In northwestern Greece, hidden behind successive mountain lines and the dense forests of Epirus, lies one of the most well-kept secrets of the country—Zagori. This magical region is composed of 46 small villages which being in the most isolated part of Greece, convey the outsider an “out of this world” feeling.Made almost exclusively from local stone, the Zagorisian architecture is barely visible from a distance. It’s only when you are almost outside these amazing settlements that you can pick o

To sail in the Ionian, one needs to fly into Preveza a small airport on the mainland of Greece very near to the island of Lefkas. Our yacht share is moored at Sivota which is a charming little village with a beautiful bay is also on Lefkas; a taxi ride takes about fifty minutes.[caption id=attachment_9741 align=aligncenter width=1183 caption=Sailing in the Ionian][/caption]Sivota has a host of tavernas and flats and villas and is a haven for yachts of all sizes. We set out from Sivota where our

Every place has its own characteristics, determined primarily by the environment and the human presence. With the passage of time, some of them get stronger and some are lost. There are also some that dominate, creating stereotypes that prevent you from getting to know the others. Andros is often referred to in the guides as the Noble Island of the Cyclades. But is it really like this? Or it is more like the figurine of a woman, who alternates faces like the sea of the Aegean?Chora of Andros, a

 Romantically under-developed Gavdos may be one of the best Greek Islands for those looking to slow down and enjoy the simpler things, along with the sun and the sea. It’s like going back in time: a few villages, pristine beaches and a handful of taverns and bars.40 km off the more well-known Crete, Gavdos is the most southern island in Greece. Accessible by ferry only a couple of times per week from Paleochora and Hora Sfakian, the remote island has about 60 permanent residents year round

Naxos is the largest and most fertile island in the Cyclades group, robed with pristine beaches on its coastline, and surrounded by blue Mediterranean beauty.  Inland there are ancient ruins, and traditional villages amphitheatrically cascading down the slopes of the mountains they nestle against.   According to Greek Mythology, the young Zeus was raised in a cave on Mt Zas ( ‘Zas’ meaning ‘Zeus’) in the centre of Naxos island, on the tallest peak in the Cyclades.The island of Naxos has been qua

At approximately 200m above the gulf of Vagionia, on the north of the island of Poros, rises a cape where the ancient temple of Poseidon was built in the late 6th and early 5th century B.C.The temple was close to the ancient city of Kalavria and was part of an important amphictyony, that is an association of religious centers of neighbor cities in antiquity.The temple has not survived today; however in the archaeological site you will see remnants of Kalavria, of the temple’s auxiliary buildings

Greece was always an important center of spirituality ever since the ancient times, with a huge tradition of offering people the tools to find themselves, from oracles to temples and beyond. Considering also the natural beauty and gentle climate of Greek islands, it’s no wonder that Greece became such a popular yoga destination in modern days.Here is the surprise, though: Greece didn’t start being a yoga destination only recently, with the worldwide popularity and revival of yoga. There is evide

A place where beauty meets history, Monemvasia has been one of the most important fortress towns in Greece and the hometown of Yiannis Ritsos, one of Greeces most renowned poets. The imposing castle counts over 1500 years of history and is considered among the most beautiful in the world. As soon as the visitor crosses its gates, s/he enters a word of unique beauty with its very own pace of life. Situated atop a rock, it faces the Myrtoon Sea that offers the visitor the spectacular views of endl

When you travel, expectation and reality can be two very different things.  My first trip to the Cyclades was filled with enormous expectations...one of quiet, golden sandy beaches, sea water in every shade of blue and food so divine, it was as if Zeus himself was in the kitchen!  And, the reality?  The Cyclades have been everything I have expected and more.  So much so, I have returned the following two summers, after that first trip, to explore more of this magical archipelago in the Aegean. 

Inspired by Greece and the world with timeless and flowy pieces, Etoile Coral specializes in resortwear and stands out for its carefree spirit and bohemian chic aesthetic.Fueled by her love for travelling, Mara, the Greek designer behind the brand, wanted to share her passion with every woman and take them on an unforgettable journey to her birthplace, through the poetry of garments. Born and raised in Thessaloniki, she always felt the sea calling to her and enjoyed carefree strolls on the beach

Thinking of the Cyclades and Greece, a land which I carry in my heart. It’s a wild and touching land where flowers happen to grow even among stones. That’s why I come back to Greece whenever I can, just like Ulysses to Ithaca.I come back to listen to the voice of the wind whispering in my ears and ruffling my hair.I come back to enjoy a primordial life style made of simple things, the only ones able to make life worth living after all.I come back to walk in a pristine place where people are kind

The Municipality of Agios Nikolaos, in the framework of the actions of the proposition of Spinalonga for Unesco’s World Heritage Sites List and in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and the Lassithi Ephorate of Antiquities, organizes on July 18th a great musical event on the island. The presentation of this original artistic work is expected to make a major contribution to the promotion of the proposition, and generally to the effort made to achieve the above goal.In this context, the Muni

An original internet campaign called “We Serve the Aegean” has just been launched. Its creators, the Greek Gastronomy Guide website and Blue Star Ferries, got together to present another view of the Aegean islands through their cuisines and food traditions.“We Serve the Aegean” will be showcasing each island through its history, geography, local products, characteristic foods and much much more. Everything needed to leave us with a rich taste of what each particular place has to offer. Simply be

Are you lovers of authenticity, the unexplored, the unpretentious and looking to enjoy what nature offers generously? Then, you only have to explore this unknown and fascinating side of Halkidiki.Apart from its famous sandy beaches, blue waters and coastline of 550 km, Halkidiki also offers unbelievable forests and trails that invite you to horseback riding, to collect wild mushrooms and herbs that generously sprout from the earth. On the slopes of Cholomontas, oaks, black pines, beeches, pines,

Here is some breaking news!  Halkidiki has an island! A small, majestic island, the only populated one in the region.  As its name (Ammouliani) suggests (“ammos” means sand in Greek) the island’s coastline consists mainly of a succession of sandy coves with turquoise, crystal-clear  waters. This little paradise lies just two nautical miles from the coast and can be reached by ferry. The first inhabitants arrived on the island in 1925, as refugees from Asia Minor and brought with them their preci

 Traveling to Santorini can be very expensive, especially in the summer. However, it gets cheaper for off-peak season. The bulk of the savings comes from air tickets and accommodation as they are priced significantly higher during peak period. Booking your Santorini vacation early helps in getting good deals well ahead of others.Time to goSummer months run from June till September, shoulder seasons (May and October) are good for avoiding the crowds. Personally, I went on my trip during Nove

Famous heroes of tragedy and comedy, ideas and symbols that ancient Greece bequeathed to mankind and which defined the history of thought and art over the centuries, come to life thanks to our series of theatrical and musical performances The Stones Speak an educational, recreational and tourist initiative that is being realized again this year by the Hotelier Association of Athens - Attica and Argosaronikos.For three months (July, September, October), the speech of ancient Greek philosophers, p

I presume it’s mainly because it is overshadowed by its big brother, Athens, with its plethora of well-known tourist sites, though after spending a month in Thessaloniki, I think it has as much, if not more to offer the casual tourist, than Athens.When I touched down in Thessaloniki, I had no real idea what to expect, it may be Greece’s second largest city, but I reckon more people have heard of the small-ish islands of Corfu and Mykonos than the thriving metropolis that is Thessaloniki.At first

When was the last time you did something for the first time?Dinner in the Sky, a once in a lifetime experience in the center of Athens!A table with 22 guests lifted 50 meters up in the air giving the chance to enjoy breathtaking views of the Acropolis during Sunset or later in the evening with the sparkling city lights!While enjoying a 5 course menu with tastes and carefully selected ingredients from all over Greece along with delicious Greek wines, you have the chance to enjoy the Athenian pano

2018 will likely be a record year for tourism in Greece, but even if you havent booked yet, you can still find places to stay in these great destinations.Samothraki - nature lovers delight  Located in the northeastern Aegean, Samothraki (also known as Samothrace) has some truly fairytale landscapes not normally associated with Greek islands – most notably the Fonias Gorge with its waterfalls and plunge pools that you can swim in all summer long. Walk along the gorge under lush trees accompanied