Vergina – Agios Nikolaos – Edessa

First Stop: Vergina Tombs (Approximately 1 hour drive / 45 minute stop 2 times)

The Museum of the Royal Tombs of the Aegean (Vergina) is located 75 km west of Thessaloniki, in the area of the royal tombs of the ancient Kingdom of Macedonia in the Aegean. The underground museum, which includes the tomb of Philip II of Macedon, began construction in 1993 and was inaugurated in 1997. The exhibitions are presented in four connected areas, including the Palace, the royal funerary group of the Temenid dynasty (funeral group “C”), the funerary group of Philip II and the entrance with an exhibition of sculptures found in the city’s sanctuaries and the restored upper floor of Philip’s Palace. The tombs and other archaeological finds of the Aegean were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1996, due to their exceptional architecture and their testimony to the transition from city-states to empires in European civilization.

Stop 1: 45 minutes (2 times)

Second Stop: Agios Nikolaos Grove, Naoussa (Approximately 45 minutes drive / Stop until 15:15)

The “Edoic paradise” of Naoussa.
The Grove of Agios Nikolaos is a Panhellenic Tourism and Recreation Center, just 3 km. southwest of the city of Naoussa. An earthly paradise in the heart of Imathia, a breath of life against ecological degradation. Sixty acres of beautiful land come to life from the sources of the historic and precious Arapitsa River. The unique centuries-old grove with plane trees impresses visitors all year round with its magnificence and volume. In its shade rests the immense green of the natural grass that coexists with the wild local boxwood, poplar, oak and abundant water in a rare harmony of sounds and colors. The grove was funded by the European Union through the LIFE program for its protection and promotion, as well as for the development of the rational ecological management framework for sustainability. It is visited annually by 1,000,000 visitors who can take advantage of the grove's facilities and activities: sports facilities, recreation areas, playground, artificial fishing and boating lake, restaurants with local trawl, outdoor dining areas, sports and walking trails at the sources of the Arapitsa River.

Third Stop: Edessa Waterfalls  (Approximately 45 minutes drive / 1 hour stop)

The Edessa Waterfalls are located in the city of Edessa in Macedonia, Greece. The waterfalls are a natural phenomenon that was created after a strong earthquake that struck the area in the 14th century. Since then, many smaller earthquakes have caused changes in their morphology. The main source of these waterfalls is the Agra-Nisi wetland, from which the Edessa River originates. The Edessa River is divided into several waterfalls. In addition, the Waterfalls Geopark extends over an area of over 100,000 square meters and includes a 1.1 km long cliff path. The waterfalls are the main attraction for visitors to Edessa. There are twelve waterfalls in the area, four of which are visible. The trails of the Waterfalls Park include the cobblestone path to Ancient Edessa through the city plain. This passage was part of the ancient Via Egnatia that connected Ancient Edessa, the Acropolis of Edessa (Varossi area) and Thessaloniki until the early 20th century.