Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Northeastern Macedonia
Few people ever venture into the arable plains of
northeastern Macedonia
, where
attractions are sparsely spread among golden fields of corn and tobacco and incredible
numbers of storks' nests. Up near the craggy mountains that form the frontier with
Bulgaria, artificial
Lake Kerkíni
is home to masses of birds, some of them extremely rare
in Europe, making it as interesting to ornithologists as the Préspa lakes much farther
west. The tranquil setting and rich flora mean it is not only for avid twitchers.
An alternative route to the Egnatía Odhós for reaching Kavála is the scenic route that
climbs northeast out of Thessaloníki, first taking you via Sérres before passing
Alistráti
,
worth visiting for its memorable caves, and then heading towards Dhráma and ancient
Philippi
along a quieter road that offers majestic panoramas of Mount Meníkio
(1963m), Mount Pangéo (1956m) and Mount Falakró (2230m). Regular
buses
from
Thessaloníki and between Sérres and Dhráma ply this road.
The Kerkíni Wetlands
Artificial, marsh-fringed
Lake Kerkíni
, tucked up near the mountainous Bulgarian
border some 80km northeast of Thessaloníki, enjoys international protected status,
thanks to the 300-plus species of
birds
that spend at least part of the year here, some of
them on the endangered species list. Huge expanses of water lilies stretch across the
large anvil-shaped lake, out of which the River Strymónas flows to the northern Aegean
near ancient Amphipolis, while a herd of water buffalo wallows and grazes the eastern
banks, and local fishermen compete with every type of heron known to inhabit Europe.
Other birds breeding in the Kerkíni wetlands include various species of grebes, terns,
egrets, ducks, geese, ibis, spoonbills, avocets and pelicans, plus raptors such as the black
kite, the short-toed eagle and the Levant sparrowhawk.
4
Kerkíni
Two kilometres from the lake's northern shore lies the village of
KERKÍNI
, where you
will find the
Kerkíni Wetlands Information Centre
(hours vary;
T
23270 28004,
E
wkerkini@otenet.gr). You can also negotiate
birdwatching
trips in a
pláva
, a
traditional punt-like fishing boat. The surroundings reward exploration with their
abundance of flora and fauna, with huge numbers of wildflowers in the spring and
early summer.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
KERKÍNI
By bus
Although you can get a bus from Thessaloníki or
Sérres to Livadhiá, 7km north of the lake, you're pretty
hamstrung coming up here without your own vehicle.
ACCOMMODATION AND EATING
Ì
Oikoperiigitis
Kerkíni village
T
23270 41450,
W
oikoperiigitis.gr.
By far the best place to stay: in
addition to comfortable rooms, a decent restaurant and
camping facilities, the eco-minded lodge o
fers
local tours
by boat, canoe, bike, jeep or on horseback.
€55
O Harisis
Kerkíni village
T
23270 41232.
Simple
psarotavérna
that serves fresh fish from the lake, such as
trout for around €10, and a fair range of accompanying
salads and vegetable dishes.
Daily noon-midnight.
Alistráti
Just over 20km before you reach the dull market town Dhráma, on the road from
Sérres, you come to the large village of
ALISTRÁTI
, which is well placed for exploring
the nearby mountains, although the main reason to stop here is to visit the impressive
caves nearby.
