Prespes
Being one of the most genuine destinations in Greek mainland, Prespes is regarded as one alternative idea for your future holidays. Combining a wild and remote natural environment, which offers innumerous activities around the Lakes, a number of accommodation choices and exceptional food in restaurants and taverns, this piece of exile-land is a year-long destination.
Undoubtedly, the best time to visit Prespes is during spring, when nature thrives and thousands of migratory birds, which flew to the area. Herons, cormorants, Dalmatian pelicans – the biggest bird on earth, flock altogether here, creating one of the most important ecosystems in Europe. Moreover, the latter bird breed, the Dalmatian pelicans, formulate the biggest reproductive colony in the world.
Walking along the innumerous forest paths, mountain-biking around the Lakes, skying or snowboarding at the nearby Vigla Ski Centre, off-roading tours, canoeing in Small Prespa Lake, are only few activities for the nature lovers. For those who don’t want to puch their limits, it is likely to visit all the local tourist attractions. To name a few: the restored watermill and the church of Agios Germanos, the 10 th century Basilica in Agios Achilios, the exhibition of old objects and tools in Platy, Kokkali’s and Zachariadi’s cave from the period of the Greek Civil War), the ruins of some deserted villages in the area (Daseri, Sfika, Agkathoto, Krania), as well as the three Byzantine hermits on the shores of Big Prespa Lake.
Regarding your accommodation choices you can decide between one of the villages (Psarades, Mikrolimni, Agios Achilios, Platy, Laimos, Agios Germanos, Vrontero, Oxya) offering these services. No matter your pick, you will be in any case very close to all points of interest (as the villages are just a few miles away from each other).
At the traditional coofee shops (kafeneia) the locals will narrate you stories from the past, while in the grocery stores you will find to buy the famous elephant beans in all kind of varieties and sizes, as well dried carp, excellent quality tsipouro and wine, homemade jams, wild honey, spoon sweets and pickled red Florina peppers. Visiting one of the area’s taverns and restaurants, you can also try different recipes based in beans, value for money lamb and fresh fish from the Lakes.