Εθνικό Πάρκο Πρεσπών

It was a cold start this morning with a hard frost. It’s only in the last 2-3 years I’ve started coming to Greece out of season so I’m not used to seeing frost over here.

I enjoyed a buffet breakfast at the hotel – I started with bacon, sausage and egg then had yoghurt and honey.

Καστοριά – Kastoria

First on my list of things to do today was to visit the Σπηλιά του Δράκου (Cave of the Dragon) where I had a guided tour – all in Greek (it was a group of maybe 15-20 people). Inside the cave there are 7 lakes, and 10 rooms in total. The cave and lakes looked very impressive – it is a shame taking photos inside was forbidden.

There’s a small cafe next to the cave so I sat there in the sunshine with a drink and some buscuits – It feels very European to sit outsde in freezing weather!

I got back in the car and headed out of town; My destination was the Εθνικό Πάρκο Πρεσπών (Prespa National Park). Tucked away near the borders of Albana and Northern Macedonia, the park is great for bird watching.

It’s also bear country; In Britain road signs warn you to look out for deer – but here road signs warn you to look out for bears. Even on the motorway, overhead electronic signs along the A2 and A29 motorways read Attention – Danger – Bear’s Habitat – Drive carefully.

The two lakes – Megali (Big) and Mikri (Small) Prespa are the highest-altitude lakes in the Balkan region, at about 850m above sea level.

Ψαράδες – Psarades

My first stop in the area was at Ψαράδες – Psarades. The only Greek village on the Megali lake, the name means Fishermen – It is a traditional fishing village. I didn’t know what to expect before I arrived. Being in such close proximity to both Albania and Macedonia I wondered whether I’d notice any influence from either of those two countries.

In truth Psarades felt as Greek as any other place I’ve been to in the country. Tourism has arrived in the village now – Along the main street are tourist shops, cafes and restaurants. The only clue as to the fact an 2 international borders with 2 non-EU countriws lay out in the lake, was the presence of a police boat.

I had time to buy a souvenir from Psarades to take home, and had lunch in the village too. This region is where the Gigantes beans are grown on a massive scale. The beans were on sale just about everywhere – and all the restaurants had them on the menu. I know I had gigantes last night – but it would be rude not to. So lunch today was gigantes starter with bread, then grilled chicken served with chips.

The other stop I made was at the village of Agios Achilleos. An island accessible only by a long floating bridge stretching across the lake from the car park on the mainland to the island. The island itself just has one main street with a restaurant and a hotel, and a few residential buildings – plus lots of animals roaming the island: chickens and cattle are in charge here. There’s a good viewpoint on the island too, if you don’t mind climbing up a hill.

Η θέα προς την Βόρεια Μακεδονία – The view towards Northern Macedonia
Μικρολίμνη – Mikrolimni
Το γέφυρα προς Άγιος Αχίλλειος – The floating bridge to Ag. Achilleos.
Η θέα από το γέφυρα – The view from the bridge

Returning to Kastoria and I had a light meal for dinner – pita gyros and some chips.

Long day tomorrow – Driving all the way back to Athens before I fly back home in the evening. So I’d better get some rest!

Καληνύχτα.

FH.

Νησί Ιωαννίνων & Καστοριά

Ιωάννηνα – Ioannina

Saturday 8. February 2020

Ioannina Island & Kastoria

After breakfast this morning I left the hotel and drove round to the lake. It was a cold start with a frost but soon warmed up.

This morning I took the boat over from the city centre to Ioannina Island. It was actually quite busy which I wasn’t expecting; I can only imagine how busy it would be in the Summer.

Ioannina Island is only a small island, I wonder how they get so many tourist shops, cafes, tavernas and monasteries on to one island!

Νησί Ιωαννίνων – Ioannina Island

In a couple of hours I managed to walk all the way round the island, have a hot chocolate in the village, browse the tourist shops, visit the Ali Pasha Museum and have souvlaki & chips for lunch.

I wasn’t expecting there to be so much to do on the island but I enjoyed it – Must stay longer next time!

Returning to Ioannina City Centre I had a quick look round the Ali Pasha Mosque before I got in the car and hit the road.

Here are some photos from my morning in Ioannina and on the island…

Η θέα προς το κέντρο Ιωαννίνων από το καραβάκι για το νησί – Ioannina Centre from the boat to the island

When I returned to the car it was time to get on the road: Leaving Ioannina behind I set off on the journey to Kastoria, which took 2hrs 10mins. Quite a good run. I didn’t realise the sat nav would take me all the way round the edge of the lake on arrival in Kastoria though – not the most direct route I’m sure!

In Kastoria I’m pleased to say I have a room with a view…

Καστοριά – Kastoria

For dinner tonight I ate at a restaurant looking out over the lake – I had a meze with the gigantes beans, bread, grilled chicken, pita bread and a dip.

Tomorrow’s my last day of sightseeing before the long journey home starts first thing Monday morning.

Καληνύχτα.

FH.

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