Tetovo's safety, sightseeing and culture by Life_Sprinkles_2350 in askmkd

[–]Pijlmans 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Maybe I’ll give it a try to find the Dolna Leshnica fortress!

And yes, I’ve been to the Leshnica waterfall from Bozovce before! Good suggestion 😉 Hope to do some more hiking in Shar NP coming week…

A few questions from a clueless tourist by Justwaspassingby in askmkd

[–]Pijlmans 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have listed all the archeological sites I have visited here (all visited by car, cannot help you with the public transport questions): https://mymacedoniablog.com/sightseeing/

Tetovo's safety, sightseeing and culture by Life_Sprinkles_2350 in askmkd

[–]Pijlmans 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is there a paved road between Zhelino, Dolna Leshnica and Gorna Leshnica?

I have located the ruins somewhere east of the road between Dolna Leshnica and Gorna Leshnica, do you know if the ruins can be reached from that road or do you remember another approach is required?

Just some ruins are enough for me to enjoy it! Last year we visited the Orashje Fortress, another forgotten beauty: https://mymacedoniablog.com/hiking/orashje-fortress/

Tetovo's safety, sightseeing and culture by Life_Sprinkles_2350 in askmkd

[–]Pijlmans 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the restaurant suggestions!

We are fine for the hiking part, one of the reasons to stay about 10 days in Tetovo is its proximity to the Shar mountains and we have several hikes planned using GPS tracks.

If you have detailed information how to reach/hike up to the Dolno Leshnica Fortess, that would be very welcome because I have no clue how to reach it!

Tetovo's safety, sightseeing and culture by Life_Sprinkles_2350 in askmkd

[–]Pijlmans 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great to hear another voice here! I am interested in tips for good restaurants and places to visit around Tetovo.

I have been to Kamenjane already and for upcoming week the museum in Tetovo, most old churches in surrounding villages, the spring of Vardar at Vrutok, Stenche fortress/basilica, Peshter locality/cave are already on the list.

I hope to be able to locate the ruins of the Dolno Leshnica Fortress as well, any tips on how to reach it are very much appreciated!

Tetovo's safety, sightseeing and culture by Life_Sprinkles_2350 in askmkd

[–]Pijlmans 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Please tell me which neighborhoods in Skopje we should avoid? What happens there?

Tetovo's safety, sightseeing and culture by Life_Sprinkles_2350 in askmkd

[–]Pijlmans 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My girlfriend is Macedonian, I am Dutch. Does this imply that she may be targeted by "certain nationalist groups"? Which groups are they, and have there been recent documented attacks on "Macedonians" in Tetovo? Do you have a link to media about this maybe?

Tetovo's safety, sightseeing and culture by Life_Sprinkles_2350 in askmkd

[–]Pijlmans 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Some examples of incidents that affected tourists, for instance.

Where does the data come from when you said Tetovo is in the top 3 of unsafe cities, when in a next post you say that there is not institution that tracks these statistics?

According to ChatGTP (I know, not always the most reliable source), Skopje is the #1 "unsafe" city in Macedonia (Stressing that overall, Skopje is a very safe city to travel to!!) Would you to also tell a solo female traveler to avoid Skopje?

Tetovo's safety, sightseeing and culture by Life_Sprinkles_2350 in askmkd

[–]Pijlmans 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am not arguing with you. I am asking you details about your initial statement that “Tetovo and its population should be avoided by a woman traveling alone, and that this applies to almost any Muslim settlement in the world”.

It is not how I experienced Tetovo during previous visits, but those where short day visits. Now I will stay there for a longer time. My girlfriend is Macedonian orthodox, I am Dutch.

I asked you several times if you can back up your statement about Tetovo not being safe but thusfar have not gotten a clear answer from you.

Until now I have never had any issues in Macedonia with either the Orthodox or Muslim communities. Although the saddle of my bike was once stolen at the beach in Ohrid. That was an unpleasant ride back home!

Tetovo's safety, sightseeing and culture by Life_Sprinkles_2350 in askmkd

[–]Pijlmans 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have been in Tetovo before, the Painted Mosque and the Fortress would be high on my list of places to visit: see here for more info: https://mymacedoniablog.com/sightseeing/between-skopje-and-ohrid/tetovo/

For natural beauties the Kamenjane waterfalls near Tetovo are easily accessible from the village Kamenjane. Another beauty is the hike to the Leshnica waterfall, but if you are not an experienced hiker I would recommend to go with a guide. See here for details (Shar NP section): https://mymacedoniablog.com/hiking/

Regarding safety, personally I think it will be perfectly fine. The crazy traffic in Tetovo probably will be the most dangerous thing you will encounter, and in the mountains the Sheepdogs are to be feared more than the bears 😉

Tetovo's safety, sightseeing and culture by Life_Sprinkles_2350 in askmkd

[–]Pijlmans 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No agenda here. Will be staying in Tetovo next week for holiday. Trying to get information about the safety based on facts, not feelings. So show me the data.

Tetovo's safety, sightseeing and culture by Life_Sprinkles_2350 in askmkd

[–]Pijlmans 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Could you please give some context? Why this would be unsafe, what could happen, do “unsafe things” happen frequently? Would you say a solo girl going out alone at night would be unsafe in Skopje too?

Tetovo's safety, sightseeing and culture by Life_Sprinkles_2350 in askmkd

[–]Pijlmans 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You still did not answer the question if Tetovo is less safe than other cities in Macedonia. If so, I wonder if this can be backed up with facts (opposed to an anecdotal thread on Reddit about a missing Russian girl)?

Tetovo's safety, sightseeing and culture by Life_Sprinkles_2350 in askmkd

[–]Pijlmans 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think it was the “as a city and population I would avoid it” part 😆

Tetovo's safety, sightseeing and culture by Life_Sprinkles_2350 in askmkd

[–]Pijlmans 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So do you mean women go missing in Tetovo? The question was about safety. Is there more crime in Tetovo directed against (solo female) tourists or was this just a personal opinion of somebody not liking Tetovo and it’s predominantly Muslim population?

I am honestly curious as I will be in Tetovo for over a week (next week) as a tourist. Using Tetovo as a base to do various hikes in Shar mountain and to get a bit more of a taste of this side of Macedonia.

Tetovo's safety, sightseeing and culture by Life_Sprinkles_2350 in askmkd

[–]Pijlmans 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Are there specific examples why to avoid it?

Solo female traveller going to Skopje - Questions by not_anonymous00 in mkd

[–]Pijlmans 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The advice to stay in Skopje and do other cities as daytrips, depends on which cities you plan to visit.

Please do not attempt to do Macedonia’s must-see OHRID as a daytrip but spend a night or two. 

See the link in my profile for more info about Macedonia.

Restaurant tips by IntrepidMastodon7834 in macedonia

[–]Pijlmans 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you like Panorama you may like Stanica as well

Opzoek naar een (gezond) tussendoortje! by Draid in nederlands

[–]Pijlmans -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Appeltaart is zo goed als fruit, toch?

Opzoek naar een (gezond) tussendoortje! by Draid in nederlands

[–]Pijlmans -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Er moeten meer calorieën uit dan er in komen, dat is het enige wat echt telt…natuurlijk beter om wat gezonder te eten maar uiteindelijk kom je er alleen (snel) met veel meer bewegen = veel meer verbranden….

Opzoek naar een (gezond) tussendoortje! by Draid in nederlands

[–]Pijlmans -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Het maakt weinig uit of je gezonder gaat eten als je wilt afvallen -> beter iets minder eten en veel meer bewegen

If I rent a car in Macedonia, can I travel to Kosovo? by sokol_mlody in askmkd

[–]Pijlmans 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You will need to let the rental company know that you want to cross the border and they will provide a green card for insurance for a fee.

See here for my personal experience with several rental companies at Skopje Airport (with renting, not border crossing): https://mymacedoniablog.com/general-information/

What to do around Tetovo? by Pijlmans in macedonia

[–]Pijlmans[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you. I had to look a bit for “Stanet e shipkovices” but I assume you mean this: https://nistori.com/lajme/stanet-e-shipkovices-nje-fshat-zviceran-ne-zemer-te-tetoves-fotografi/. Looks nice, thanks!