MACEDONIA

Macedonia is Greece's largest geographical region and it occupies the northern part of the country.
The climate is generally continental though coastal areas benefit from the moderating influence of the sea and can be said to have a Mediterranean climate.
Macedonia includes large fertile plains, such as the plain of Thessaloniki, mineral rich areas, such as Halkidiki, wooded mountains, lakes, wetlands, enchanting waterfalls, forests of fir, pine, and beech trees. Slope inhabited even today by endangered wild animals such as bears and wolves. Rushing rivers, caves, verdant plains, fertile valleys, distant lake shores, beautiful coasts, and large and small fishing villages.
The capital is Thessaloniki the bride of the Thermaic gulf, which owes her name to the daughter of king Philip of Macedon. The city is decorated with many Roman and Byzantine monuments, with the White Tower the best known, the old city, and countless Byzantine churches. Today all of Thessaloniki buzzes with life. The roads, parks, and squares are lively and on the commercial streets people frequent the shops with their bright window displays. Old houses, neoclassical and modern. Among them are tavernas, restaurants, bars, expensive night clubs and cozy little places redolent with the smells of Macedonian delicacies. Theatres, cinemas, pastry shops, and cafes. And once a year, every September, the wonders of technology are gathered and shown at the International Exhibition.
Halkidiki lies to the south, as well as Mt. Athos, the monastic state, the holy mountain, a separate and special feature. Dozens of fabulous Byzantine monasteries lurk in the fertile valleys and perch on sheer rocky coasts hiding unique treasures. The capital of Halkidiki is Polygyros, a picturesque town. Its unique sights are its three fingers, Kassandra, Sithonia and Athos, with beautiful sandy beaches and pine trees that come down to "meet" the deep blue water of the sea.

East of Thessaloniki are the districts of Serres, Drama and Kavala, and their respective capitals of the same name.
Beautiful and charming, Serres has an acropolis as well as Byzantine walls and churches. Drama is situated among tobacco fields. Kavala is divided into a new and an old town, the scenic harbour full of little fishing boats, and the medieval castle. Outside the city is the archaeological site of ancient Phillipi and several wonderful beaches with good swimming.
Across the sea is Thassos, the island of the Sirens according to mythology. Beautiful verdant, with splendid beaches, and important antiquities. In the summer, ancient plays are reenacted in the ancient theatre.
West of Thessaloniki lies Central Macedonia. Here the outstanding sights are the archaeological sights of Dion, Vergina, and Pella.
The district of Pieria whose capital is fair Katerini with the castle of Platamonas gazing upon the Aegean, has fine wide sandy beaches, the Litohoro on the foothills of Mt. Olympus, the domicile of the gods, and Dion, the pan-Macedonian sanctuary devoted to the worship of Zeus (Dias).
Veria, with Byzantine churches, is the capital of the district of Imathia which is also home to Naoussa of much running water and thick vegetation, and to Vergina which is associated with ancient Aiges and whose tombs have been attributed to Philip of Macedon.
Edessa is capital of the district of Pella, which has waterfalls and ancient Pella.
Next is Kilkis with the impressively decorated cave, picturesque villages and towns and the Doirani lake with its rich natural environment. In Western Macedonia are the districts of Kozani, with its scenic capital of the same name, Grevena, with tall wooded mountains and an untamed natural environment.
The district of Kastoria with the lake and pretty town built in the style of an amphitheatre on its shores, and the dozens of fur-making workshops, and lastly, Florina with the National Park of the Prespes Lakes (Mikri Prespa and Megali Prespa) and beautiful traditional villages built on the slopes of forested mountains.