The Northern part of Greece, Makedonia is a unique blend of histories and cultures with undoubtedly inviting cuisine. The major metropolis of Macedonia, Thessaloniki offers outstanding restaurants, nightlife and shopping, whereas the waters of the famous summer resort of Chalkidiki attract numerous visitors. There are many hotels in Macedonia and the diversity of the region offers several different kinds of tourism varying from sunbathing Chalkidiki to snow sport adventurous Kaimaktsalan, the largest ski centre in Northern Greece.  

 

Macedonia is Greece’s Balkan north with turbulent recent past and a still under negotiations diplomatic issue of the use of the term Macedonia and what is defined by this. Macedonia became famous through its extraordinary king, Alexander the Great and Macedonia became the heart and the mind of the Hellenistic period. Then the Romans came and Macedonia declines. In the years to follow, its fate is linked to this of the Byzantine Empire. Thessalonica became the second capital after Constantinople and played an important role in political life as it was also one of the most important spiritual and cultural centres in the Balkans. Macedonia is attacked repeatedly in the fourth century by Visigoths, Avars, Huns and Slavs. In 963 founded the monasteries of Mount Athos and began the spread of Christianity to the Slavs. Through Byzantium, Christianity goes to Russia. Macedonia was already occupied by Ottoman Turks from the 14th century and was used as a passage to Europe. A few years before the outbreak of the revolution of 1821, Macedonia has already thrown heroism in the struggle against the Ottomans but Macedonia didn’t join the Greek State until 1913 after the Balkan Wars.

Macedonia shares borders with the regions of Thessaly on the south, Epirus and Albania on the west, Thrace on the east and FYROM on the north. It spans a total area of 34.231 sq. km. with a total population of 2.625.681 residents. It comprises of the Prefectures of Kastoria, Florina, Kozani, Grevena, Thessaloniki, Pella, Imathia, Pieria, Kilkis, Chalkidiki, Serres, Drama, Kavala.

The abundance of water is a characteristic of northern Greece, mainly due to the fact of frequent rain and snow falls. The position of Macedonia and the varied topography, contribute to different climate. Thus, the climate is quite temperate on the coasts and the inner mainland of Macedonia has mountainous highlands. Characteristic for Macedonia is the harshness of the weather during the winter with blowing cold strong winds and snow falls.