Anastasia

Serres, Greece – August 2015

Whenever I come back from a holiday in Greece, I am convinced that there is not one single part of this fantastic country that is not filled with unspeakable beauty. Greece is endowed with thousands of golden beaches, snow-capped mountains, caves and gorges, lakes reflecting in their waters all the splendour of the Greek landscape; not to mention 6000 islands which are scattered gems in the Aegean and Ionian Seas. Macedonia, however, is by far a place of outstanding natural beauty. It's also my husband's homeland – this is why it has a very special place in my heart.

Ai Yiannis-Serres

 

Serres-Town Centre

 

Serres-Town Centre

 

 

Macedonia is a Greek region situated in northern Greece, gifted with endless greenery, fertile plains, roaring waterfalls, imposing mountains, and some of the country's most stunning beaches in the area of Halkidiki. I'll never have enough of Macedonia, however often I visit this blessed land.

DAY 1 – FRIDAY, 7 AUGUST

We flew Aegean Airlines, which safely landed us at Macedonia Airport in Thessaloniki – the capital city of Macedonia. Thanassis, my brother-in-law, was there, waiting for us, and drove us to Serres – my husband's hometown. The journey by car takes about an hour, so by 1:00 pm we had already checked in at Elpida Hotel. We loved our room – a junior suite in two levels overlooking the pool. Soon afterwards, we had lunch followed by a short siesta at the hotel. In the evening, we had dinner at "Kataraktis" Restaurant in the area of Ai Yiannis. I was delighted to meet again my sister-in-law Evangelia as well as Yianoula – Evangelia's sister and her husband Babis. We had a fabulous evening and a great dinner. Unfortunately, I was so impressed by the landscape and the food that I completely forgot to take photos of all six of us!

Ai Yiannis Waterfalls

Katarraktis Restaurant - Ai Yiannis

Ai Yiannis

DAY 2 – SATURDAY, 8 AUGUST

We spent the whole day with our niece Zoe and her two adorable little girls. We met in the town centre and had "bougatsa" at one of the many cafés. "Bougatsa" is a kind of Greek pastry consisting of either semolina custard or cheese between layers of phyllo. Serres is renowned for its "bougatsa" throughout Greece. Serres is a modern, bustling town of more than 80,000 inhabitants – the second largest town in Macedonia after the capital city Thessaloniki.

Bougatsa

In the evening, we had a great night out at Koulas, which lasted till the early morning hours. The ancient and Byzantine acropolis of Koulas lies on an evergreen hill north of the town of Serres. It was named "Bes Koules" by the Turks during the Turkish occupation of the town (1383 – 1846). Hence the name Koulas.

DAY 3 – SUNDAY, 9 AUGUST

With 2,539 inhabitants, the village of Neo Souli lies at an altitude of 160 metres, at about 7km east of the town of Serres. It is a lovely, picturesque village which belongs to what the people of Serres call "dardanochoria." Neo Souli also boasts its local taverns, with tables on the street. Needless to say that the food was delicious! I wish we could stay longer in Serres. It's a magical town.

Neo Souli

Naxos, Greece – July 2015 – Part 3

Day 5 – Friday, 17 July

On a summer holiday, I'd rather not spend time wandering around sites and monuments or travelling by car to discover hidden villages. I'm glad Alkis shares my love for the sea and enjoys as much as I do spending time on the beach and finding romantic bars or tavernas in the evening while contemplating yet another sunset. While sipping our wine at Bossa Café, we were watching with an unwavering gaze the sun sinking slowly beneath the horizon. Tiny threads of light painted the sky with the dexterity of a skilful artist: first a fiery orange, then red and finally a velvety dark blue that melted away into the chalky mauve of the Aegean Sea. And then darkness settled leisurely on the island of Naxos. I think Mother Nature is the greatest artist in the world.

Day 6 – Saturday, 18 July

Time flies. This is, perhaps, a cliché, but it was reality to us. The countdown had started: one day left before flying back home and before the end of what I call a dream Summer holiday. Soon after breakfast, we went to the beach and spent the whole day there. It was pure magic!

Day 7 – Sunday, 19 July

This was our last day on the island of Naxos. After the beach, we thought we deserved a special treat, so we had our last dinner in Naxos at Nissaki Restaurant. Alkis had what I had on our first day – grilled pork fillet, and I had grilled king prawns. There were eight in a portion. In Cyprus, you only get four or five. But I ate them all! Alkis' choice of the wine was excellent: Gerovasiliou – a great Greek red. Intense and ruby-garnet in colour, it overwhelms the palate with intense flavours.

Day 8 – Monday, 20 July

After enjoying our last huge breakfast at Glaros Boutique Hotel, we packed and then spent a couple of hours strolling in Naxos for the last time. At 12:30 pm, the taxi arrived and drove us to.... what they call an airport in Naxos! Oh, my! It was a very small house! Here is my conversation with Alkis before flying Olympic Air to Athens.

- Alkis, where are we?

- At the airport.

- But ... this is a small house, NOT an airport.

- And this is a small island called Naxos, remember? Small islands have got small airports.

I was scared to death! We checked in one hour prior to the departure of our flight and then we sat down waiting for the flight to Athens.

- Alkis, there is only one helicopter outside. Are we going to Athens by helicopter?

- No, we aren't, Alkis said while reading his newspaper. We're flying Olympic Air.

Olympic Air landed and I got into a panic!

- Alkis, I'm not going to fly THIS!

- My love, this is an aeroplane, and it will fly us to Athens.

- I'm not going to fly this...this....aeroplane. It's got ...propellers!

- So, what do you suggest?

- I suggest staying in Naxos for yet another night and take that wonderful Blue Star catamaran to Athens!

- Now it's too late. We're flying Olympic Air to Athens.

There were only 30 people on board. Some Americans, some Germans, some French and us. And we only had to go up four steps to board. And there was only ONE air hostess. During take-off, she happened to sit opposite us and she held my hand and said that air travel was the safest. And then she went on chatting and saying that she had two more Olympic Air flights to take – Paros and Milos! The tiny aeroplane with the propellers safely landed at Eleftherios Venizelos Airport in Athens. We only had time to have a quick bite – a delicious spinach pie – before the final call of Aegean Airlines to Larnaca. It was a huge Airbus A321 which landed us safely at Larnaca International Airport at 6:15 pm.

Back home, we had pizza delivered for dinner! We ate our pizza watching the news on TV and talking about our exciting holiday on the island of Naxos in Greece.

Naxos, Greece – Part 2

Day 2 – Tuesday, 14 July

We got up early in the morning and right after breakfast a taxi drove us to Rafina port where we caught the catamaran to Naxos at 7:30 am. However much I fear flying, I truly enjoy travelling by sea. We had a very pleasant trip to Naxos, which lasted about four hours. When we got off "Blue Star" at Naxos port, a taxi driver was waiting for us to take us to the hotel. Glaros Boutique Hotel was even lovelier than on their website. The hotel consists of 13 rooms overlooking Saint George Beach, which is only a few steps away. Alexis at the reception gave us a warm welcome, offered us cold orange juice and explained how to get around in Naxos.

 

Sailing to Naxos on board Blue Star

 

 

Naxos Port

 

 

Our hotel room

 

Then we were shown to our room which was small but functional and very nicely decorated. After having unpacked, we realised that we were starving. We had our first lunch in Naxos at a small restaurant opposite the hotel right on the beach. The food was delicious! We enjoyed a rocket salad with sun-dried tomatoes and parmesan cheese for starters, grilled pork fillet for me and ravioli for Alkis. After a short siesta, we spent the rest of the day on the beach. In the evening, we set off on foot to explore the town of Naxos, also called "Chora".

Alkis at Nissaki Restaurant

 

Nissaki Restaurant

 

Rocket Salad-Nissaki Restaurant

 

Grilled pork fillet-Nissaki Restaurant

 

While strolling about the narrow streets of the old town, we were only aware of the presence of the sea. Cul-de-sac often roofed over, and tiny balconies block the view of the sea. Its presence is roused by the salty tang and the brilliant light that is unique in the Cyclades.

Day 3 – Wednesday, 15 July

Lying virtually in the centre of the Cyclades, very close to Mykonos, Naxos is the largest island in the group, with a coastline of 148 km and a population of over 14,000 inhabitants. According to tradition, the island was named after Naxos, the leader of settlers from Caria in Asia Minor. Legend has it that the island was the home of Dionysos and Ariadne. Ariadne, the daughter of King Minos of Crete, helped Theseus, son of Aegeus, to kill the Minotaur.

Naxos

 

 

After a very good night's sleep and a hearty breakfast on the veranda overlooking the sea, we spent the whole day on the beach. The waves rolled in long and white fringed. The beach was such a shallow incline that even a child could wade out 300 hundred metres or more and still the water would be below their knees. Saint George Beach is very much like our own Mackenzie Beach in Larnaca. Walking along that beautiful sandy beach for over an hour, swimming in crystal-clear waters, reading, sunbathing or chatting away the hours were some of our favourite occupations.

Saint George Beach

 

Saint George Beach

 

No wonder we got up an appetite. We had lunch at Kavouri Restaurant where we tasted the traditional cheese of Naxos called "Arseniko" and their salad called "Naxiotiki". It consists of tomatoes, cucumber, green peppers, olives, capers, onions and "xinomyzithra" – a local white cheese. The salad was followed by fresh fried calamari and burgers both served with crispy French fries.

Traditional Naxos Salad

 

 

Arseniko - Traditional Naxos Cheese

 

Fresh Fried Calamari

 

Later in the evening, we enjoyed our aperitif at Bossa Café while contemplating a breathtaking sunset. Peace and contentment. The sun like a fiery orb looked like it was receding into the waters below. After dinner, we went for a long night walk along Saint George Beach and had a last drink at Vammos Bar while listening to murmuring waves.

The sunset in Naxos

 

Naxos by Night

 

Night Walk on the Beach

 

Night Walk on the Beach

 

Vammos Bar, Naxos

 

Vammos Bar, Naxos

 

Day 4 – Thursday, 16 July

When I travel, I love learning about the culture and history of the places I visit. So, just after swimming, I leisurely lay in the sun, took my iPad and read about the history of Naxos. In the evening, we walked to Chora and bought some souvenirs to bring back home. While having dinner at a one of the many local tavernas by the seaside, we realised that time flew by so fast and we only had three days left on the alluring island of Naxos. 

To be continued

 

Naxos, Greece – Part 1

Alkis and I had been planning our trip to Naxos since we came back from our Easter holiday in Corfu. Having searched the Internet, Naxos seemed to be a very attractive destination for our summer vacation. And it was, indeed! Alkis gave me the green light to look for a hotel online. "The hotel is your choice", he said. When I came across Glaros Boutique Hotel, it was love at first sight, or, at least at a first glance online. Although it was a bit expensive - €140 per night with an extra charge for breakfast – we booked it and never regretted it. We've always had a great summer holiday in the Greek Islands as well as on the mainland, yet Naxos was by far the best summer holiday we've ever had in years.

 

Rafina, Athens

 

DAY 1 – MONDAY, 13 JULY

I got up in high spirits early in the morning and went walking and swimming at Mackenzie Beach. Alkis is a workaholic, so, naturally, he went to work even though we were flying to Athens at 5:30 pm and from there to Naxos at 8:10 pm. Well, I chose the hotel, and Alkis arranged the flights with Aegean Airways to Athens and Olympic Air to Naxos.

No sooner had I finished packing than Alkis called from work at 9:30 am and said he had made a mistake. Our flight to Athens was at 5:30 am! We missed the flight as well as the flight to Naxos. I just could not believe it! But then again, no one is infallible. We all make mistakes even if these mistakes lead to loss of money and loss of holidays. Alkis was very upset, but I calmed him down and said that our suitcases were ready, and we could go somewhere in Cyprus. He said that he'd do his very best to get another flight to Athens and ferry tickets to Naxos the following day.

Finally, we flew Blue Air to Athens – a private Romanian airline. Alkis had already booked a room for one night at Cabo Verde Hotel in the area of Rafina close to the port where we took the cat (catamaran) to Naxos the following day at 7:30 am. We took a taxi to the hotel, but the taxi driver had never worked in the area of Rafina before and could not find the hotel! What's more, his GPS wasn't working properly! The taxi ride from Eleftherios Venizelos Airport to the hotel in Rafina took more than an hour, but the taxi driver was an honest man and did not overcharge us.

The bottom line is that we had a great night out in Rafina.

To be continued

Easter 2015 – Corfu, Greece - Part 3

Day 4 – Sunday, April 12, 2015

On this bright and sunny Easter Sunday, we wouldn't miss the grand Easter Concert and Parade. Philharmonic orchestras surge in the streets of the town centre playing joyous melodies in celebration of Jesus' Resurrection. Taking advantage of the good weather, we decided to get away from the crowded city centre and enjoy coffee at Kanoni – one of the best sites of Corfu and a place of truly unique beauty.

Kanoni lies to the south of the town of Corfu and is noted for the splendid view it offers to the visitors. I was impressed with the changing hues of the blue and green and turquoise of the waters. The landscape is supplemented by the world-famous "Pontikonisi". This is a beautiful islet whose name in Greek means "islet of the mice". There are no mice on the islet, but seen from afar the shape of the island looks like that of a mouse! There is a monastery on the islet dedicated to "Pantokrator" (All-Mighty God). Just opposite "Pontikonisi", there is another islet dominated by the monastery of "Panayia ton Vlacheron", which is dedicated to Virgin Mary.

Day 5 – Monday, April 13, 2015

We spent our last day in Corfu at Dassia, walking along the beach, talking and reading. Aegean Airlines flew us back home safely with a half-hour delay. The transition to routine was hard! At 9:00 pm , I cooked dinner, but I'm glad Alkis helped to prepare the tomato sauce for the spaghetti!

Coral Bay Beach Hotel and Resort

The Coral Bay Beach Hotel & Resort is located at Coral Bay, Peyia at about 10km north of Paphos, Cyprus. Since 1998, The Coral Bay Beach Hotel has been our favourite hotel for a summer weekend away.

The spacious rooms are elegantly decorated in shades of blue and turquoise against an off-white background, thus matching the breathtaking view to Coral Bay. Entertainent at the Lobby is fabulous! Although the hotel was full when we were there, service was simply impeccable! As for breakfast, that was a special treat!  The breakfast buffet consisted of a great variety of smoked meats, sweets, fresh fruit, cheeses, pancakes, scrambled eggs, baked beans, sausages and freshly squeezed orange juice as well as a great variety of freshly baked bread, croissants and rolls.  We also appreciated live cooking of fried eggs and pancakes.

At the pool bar you can have a light lunch and you can choose out of a wide variety of snacks. ! Despite the load of work service was great and waiters and waitresses were fast, friendly, POLITE, and very efficient!

We'll certainly go back to The Coral Bay Beach Hotel next summer.

My Love Affair with Protaras

No matter how often I spend a summer holiday at Protaras, I never seem to have enough of it. It's like a passionate lover I can't do without once I take a dip in  the clearest of waters feeling the sand beneath my toes like a velvety carpet.

Crystal-clear turquoise waters changing into deep blue early in the morning and turning into an amazing azure just before dusk, sandy beaches against a rugged landscape, incredible sunsets, romantic tavernas just a few steps away from the call of the sea. Boats restlessly come and go into the fishing shelter, loaded with fresh kalamari, sea bream, sea-bass, red mullet, red snapper. You can either buy the fish from the fisherman's boat or taste them in one of the many fish tavernas. Protaras is located on the outskirts of Paralimni, at about 60 km east of Larnaca. That's where I spent my last summer holiday last weekend - an invigorating and  relaxing weekend - at the Golden Coast Hotel - the jewel of Protaras - situated on the best sandy bay in the eastern Mediterranean,  just next to the fishing shelter.

I had been looking forward to this last holiday weekend before going back to work especially because I couldn't wait to meet Thanasis, my brother-in-law and Vaggelio, my sister-in-law, who had arrived from Serres, Greece. I was also very happy to meet again and welcome to Cyprus, Vaggelio's sister Yanoula and her husband, Babis.  I wish they had come one week earlier so that I could show them around, but on Monday I had to go back to work and start preparing the new school-year which is round the corner.

Protaras is for me a kind of love-affair. It's both physical and emotional probably because it reminds me of my beloved Famagusta, which has been under Turkish occupation for forty years now, and where I'd spend my summer holidays in my early teens.

Paphos, Cyprus - August 2014

Home to the second international airport in Cyprus and deemed to be the capital of the west, Paphos is one of the most popular holiday resorts in the Mediterranean, and a city steeped in history. Paphos consists of two separate areas: the coastal region called Kato Paphos and the actual town itself known as Ktima. The focal point of Kato Paphos is its charming fishing harbour dominated by the Medieval Fort which was built by the Lusignans in the 13th century A.D. to replace the ruined, byzantine castle. This idyllic harbour is a pole of attraction for locals and tourists alike as it offers a splendid view to the sea and the fishing and pleasure boats on the move. There is also a wide range of  fish tavernas where you will usually enjoy the catch of the day. You may also wish to have a relaxing drink while watching the sunset and later the moonlight shining on the waters.

Coral Bay

Paphos Harbour

Alkis and I are seduced by the allure of this rapidly developing yet romantic town which has been our favourite getaway destination in the last 20 years. Paphos brings back happy memories, romantic sunsets and great food! Last week, we spent a couple of days in the magical birthplace of Aphrodite - the Greek goddess of beauty and love. Legend has it that she rose from the foamy waves at Petra tou Romiou - the Rock of the Greeks, also known as the Rock of Aphrodite - at about 10km from the town of Paphos. 

Petra tou Romiou - Rock of Aphrodite

At this time of year, we were lucky to find a room at Coral Bay Beach Hotel and Resort - our favourite hotel in the area and spent time lying on the beach, which is only a few steps away from the hotel grounds. I even enjoyed the waves and foamy waters - we hardly get any in Larnaca's quiet and shallow sea.  We also enjoyed after-dinner drinks and entertainment at the lounge bar. The home band was simply wonderful!

 

 

Entertainment at Coral Bay Beach Hotel and Resort - The Lounge Bar


Coral Bay Beach

Coral Bay Beach

Coral Bay Beach

Coral Bay Beach Hotel and Resort

Although we had been to Paphos many times before, we had never visited the sea caves and Edro III Shipwreck at about 3 km from our hotel.  The Albanian-owned cargo vessel, built in the late 1960s, was leaving Limassol port in early December 2011, bound for Rhodes. Her engine encountered technical problems during stormy weather, and the ship was forced onto rocks off the coast of Paphos, where it has remained stranded ever since.

Edro III Shipwreck

Edro III Shipwreck

The sea caves

Having enjoyed our drinks at Oniro by the Sea, we had lunch at Yalos by the Sea - a nearby taverna where I truly loved the special treats on the house  and my grilled tsipoura (sea bream). Alkis is allergic to fish, so he had chicken which he also loved.

Enjoying ice-cold drinks at Oniro by the Sea - a mojito for me and a beer for Alkis.

Grilled tsipoura (sea bream) at Yalos by the Sea

Dining at Othello's Restaurant at Coral Bay, Peyia was yet another great gastronomic experience. The service was impeccable, we loved the attention to detail and the food was delicious!

Othello's Restaurant - Coral Bay - Peyia

Grilled King Prawns at Othello's Restaurant

I greatly appreciated the rinse-doigts - the finger bowl.

Whenever I visit Paphos, I am overwhelmed by the compelling aura of this magical place.

Preveza - Epirus, Greece - July 2014

Greece has always been our favourite destination for the ideal summer holiday. Wherever we've been to in Greece so far, we had a great time and a wonderful holiday regardless of some minor inconveniences occasionally - such as pricing, a bad flight or a hotel which did not meet our expectations. This summer, Alkis and I decided to spend our summer holiday in Preveza and buy an individual package for one week from Top Kinisis.  Considering my fear of flying, I was tempted by the direct flight to Aktion Airport in Preveza, which only takes 1 hour and 50 minutes. Having taken a virtual tour of the area on the Internet, I was seduced by the infinite beauty of Epirus, still unspoilt by tourism,  which looked so peaceful and slightly off the beaten track. Our overall experience in Preveza and the surrounding area surpassed our expectations.

DAY 1 - Wednesday, July 9

While Alkis was at work, I spent all morning packing and was ready by 1:00 pm when the taxi came to pick us up. Our flight with Cyprus Airways took off with a slight delay at 3:15 pm and landed us safely at Aktion Airport at 5:05 pm. By 6:00 pm, we had already been driven to our hotel - Ionian Theoxenia.  Xenia is the ancient Greek concept of hospitality, the generosity and courtesy shown to those who are far from home and/or associates of the person bestowing guest-friendship. Theo is the Greek word for God and Theoxenia means hospitality towards a Greek god who visits as a guest!  We were warmly welcomed by the friendly and efficient staff at the reception, check-in took a minute and we were soon shown to our wonderful room overlooking the village of Kanali and the deep, blue sea.

On our first night out, we dined on kontosouvli chicken which consists of boneless, marinated chicken, skewered and secured by a spit and slow-roasted over an open charcoal pit.  We had this delicious meal at a small eatery in the centre of the village -  Terastios Taverna. Terastios means huge in Greek. Indeed, the portions were really huge!

DAY 2 - Thursday, July 10

Today, we received the Volkswagen Polo we had rented for our holiday and drove to the beautiful town of Preveza, situated at 12 km from the village of Kanali. The town of Preveza is built at the entrance to the Amvrakikos Gulf and has preserved its charming , traditional character. In the summer, the seafront is a natural marina for the hundreds of yachts that anchor there and breathe life into the town, the market place, tavernas and cafés that line all the pavements of  Venizelou Eleftheriou Street.

 

Later in the afternoon, we had coffee at the hotel and then dinner at Eolos Fish Tavern by the seafront.

 

 

DAY 3, Friday, July 11

Today, we set off to discover the town of Parga. Parga is located in the northeastern part of the regional unit of Preveza, Epirus in northwestern Greece and a half-hour drive from Kanali. Parga is considered an island on the mainland. It is built amphitheatrically, around the edge of a Venitian castle in the midst of an olive grove, and is strongly influenced by the architecture of the Ionian islands.

We spent the rest of the day at Lichnos Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in Greece, located in a verdant landscape and we enjoyed swimming in those crystal waters with the pine trees reaching down the golden beach.

DAY 4 - Saturday, July 12

Having enjoyed a leisurely breakfast at our hotel, we spent the rest of the morning at Kanali Beach nearby.  And then, in the evening, we contemplated the sunset from the balcony of our hotel room while sipping wine and watching the afterglow of this glorious sunset lingering in the horizon as the sky darkened over the incredibly turquoise-blue waters of the Ionian Sea.

DAY 5 - Sunday, July 13

Soon after breakfast, we visited the ruins of the ancient town of Nikopolis founded by Octavian Augustus in memory of his victory in the battle of Actium (31 BC) against Antony and Cleopatra. The walls, Odeon, necropolis, theatre and stadium are truly remarkable. Higher up the slopes, beside the monastery of Ayios Demetrios, begin the 410 steps leading to the imposing peak of Mount Zalongo with its impressive monument dedicated to the sacrifice of the Souliot women. The dance of Zalongo was a mass suicide of women from Souli and their children during the Souliot War in 1803 against the Ottoman ruler, Ali Pasha. In order to avoid capture and enslavement by the Turks, the women of Zalongo, dancing and singing,  threw their children first and then themselves off the steep cliff of Mount Zalongo.

After this very interesting visit, we drove to Loutsa Beach - yet another gorgeous beach in Epirus and spent the rest of the day swimming and lying in the sun.

We had an early dinner which looked like a late lunch because at 8:00 pm the sun was still shining in Preveza. Alkis reminded me that we were in northwestern Greece where the sun sets one hour later than in Cyprus. This ...early dinner was due to the fact that Alkis would never miss the 2014 FIFA World Cup!! While he was watching the final, I was reading Daphne du Maurier's Jamaica Inn. Alkis was delirious when Germany won and we celebrated with a glass of wine and fruit.

DAY 6 - Monday, July 14

The island of Lefkada is only a short drive away from Preveza, so today we thought we'd have a swim at one of the island's most popular beaches - Nydri beach, which also happened to be one of Aristotle Onassis' most favourite beach resorts despite the fact that he owned the island of Scorpios nearby. We set off early in the morning, drove through the undersea tunnel linking Preveza and Epirus on the north shore of the Ambracian Gulf and the cape of Actium in Etoloakarnania - central Greece. It's pretty much like La Manche Eurotunnel but only cars are allowed here - no trains. Lefkada is joined to Etoloakarnania on the other side of the channel by a pontoon bridge permitting passage of smaller boats. For larger ships, it swings open every hour. 

First we stopped at the town of Lefkada, had a coffee, took photos and then , consulting our road map, we drove to Nydri Beach. No sooner had we parked the car near the beach than it started to rain. The fine drizzle gave way to a real downpour and we sought shelter at Piperi Bar Restaurant, just opposite the parking place.  The weather ruined our plans for a swim at Nydri. Feeling positive and in high spirits, we drove back to Kanali, Preveza where the sun was still shining despite a fragile and crispy wind.

DAY 7 - Tuesday, July 15

It was a cloudy and windy day but the weather did not spoil our plans for a pleasant stroll in the town of Preveza.

Day 8 - July 16

We spent the last few hours of our holiday in Preveza at the swimming pool of our hotel, had a snack at the pool bar and then a taxi drove us to Aktion Airport. Cyprus Airways safely flew us back home. At 9:00 pm we were dining on pasta while talking about our wonderful trip to Epirus.

This was by far the best summer holiday we've ever had in Greece.

My Greek Summers

For Alkis and me, summer rhymes with Greece and this is why we've never considered spending a summer holiday in another country. The Greek islands have always been in our top priority list although we've also spent a great holiday inland, such as  in Pelion, Alexandroupolis, Serres, Athens, Thessaloniki, Karditsa and Chalkidiki. What I like most about the Greek islands is their unique natural beauty, their glorious sunsets, the endless blue of crystal clear waters, the small tavernas by the sea, the landmarks of Greek culture and civilization and above all the friendliness and hospitality of the people. Here are some of the places Alkis and I have visited in the summer over the last 20 years or so.

Pelion - Summer 1996

Pelion is a mountainous peninsula in the centre of Greece. This is a wonderful place to explore all year round, as it has both summer and winter destinations. Actually it's a large mountain dotted with traditional villages and beautiful beaches.

Pelion - Ayios Georgios Beach

Mykonos - Summer 1999

This is my least favourite Greek island. Its beaches are amongst the worst in Greece - with the exception of Psarou Beach, maybe. But then again, if you like beach parties and clubbing till the early morning hours, this is a hot destination. You will also meet a lot of famous people there. I was much younger when I spent a summer holiday in Mykonos, and yet I hated the night life and the beach parties.  Mykonos? Never again!

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Syros - Summer 1999

Syros is one of the smallest islands of the Cyclades which merges traditional and modern Greece in a unique way. 

Crete - Summer 1998 / 2001 / 2005/ 2012 / April 2014

Crete is by far my most favourite Greek island and I have been there five times so far. Crete is the largest island in Greece and  the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea after Sicily, Sardinia, Cyprus and Corsica. Crete has won my heart with its gorgeous beaches - amongst the finest in the world - the remnants of brilliant civilizations such as the Minoan Civilization, its impressive mountainscapes, fertile valleys and steep gorges.  Crete is addictive. The more you visit it and the more you want to go back for yet another summer holiday. Crete has seduced me with the ancient ruins of the  Minoan palace of Knossos, the Venetian fortresses of Rethymnon, the sounds of the Cretan lyre, the scents of orange blossom and jasmine, the rugged mountains that stretch across much of the island's spine, and the food! If you ever travel to Crete, you must try the Cretan dakos - chopped tomato and xinomizthra (a tangy salted white cheese) sprinkled with oregano, olive oil and  sitting atop a delicious Cretan barley rusk. After all, the Cretan diet is known to be one of the healthiest in the world.  Hopefully, we'll go back to Crete again as its countless beauties probably take a lifetime to discover.

Rethymnon - April 2014

 

Rethymnon - April 2014

Chania - July 2012

Elounda - July 2005

Heraklion - August 1998

Zakynthos - Summer 2002

Zakynthos or Zante lies in the eastern part of the Ionian Sea and is endowed with fertile valleys, rugged cliffs, sandy beaches and secluded coves with amazingly blue waters. What impressed me most in Zakynthos is The Navagio (the Shipwreck) named after a shipwreck in the early 80s and the Blue Caves cut into cliffs around cape Skinari and accessible only by small boats. 

The Blue Caves in Zakynthos

To Navagio - The Shipwreck

The Blue Caves

 

Chalkidiki - Summer 2003 / Summer 2013

Both Alkis and I were very disappointed with our first holiday at  Chalkidiki. We had booked Aegean Melathron - a 5-star hotel - which was terrible. There were ...pieces of broken glass in my jam at breakfast! When I mentioned that to the waitress, she just did not bother! Even in the village of Kallithea people were hostile, unfriendly and so nasty! The hotel is located at Kallithea (Kassandra) - the first "leg" of the peninsula of Chalkidiki. Also, the beach was terrible!!!  I was very relieved when this holiday came to an end and said that I'd never go back to Chalkidiki again! But ... never say never!

Ten years later, we decided to give Chalkidiki a second chance. This time we stayed at Antigoni Beach Hotel- a family-run 4-star hotel located at Sythonia - the second "leg". Lush green forests that reach right down to the beach, golden sunlight reflected in turquoise waters, endless secluded coves, unique architectural sites, great food... all add their own rich touch to the astounding canvas that is Chalkidiki.This was one of the best summer holidays we've ever had!

Chalkidiki-Sythonia-Summer 2013

 
Chalkidiki-Sythonia-Summer 2013

Chalkidiki-Sythonia-Summer 2013

Chalkidiki-Kallithea-Summer 2003

Chalkidiki-Kallithea-Summer 2003

Skiathos - Summer 2005

Nowadays, Skiathos is a cosmopolitan island, with a bustling nightlife located in the Northern Sporades, east of Pelion peninsula. But when we visited it in 2005, it was a quiet little island which we really fell in love with. Back then, it was, indeed, a hidden gem in the Aegean Sea. Unfortunately, the rapid growth of tourism has spoilt some of its charm.

Rhodes-Symi -Summer 2006

Rhrodes, also known as the island of the knights, is an ideal holiday destination not only for those who seek relaxation, but also for those looking for an action-packed holiday. With the island's special blend of cosmopolitan and traditional features, its lush green valleys, its numerous cultural and archaeological sites in addition to an uninterrupted line of awesome beaches, Rhodes is a truly blessed place located in the eastern Aegean Sea.

Alexandroupolis - Summer 2007 / Summer 2010

From the moment we set foot in Alexandroupolis, we promised each other that we'd go back. Located in Northern Greece, Alexandroupolis is the jewel of Thrace. The Evros Delta is located at about 20 km from Alexandroupolis on the borders to Turkey. The river Evros has shaped an ecosystem of about 200 square km which is of international ornithological importance. In the wetlands of the Delta, 316 types of birds have been recorded including many aquatic and semi-aquatic species - raptors, herons, pelicans and seabirds. Among them, there are are also some very rare species , indeed ! For centuries now the Delta of the Evros River has been a vitally important way station in the migration of aquatic birds from Northern Europe to Africa and back again.

Kefalonia - Summer 2008

Alkis and I had been looking forward to this holiday since Easter 2008, when we actually decided to make a dream come true. Kefalonia located in the Ionian Sea in western Greece, is rated 5th in the world for its awe-inspiring beaches and crystal-clear waters, not to mention the friendly and so very hospitable Cephalonians.

Kos - Summer 2011

The island of Kos - the birthplace of Hippocrates - the father of medicine - is located in the south-eastern Aegean Sea and it's the third largest island of the Dodecanese.

Right now, I am looking forward to my next summer holiday in Greece!