’s also an assortment of sticky pastries like baklava, although regulars know to opt for the intriguing mint tea and honey ice cream combo. It’s a bit pricey, but definitely worth the €6!

The mosque is located at 39, Rue Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire in the 5th Arrondissement. The restaurant is open every day for lunch and dinner; opening hours for the tearoom are 9:00 AM to 11:30 PM daily.

Low-cost fare à la Vietnamese

The neighborhood of Belleville in the 19th and 20th arrondissements is home to a large Asian population. While the area may be best-known for its Chinese community, it is also home to many Vietnamese immigrants, and is thus a great place to find delicious, and Cheapo-friendly, Vietnamese food.

It’s easy to walk right past Chez Yu, located at 40, Rue de Belleville; the tiny hole-in-the-wall establishment is so small that it doesn’t even have a bathroom for customers. However, the cheap fare is also darn tasty.

Start out the meal with refreshing spring rolls, which for the Vietnamese means vermicelli noodles, shrimp and greens wrapped in rice paper. Traditional main courses like Bo Bun, a noodle dish with beef and vegetables, range from €7 to €9.

Your dining tips: Have you been to either of these establishments? Do you have a favorite spot in Paris for tasty and affordable non-traditional French cuisine? Tell us about it!

Want more suggestions for cheap eats? Here’s a post on 6 cheap restaurants in the Abbesses neighborhood.

The post Paris Dining: Tasty (and cheap) meals from other cultures appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Contained within the enormous structure is the Café de la Mosquée, a charming space where patrons can relax with a delicious mint tea among sprouting fig trees, a fountain, and billowing hookah smoke. The café attracts mature, laid-back crowds and contains a certain authenticity rarely found in run-of-the-mill hookah joints. The cafe is open from noon to 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. until 10:30 p.m.

La grande Mosquée de Paris is located at 2, bis place du puits de l’Ermite. Metro: Place Monge, Jussieu, Censier. Bus: 89, 47. Admission: €3. The mosque is open from 9 a.m. until noon and 2 p.m. until 6 p.m., Saturday through Thursday.

The post Paris: La Grande Mosquee de Paris appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.