Visit the eco village Brajcino, in area of Prespa We can provide you two day visit of eco village Brajcino * transport to Brajcino * visit the village (walking and talking with villagers) * visit the ornithologies reserve Ezerani * visit the ethnology museum in Podmocani * visit the church in Kurbinovo and church near Brajcino Lunch in Podmocani (traditional food) Diner in Brajcino Secon day we have breakfast and visit the Prespa Lake and village Stenje. At noon will back for Skopje The price per person is 100 euros for the goup of 12 persons (all includes is this prise) text Brajcino The Swiss inspiration for a Macedonian fairytale. Natasha Dokovska – Brajčino is at the foot of the Baba mountain, very close to the national park Pelister, just 15 minutes from Prespansko lake. This unique Macedonian village is placed on the world touristic map in the category “ecological tourism”. It is rich in clear waters, tall and green forests, mountain peaks that overwhelm with beauty, apples that grow at 1000 meters altitude and strawberries that ripen in late summer. Hidden at the foot of the Baba mountain, where it is on one side refreshed by cool Pelister air and on the other kept warm by Prespansko Sun this is the place of authentic architecture and kind hosts (people who have stayed in the village, since most emigrated overseas for economic reasons). Brajčino is a place truly special for its natural beauties. Experts from NGO Pronatura have recognized the value of this area, made a tour of thirty seven villages in Pelister area and decided to introduce eco tourism in this region. Pronatura brings tourists to Brajčino Swiss organizations offered financial assistance and support to Pronatura inspired by the beauty and possibilities that Brajčino offers for the development of eco tourism. The philosophy of the project is connecting people with culture and nature and providing the village with facilities necessary to host potential tourists. At this moment some 40 tourists can stay in the village and the price of an overnight stay including breakfast is 850 to 1200 dinar per person, a price in line with Swiss standards. Snezana Trandovska from NGO “Association for sustainable development of Brajčin” comments the relatively high prices of accommodation by saying: “Quality has its price all over the world, and we offer quality. Food is paid additionally and it is served in four houses where one can try local specialties.” Most tourists who come to the village are the Swiss and the Dutch who are accommodated in Orhid and who come for daily visits to Brajčino. Most tourists visit during the weekend and at that time village facilities are full. Cheaper accommodation can be found in the monasteries of St. Petko and are usually used by mountaineers or groups of tourists who prefer simpler accommodation and lower prices. The price of overnight in the monastery is around 330 dinar and guests can use monastery’s kitchen for additional 60 dinar per day. Upon opening of the “Markova nova” border crossing a larger number of Greek tourists is expected. European standard for tourism development This area is excellent for rest and recreation for all nature lovers. Local inhabitants are here organized in “Association for sustainable development of Brajčin” and they have done everything to offer relevant information to all who wish to visit the area. Some of the local inhabitants are also trained as tourist guides. They take care of all logistical issues and offer support to tourists from the moment when they arrive to the village to the moment they leave. Signposts are placed everywhere and are painted in different colors, each having a different meaning. White takes the tourists to five 16th century churches and monasteries; green marks the way to Pelister and mountain lakes. Benches and designated waste containers are placed throughout the village. In the center of the village there are billboards that inform visitors about the history of the village, sights and local food specialties. Kind hosts take care of guests as if they were their friends or family. The old villager Dame says that it is much easier for him to live in the village now when he is involved in the project. His children are also working for the project and some money can be earned as well. “One can not live of agriculture any more as it was the case in the past. How come nobody came up with the idea to introduce this kind of tourism earlier?” Dame wonders, satisfied with the fact that now there is work for everyone. In the “Association for sustainable development of Brajčina” they say that in the last year there was an increase in the number of people who returned to the village, which is attributed to the project Pronatura. If you want to buy property in this area, you need prove that your ancestors come from the area and the house you would like to build should fit in with the authentic 19th century architecture that is still preserved in the village. Some of the 19th century valuable and very attractive houses were inspected by experts from Bitola museum and were marked by special signposts giving information on the date and ways of construction. Brajčino on the world tourist map Since last summer Brajčino is placed on the world tourist map as a destination that supports eco tourism. Through the Association for sustainable development of Brajčin web site those who are interested in visiting Brajčino can contact the Association and book accommodation, arrange for transportation from the airport to the village or arrange for tours of the area. This service has had its role in putting Brajčino on the world map of eco tourism locations. Braјčino’s eco tourism pioneer The first person who tried to introduce eco tourism in Macedona is Nikolina. She says: “I was born in Brajčino. I worked and lived in Skopje until retirement and when I retired I came back to my birthplace and refurbished my old home. I started renting rooms to tourists; I offered them home made dishes, prepared according to my grandmother’s recipes.” Other villagers followed her example and all of them are today members of a well organized tourist association. Today accommodation is offered on one place and food on another. In the new inn Raskrsnica, where some of the tourists who visit the village eat, meals can be bought only if you announce your visit in advace. Foreigners are especially interested for game specialties, which are offered here. Nikolina is not a member of the tourism organization and she wishes to keep her regular guests. One offer – many activities Eco tourism project in Brajčin offers hikes through the area with expert guides. For foreigners the most attractive tour is the six hours long walk around the big lake in the middle of Pelister national park on the altitude of 2200 meters. You can also visit other very attractive villages: Malovište, Magarevo and Nižepolje. Veliki grad is a location very interesting for bird lovers because of its proximity to Prespansko lake and ornithological reserve Ezerani and Podmočani where you can also see a beautiful collection of traditional costumes. The tourist office can also organize visits to one of the oldest churches in Macedonia located in the village Kurbinovo, dedicated to St. Đorđe.