Vivchani Springs
One of the many outstanding recommendations from Valentina was to go out to the mountains and explore Vivchani, the natural springs there, and to eat at Via Ignatia restaurant. She was three-for-three with those suggestions! Vivchani was only 20 minutes by car, so we went out there three times.
On our first trip there, we stopped for a coffee at Caffe Club Zi, walked around the town, up to the springs to explore a bit, and then went out for a late lunch at Via Ignatia. Wow! We were floored! There were tons of cafes, but we loved the one we went to, and went back there on subsequent visits. It was so cute, with a very pink display out front where you could take photos, have delicious drinks, and some tables had swings for chairs. Because there was only one swing chair at a table, I actually got to have it for once so the kids didn’t fight over who got it. Mom win!
The springs were gorgeous! Wow! We walked around, exploring and discovering. There were picnic tables all over, including above the springs that you accessed by a little wooden bridge. We sat and enjoyed the peacefulness around us, lost in our own thoughts as it was too loud to talk with the rushing water all around. Jon was struck by the fact that on one side of this spring area, it was bone dry but on the other, it was a gushing and rushing river of water coming out from the mountain.
There were little religious altars and a cute little stone chapel here. We paid for some candles in the chapel and lit them, saying a prayer for those in our life back home who we knew were going through difficult times.
After walking around, exploring, and soaking in all the peacefulness of the place for a while, we decided to head out to find some lunch. We did stop at the boards to look up the hiking routes. I found a great hike that looked to be moderate difficulty level and passed some beautiful sights from among the many hiking trail options. We took photos so Jon could get the trail maps downloaded and we could do the hiking route on our return visit.
We made our way through town, walking and exploring our way to Via Ignatia rather than driving over. The restaurant was gorgeous! So cute and quaint. And, of course, there was a huge green space, playground, and various cages with birds both common and exotic in them. There was a channel running through all the cages, taking fresh spring water through them all for the animals, which was interesting to see! The girls ran around playing, exploring, and looking at the birds. I also went to look at them, as they were so beautiful! We ordered a variety of amazing foods, including their homemade sausages. Our food was all sooooo good! And they gave us each free tres leche cake on the house for dessert. Be still, my heart!
The day was so perfect that we couldn’t wait to return! So, a week and a half later, return we did! We came with a picnic lunch, which we ate at a picnic table next to the springs. Unfortunately, we hit a snag as Jon had not downloaded the trail maps and we were left fumbling and trying to figure out where the trailhead was and where to go. We never did truly figure it out and definitely hiked the wrong way. Our moderate, mainly level loop turned into us hiking up a mountain for the better part of an hour. Eventually, we rounded a bend and hit a pack of feral dogs that made it clear that we were not going to pass by them through their territory, and if we wanted to attempt it we would be their lunch. Hearts pounding at the near attack, we stood our ground until they backed down, then slowly backed away. We turned around and headed back into town, deciding it was a nice day for a coffee date! We did get nearly two hours of hiking in, albeit different than the intended route, and had one heck of a memorable day!
The third time we went back, we didn’t even worry about planning to do a hike out there. We were put off by the pack of feral dogs out there and decided it was not worth it to venture out lest we cross another pack! We simply went out to walk around the springs area again, soak in the peacefulness, watch the girls climb some trees, and stop by the West Side Lounge Bar next to the stream outside of the springs area. We had passed it by on both previous trips and really wanted to have a drink here. It was such a cute little spot. They chilled the beer right in the running stream of spring water and pulled one out for Jon when he ordered one. It was a peaceful little spot that seemed very popular with the locals, and I can see why!
This mountain area was so beautiful and peaceful. And even here, in this small and remote mountain village, we still had no issues getting by with English. Jon said he could totally imagine living up here. I couldn’t, only because it would get tedious to me to have to walk up and down hills every time I wanted to walk somewhere in town. Especially as we get older. If it weren’t so hilly, I definitely agree with his sentiments. It had the peace and charm that definitely speaks to us! And the sound of running spring water through every street had such a magical charm to it. While I wouldn’t want to live somewhere quite so hilly, I definitely see the charms in this quaint town and would be a regular visitor if I lived in Macedonia!