Experience the Crystal Clear Underwater Scenery of GreeceWhile other divers are boarding flights to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef or Belize’s famous reef reserve system, underwater explorers who are in the know are heading to the crystal clear waters of Greece. For decades, diving in Greece was highly restricted, allowing divers access to just 998 kilometers of the more than 16,000-kilometre-long coastline.In 2005, restrictions were lifted, and divers from around the world gained access to some

After the merry-making and the hearty meaty meals enjoyed on Tsiknopempti (Meatfare Thursday) and during the Carnival Period, Clean Monday- the first day of the Greek Orthodox Great Lent- marks the beginning of fasting which lasts until the Holy Saturday.However, do not jump to conclusions just yet! The Lenten festive table often takes place outdoors, as most people celebrate Koulouma in the countryside, and it is not any less savoury than the rich meat- based Carnival Period meals. On the contr

Ioannina is a beautiful town, the largest in the region of Epirus, which satisfies even the most demanding visitors. It is a lively and modern town with many green areas that also hosts a bustling university. The slab-paved streets and old picturesque buildings of great architectural importance attract a large number of tourists throughout the year. If you visit Ioannina, these are 5 of the things you shouldn’t miss out on your trip there.1) Have a tour in the CastleThe castle of Ioannina is a m

The contribution of Ancient Greece to the art of architecture is internationally recognized. Monuments such as the Parthenon, the Academy of Athens, and many more are famous worldwide  for their architectural value and high aesthetics. Despite the fact that they are not as popular as their predecessors, there are few architectural monuments of the 21st century that renew Athens and prove that there are initiatives in Greece nowadays that appreciate good architecture. Read four of these examples

With a rich history about one of the greatest civilizations on earth and a Mediterranean coast that draws attention to its statues, Greece is an ideal destination for families. The capital city of Athens is located on the south-eastern coast of mainland Greece. To the west lies the Peloponnese, which was the home of an Aegean civilization, to the north, the green hills hold the ancient treasures of mythology such as Delphi. However, the main tourist attractions of the country, aside Athens, are

Thanks to a wealth of natural hot springs, Loutra Aidipsou has been attracting visitors seeking to benefit from its curative waters since antiquity.Only once you see it for about the 45th time do you start to get used to it: thick steam rising skywards above frothing hot water, while all around you the rocks are all shades of red and ochre, stained and shaped by the minerals bubbling up from the depths of the earth’s crust.The geothermal springs in Aidipsos and the surrounding area in northweste

Few visitors realize the geographic blessings of a European capital where a short drive from the center can have you ascending a mountainside or swimming in the sea.Vouliagmeni LakeIdeal for a winter swim, this is one of the jewels of the Athens Riviera – the stretch of coastline that begins at Flisvos Marina, about a half-hour’s drive from the city center, and extends all the way to Cape Sounio.“I have been coming to the lake every day for about 40 years,” says Nikos, a fit-looking, grey-haired

Easter is a big celebration in Greece as it is connected both with the orthodox faith and Greek tradition.  Plan your trip around this time of year in order to experience the special ambiance of these days. But first, let us give you some tips and guide you through some of the most important customs that are practiced on these days.First of all, it is worth mentioning that unlike many western countries, Greek Orthodox churches base their Easter date on the Julian calendar. Therefore the Greek Or

That’s “good morning”   in Greek. I heard it from the chef the following morning when I went to the mezzanine for breakfast. She said it as she was coming in the room from the kitchen to place a loaf of sliced bread on the table. The swiftness, ease and kindness with which she said it, instantly communicated to me that this must be a form of greeting. And although I didn’t know what it meant, I smoothly smiled back and butchered the word “kaliméra” the best way that I didn’t know how.After all,

Experience the beautiful Greek Island of Rhodes. Steeped in history and alive with a vibrant, welcoming culture, Rhodes offers many adventures that aim to invigorate the senses.Rhodes TownFeel the sunshine kiss your skin as you meander through the cobbled streets of this magnificent city. Journey back in time as you enter through the impressive defensive walls which encircle Rhodes Town. With warm sunlight illuminating the maze of narrow, cobbled streets, numerous quirky stools offer a shopper’s

We went to Loutraki in September last year.   This attractive small town is about 80 km from Athens on the Gulf of Corinth in the Peloponnese Region.  The road is a new motorway which makes it very easy to self-drive, but I am sure the chosen accommodation can arrange airport transfers; the journey takes about an hour and a quarter.  This well-kept welcoming place right on the sea has a good little harbour and wonderful beach and is very attractive.  The Loutraki Thermal Spring was designed and

Start exploring Thessalonikis incredibly rich and cosmopolitan history with this guide to the citys must-see sights.1.THE ROTUNDA (4TH CENTURY)Long considered an original feature of the palace of the 4th-century Roman Emperor Galerius, perhaps a temple, the Rotunda appears instead to have been initially built by Constantine the Great in AD 322-323, according to recent studies by Greek archaeologists and art historians.This new interpretation suggests the Rotunda was designed as Constantine’s thi

Mountain trekking, mushroom hunting, yoga, horseback riding, mountain bike, cooking classes, soap making classes, olive harvesting, and the list goes on! Quite a few visitors of the Greek countryside do not choose a guesthouse only for the sleeping systems and the rich traditional breakfast (not that they are not asked for), but also for the activities they can do with their company or their family so as to come into an actual contact with nature and get to know the place that hosts them in dept

The “Aficionados” (105, N. Plastira Str.) in the district of Kalamaria, is arguably the most important new arrival in the gastronomic scene of Thessaloniki. The centerpiece of the project that is housed in a beautifully restored mansion is the fine- dining restaurant on the first floor: it seats only 36 persons and opens on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, serving up a menu curated by the award-winning Chef Dimitris Pamporis. On the ground floor, there is a cocktail bar and a cigar lounge, whi

Theme lists are the strongest trend in the dynamic Greek bartending scene, as Greek bartenders are searching, traveling, reading, experimenting and making the most of their experiences in inspired lists with particular concepts. In the “Meerkat,” the new talk of the town (7, Christou Vyzantiou, Koukaki), the first list is dedicated to the African meerkats, and the second, the winter one, takes these animals to four ski slopes. In the first, the easiest one, cocktails such as the African Fortune,

The brand-new and very elegant “Opera Quarta” (4, Kriezotou Str., Center) has an Italian character. It opens from the morning for the first espresso of the day and continues with carpaccios, pizzas, pasta, risottos, and main courses focused on seafood or meat to pair with wines from Italy. “Frankie” (40, Skoufa Str., Kolonaki) is housed in a stunning building of the 1930s in Kolonaki and is a pleasant all-day trattoria that emphasizes handmade pasta (spaghetti alla chitarra, tagliatelle, penne,

This winter may not have seen hotel arrivals that made a splash in Greece, but next May the spotlight will be turned on Mystras, where a unique destination spa retreat is about to open. The “Euphoria” is built in a wonderful location, a stone’s throw from the Byzantine castle-town, among the pine forest and the olive groves, and will be intended for spa-goers from all over the world who seek wellness and self-improvement services, with one of the signature Mediterranean landscapes on the backgro

Thanks to the new highway linking Corinth with Patras on the Peloponneses western coast, the city has never been more accessible.In Georgiou I square, just in front of the architectural masterpiece of the Apollon theatre (designed by Ernst Ziller and built in 1872 ), a group of shirtless young men are doing tricks on their skateboards. On Gerokostopoulou street, a dog and his owner are people watching. At the fishing harbor, smoking fishermen gaze at us from their boats as we pass by.Down by the

Navagio Beach in Greece will dazzle your tropical dreams into reality as blue and white beauty immesh to create a shipwrecked oasis. In fact, you will not be able to get the clear, crystal blue waters and fine gravel sand off your mind for decades to come. The remoteness of the island only adds to the spectacular and unique atmosphere of Navagio on Zakynthos Island. The baby blue waters and towering golden cliffs absolutely enchant travelers with its exotic features and atmosphere. The shipwreck