Veria 05-07 April 2024

Ancient Trails, Modern Tales: Biking from the Birthplace of Empires to Peach Blossoms

For this special trip, you will travel to the northern part of Greece, where Alexander the Great and his father, Philip II, began building their empire. Furthermore, this is the time of the year when the peach trees are in full bloom, and the fragrance of the pink-white flowers is discernible from kilometres away.

On the first day, we cycle from the small village of Kipseli to Veria through quiet and scenic b-roads. The day’s highlight is crossing the dam of the Haliacmon River, the longest river in Greece at 297 kilometers. As you reach the other side of the river, you’ll cycle alongside it for a while, providing an opportunity to admire its beauty. Its wetlands are significant for birdlife and are recognized as important bird areas.

On the second day, we offer two levels of difficulty. For those opting for an easier ride, you will cycle through the valley, following Mount Vermio. You can expect a surround similar to the first day. For those seeking more adventure, the route ascends Mount Vermio, reaching 1500m above sea level and progressively becoming more challenging. The endpoint for both routes is the village of Naoussa, renowned for its red wine, Xinomavro, established in 1971 as a Protected Designation of Origin. Additionally, Naoussa is where the great ancient philosopher Aristotle taught young Alexander philosophy and mathematics. Another highlight of the city is the Agios Nikolaos Park, known for its scenic walking paths, small lakes, and the variety of birds and other wildlife.

On the third and final day, we start the ride from the archaeological site of Vergina, the location of the ancient city of Aigai, the first capital of the Kingdom of Macedon. This city was pivotal in the history of the Macedonian dynasty. The site is most famous for its royal tombs, where King Philip II of Macedon, Alexander the Great’s father, is believed to have been buried. After visiting the site, we start cycling towards Katerini, a perfect way to conclude our trip.

Cost: 450 euro / person
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What is included

• 2 x Night Accommodation
• 2 x Dinner Meal
• 3 x Lunch
• Snacks along the road
• Vehicle Support
• Shuttle from Athens to the starting point and back
• GPX files for your GPS-unit
• Collection of your bike 1 day prior of the trip

Extras

• Road / E bike Hire: + €70 (please send us your height details in cm)
• Arrangements for non cycling members – bring the family and friends along
• Single Supplement: + €120

Payment URL

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Using the above link you can book your spot latest by Friday, 22 March

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Code of conduct

• During the ride, each cyclist should ride like being on their own, respecting all the road circulations rules and signs
• All cyclists should be in a position to be self sufficient (e.g. change a tube, indexing the gears). Also our group ethics expect the riders to act civilized (zero tolerance if they litter the environment) and promote the good conduct of this ride. Competition schemes are not welcomed.
• Our vehicles will be close to the riding group and will provide transfer or mechanical support on best endeavors terms.