Bus from DORTMUND to SKOPJE

Dortmund is the economic center of the Ruhr region, where more than 587,000 people live and is located in the center of the state of North Rhine Westphalia. Dortmund is incredibly colorful and characterized above all by its contrasts. While coal and steel once formed the image of Dortmund, a flourishing cultural region has emerged over the past decades. This includes industrial monuments, green parks, re-cultivated heaps and great museums.

The Florian Tower (der Florianturm) - The 209m high tower is the tallest building in the city. Therefore, the Florian tower is an important and defining element of the Dortmund skyline. Dortmund’s inhabitants affectionatly call the tower "Florian". One of the landmarks of the city is a viewing platform and a rotating restaurant.

Signal Iduna Park - the largest soccer stadium in Germany and the home stadium of the BVB. A total of 81,359 spectators can be found during the Bundesliga games in the impressive Stadionplatz. The South grandstand itself can  fit almost 25,000 fans of the German football giant, which makes it the largest grandstand in Europe.

Westfalenpark Dortmund - The approximately 70 hectare park is a mecca for nature enjoyment, active recreation and a paradise for families. These include, for example, wide lawns and meadows, as well as theme gardens, pond systems and playgrounds. A highlight among the attractions in the Westfalenpark is the Rosarium. With more than 3,800 different types of roses from all over the world, this is the third largest rosarium in the world.

If you want to enjoy your holiday in Dortmund, the Dortmund U is the right place. The Dortmund U is the center for art and creativity. It is located in the former fermenter and warehouse building of the Union Brewery (once the largest brewery in West Germany). On the roof of the high-rise is a golden "U", which welcomes visitors from afar.

The Fredenbaumpark is a popular tourist destination for residents of Dortmund and for tourists alike. The park in the northern part of the city is ideal for active recreation in nature, for sport activities and for numerous leisure activities.

The Old Market (Alter Markt) - More than 800 years ago, merchants, craftsmen and citizens met here to do business. This activity is still reminiscent of the Bläserbrunnen, which is located in the Old Market. The Old Market in Dortmund has always been a popular and favourite meeting place.

Dortmund is a city of contrasts - and that is precisely why it is exciting. With various historical nad cultural sights of the city, you will get to know the charm of Dortmund - with its corners and edges, its past and future and its sense of humor.

Skopje is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Macedonia. It is the country's political, cultural, economic, and academic center. Skopje is located on the upper course of the Vardar River, and is located on a major north-south Balkan route between Belgrade and Athens. It was known in the Roman period under the name Scupi.

The territory of Skopje has been inhabited since at least 4000 BC; remains of Neolithic settlements have been found within the old Kale Fortress that overlooks the modern city centre. On the eve of the 1st century AD, the settlement was seized by the Romans and became a military camp. When the Roman Empire was divided into eastern and western halves in 395 AD, Scupi came under Byzantine rule from Constantinople.

Being the capital of the Republic of Macedonia, Skopje is home to the largest cultural institutions of the country, such as the National and University Library "St. Kliment of Ohrid", the Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts, the National Theatre, the National Philarmonic Orchestra and the Macedonian Opera and Ballet. Among the local institutions are the Brothers Miladinov Library which has more than a million documents, the Cultural Information Centre which manages festivals, exhibitions and concerts, and the House of Culture Kočo Racin which is dedicated to contemporary art and young talents.

The Skopje Jazz Festival has been held annually in October since 1981. It is part of the European Jazz Network and the European Forum of World Wide Festivals. The artists' profiles include fusion, acid jazz, Latin jazz, smooth jazz, and avant-garde jazz. Ray Charles, Tito Puente, Gotan Project, Al Di Meola, Youssou N'Dour, among others, have performed at the festival. Another music festival in Skopje is the Blues and Soul Festival. It is a relatively new event in the Macedonian cultural scene that occurs every summer in early July. Past guests include Larry Coryell, Mick Taylor & the All-Stars Blues Band, Candy Dulfer & Funky Stuff, João Bosco, The Temptations, Tolo Marton Trio, Blues Wire, and Phil Guy.