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| SPRING ROUTES: FLORINA |
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Prespes
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Nymfaio |
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Amyntaio is the city one finds on the way from Thessaloniki, to Florina. Amyntaio is placed next to Vegoritida Lake and the Mountain of Vora (Kaimaktsalan), the third highest Greek Mountain (height 2524 meters) and it is well known for its exquisite wines. There are two directions you can take from Amyntaio, one that leads to Florina and the other to Kastoria.
In our way to Kastoria we can stop at Nymfaio (the name in the dialect of Vlaxous is Neveska), a beautiful, traditional village build at the slope of Mountain Vernos. In Nymfaio you will find amazing traditional mansions as well as invaluable cultural treasures, since for 3 centuries Nymfaio was the center of silver and goldsmithery in West Macedonia. At Nymfaio you will find the Shelter of the Brown Bear organized and run by the volunteer environmental organization "Arktouros". From there we can visit the Information Center for the life of the Brown Bear, walk by the lakes of Zazari and Heimaditida, and visit the village of Sklithro or the Wolves' Center in Agrapidia.
Driving to Florina from the new ring road we reach the city of Arts and Literature.
From the one side we have Sakoulevas river, with the traditional Macedonian houses, and on the other side we see the city center with the neoclassic houses built by refugees who arrived at the city from Monastiri and the surrounding areas.
The city is built within a gorge created by Varnounta Mountain (Peristeri) and Vernos Mountain (Vitsi). The city is surrounded by beech, pine, fir and cypress forests.
The road for Prespes starts from Florina. The route is wonderful and if you feel that you are in a good shape you can even climb the highest peak of the mountain are reach the ski center of Vigla (approximately 1600 meters height). We drive through Pisoderi in order to visit Antartiko, an abandoned village the citizens of which immigrated mostly in Canada. From there we can enjoy the wonderful view of Prespes. The National Forest of Prespes with the Small and Big Prespa, the island of St. Achilles, the villages of Psarades and St. Germanos (great source of beans), and the old houses, create an unforgettable picture. The whole area is protected as a biotope since the lakes are the shelter of a very rare birds and fish.
The food is a unique experience all over the Prefecture of Florina. Make sure you taste Vlaxikes pies in Nymfaio, Kebabs, read peppers and sweets in Florina, beans (fasolia gigantes) in St. Germanos, and grivadi (a type of lake fish) in Psarades.
Spring is the best season but if you like ski and snow and you can handle really low temperatures, then maybe you should try visit the area during winter as well. As far as culture and night life is concerned make sure you don't miss "Prespeia" (cultural events by the lakes) in the summer, the well known bonfires on December 23, the carnival of Ksino Nero, and the Halkina at local festivals. If you are the sports and adventure type then maybe you should spend your time climbing, skiing, or do canoe- kayak at the lakes.
SAE Advisor
Maria Datseri
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