Divine Farms: Ohrid, Macedonia

For enthusiasts, people who enjoy nature and its natural wealth, they will surely love the story of Vesna, an Ohrid woman who dedicates her love to the farm located on the most beautiful wild beaches of Lake Ohrid, specifically between the Ljubaništa camp and the St. Naum Monastery.

The orchard covers an area of 100 hectares, of which about 60 hectares are planted with fruit trees. For lovers of secluded beach leisure, this would sound like paradise, as the orchard leads to the most beautiful wild beaches that are rarely visited due to their inaccessibility; in fact, the only land route is through the farm itself. The beauty of the location lies in its isolation and peace, free from crowds and traffic. The proximity to Ljubaništa and St. Naum, as well as the border with Albania, makes the location attractive to visitors.

In addition to the unique location, the variety of fruits harvested throughout the season offers opportunities both for the sale of a wide assortment of fruit over a longer period and for activities where visitors can pick the fruit themselves.

Vesna says that the season began with organizing various events such as: Lakeshore Cleanup, Cherry Weekend, Yoga Weekend, and various other activities.

According to her, there are many benefits and advantages to staying in rural areas: an escape from the dynamic daily life, from the city's hustle and the race for success. One can connect with nature and find themselves, experiencing a sense of freedom and self-realization.

The stay in the orchard and on a wild beach is a great way to connect with nature, whether you choose to participate in fruit picking or another activity. Visitors, as well as the residents of Ohrid, gain a new and different experience, complementing Ohrid's tourism offer. This is an opportunity to break away from the classic holiday routine in Ohrid and offers a great alternative for outdoor activities ideal for individuals, families, team building, and small groups.

If visitors are interested, they can learn more about the history and activities of the farm, says Vesna, adding that many want to learn more about their story, as well as the legends associated with St. Naum, on whose land the orchard is located.

Their family started agricultural activities 20 years ago, and now they want to combine their experience in tourism to contribute to the development of agri-tourism in the region. But most importantly, they are not inclined toward mass tourism, aiming to preserve the authenticity and peace of the place.

The team from Kajak.mk asked where the name "Divine Farms" comes from, and she answered that the name comes from the English word "Divine," meaning divine, elevated, because it refers to the holy land belonging to the St. Naum Monastery. Many legends are connected to St. Naum, many miracles even centuries after his death, some of which are related to the fields where the orchard is located. However, she says that the legend is best told at the very location.

At the moment, they only work with reservations and a limited number of visitors. There is always someone available to assist visitors with what they need, greeting and guiding them, showing where and what can be collected, etc. Because it's a large area with a 2-kilometer shoreline, Vesna says that only a certain part of the orchard is allowed for visits and activities.

The reactions from tourists remind them of the true face of the beauty that we have at our disposal. One of the descriptions is the feeling of a deserted island and beach all to yourself. This fall, not only will visitors enjoy the picturesque colors of the trees, but they are also preparing other activities for a complete autumn experience and creating memories for visitors.

For Vesna, this has been a long-held dream that started to come true in the spring. However, things don't always go as planned. Some things happen slower than expected, but what's important is having ideas and motivation to achieve them, and everything else will fall into place in due time.

The main person behind the story is Stevcho, the man who started the orchard, initially with modest 18 hectares, gradually expanding to the current size. Meanwhile, the idea for agri-tourism had been brewing for a long time with Vesna and her husband, mainly because both have many years of experience in the tourism sector and wanted to combine their knowledge from both areas to create something unique.