Exploring Conferences: Attending iOSKonf 2024, North Macedonia

It has been an incredible journey in the past year. I presented at various conferences around the globe, including Chicago, Warsaw, Amsterdam, and Singapore. I covered a range of spectrums, from sponsored to full-length, opening, and lightning talks!

I am so excited to present at iOSKonf, Macedonia in May this year!  This will be my first non-technical talk, focusing on building a personal brand beyond coding.

Over the years, I have dedicated myself to honing my coding, writing, and sharing skills. I am fortunate to receive multiple opportunities directly from Twitter and LinkedIn. This talk will cover my journey and how you can leverage the power of social to elevate your development career!

This one is special for me so I decided to document my journey of attending iOSKonf 2024 so that it is easier for you to navigate through the challenges of attending a conference.

Visas

As someone with a weak passport, the first thing I need to check is the visa when I hear about a conference. Most of the iOS-related conferences are in the Schengen area, and it is difficult for me to get one.

When I got to know about iOSKonf in North Macedonia, the first question I searched was: Macedonia visa for Indians.

The first result said, "The visa is free for Indians. It is issued on arrival in Macedonia."

I was like, wow! I am going to this conference! Then, going through the details, I stumbled upon this detail from the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of North Macedonia:

All foreign nationals who are holders of valid USA, UK-British, and Canadian visas, with multiple entries can enter the Republic of North Macedonia without requiring a short-stay (visa C) issued from the Republic of North Macedonia. The length of the stay at one entrance should not exceed 15 (fifteen) days, while the duration and the validity of the USA, British, and Canadian visa should be 5 (five) days longer than the planned stay in the Republic of North Macedonia. This decision is of a temporary character and shall be in force from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024.

I have a valid US visa, so I can the country without a visa! As soon as I read this, I tweeted about it:

Flights

After sorting out the visa, let's talk about the flights. There are no direct flights from Delhi to Skopje, so I booked a connecting flight via Istanbul. I was thinking of applying for the Turkey visa but my layover is not that long to enjoy some Turkish destinations on the way.

If you are travelling from Europe, you might not have much trouble finding a flight, but there is still a good chance of a layover. Several airlines operate flights to Skopje from various European cities. Some of the ones I found are WizzAir, Edelweiss Air, Austrian Airlines, Croatia Airlines, and LOT Polish Airlines.

Remember to book your flights early to get the best deals and to ensure a smooth travel experience!

Hotels

After attending multiple conferences over the years, I realised the importance of finding the right accommodation. I wanted a place that provided comfort and convenience, was near the conference venue and also allowed me to connect with other developers before and after the conference.

The first hotel that caught my attention was the Limak Skopje Luxury Hotel, which also serves as the conference venue for iOSKonf 2024. This is a five-star hotel and located in the heart of Skopje, making it the perfect choice for attendees.

Limak Skopje Luxury Hotel is also offering a special deal of 115 EUR per night for conference attendees, which I could not resist. I ultimately decided to stay at the Limak Skopje Luxury Hotel to take advantage of the special offer and the convenience of being at the conference venue.

While the Limak Skopje Luxury Hotel seemed ideal, I also considered the DoubleTree By Hilton Skopje. This hotel is another great option for conference attendees, offering a comfortable stay in Skopje.

To make the most of my trip, I extended my stay a few days before and a day after the conference in the same hotel. This decision will hopefully help me to explore Skopje and connect with other developers at a more relaxed pace while keeping myself calm for my talk.

Places to Visit

Now that we have covered the conference and the accommodations, let's dive into the exciting part - exploring the city of Skopje!

The city is a blend of history, culture, and modernity, offering some good options for every type of traveller.

I have listed out the following tourist places to visit:

• Old Bazaar
• Stone Bridge
• Skopje Fortress
• Macedonian Square
• Lake Matka and Matka Canyon

I also plan to go to Lake Ohrid, a 2 hour bus ride from Skopje.

Conclusion

I am excited to explore the beautiful city of Skopje during my extended stay, apart from giving a motivational and inspiring talk to the developers. 🥳

Stay tuned as I document more of my experiences preparing for and attending iOSKonf 2024. In the meantime, I encourage you to consider attending as well - and if you do, come say hello!