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Wine Route

Of the Lakes

Wine Roads of North Greece
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he route of the Lakes geographically coincides with the vinicultural areas of Western Macedonia. The viticulture zone of Amyntaio is characterized as a PDO zone and extends to the area of the Amyntaio plateau. The altitude of the zone is 570-750m. and occupies about 5,500 acres of vineyards. Characteristic of the area occupied by the PDO Amyntaion zone are its two lakes: Vegoritida and the lake of Petra.

Lakes Vegoritida and Petres are the landmarks of the region. At the banks of Vegoritida lake, visitors can have a meal at the local taverns of Agios Panteleimonas, overlooking the lake or go for a walk along the lake’s bank. There is plenty of accommodation options. The lake of Petres is a protected area under the European programme Natura, due to the presence of predatory birds and other rare bird species. The programme aims at the protection of the rare species of birds and the conservation of the wildlife sanctuary. The Municipality of Amynteon has planned the construction of observation posts at the region and has issued a special informative leaflet concerning the lake of Petres.

The tour of the area can be combined with a visit to Nymfaio, which is situated at a distance of 23 kilometres off Amynteon. Nymfaio is a traditional settlement offering visitors a chance to admire the magnificent view, stroll through the village’s cobbled streets and visit the folklore museum. At a small distance from the village there is the E4 path, taking visitors to a beautiful route along the beech forest of Mount Nymfaio. There are also facilities for horse-back riding and hand-gliding as well as mountain bikes rentals. Finally, visitors should not leave Nymfaio without visiting the Information Centre and the Brown Bear Sanctuary of Arktouros, a non-governmental organisation founded in 1992, actively working for the conservation of large carnivores in Greece and the Balkans. At Nymfaio there are traditional hotels providing high quality hospitality.

The visit to the Wine Route of the Lakes continues to the picturesque town of Velvedo, which is situated 33 kilometres southeast of Kozani at the foot of Pieria Mountain, next to Polifitos lake. The settlement has significant Byzantine and Laterbyzantine monuments and truly breathtaking views of Pieria Mountain and the lake. Visitors can also visit the Castle of the neighbouring town Servia, as well as the town of Kozani with an interesting museum, library, and market.

ΕΝΟΑΒΕ Διαδρομή των Λιμνών

Finally, the journey takes the adventurous traveler to distant Florina and Kastoria on the way south to the end of the route with stops at the towns of Grevena and Siatista.

On the northeastern side of Lake Kastoria is the old settlement of Metamorfosi, with a long tradition of viticulture and wine production. The settlement has been developed on the hill where the 9th-century monastery. Dedicated to the Transfiguration of the Savior once operated.

Our wine route ends in Grevena and then the Siatista mansion with textiles, fur, dyeing, and viticulture tradition. Famous is the “sunny” wine of Siatista that comes from local varieties of the region, which sunbathe for two or more months in special crates.

Other places of interest worth a visit in the vinicultural route of the Lakes are:

  • Vora’s Skiing Resort (Kaimaktsalan) and the traditional settlement of St. Athanassios
  • The Aridaia Baths (Pozar)
  • Αrcturos at Nymfaio
  • Florina (zoo, museums, the Sakoulevas river)
  • Vigla’s Skiing Resort
  • Prespes lakes (Psarades, St. Ahillios, St.Germanos)
  • Klisoura’s Monastery
  • The prehistoric settlement of Dispilio and the museum in Dispilio
  • Kastoria and the fossilised forest in Nostimo
  • Kozani (museum, lanterns during the carnival festival)

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