Travel and transport agencies Bitola

This border crossing between Macedonia and Greece (Граничен Премин Меџитлија-Ники/Graničen Premin Medžitlija-Niki, Τελωνείο Νίκης-Μετζίτλια/Telonio Nikis-Metzitlia) is little used, but amazing with its peacocks passing between stationary cars. On the Greek side, we pick up the Egnatia Odos freeway at Florina/Φλώρινα (Lerin/Лерин in Macedonian), a pleasant, very multi-ethnic town of 20,000 inhabitants (Macedonians, Greeks, Roma, Albanians and Aromanians).

This consulate (Француски Конзулат/Francuski Konzulat) reports to the embassy in Skopje. It is headed by Honorary Consul Kaliopa Stilinoviḱ, a Macedonian and French-speaking volunteer with few powers. The consulate was established in 1854 and closed in 1941. It was reopened in 1996, inaugurated by Philippe Séguin, former mayor of Épinal, with which Bitola is twinned. Bitola is also home to the Alliance française, at 39, rue Pece-Maticevski (facebook.com/alliancebitola).

This rental agency offers city bikes and mountain bikes by the day or week. These are generally well-maintained, and the staff are happy to advise you on routes in the Pelister National Park or through Bitola. As the city is not very hilly, it lends itself well to Rotterdam-style bike rides. For mountain treks, the agency can drop you off with your mounts at the location of your choice. For the guarantee, you'll need to leave an ID card or 80% of the cost of the bike in cash.