Cypria

Damouchari - Pelion, Greece

  Damouchari is the only natural harbour on the wild Aegean side of Pelion. According to a legend, the name Damouchari derives from the greek expression "dos mou hari", which means "give me grace"- a prayer of the seamen.  The castle, built by the Venetians, protected the storehouse and the only station in the area for tired sailors from the frequent raids of pirates. The storehous was used by the locals to store the products they traded until cars reached the numerous villages around and stopped the sailing of ships into the harbour of Damachouri - a masterpiece of natural beauty.

Photo Credit

Besides its natural beauty, Damouchari is a tiny  peaceful village and has the advantage of not yet being invaded by tourists. There, one can enjoy a calm and dreamy stay at one of the two pebbled little beaches with amazing blue-green water, visit the remains of a "kastro" - a castle, see the little shops on the coast or admire the beautiful olive grove starting from the sea and ending up the mountain.

 

Merryl Streep among extras from the village

Photo Credit

 

Damouchari is also the place where part of the film Mamma Mia was shot. The producers of the film needed a place that resembled 1980 since the action takes place at that time. It was only consequent to choose Damouchari which had conserved the charm of earlier years without traffic and high-rise buildings. In September 2008, all the inhabitants of Damouchari became extras in the film. The resting shots were taken in the neighbouring island of Skopelos.

 

Information Collected from:

Greeka

Damouchari

Travel to Pelion

Chania, Crete

 

Chania harbour

Chania is the second largest city of Crete after the capital city Heraklion, occupying an area of 11 square kilometres and having a population of about 60,000. It lies on the eastern coast of Crete at 60 km from Rethymno and 145 km from Heraklion. Archaeological  research has proved that the city of Chania was built in prehistoric times on the ruins of the ancient city of Kidonia named after Kidonas who was, according to the Cretans, Mercury's son.

Chania City as seen from the old port

The old port in Chania

The lighthouse which predominates the old port.

Alexandroupolis and Chania are the most picturesque seaside cities I've visited in Greece. What I liked most in Chania is the lighthouse pre-dominating the old port. The Prefecture of Chania is a nature lover's paradise. Apart from its ravines, lakes, plateaus, rivers and pristine beaches Chania boasts the largest gorge in Europe - the Samarian Gorge which has been declared a National Park.

The Prefecture of Chania

Chania - the old city

If you feel like tasting the authentic Greek and Cretan cuisine, I strongly recommend Semiramis Taverna at Skoufon Street, right off the old town. From June to September, you will enjoy live Greek music (no microphones) and excellent food. Don't forget to order their traditional kalitsounia - delicious cheese pastries. Here's the recipe. 

Semiramis Taverna

Traditional Greek cuisine and Cretan dishes at Semiramis Taverna

 

In Chania, you will find some of Crete's greatest beaches. Here are only a few of the very best:

• Elafonisi  
• Marathi
• Giorgoupoli
• Souyia
• Balos-Gramvousa
• Sfinari
• Platanias

Where to Stay

Here's a wide range of hotels and appartments you can choose from.

How to get there

Chania has an international airport with scheduled flights year round and abundant charter flights serving much of Europe during the season - April to October. [see Flights to/from Chania]
Buses from the airport are virtually non-existent [see bus timetable]. If you're not driving, you should take a taxi.
Ferries sail to and from Athens (Pireas) daily - the port for ferries for Chania is at Souda, a few kilometres away. [see Ferry schedules]
When the ferry arrives, if you manage to scamper onto the bus in time, this will take you to Chania. But it is best to plan to take a taxi. Of course if you are renting a car on arrival, you can drive to your chosen destination at will!
If a pause in Souda before your first sighting of Chania seems just right, try "Exandas" cafe which serves Illy coffee and the famed, welcoming treat of a "bougatsa" (pastry with cheese or cream filling).
Reaching Chania by bus from other places in Crete - bus schedules.

(from CreteTravel)

Avra Imperial Beach Resort and Spa - Chania, Crete

The Greek word  “avra” means aura but also the cool breeze from the sea.  As soon as my husband and I set foot in Avra Imperial Beach Resort and Spa located at about 25 km from Chania on the island of Crete, we could feel this unique aura of class and discrete luxury in an amazingly elegant environment.  The minimal decor and colour white predominating all over the hotel won my heart.

The Lobby

The Lobby

Check-in took a minute and immediately afterwards, we were welcomed by Anna – the PR Officer – who showed us to one of the hotel’s imperial suites consisting of a large bedroom, a very comfortable living-room with an espresso machine(!) and a private outdoor swimming pool.   We also greatly enjoyed the Jacuzzi opposite the bed, the fruit and wine in the living-room which was the courtesy of the management and, of course, the swimming-pool! The swimming-pool area is furnished with sunbeds, a couch and a coffee table – all you need to make your stay a memorable one.  Considering the heat wave during our stay, we’d appreciate an umbrella!

Part of the living-room in our suite.-loved the espresso machine!

The living-room in our suite

The Bedroom

Both my husband and I were thoroughly impressed with the excellent housekeeping services and the impeccable cleanliness in our suite. Bath towels and beach towels were changed twice a day. We also got espresso capsules daily. We hardly left our suite as we both looked forward  to relaxing, swimming in our very own swimming-pool for a week and sunbathing for me.  We did try the beach, though, and truly enjoyed the crystal-clear waters, but we didn’t really like the pebble beach. It was so hard to walk barefoot on the hot pebbles. You also need special shoes to go into the sea, which we didn’t have.

Our Private Swimming Pool

The Main Swimming-Pool

The Bridge over the Main Swimming - Pool

We were on half-board terms – breakfast and dinner.  Both the breakfast and dinner buffets are an ode to the palate! The food is excellent!  Quantity never outweighs quality. For just one week, I forgot all about dieting and didn’t worry too much since the Cretan Cuisine is based on olive-oil and a healthy eating pattern. However, the dinner buffet includes a wide variety of dishes from all over the world including cheeses and desserts which are impossible to resist! No wonder I put on weight!  Breakfast consists of everything you should really indulge in to your heart’s content: live cooking (waffles, pancakes,  fried eggs),  a variety of delicatessen and cheeses, a wide range of fresh fruit, desserts, local pies,  rolls, croissants, bread and freshly squeezed orange juice to mention only a few.

The Pool Bar

Al Fresco Restaurant

We also tried the hotel’s Italian restaurant Al Fresco. For starters, we recommend Carpaccio from veal fillet, rocket salad, parmesan and marinated mushrooms, homemade pizza italiana with prosciutto, tomatoes and mozzarella and for main course try their fresh pasta. We had fresh tortellini with spinach and  cheese  in wine sauce.  Congratulations to Manolis – the  Executive Chef.

We would also like to thank a million the General Manager Mr Costas Papachristoforou for doing his very best to make our holiday one of the best we’ve ever had,  the F & B Manager Mr Elias Tsirmbas  who was also very helpful, especially at lunch, the waitress Evangelia  for being so helpful, friendly and polite, the waiter Yiannis and the head waiter Giorgos  as well as the waitress at the bar whose name I forget. There are so many people we’d like to thank from the bottom of our hearts, like all the staff at the reception and the maids who did their best to keep our suite perfectly clean.

Immaculate Cleanliness in Our Suite!

The Cretan Salad - my favourite - on the lunch menu at Al Fresco Restaurant.

Last but not least, considering quality and services, the Avra Imperial Beach Resort and Spa is great value for money. We truly hope that we’ll go back soon.

Zagora, Pelion - Greece

This beautiful, mountainous village, at about 47km from Volos, was built in a very inspiring area. It is the biggest village in Pelion and was very prosperous and wealthy  during the 17th and 18th centuries. Here one of the main occupations was the production of silk, which gave a big push to the development of factories. This in turn began trading by sea from the port of Horefto, which led to the village becoming wealthy. Evidence of this vast wealth can be seen in the many mansions in the village.

Today the locals live on  farming and cultivating apple and pear trees. Apples and pears from Pelion constitute the main Greek export market all over the world.

In the 18th century, Zagora was the largest centre of culture in Pelion. You must visit the old school of "Rigas" (1777) or the "Greekmuseum" as it was later named. It is known as the oldest school in Pelion. Many famous Greeks studied here, such as Rigas Ferreos (leader of the Greek Revolution ), Anthimos Gazis, Grigoris Konstantas and Kallinikos Lapatis (Patriarch of Constatinople).

You must also visit the famous library of Zagora, where there are 15,000 old books. You will also be impressed with the traditional architecture of the old houses together with the  cobbled paths and traditional mansions.

The impressive churches of Agia Paraskevi (1803), Agios Gergios (St.George) (1765) and Agia Kiriaki (1740) are decorated with  striking golden sculptured icons.

In early September, the female corporation of Zagora organises the festival of the "Apple", which includes dance and food. You can go swimming to the beautiful beach of Horefto, or Agioi Saranta if you prefer a quieter beach.. You will find a lot of tavernas and restaurants offering you an excellent taste of the unique Pelion cuisine.

WHERE TO STAY

Areston Rooms

Nefeli Maisonettes

 

Information collected from  Around Pelion

Telendos, Greece

Telendos Greece is a small island, a very short distance from Kalymnos. Up to 535AD this tiny island was part of Kalymnos until an earthquake separated the two. It is a lovely, quiet, traffic-free island. 

The best way to get there is by way of a short boat trip from Myrties in Kalymnos. There's an assortment of places to stay; some are basic but most are extremely comfortable and very hospitable. Each of them provides more or less immediate access to some great beaches.

The boat trip costs 2 euros per person and it only takes a few minutes  to whisk you to a truly heavenly island. Sometimes the little boat is full, especially when the overseas flights arrive into Kos, and the visitors travel en-mass when the ferry has arrived from Mastichari. So, be patient!

There are also certain days throughout the year when particular celebrations take place on the island and on these specific days you will find hundreds of Kalymnians heading for the 'ferry terminal' in Myrties. It is chaos, but in true Greek style, nobody gets stressed, everybody is so friendly and welcoming and the job, as always, gets done.

The walk along the water front is calm and peaceful with only the Tamarisk trees swaying in the breeze. It is idyllic and beautiful, in spite of it being basic, but with very good amenities. It will almost certainly stay in your mind forever as a very special place to visit.

There are several places which offer accommodation on the island, and some outstanding tavernas and restaurants. They are all extremely welcoming and if you stay for a while, you will soon have many 'new friends' to share your holiday stories with.

The island is visited by the rock climbing fraternity from March to  end of May and September to late November. It has three good climbing areas, Eros, St Constine and one called North Face.

Its two main beaches are called Hohlaka and Potha. For those who enjoy nude sun-bathing, there is also Paradise beach further along the front which is a little more private, but also very pretty.

The island is considered by many to be the perfect getaway island. Telendos Greece will soothe away all those stresses, which have probably built up over many months, in a matter of moments.

Information collected from

Photo Credit

I had the pleasure to visit the island of Telendos last summer while holidaying in Kos. Such a pity I only spent a couple of hours there with my camera....short of memory! If you enjoy quiet holidays in the Greek isles off the beaten track, I'm sure you'll love Telendos.

Alluring Santorini

White washed houses with blue doors and windows hanging out from the steep red and black cliffs. Narrow cobbled streets surrounded by traditional houses. Picturesque villages full of dug-in houses carved into the rocks. Shimery captain's houses lying under the sunshine.

An extraordinary garland made by exquisite artistic mansions fills with colour, light and life the imposing Caldera. Santorini is an extremely beautiful island, full of colours, scents and scenery. It's like a big puzzle in which every piece hides its own private history: museums, churches,scheduled settlements, sea, volcano and hospitable people.

The best aubergine salad in Greece!

You can explore Santorini by walking along the "kalderimia" - the narrow cobbled streets of the island - by enjoying local food and tasting the famous wines of Santorini, by visiting the museums and the archaeological sites or simply by basking on one of Santorini's alluring beaches, such as Monolithos, Kamari, Perissa and Perivolos, or simply by contemplating the most famous sunset in the world.

 

How to get there:

Santorini can be reached from most international airports via Athens. Athens is served by the Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos.

Where to stay:

Santorini Hotels

The Greek Islands

 

 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

•  

   

 

 

The ideal summer holiday for me rhymes with the Greek Islands. Many people think they are all alike, yet they are so different. Despite some similarities, each Greek island has its very special "character" which can be enjoyed only if you mix with the islanders. And each time I came back home from a holiday on the Greek islands, I brought back home cherished memories and images of clear waters, secluded coves, great food at the local tavernas and the intoxicating sound of the bouzouki.

 

Hiking in Greece: The Vikos Gorge

"Upwards and Downwards, One and the Same"--Heraclitus

BY Janet McGiffin

In the 6th century BC, the philosopher Heraclitus said, "A road is, upwards and downwards, one and the same." Those who have hiked the Vikos Gorge will say this description fits perfectly. Even with the varied terrain and vistas, anywhere one walks or points a camera is the same wild beauty, changing and not changing season after season.

 

    Ask any Greek to name five beautiful gorges of Greece and the first response will be "The Vikos."* This quick name recognition may be because the bear and wild boar protected in the Vikos Aoos National Park wander out occasionally to feast on farm animals and get on the nightly TV News. The Vikos Gorge also borders popular Greek ski areas and area hotels are full during snow season.

Papingo - Greece

    But for hikers, the Vikos Gorge comes first because of its beautiful interconnecting footpaths of many levels of expertise that link stone villages tucked into folds of mountains. And a cool breeze that drifts through the tree-shaded Vikos gorge makes it possible to hike all summer, even when the rest of Greece is baking under blazing August sun. By the end of August, the Vikos Gorge is already tasting the crisp nights of autumn and the maples, beech, fig, and oak trees along Greek National Trail #03 that follows the Vaidomatis River through the gorge are ablaze with color.

Papingo-Greece

  
   The Vikos Gorge lies in the North Pindus Mountains in the historic area of Epirus, 30 odd kilometers north of Ioannina and 24 miles from the Albanian border. The area, called the Zagori, has 44 villages called the Zagorohoria. The 12-kilometer gorge itself can be hiked in two or three parts: Monodendri north to Vikos; Vikos to Papingo, and Monodendri south to Kipi and its lovely arched stone bridges.

    Part of the pleasure of hiking the gorge comes from the long journey to get there. A car trip from Athens to Ioannina takes seven hours with an advised overnight in Ioannina to enjoy this lakeside town with its Ottoman-flavored bazaar and inexpensive eateries rimming the lake. The Archeological Museum is not to be missed as the exquisite displays of ancient glass and bronze work provide a quick sense of this part of Greece, inhabited for six thousand years. During the Roman and Byzantine eras, the road to Rome from Constantinople, the "Egnatia," ran through Ioannina and today the new East-West highway, the Egnatia Odos, follows much the same route.

    After Ioannina, it's only 16 kilometers to the first villages of the Zagori. The mountain road is steep, narrow, and winding. Local drivers tear around hairpin curves leaving little space for oncoming traffic. On one recent journey, a helicopter was picking a bicyclist out of a canyon-a miscalculation of brakes and curve.

    By bus from Athens, the journey requires calculation to connect with the smaller buses to the Zagori. Long-distance (KTEL) buses leave Athens Bus Terminal A (Kifissou Street) nearly every hour starting at 6 am. The trip is approximately seven hours with a spectacular crossing of the new bridge at Rio. Buses can be packed with Albanians making bus connections in Ioannina for the Albanian border so arrive at the station early if you need to make a connecting bus to the Zagori.

Photo Credit

 

via www.greecetravel.com

Christmas in Greece

Are you trying to decide where to go on your Christmas holidays and still haven't made up your mind? Why not consider Christmas in Greece? True, it is not the traditional Christmas holiday destination, but it has so much to offer that it will be one of the most unforgettable holidays in your life!

There are two sides to Christmas in Greece; one is religious and solemn, while the other is festive and glamorous. Both of them have their charm. Most towns in Greece are decorated with bright lights, bells, angels and other Christmasy objects. According to Christmas traditions in Greece, the patron saint of the holiday is Saint Nicolas, who is also the protector of sailors. For this reason, you will often see boats decorated with many sparkling lights, rather than the traditional Christmas trees. The Christmas season in Greece begins on December 6 th, which is Saint Nicolas day, and ends on January 6 th, which is the Feast of the Epiphany (Theophania). Celebrations really pick-up from the 20 th of December, as Christmas day gets closer. If you are an amateur photographer, you will be constantly taking Christmas pictures in Greece.

Christmas Shopping in Greece

Christmas shopping in Greece is an absolute delight. Streets are packed with people buying Christmas gifts for their loved ones, as well as Christmas carolers singing Christmas songs. Since gifts are traditionally given on New Year's Eve, Christmas shopping in Greece continues way after the 25 th of December. Shops are decorated with all the usual Christmas ornaments, and an upbeat atmosphere is apparent as you walk along the streets and in the shops. Therefore, Xmas shopping in Greece isn't just shopping. It's a festive experience!

Christmas Festivities in Greece

If you come to Greece at Christmas, you will have the opportunity to attend a wide variety of events and festivities. In the country's major cities, such as Athens, Thessaloniki, Patra, Heraklion, etc, the municipal authorities organize music concerts, theatrical performance, and a number of other cultural events. Christmas in Athens is a fantastic time of the year. The largest Christmas tree in Europe is lit in Syntagma Square, the location of the capital's Christmas village, where little elf houses sell candy and children can take part in a number of activities. There is no limit to Christmas fun in Greece!

Christmas Traditions in Greece

Greece is a country where traditions and customs are a part of everyday life. Most holidays in Greece are celebrated traditionally, and Christmas in no exception. Christmas caroling is very popular, and although you might hear them being sung at any given moment during the holiday season, there are actually three "official" caroling days. The custom is that children go from house to house singing the carol, with the accompaniment of a triangle, and residents of the houses give them a small amount of money. Greek Christmas carols (calanda) are sung on the mornings of Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve and January 5, the Eve of the Epiphany.

According to tradition, during the Greek 12 days of Christmas (December 25 to January 6), goblins come out to tease people and eat their food. This tradition is based on the legend that the "waters aren't christened" since Christ has not yet been baptized. The goblins are renowned for their ugliness and their impishness. They are not very intelligent and can't really hurt anybody. It is said that they enter houses through chimneys, and this is the reason people, especially in villages, keep the fireplace lit during the 12 days of Christmas.

In many parts of Greece, people hang a pomegranate above the front door of their house. By the New Year, when the fruit will have dried, Greeks throw it on the ground so it breaks, and step into their house on their right foot. According to tradition, this brings good luck for the year to come.

Christmas Food in Greece

Christmas, like many other holidays in Greece, is a time for feasting. In the past years, Christmas turkey has become very popular as the main dish of the holiday. Traditionally, the main course of Christmas dinner in Greece is roast pork, with a variety of side delicacies. No matter what the main dish is, one thing is certain: Christmas food in Greece is delicious!

Melomakarona and kourabiedes are the two varieties of Christmas and New Year's cookies in Greece. The first are semolina, cinnamon, and clove cookies drenched in honey, while the second are rosewater and fresh butter cookies sprinkled with powdered sugar that are normally served on New Year's but many succumb to temptation and begin consuming them earlier.

Christopsomo is the bread that is made on Christmas Eve, which has a cross carved into the top crust before it is baked. On Christmas Day, the head of the household makes the sign of the cross above the loaf of bread, cuts it and gives a piece to each person at the dining table.

Vasilopita is a cake that is eaten on New Year's Day. Before the cake is baked, a coin covered in foil is placed in it. The New Year is written on top of the cake with almonds. The person who cuts the cake makes the sign of the cross three times above it and then starts serving the pieces, one to each person, the house, Christ, The Virgin Mary and Saint Vasileios. Whoever has the coin in his piece of cake will have luck for the rest of the year.

Religious Christmas in Greece

Due to the nature of the Christian Orthodox religion, Christmas is a very religious holiday in Greece. The season starts of with Saint Nicolas day and continues with many other saints' days up till Christmas. It is customary for those of faith to go to church on Christmas morning for the religious service. New Year's Day is also Saint Vasileios day. The Christmas season winds down with the Theophania on January 6 th. On this day around Greece, waters are blessed and a cross is thrown into the waters. Dozens of brave young people dive into the freezing water to retrieve the cross, which is said to bring good luck to the person that reaches it first.

Christmas in Greece: Holiday Destinations

Some of the most charming features in Greece are its villages, especially those located on the beautiful mountainsides. At Christmas time in Greece, the tall mountains are snowcapped, as are the lush evergreen trees that cover the countryside. Most villages in Mainland Greece have picturesque stone-brick houses and narrow alleyways, which in the wintertime, resemble a small Santa's village. They are the ideal places to spend a white Christmas in Greece!

If you want to fit some skiing or other winter sports into your Christmas holiday in Greece, we recommend staying a while in one of the many winter resorts in the countryside. Most offer quaint accommodations that are located close to snow centers. The most popular snow centers are Parnassos near the town of Arcahova, Pertouli and Pilio in the region of Thessaly, Tymfristos in the Karpenissi area, Helmos in the town of Kalavrita, Mainalos in Vytina, Peloponnese, Vasilitsa in Grevena and Kaimaktsalan in Edessa.

 

via www.united-hellas.com

Sparti, Peloponnese - Greece

If you want the traditional Greek holiday of sun, sea and cheap Ouzo, then Sparti is not the place to visit. If you prefer to sample Greek history and culture, and enjoy long walks in the mountains, then this relaxed town is the ideal destination. Situated under the imposing Taygetos Mountains, Sparti is the perfect base for exploring the whole of the Peloponnese, and visiting the plethora of historical sites. 

The town has a very low crime rate and is very safe to walk around, at any time of day or night. Sparti is small, so most of the interesting tourist attractions are within easy walking distance. Public transport and taxis are reasonably priced, giving a visitor great freedom to travel and explore. 

Due to the influx of Australian, American and Canadian Greeks returning to the area, many people speak English, so finding information is never a problem. If you are having difficulty making yourself understood, one of the helpful, English-speaking locals will be happy to help. Spartans believe in the Greek custom of ‘Filoxenia’, the love of strangers, and will do their utmost to help visitors to their town. 

A BRIEF INTRODUCTION

The town itself was constructed in 1831, on the orders of King Otto, after the Greek War of Independence. The modern town was deliberately built upon the site of ancient Sparta, and was given the same name. The confusion between the names 'Sparta' and 'Sparti' arises from a variation in Greek dialects. Otto intended the town to be one of the most beautiful in Greece, and the wide, tree-festooned boulevards are a result of his vision. Walking down the streets in spring is a pleasure, with the intermingled scents of orange blossom and jasmine pervading the clear, evening air. 

Sparta has a very laid back feel, due to its open plan and relatively small population, of about 19 000 people. Despite this compactness, it is the central town for of all of Laconia, and has everything you need, from modern fashions to agricultural supplies. The town lies off the main tourist track, so it is not overwhelmed by drunken package holiday groups, or cheap, tawdry hotels. It is relaxing to sit in the central square, and enjoy a peaceful drink and meal, without enduring the monotonous sound of late night discos and repetitive football chants. 

IDEAL LOCATION

The central location of Sparti ensures that it is provided with excellent public transport links. Regular buses to Athens, Monemvasia and Gythio make it easy to get around, especially if hiring a car is not an option. Although the traffic can be a little manic, as in most Greek urban areas, the roads outside the town are of good quality and are very quiet, making driving a pleasure. In fact, some of the roads in the Taygetos Mountains have been used in car adverts, and they are perfect for touring by motorcycle. 

In terms of historical attractions, Sparta possesses an abundance of riches. As well as the ancient acropolis and theatre, only five minutes walk from the centre, there are many other sites scattered around the town. From the Temple of Apollo, in Amikles, and the awesome world heritage site of Mystra, there is much to occupy historians. Other major sites, such as Mycenae, Monemvasia and Ancient Olympia, are within a couple of hour’s journey by car or motorcycle. 

For nature lovers, the town is perfectly situated, with the Taygetos Mountains looming imposingly over the town. These rugged mountains are wreathed their ancient pine forests and blankets of colourful spring flowers. The unique Taygetos ecosystem has been certified as a site of scientific importance. The surrounding land is wholly agricultural, consisting of tranquil olive groves and huge orchards of orange trees. The area has a refreshing lack of heavy industry, and the olives and oranges are regarded to be amongst the finest in the world.

The Peloponnese is a major migration route for birds travelling between Europe and Africa, so the area is a paradise for bird-watchers and twitchers. Organic practices preserve a healthy population of wild birds, so the abundant flocks happily invade the town itself, squabbling amongst the orange trees. 

CONCLUSION

For tourists wishing to enjoy a unique holiday experience, Sparti is a hidden gem. The Spartan experience is far removed from the tourist traps in the islands, but has enough richness and diversity to satisfy the sophisticated visitor.

via sufidreamer.hubpages.com