When visiting the historical Macedonia which is now a province on the northern Greek peninsula.

Macedonia, the ancient kingdom of Alexander the Great, is one of the most beautiful areas of Greece, rich in natural beauty, history, archaeology and great food. The modern province has as its capital on the Thermaic Gulf, the provincial city of Thessaloniki, a UNESCO World Heritage site, which was named by Cassander after Alexander the Greats half-sister. It is the most cosmopolitan city in Greece and a hub for culture lovers from all over the world where you can walk among ancient basilicas of the Byzantine era, the white tower fortress, ancient Rotunda and Roman arches, past the statue of Alexander the Great, on your way to brunch at the quaint cafe's of old town or the Macedonian Museum of contemporary Art.

Greece is an amazing ecotourism destination with over 300 Blue Flag labelled beaches, UNESCO world heritage sites, traditional architecture, and vineyards in traditions that date back to ancient times. Endemic plants and animals fill the northern province with some of the world's most endangered species calling Macedonia, home.

Florina boasts where Greece begins and is a beautiful all year round picturesque town dating back to ancient times.

The birthplace of Alexander the Great is in Pella and is best known as the historical capital of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon during the time of Alexander and his father Philip II. On the site of the ancient city is the Archaeological Museum of Pella where you can walk among the remains and ruins of the old palace and more.

The Archaeological site of Aigai (modern Vergina) Imathia central Macedonia, is a UNESCO world Heritage site. The ancient city of Aigai was the first capital of the Kingdom of Macedon. In addition to the monumental palace, lavishly decorated with mosaics, inscriptions and painted stuccoes, the site contains a burial ground with more than 300 tumuli, one of which has been identified as that of Philip II of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great.

Legend tells, that Caranus the founder of Macedonia, following a flock of goats, led a large force of Greeks into the heart of Macedonia in the midst of a heavy storm of rain and a thick mist. Remembering the oracle which had desired him "to seek an empire by the guidance of goats", he fixed here the seat of government and named the place Aegae in commemoration of the miracle.

Edessa (Ancient Aegae) is known as the "city of waters", with its beautiful cascading waterfalls and healthy natural spa waters and hot springs.

The village of Grevena is surrounded by high mountains, verdant forests, streams, rivers and creeks, impressive ancient stone bridges and old byzantine churches. The National Park of Valia Calda, the Vasilitsa Ski Center, the rivers used for white water rafting and mushroom picking in the forests make Grevena a pole of attraction for adventurers, nature and mountain lovers alike. It is estimated that more than 1,300 different species of mushrooms grow in Grevena, of which some European species are extremely rare.

Halkidiki - The Ancients knew the region as Flegra - the Place of Fire - because it was believed to be the place where an epic battleground for the fire took place between the Olympian Gods and the Giants, the sons of Gaia (Earth). According to the myth, Kassandra got its name when one of the Giants, named Egelados, was crushed by Kassandra promontory, thrown by goddess Athena and was buried underneath. The second prong received its name from Sithon, son of the sea god Poseidon. Today it is proud of its 52 blue flag beaches, its world-class family resorts, its all-night clubs, lounge bars, seaside taverna's and beach bars. Halkidiki is home to Stageira the birthplace of the famous Greek philosopher Aristotle.

For those that enjoy island get-a-ways Thassos, known as the ''Emerald Island'' of Greece, for its rich greenery, has cool temperatures all year round. Pine forests, chestnut forests, and numerous plane trees border golden beaches and crystal clear waters and ancient ruins creating a paradise on earth. It is home to the marble mines that were used for many ancient statues and buildings.

The Athos peninsula was named after the giant Athos, who during the famous battle between the Olympian Gods and the giants, threw a mountain at the gods, but failed to find his target. "Today, cloaked by beautiful chestnut and other types of Mediterranean forest, the steep slopes of Mount Athos are punctuated by twenty imposing monasteries. An Orthodox spiritual center since 1054, and protected UNESCO world heritage site, Mount Athos has enjoyed an autonomous statute since Byzantine times. Monks cultivate the famous Mt Athos wineries and greet travellers making the pilgrimage for a taste of monastic life and to see the world renown iconography. The monasteries of Athos area are a veritable conservatory of masterpieces ranging from wall paintings (such as the works of Manuel Panselinos at Protaton Church ca 1290 and by Frangos Catellanos at the Great Lavra in 1560) to portable icons, gold objects, embroideries, and illuminated manuscripts". ~ (UNESCO website) Famous visitors include Prince Charles, Vladimir Putin, Rasputin, Edward Lear, an innumerable Byzantine ex-emperors among others.

Macedonia has a very long tradition of winemaking. It is said that a light was always kept burning at the temple of Dionysus to ensure a good harvest. Today the descendants of these ancient vines comprise acres and acres of viticulture throughout Macedonia and the rest of Greece. Mythology says that the god of music, dance and inebriation, Dionysus, married Ariadne, who had two sons, Staphillos and Oinopoeonas, who, in turn, gave grape cultivation and wine production to the Greeks. The Wine Roads of Macedonia Thessaly and Thrace in Northern Greece infuse the entire region with its wonderful aromas, making the journey around the archaeological sites, churches, monasteries, museums and boutique wineries extra special. Discover restaurants, taverna's, hotels, inns, local gourmet workshops and stores stocked with regional culinary specialities.

The town of Naoussa sits at the foot of Mount Vermion. According to the ancient Greek mythology, Semeli, the mother of God Dionysos, lived on these slopes and that the magnificent dancer Silinos, the faithful companion of the God of vineyard and wine, was born in this area. Here lay the renowned Macedonian Tombs of Lefkadia. Aristotle's school at Mieza is very close to the town of Naoussa, where Alexander the Great was a student of the great Greek Philosopher. Naoussa is famous for its carnivals and celebrations such as the custom of "Genitsaroi and Boules" date back to ancient Dionysian rites and whose costume and festivities were used by the Macedonian freedom fighters to visit family and plan their attack against the Ottoman occupying forces.

Hike up to Mt Olympus, home of the Olympian Gods and sit in the "throne of Zeus". Mt Olympus was the dwelling of the Olympian Gods after the Titanomachy. Dion the ancient city at the base of Olympus owes its name to the most important Macedonian sanctuary dedicated to Zeus (Dios "of Zeus"). As recorded by Hesiod's Catalogue of Women, Thyia, daughter of Deucalion, bore Zeus two sons Magnes and Makednos, eponym of the Macedonians, who dwelt in Pieria at the foot of Mount Olympus. Thus Dion was the "sacred place" of the Macedonians. It was here Alexander made sacrifices to his Gods before setting off for Persia and the sanctuary has been preserved till today.

Macedonia offers GPS tracks of Thessaloniki, Mt Olympus and Halkidiki, in central Macedonia, Gramos in the west and Falakro Mountain in the east and much more for professional and amateur hikers alike.

Birding in northern Greece is a hub for wildlife travellers and conservationists alike - The rich bird life of the northern Greek Peninsula is determined by its unique habitat. Freshwater lakes and coastal lagoons form an important network of wetlands that attract some of the world's most unique species. A birdwatching resource for the lakes of Mikri Prespa and Kerkini, and the marshlands and bayous of Macedonia, northeast Greece.

Travel the Egnatia Road to ancient Philippi founded in 356 BCE by Philip II, where Mark Antony and Octavian's army avenged Caesar's murder in battle with the armies of Junius Brutus and Gaius Cassius in 42 BCE.

In Philippi, you can walk in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul who first brought Christianity to Europe and founded the first European Christian Church. It was in Philippi that St Paul began to Evangelize the people of Greece and christened Lydia, a wealthy woman from Thyatira, a dealer in purple cloth, in a nearby creek, that is still used today. Lydia became the first Christian on European soil. The prison that once held the Apostle lays among the famous ruins and tourists come from around the world to hear the whispers of history in the breeze. Philippi too is a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site. The remains of this walled city with its Hellenistic theatre and funerary heroon (temple) lies at the foot of an acropolis on the ancient route linking Europe and Asia via the Egnatia. The modern city rises up from the harbor to the majestic Byzantine fortress. It boasts clean pristine, sandy beaches.

Amphipolis is best known for the magnificent ancient Greek polis whose impressive remains can still be seen, and the huge monument of the lion of Amphipolis dating back to the 4th century BCE. It is famous in history for events such as the battle between Spartans and Athenians in 422 BCE, and the place where Alexander the Great prepared for campaigns leading to his invasion of Asia. Amphipolis is also the place where his wife Roxane and their small son Alexander IV were exiled and later murdered after Alexanders death. Currently, archaeologists are working on a newly found tumulus that has yet to yield its secrets.

Throughout historical Macedonia, you will find archaeological museums of ancient Macedonia, War museums, Museum of the struggle to free Macedonia from foreign occupation. Macedonian Museums of Contemporary Art, Folklore Museums, Museum of Byzantine Greek culture, Museum of photography...

For the Former Yugoslav Republic

I would like to recommend the following top destination when you travel to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia ,

Cities you certainly should see, with the minimal time needed.

-Skopje (1-2 day, depending what you want to do/see...Musea etc? or just the old buildings and churches?)

-Ohrid and the Monastery of St Naum (2 days)

-Bitola and the archeological site Heraclea Lyncestis (1 day)

-Prilep with the Towers of Marko (less than 1 day)

-The archeological site Stobi (less than 1 day)

If you have some more time:

-Lake Prespa with the uninhabited island Golem Grad or Snake Island (less than 1 day)

-The churches around Lake Matka near Skopje (1 day including some hiking)

-Struga at Lake Ohrid (half a day)

If you have a car, go e.g. from Skopje to Ohrid through Mavrovo National Park and have a stop at Mavrovo. It's a bit longer but certainly worth it.

I did a quick one-day tour with my parents by car from Ohrid to Bitola+Heraclea, Prilep to visit Marko's towers and via Stobi to Skopje, to show them some highlights, but you'll be missing a lot when going that fast.

BTW, Get the Bradt Travel Guide for Macedonia, second edition. It's very good! And make sure that you have papers with you showing that your health insurance is valid in FYR-Macedonia, otherwise you'll have to buy one at the border.

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