Though bitterly cold in winter, this is still a particularly beautiful part of Greece, rich in historical monuments and archaeological sites. In the area around Florina, are the lakes including the dramatic Prespa basin. Florina, is the capital spread out over a hillside covered with wild chestnut trees.
Amindeo, a modern market town, lies 41 kilometres from Florina, while 6 kilometres from there, on the shores of Lake Vegoritis, there is the picturesque village of Agios Panteleimonas, where an ancient settlement and cemetery have been excavated. Nimfeo (53 km. from Florina), on the slopes of Mt. Vitsi (alt. 1.350 m.), is both a winter and summer resort, with delightful houses built in the local style. Further up the mountain in the village of Pissoderi (alt. 1.420 m.), where are Vigla ski centre is located.
The part of Florina that holds the greatest interest for visitors, whether Greek of foreign, is its two lakes, which form the natural borders of Greece with Albania and Yugoslavia. These lakes, Mikri and Megali Prespa are situated 850 metres above sea level and are separated by a narrow strip of land. The shores of the smaller lake are filled with reeds that every year provide shelter for many kinds of birds. Looking as though it is floating in the middle of the lake is the islet of Agios Ahilios, with both ancient and Byzantine ruins, its rocky coast harbours caves once used as shrines, whose walls are decorated with religious paintings. On the shores of Megali Prespa, which may be either steep and rocky of flat and lush, there is a delightful little village called Psarades, which is very reminiscent of an Aegean hamlet with its characteristic architecture. Here, as well as at Agios Germanos, where there is a byzantine church dedicated to St. Germanos with excellent frescoes, one will find tavernas serving freshly caught fish from the lakes.
