Greece - Macedonian Gold
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Join our acclaimed 'Wildlife and History' team, Stephanie Coghlan and Gareth Trewartha, on this new late summer tour timed to coincide with the return bird migration.Macedonia can claim over 4,000 years of history and civilization. The Gold treasures of Vergina found in Philip II of Macedon's tomb are world famous, but throughout Macedonia many exquisite gold treasures have also been discovered. Aristotle, the founder of modern natural history, not only founded an Academy in Macedonia but he also taught Alexander, Philips's son, who went on to found the famous Great Empire.The city of Thessaloniki is a seaside city with long promenades and modern cycle ways. It is centred on the five river deltas, which are havens for birds despite being surrounded by the city and its historical and industrial heritage, looking out on the Thermaikos Gulf and overlooked by Mt Olympus. First, we travel north to Lake Kerkini, famous for its migrating and breeding birds. We stay in a small traditional style hotel in a village with a beautiful square surrounded by plane trees. We visit the shores of Kerkini as well as the slopes of Mt Belles to look for birds and autumn flowers like Autumn Crocus. Dalmatian Pelicans breed at Kerkini, and many waders, herons and wildfowl pass through on migration. We continue on to the Aliakmon delta, the lowest of the five rivers and continue to the slopes of Mt Olympus and to the archaeological site of Dion, where Alexander trained as a youth. The remains are mainly Roman, and Woodpeckers and Kingfishers still use the site. We hope to be entertained by Sousliks, the European Ground Squirrel, emerging from their holes to inspect us. We spend the night at a Chalet Hotel by a fast running river with Dippers and Grey Wagtails, not a typical image for Greece, but proving that Arcadia did exist. Next day we go in search of Arisotle's Academy and walk where he may have strolled with his students. The new Museum at Vergina has been built over the Tomb of Philip II of Macedon. It houses all the treasures and shows how they were discovered. Nearby is the Aliakmon Dam, which can attract passing birds as well as residents to fish. Greece is still home to Wolves, Jackals and European bears. We visit a valley where there is a bear sanctuary before continuing north to the famous Lakes of Vegoritis, Prespa and Zarzari. Here we look for migrating pelicans, birds of prey, warblers and shrikes. Accommodation: We stay in a mixture of good quality hotels and guest-houses with all rooms en suite. Single rooms are available throughout. |
© Martin Hrouzek
Lake in Macedonia
Price: £ 1,895
The price per person includes return flight London - Thessaloniki, airport taxes, accommodation, all meals, incidental tips, entrance fees, minicoach transport and the services of the leaders.
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Click here for a full, printable itinerary |
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