Secrets of the Saronic Islands, Part II
It’s marvelous how each of the islands in this rather small chain has such a unique character. While Hydra and Spetses may be the best known, the charmingly lower-profile Aegina and Poros offer their own special charms, all the more delightful for being lesser-known. Aegina Less than an hour from Piraeus, and with several boats
The Mighty Mountains of Greece
Greece is a surprisingly mountainous country. While some of the mountains are world-famous, especially Olympus, home of the ancient gods, others are a wonderful surprise for the visitor. Let’s visit four of our favorites: Mt. Olympus - Thessaly Mt Olympus, at 2,917 meters, is Greece’s tallest mountain. It is also a towering cultural presence, the
Vasilopita – The Greek Cake of Good Fortune
As many friends of Greece know, the holiday season in Greece has many of the same elements of the holiday season elsewhere, just not necessarily in the same order. While many countries have Santa Claus visiting homes on Christmas Eve, in Greece there is Agios Vasilis - Saint Basil. Bearing gifts and good cheer, this
The Lake Towns of Northern Greece
Northern Greece is a woodland paradise. It’s filled with glassy lakes- each with its own cultural heritage, biotopes, wildlife, and scenery. Here are three unique Lake Towns and their surrounding regions that unite history, culture, and abundant natural beauty. Kastoria, the Gem on the Lake Kastoria is one of northern Greece’s most famously beautiful towns.
Western Macedonia – History, Nature, Wine, and Rustic Charms
There’s no time like autumn and winter to visit Northern Greece. In the cooler seasons, these mountainous and lush regions are at their very best, with their brilliant golden and red foliage in fall and romantic dusting of snow in winter. The rustic, elegant cuisine - so rich in dishes of wild game, foraged mushrooms,
Walking and Hiking – Experiencing Greece in Autumn
For many people - Greeks included - Autumn is the finest season of the year. People from heartier climates farther north will find the Aegean and Ionian still perfectly swim-worthy. And everyone will find the weather for walking and hiking absolutely ideal. Fans of slower, contemplative travel, blended with a dose of wellness in some
The Famous Varieties and Creations of Greek Marble
Greece is truly both a geological and an artistic wonder, and those two worlds come together in the wealth of ancient temples and sculpture. Fans of classical architecture and art will have noted that very often the source of the marble that created these wonders is also mentioned - Parian, Tinian, Penteli, Thacian, Naxian. Each
The Dormition of the Virgin – the 15th of August in Greece
The Dormition of the Virgin Mary, a holiday that is observed only by the most devout Christians in much of the western world, holds in Greece a significance on par with that of Easter and Christmas. It is the festive climax of summer, the season’s quintessential peak. If your Greek holiday coincides with the 15th
Kastellorizo – A Dreamy Destination in the Eastern Dodecanese
Proud, remote Kastellorizo, the smallest of the Dodecanese, is - together with its surrounding islets, the easternmost inhabited frontier of the Greek Aegean, lying less than three kilometers from the shores of Asia Minor. Rich in culture, history, and beauty, it is a marvelous destination. Ancient Megisti It wasn’t always called Kastellorizo; in fact, Megisti
Chalki – The Authentic Dodecanese Experience
Many visitors to Greece, particularly first-time visitors - are lured by the magnetic pull of the most famous of the islands, like Santorini, Mykonos, and, in the Dodecanese, Rhodes. The hype is completely justified - these blockbuster islands truly deliver. But with so many other visitors circulating, the low-key, authentic charms of Greek Island life