Drama, Greece
Drama is situated in North Eastern mainland Greece, in the Macedonia region, close to the border of Bulgaria and approximately 115km NE of Thessaloniki. The town has a population of around 40,000 and has all the local amenities you might need - shops, supermarkets, restaurants, bars etc
Flying
The terrain provides a nice mix of flatland flying with some sizable hills, and Mount Falakro providing a back-drop to the area at 2,232 metres.
The main take off we use for XC flying is 'Pyrgi', a 45 minute drive from Drama and situated above the village of Petroussa. Altitude at take off is 1,187 metres and faces South. Usually the anabatic flow during the day draws the wind onto the face of the hill and there is a light breeze to take off in.
There are good XC routes and potential to the East (Paranesti), West (Mount Belles) and South (Paggaio Mountain), with only Thessaloniki CTR 70km to the SW to avoid. Flying to the beaches south of Kavala to the East is also possible from Paggaio. Circuit flights around the valley of 80-90km+ can regularly be achieved.
Later on in the afternoon and evening, the sea breeze from the East/South East usually comes in, and there are 2 take-offs above the town of Drama we use for evening soaring flights. It is usually still thermic as well and it is therefore relatively easy to get high enough to fly the 15km west back to Prosotsani (or further round the valley) from these take-offs (Korylovos East or S.E).
There is also a North Easterly facing take-off at the town of Skopia, a WSW-SW take-off at Kefalaria, a South facing take-off at Chionochori, near Serres, and a South and North facing take-off on the mountain of Paggaio.
To see example flights made from Pyrgi take-off, click here:
To see example flights made in the area, click here:
Weather
North Eastern Greece generally has relatively dry, hot summers, with a prevailing Northerly wind bringing dry air from the land mass above. Cloudbase is typically 1,500-2500m during the summer. The terrain provides plenty of good thermal triggers, and climbs of 3-5m/s are typical.
The best months of the year for XC flying are from May - September.
Non-Flyable Activities
Should the weather be unfavourable for flying then the following are things we can do nearby:
Beach day - just over an hour away, there are some beautiful beaches to the south of Kavala
White-water rafting, zip-lining and a climbing wall in Paranesti
Outdoor Swimming pool in Prosotsani
Wine tasting and Vineyard tours - there are several vineyards in the Drama valley, some with award winning wines to try.
Mud Baths at Krinides
The Archaeological site & ancient town of Filippi
Underground River Caves at Aggitis and Alistrati Caves
Swimming in the river at the St Barbara Waterfall
Go-Karting in Drama/Kalifytos
Natural hot springs at Loutra Eleftheron
Walking/Hiking
FLY WITH THE GODS!