BMW Motorcycle Tour - Kastoria - Prespes Lakes

BMW Motorcycle Tour - Kastoria - Prespes Lakes

Six day unguided motorcycle tour that will lead you to some amazing sites in Greece. We will meet and greet you in our head offices were you will get acquainted with your BMW rental motorbike. We will do a short briefing on the tour, the itinerary and then you will take off for the moto tour. All destinations and points of interest will be uploaded to the GPS that comes with the motorcycle.

Itinerary

Day 1: Athens to Florina

Stop At: Nestorio, Nestorio, Kastoria Region, West Macedonia
A wonderful village full of charm with a lovely river running through it. In this river every summer a big festival takes place gathering some of the most famous artists both feoreign and domestic
Duration: 30 minutes

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight stay at respectable, centrally located hotel in Kastoria

Day 2: Kastoria city and surrounding area

Stop At: Kastoria, Kastoria, Kastoria Region, West Macedonia
This charming furrier city, whose beauty will most certainly seduce you, is built amphitheatrically on a narrow peninsula, mirrored in Orestiada Lake and nestled in between Grammo and Vitsi Mountains. The old neighbourhood Doltso, a picturesque corner of the town where buildings date back to the 17th and 18th century, when the city’s economy blossomed due to the fur treatment and trade is a must visit. Lots of buildings have been converted into museums, such as Neratzi Aivazi mansion that houses the Folk Art Museum, Emmanouil mansion lodges the Costume Museum etc. Second oldest neighbourhood with an aristocratic allure is Apozari; you will absolutely fall in love with the byzantine churches and the beautiful mansions, which are typical examples of Macedonian architecture.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Cave of Dragon (Spilia tou drakou), Souggaridi 2nd km Paralimnias South Bay, Kastoria 521 00 Greece
A seductive cave system where you’ll get to see seven underground lakes and rooms with astonishing stalactites.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Prehistoric Lake Settlement, Dispilio 520 57 Greece
Dispilio (7 km SE of Kastoria). At the site Nisi, an artificial island in Lake Orestiada, a Middle Neolithic lake settlement with wooden structures has been excavated, dating back to 5600 to 5000 BCE. Near the site an impressive park has been erected, recreating the lake dwellers’ settlement and providing information about the life of its Neolothic inhabitants.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight stay at respectable, centrally located hotel in Kastoria

Day 3: Prespes Lakes and Florina

Stop At: Prespa Lakes, Agios Germanos Prespa, Prespes 530 77 Greece
In the region of Florina there is a magical world of incomparable natural beauty created by retreating glaciers and a series of seismic phenomena. Two important lakes surrounded by mountains, Great and Small Prespa, provide a stunning sight, reflecting the wooded slopes of the surrounding mountains in their waters. They lie 850 m. above sea-level and have a depth of 50 m. Their shores at many places are steep and rocky. In other places they are calm and have rich vegetation. One of the most important wetlands in Europe, the Prespa lakes are considered to be a paradise for migratory birds; hundreds of bird species, many of them endangered, nest and breed here, among them the Dalmatian pelican, the cormorant and the heron. Kit yourself out with the right bird watching equipment and visit the special Bird Observatory, where members of the Hellenic Ornithological Society will tell you all about the birds or even lend you a telescope to observe them.
The shores of Mikri Prespa, with thick reeds, host pelicans, wild ducks and many other species of rare birds attract the interest of international scientific institutes.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Agios Achillios island, Prespes National Park Greece
You will cross the floating bridge leading to the island of Agios Achilios in Small Prespa and admire the ruins of the 10th century church of the same name. Visit the caves where hermits used to live and admire the rock paintings which can be seen at Fishermen Bay or along the shores of Great Prespa.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Florina, Florina, Florina Region, West Macedonia
The city of Florina experienced an outstanding cultural and economical uplift around 1893 due to its railway connection with Thessaloniki. This wealth is perfectly encapsulated in the eclectic early 20th century edifices. Start your tour around the city with a visit to the Archaeological Museum standing next to the Railway Station. One of the Station’s old buildings houses the Art Gallery that exhibits works of local artists. The landmark of the city is certainly its river, Sakoulevas, which one can walk along starting from Ioannou Arti Street. On the left bank of the river you can gaze at the Second Primary School, the House of Tegos Sapountzis (the first Mayor of the City, 1912), the workshops of two local artists, the Modern Art Museum and the House of Voyiatzis, where many scenes of Angelopoulos film “The Beekeeper” were filmed. On the opposite side still stands the three-storey “House of Peios”, one of the most impressive traditional mansions of Florina. Continue your tour at the Dikeosinis (meaning Justice) Square, adorned with well-preserved public buildings, the old prison and the Turkish Baths. If you want to rest a bit, choose one of the hive cafes of Melas Pedestrian Street to indulge in a coffee or a delicious local specialty.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight stay at respectable, centrally located hotel in Kastoria

Day 4: Amyntaio and Nymfaio

Stop At: Amyntaio, Amyntaio, Florina Region, West Macedonia
Amyntaio is a modern but also picturesque town of Florina. Amynteo is located in a hub for the entire Western Macedonia with a unique view to Mount Vermio, Mount Vintsi, Mount Kaimaktsalan, Lake Petron and the vineyards of the region. Amynteo has beautiful hotels and restaurants and is famous for the local wineries.Indeed you will drive to one of th emost famous in Greece. Alpha Estate will be your stop for a tour of the winery. Excellent cellar and some of the best Greek wines!
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Nymfaio, Nymfaio, Florina Region, West Macedonia
Nymfaio is a traditional settlement of Mount Vernon (Vitsi ) at an altitude of 1.350 m. It has been singled out as one of the ten most picturesque villages of Europe, according to UNESCO. This fascinating village with stone built houses and cobblestone paths, surrounded by a breathtaking beech forest, looks like it just came out of a fairytale book. Nymfaio is a year round charming destination as it combines remarkable beauty of nature, a distinctive glorious past, unique traditional guesthouses and numerous cafes and restaurants.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Arcturos Brown Bear Sanctuary, Nymfaio 53075 Greece
The sanctuary is located in a beautiful beech forest at 1,5 km from Nymfaio. Ex-captive bears live in a 5 acres fenced area imitating a natural habitat. Find out more about these wonderful creatures and how hard it is to reintegrate them in their natural environment as they were removed from their mother before having the chance to learn basic survival skills.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight stay at respectable, centrally located hotel in Kastoria

Day 5: Meteora via Siatista

Stop At: Siatista, Siatista, Kozani Region, West Macedonia
One of the most traditional towns in the prefecture of Kozani ,Siatista lies on the slopes of Mount Siniatsiko at 920 meters altitude. From the 17th to the 19th century the town experienced prosperity ,clearly recognizable by the mansions that are everywhere. Do not miss the wonderful metropolis of Siatista with the amazing frescos.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Meteora, Meteora, Trikala Region, Thessaly
Meteora (UNESCO World Heritage site since 1988). They are built on the north-western edge of the Plain of Thessaly. Meteora is a complex of monasteries built 400 meters above the ground on massive stone pillars. It is one of Christianity’s holiest places and attracts thousands of visitors year after year. The visitors get mesmerized by the size of the rock formations as well as the spectacular beauty and serenity originating from the Monasteries for those who seek spiritual enlightenment.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight stay at respectable, centrally located hotel in Meteora area

Day 6: Meteora to Athens

Stop At: Trikala, Trikala, Trikala Region, Thessaly
he Prefecture's capital is a beautiful city built on the location of ancient Trikki (according to mythology the nymph Trikki was the daughter of Pinios). Asklipios, the most important doctor of antiquity, originated from here. The Lithaios River flows through the city which is distinguished by historical Monuments, excellent urban planning, spacious squares, parks and pedestrian streets.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.