Crete, the island of miracles

Crete, land of Daidalos and Ikaros, is the largest island of Greece, separating the Aegean from the Libyan Sea and marking the boundary between Europe and Africa. On Crete, the scenery is constantly changing.

Majestic mountains rise in its centre –the Lefka Ori, Psiloritis, Dikti– full of legends and history, while its plateaus are split by deep gorges, ending up in lush valleys.

This island’s fertile soil and towering peaks witnessed the development of one of the most important civilizations on earth, the Minoan (2800-1150 B.C.).

With its clear, warm sea, boundless beaches lined with tamarisks and mild starry nights, Crete is an idyllic place for vacation but for living as well, in bustling Iraklio, cosmopolitan Aghios Nikolaos, picturesque Rethymno or enchanting Chania.

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)

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Ideal Winter Destinations

Papigo, Embraced by Mountains

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA) Papigo is one of the 46 villages of the residential, cultural, and historical unit of Zagori.

Situated in the north-east of Ioannina, Papigo is built at the foot of the Mountain range of Timfis and it is separated in two districts, the Big and the Small Papigo.

Above the village, there are very high imposing rocks, known as the towers of Papigo and Drakolimni, one of the several alpine lakes of Epirus.
The ravine of Aoos, the impressive gorge of Vikos and the river Voidomatis are some of the natural beauties of the area.
The traditional architecture, the rich cultural heritage and the hospitality of the residents will definitely enchant every visitor.  

Pavliani, Ready to Be Explored

Pavliani is a beautiful village crowned by a fir forest on Mount Oiti in the prefecture of Fthiotidas. At an altitude of 1,050 meters and just two hours away from Athens, Pavliani marks the entrance to Oiti National Park.

In the village, there are logs piled on the side of streets and houses built of wood and stone with steep roofs to withstand the weight of snow in winter, while the smooth mountain slopes are ideal for cross-country skiing.

The area has been known since antiquity and on the top of the mountain there are the remains of a 3rd century BC Doric temple, dedicated to the mythical hero Hercules.
Pavliani is divided into “lower” (Kato) and upper (Ano) districts and a first-time visitor may start discovering the area from the path connecting the two districts.
The wonderful landscape of Pavliani will not let down even the most demanding visitor. 
Athens Plus (4.12.09): Pavliani, Are you ready, boots?

Trekking in Greece: Cretan Routes

 (GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  Crete is a large island, which combines snow-capped mountains, rolling hills covered with olive trees and over 1000 km of varied coastline with astonishing beaches. By going off the beaten track, trekkers discover the rugged splendour of the south-western part of the island behind the Lefka Ori (White Mountains). The village of Paleochora, a resort perched on a peninsula, is the starting point of a beautiful coastal route leading to a lush, green region built on the remains of ancient Lissos.  The route passes through a small gorge and ends in Sougia, a settlement located on the site of ancient Syia. Along their route from Paleochora to Sfakia, trekkers come upon some of the most impressive sections of the E4 European path as it moves along the steep slopes of Lefka Ori and offers a view to the Libyan Sea.  The total length of the E4 European path is 6,300 km of which 1,600 km belong to Greece.  Agrotravel routes: Palaeochora to Sougia Map; Weather: Current Conditions at Paleochora; Agrotravel directories: Paths in Greece-Crete; West Crete webguide: www.west-crete.com

Enjoy Winter Travel in Greece

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)   Greece may be famous for its beaches, but it is also covered by mountains, many of which reach over 2000 meters. A little known fact is that there are 18 ski resorts in the country, usually operating from the end of December until mid-April. The biggest ski center in the country is Mount Parnassos, which is attractive to Athenians because of its proximity to the city. But there are many others worth visiting, such as Mount Falakro in the prefecture of Drama, Agriolefkes ski centre in the Pelion mountain, and the Pertouli ski center in Trikala. For those interesting in discovering a lesser-known area in Greece, one can visit Tzoumerka or Zagori in Pindos, where beautiful villages and traditional settlements are surrounded by gorges, caves and steep mountains. More Info: A ski portal of Greece; Travelling Around Greece (in Greek); Agrotravel.gr – Mountain Areas

October 28, Greece commemorates its Entry into World War II

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)    The Athens Municipality’s Melina Mercouri Cultural Centre (in Greek) is hosting an exhibition tribute to the Greek resistance at the Albanian front (winter of 1940-41) during WWII. Having fought at the war front, painter and draughtsman Alexandros Alexandrakis (1913-1968) found time to document the harsh life of soldiers up on the Pindos mountains.
The exhibition comprising 149 works will run until November 16. Melina Mercouri Foundation: www.melinamercourifoundation.org.gr
                                                                 Tributes to WWII
On October 28, Greece commemorates its entry into World War II. On that day in 1940, Italy invaded Greece through Albania. Several exhibitions pay tribute to the Greek resistance, such as the one of the Tribute to the Greek Resistance, 1940-1944 that is on display until November 30 at the Memorial Leclerc – Museum Jean Moulin in Paris. Foundation of the Hellenic World: Greece and the Second World War (1940-1945)

Explore the Greek Mountains

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)   Hidden behind the mountains of Pindos is an area known by the Slavic name Zaghori, which means “area behind the mountain,” one of the most beautiful regions in Greece. The people of Zaghori, (“Zaghorochoria“)are particularly ingenious and enterprising. They’ve developed trade handicraft, arts and letters. They have their own architecture, beautiful houses and bridges that adorn the region.  

Explore Greek Seas and Mountains

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)   There is no doubt that the Greek beaches are magical. Nevertheless, spending one’s summer holidays in the Greek mountains is a rare experience. In addition, if one combines the sea and the mountain, then one’s holidays will be unforgettable. Besides, Greece has a unique advantage; it offers tourists the possibility to access its safe, vast, sandy, crystal-clear beaches easily and in no time at all!  The portal www.agrotravel.gr is a gateway to dream holidays in mainland Greece too, in the mountains, in forests, near valleys, rivers and lakes, in places where air-conditioning is unnecessary, because nature provides cool temperatures.