Greece: Winter Destinations

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)   Breathtaking cliffs and mountains, rugged scenery, lakes, picturesque villages, and traditional architecture make central Greece one of the most beautiful regions in the country, offering outdoor enthusiasts plenty of opportunities for rock climbing and hiking, mountain skiing, kayaking, rafting, biking as well as cave exploration.  Evrytania, at the southern end of the Pindos mountain range, being dubbed “Greece’s Switzerland” is a very popular destination during the winter months. One can visit the Velouchi skiing centre at an elevation of 1,800 meters, the Mikro and Megalo Horio, two well-known villages, Proussos village, best known for its old monastery with the famous icon of Our Lady of Proussos and the Koryschades settlement which hosted the elected National Assembly, in May 1944, during the German occupation. AthensPlus: The ultimate winter destination  (p.42)  Meteora (meaning “suspended in the air”) in the region of Thessaly, is known for the complex of 24 monasteries on the top of impressive rock towers, a strange but breathtaking landscape that has been sculpted by wind and water over thousands of years. These smooth, vertical rocks have become a favourite destination for rock climbers who can truly appreciate the feat of the 9th century hermits who first climbed them to settle in the caves and fissures of the rocks. The site is included in the UNESCO World Heritage list.  Trikala, at the foothills of Mt Koziakas, on the eastern side of the Pindos mountain range, is a mostly pedestrian’s town on the banks of river Lithaios. One of the highlights of the town is the 16th century Kursum mosque, a protected UNESCO Heritage site, now used as an exhibition hall. Mt Koziakas and Acheloos river are part of the European Natura 2000 network of protected natural habitats.AthensPlus – Trikala, halfway to heaven  (p.42)

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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