68 Years Old, Two Artificial Hips, and Still an Active Hiker and Guide!

During the deepest crisis in tourism, when it seems like there is nothing more to be written on the subject, that is precisely when we create the most inspiring stories. We now have the time to reflect on the past, to look back at what has been and gone, and to highlight the achievements of those dedicated to tourism.

Our team is thrilled to introduce you to Mano Stavrevski, a man for whom 68 is no obstacle to pursuing his passion as a professional tour guide. He places special emphasis on mountain tours and active tourism, proving that age is just a number for adventure and exploration.

Mano has a fascinating life story. He was born in Athens, but due to economic circumstances, his family moved to Germany when he was still a child. There, he completed the fifth grade before continuing his education in Skopje.

After working in various fields throughout his life, Mano decided in mid-life to try his luck in the tourism industry. He passed the necessary exams and obtained a tour guide license for the German-speaking market, marking the beginning of his travel adventures.

We managed to uncover the most intriguing parts of Mano’s journey—exactly what interested us the most. The interview is long, but for true travel enthusiasts, it’s an easy and inspiring read.

We: Hello, Mano! We'd love to go back to the beginning of your career. How did it all start?

Mano: In 2007, I started working for an inbound tourism agency in Skopje, leading groups of German-speaking tourists. My specialty was cultural and historical tours, religious groups, and politically themed trips. Over time, I expanded my expertise into mountain and mountain biking (MTB) tourism. However, due to an unfortunate incident with my bike, I decided to focus solely on leading hiking tours across Macedonia and neighboring countries, including Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, Bulgaria, and Northern Greece.

We: How did you fall in love with the mountains? What drew you to them?

Mano: My love for the mountains started at a young age. Back in Germany, my parents and I would regularly go on weekend hikes through the beautiful nature and forests of Bavaria. Later, in Macedonia, during my third year of high school, three classmates and I decided to hike to Mount Kitka for the first time. We spent two nights sleeping on the smaller peak, Krasna, building an improvised shelter out of branches. On the third night, we stayed at the Kitka mountain lodge, where the caretaker at the time was old Bajazit from the village of Paligrad. Many years later, that lodge burned down, and the well-known Uncle Josif took over as the new caretaker.

After getting married, my wife and I, along with our three daughters, often spent several days on Kitka, which eventually became my favorite mountain. It was there that I took my first steps into mushroom foraging. As a passionate mushroom hunter, I started exploring other nearby mountains, such as Skopska Crna Gora, Vodno, Karadžica, Solunska Glava, and the Čeples mountain lodge—areas rich in various valuable edible mushrooms.

I became a member of the Bistra Mountaineering Sports Club in Skopje, where my journey into serious mountaineering truly began. This allowed me to explore countless mountain peaks in Macedonia and the neighboring countries. The knowledge and experience I gained in nature ultimately led me to my greatest passion—guiding foreign hiking groups from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland through our mountains and those of the surrounding regions.   

We: How did your career develop? What left the biggest impression on you? Which stage of life are you in now, and do the years pose a challenge for such a physically demanding job?

Mano: I’ve been retired for two years now, but I continue to supplement my pension by working as a tour guide. Staying physically active throughout my life—playing volleyball in high school, practicing karate for 30 years, long-distance running, swimming, hiking, and mountain biking—has helped me maintain excellent physical condition. Despite a few fractures, broken ribs, and having two artificial hips, I still feel strong and capable as I enter my 68th year.

In line with the old Latin saying “Mens sana in corpore sano” (a healthy mind in a healthy body), I strive to persevere during these challenging times when the coronavirus has restricted our activities and social interactions. I remain hopeful that soon we will return to our normal lives and once again enjoy traveling together with my groups.

The interview continues on the second page. Continue reading the interview with one click HERE.