Medieval Fortress City of Nafpaktos

It is a small historical and picturesque city, 216 kms from Athens, between Messolonghi and Delphi, opposite the Peloponnese. Built amphitheatrically on a hill at 200 metres, it has a small picturesque Venetian port at its foot.

In the 3.500 years of Nafpaktos history it has seen glorious chapters of Ancient, Byzantine, Venetian, and Ottoman periods. On top of the hill is the Castle of Nafpaktos with well preserved walls. The magnificient view from the top of Nafpaktos’castle encompasses the panorama of Corinthian and the opposite Peloponnesian line.

Its expansive beaches, pastel buildings set beside Venetian Walls, and veil of pine, palm, orange, and elm, make it one of the most beautiful cities of the Gulf of Corinth. Its climate is considered one of the best of the country. It is mild with a soft winter and a cool summer. For those who love sea and sun, there are some great beaches on the east and west ends.

Things to do:

Beaches: Two glourious golden sand blue flag beaches Psani and Gribovo, endowed giant trees by the seashore and showers and changing room facilities.

Nature Pursuits: Canoeing, rafting or kayaking on the river Evinos; a hike up mountains of Nafpaktia; for water sports visit the beaches of Chiliadou (11 km), Platanites/Monastiraki (12 km) and Marathias (17 km).

History: The Castle of Nafpaktos, The Clock & Bell Tower & Archaeological Museum.

Tip: Visit in the summer time for the Papacharalabia which sees a plethora of sports / arts events and participants from Greece and other countries. Ancient dramas are enacted within the nostalgic atmosphere of the castle. Also a perfect time for a visit is early October; the anniversary of the naval battle of Nafpaktos, when various events take place. Another great time for a visit is Easter. Especially on Good Friday all the town lights go out and big fires are lit by the castle guard rooms.

How to Reach

By Car: It is approx 3 hrs from Athens & from Delphi approx 2 hrs.

By Bus: From Athens (via Rion-Antirion) to Nafpaktos (2 departures per day) Departure: Terminal, 100 Kifissou Street, Athens. For information on departures and tickets: Athens Bus Authoritity (KTEL), tel.: (210) 51.29.292

From Thessaloniki to Nafpaktos (1 departure per day). For information on departures and tickets: Thessaloniki Bus Authoritity (KTEL), tel.: (2310) 52.15.18

By Flight: From Athens - The nearest airport to Nafpaktos is Aktion and is served by 6 flights per week from Athens

Mount Athos - Strictly Male, Secluded, Spiritual, Timeless !! (Macedonia, Greece)

If you are MALE and have the necessary permits the hallowed portals of Mount Athos, (also known as Agion Oros, or the 'Holy Mountain'), will become accessible to you. An edict of the Emperor Constantine Manomachos in the year 1060 (enforced till date), forbids women from setting foot on the peninsula. This stringent exclusion of females applies to domestic animals as well.

Mount Athos is the oldest surviving monastic community in the world.

It is a semiautonomous republic of the Greek Orthodox Church and is the eastern-most and most mountainous of the three peninsulas of Halkidiki. It has almost no natural harbours and no lowland areas. The peninsula is traversed by a huge, densely forested mountain mass, which terminates in the rocky summit of Mount Athos (2,033 m high) near the southernmost tip of the peninsula.

The mountain mass is cleft by deep ravines, along which flow deep torrents and countless streams. The sea is usually rough and in the winter stormy, so that there are many days of the year when it is difficult, if not impossible, to approach the shore. Because of it's isolation Mount Athos has remained one of the most unspoiled parts of Greece.

A MALE ONLY TERRITORY it is inhabited by around 3000 monks affiliated to the twenty large monasteries with fortified walls, other smaller monastic houses and remote mountain caves.

You may find the edict anachronistic and patriarchal but if you are male and are keenly interested in history and art, then this is a treasure trove. The monastery churches contain some of the finest examples of Byzantine art, icons and treasure. Their libraries hold a vast number of classical and medieval manuscripts.

And if you are interested in spiritualism and open to understanding the monastic way of life and how it has been practised through the ages, there is no better place to go. Though a few of the monasteries have electricity, most function as they did in medieval times. The monks grow their own food, spend long hours each day in prayer, and rarely venture out of the peninsula.

Whatever be your reason, once there in Mount Athos, be sure to be sensitive to the demands of the special environment. It is not only a living museum, but it is principally a place for prayer and contemplation, free from external influences. It is the monastic part of the Byzantine world has been preserved in this remote part and herein lies the timeless beauty of Mount Athos.

The religious history of Athos goes back long before the birth of Christianity. Homer mentions it as being the first home of the Greek gods Zeus and Apollo before Mt. Olympus. Pagan hermits have been known to have lived in the deep forests and mountain caves since prehistoric times. Athos first became a centre for Christian hermits and anchorites in the 6th and 7th centuries, and during the 8th and 9th centuries the hermits began to group together into small monastic communities. The era of the great monastic establishments began with the founding of the Great Lavra on the southeast coast of Athos in 963 AD. Under the protection of the Byzantine emperors, the building of monasteries flourished and at its pinnacle Mt. Athos had 40 monasteries habituated by 20,000 monks. When the Turkish armies captured nearby Thessaloniki in 1430, the monastic community prudently surrendered, thus remaining untouched and relatively autonomous. The long period of Turkish rule brought about a steady decline of the monasteries that was later somewhat alleviated by the patronage of the Russian Czars. In 1926, a decree by the Greek government made the Monks Republic an official part of Greece while allowing it to retain an autonomous theocratic government. Since the 1950’s there has been a gradual reawakening of interest in the monastic life

PERMITS:
Any Greek or foreign Orthodox Christian who wishes to visit Mount Athos must first get in touch with the Pilgrim Bureau in Thessaloniki (tel. (++30) 2310 833 733) or Ouranoupolis, Chalkidiki (tel. (++30) 23770 71 423) in order to obtain the Diamoneterion (visitation permit) which is valid for four calendar days.

Foreigners of other religious affiliations must apply to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Directorate of Churches, 2, Zalokosta St, Athens, (tel. (++30) 210 362 6894) or the Ministry of Macedonia and Thrace, Directorate of Political Affairs, Plateia Diikitiriou, Thessaloniki, (tel. (++30) 2310 270 092) in order to obtain an entry permit for Mount Athos.

A maximum of 120 Orthodox Christian visitors are allowed per day, whereas foreigners of other religious affiliations are limited to 14 per day. These limits do not include persons that have explicit invitations from the monasteries. Source: macedonian-heritage.gr

HOW TO REACH

From Thessaloniki - Reach Ouranoupolis by private automobile or public transportation (KTEL buses of the Prefect of Chalkidiki, 68 Karakasi St., Thessaloniki (tel. (++30) 2310 924 444). There are daily departures to Ouranoupolis and Ierissos at 06:00, 08:30, 10:30, 14:30, 16:30, 18:30. The journey is approximately two hours long.

From Ouranoupolis (tel. (++30) 23770 71 248) there are daily freight and passenger boat trips at 9:45 to Daphne, the sea port of Mount Athos and to the monasteries of Zographou, Docheiariou, Xenofontos and Saint Panteleimon. Visitors to the monasteries of Simonos Petra, Gregoriou, Dionysiou, Saint Paul and the skete of Saint Anne change boats at Daphne. Finally, for the monasteries of Esphigmenou and Vatopedi in particular, the visitor may depart from Ierissos ((++30) 23770 22 576).

From Daphne to Karies, the capital of Mount Athos, is by bus (35 minutes). From Karies visitors may reach monasteries and sketae by 4WD mini buses or monastery vehicles. (tel. (++30) 23770 23 266, cel phone (++30) 6944 302 451).

Visitors who are serious about touring Mount Athos on foot will probably find the trekking guide written by Mark Dubin useful. Source: macedonian-heritage.gr

ACCOMODATION
Room and board in the monasteries and sketae is gratis and is valid for up to 24 hours. For the monasteries in particular, one is expected to telephone before visiting. Lodging is also available in small hotels in Daphne and Karyes.Relevant Telephone Numbers of the monasteries available on macedonian-heritage.gr

GENERAL GUIDELINES:
CLOTHES: Full sleeved top and full sleeved bottom
PHOTOGRAPHY: Use of photographic equipment is allowed across Mount Athos except within monastery interiors. For interior photography the permission of the monastery is required. Cinematography, video recordings and listening to music, as well as photographing monks are expressly forbidden.

OTHER USEFUL LINKS
History of Mount Athos;
Art of Mount Athos;
Architecture of Mount Athos;
The Monasteries of Mount Athos
International Status & Legal Framework of Mount Athos

Mount Olympus - The Spectacularly Sacred (Macedonia, Greece)

It is Greece's highest mountain and as per Greek mythology, the heavenly abode of the Twelve principal Greek gods (Zeus, the king of the gods, his wife Hera, brothers Poseidon and Hades, sisters Demeter and Hestia and children - Apollo, Artemis, Ares, Aphrodite, Athena, Hermes and Hephaestus).

The ancient sacred site today inspires thousands of hikers from all over the world to tackle the demanding trek to the highest peak in Greece. Once you reach there and take in the magnificence of the range it is easy to comprehend why the ancients chose this site to revere.

The entire area was declared Greece's first national park in 1937 and consists of eight peaks including the "Throne of Zeus" at 2909 metres and Mytikas which has the highest summit at 2919 metres. The park, located 100 kilometres to the south west of Thessaloniki is home to around 1700 plant species, shrouded with pine, beech, oak and cedar forests harbouring wildlife including wolves, bears and lynx. In winter the slopes are buried beneath two metres of snow and are only accessible to the most experienced climbers

HIKING MT OLYMPUS

Most serious climbers can complete the hike to the summit and back in a daytrip. Even for the less experienced two days is a good enough time frame as there are a large number of decent trails. Yet to experience the real magic of Olympus you may contemplate spending some quiet days in the woods.

You don't need any special climbing experience or equipment to take on Mt Olympus but you do need to be fit, properly equipped and have a good head for heights! Yet please don’t take the trek too lightly; it must be remembered that people have died climbing it. So please ensure the following for your own safety:

• Get a Map from the EOS office in Litohoro or the SEO office. They will provide you with a Greek map but having it is necessary.
• Warm clothes - even in the summer !!!
• Good climbing shoes
• Suncreen
• Hat / Helmet

The main base for hikers is the village of Lithoro, on the eastern border of the park. Regular bus services connect the village with Athens and Thessaloniki and there's a train station nine kilometres outside Lithoro.

Stay & Food: There are numerous places to stay including inexpensive hotels and campsites along the coast with good facilities. Lonely Planet recommends Olympios Zeus, Olympus Beach and Minerva. The least expensive hotel is the Markesia. The classiest hotel is the Mirto Hotel on the main square. There are plenty of restaurants and fast food places to eat.

Organized Tours: Most Greek travel agents arrange excursions to Mt Olympus with accommodation included (a hotel bed in Lithoro and a basic bunk in the mountain refuges that provide welcome overnight pit stops for hikers). Climbing Olympus is a major attraction and if you plan without a reservation in July or August you may have difficulty finding a bed for the night.

For sample routes and information you might find these links useful

Mount Olympus Hiking Six Peaks

A Hiking Route for Mt Olympus and Accommodation;

A Basic Map with the Refuges locations

For more information you can buy Lonely Planet's 'Trekking in Greece' or The Rough Guide.

Nearby Attractions
Ancient Dion - Visit the Archaeological Park and Museum at the foot of Mount Olympus. Sacred to the Macedonians, Alexander the great used to make sacrifices to the Gods here before going off to conquer the world. During the August Olympus Festival plays are performed at the restored ancient theatre.

HOW TO REACH

The main base for hikers is the village of Lithoro, on the eastern border of the park

By Car: From Athens OR Thessaloniki it's a relatively easy drive to Mt. Olympus. However, usual cautions about driving in Greece apply.

By Bus: From Athens OR Thessaloniki regular bus services connect the village.

By Train: From Athens OR Thessaloniki there are connections to Lithoro. But the train station is located nine kilometres outside of Lithoro.

Useful links: Matt Barrett's Guide

Macedonia the Hidden Gem of Greece (Mount Olympus, Vergina, Édessa, Prespa Lakes & Mount Athos)

Macedonia is the central region of northern Greece, most famously associated with its great kings, King Philip II and his son Alexander the Great, who made Makedonia the most powerful empire in Hellenic times, stretching all the way into Asia.It is also the birthplace of the great philosopher Aristotle.

Largely undiscovered by tourists, it has a great diversity of attractions to offer and interests to pursue. Areas of Interest in the region would include:

Mount Olympus - The Spectacularly Sacred

Vergina (Aigai) – The Ancient Capital of the Macedonian Kings

• Édessa - Of Waterfalls & Water-Mills

Prespa Lakes - A Natural Park of Incredible Beauty

&
Mount Athos - The 'Holy Mountain, (Agion Oros)' a semiautonomous republic of the Greek Orthodox Church

Ioannina - Distinctly Ottoman (Epirus, Greece)

Built on the bank of Lake Pamvotis at an altitude of 500 metres Ioannina is the biggest city of Epirus and the capital city of the prefecture. It is an enchanting city with monuments, cobblestone streets, alleys and traditional market stores that evoke a distinct Ottoman flavour, reminiscent of the rule of Ali Pasha.

Ioannina reflects the confluence of Oriental designs and Neo-Classical architecture. You can turn a corner and find yourself transferred from a typical 20th century commercial centre to a Middle Eastern bazaar. It is here that even today Oriental and Greek cultures are still interlinked. Visitor’s attractions include:

The Castle of Ioannina,

Pamvotis Lake & The Island Of Ioannina,

Perama Cave,

Archaeological Museum of Ioannina.

Twelve kilometres away from Ioannina in the region Mpizani are the wonderful Wax Effigies of Pavlos Vrellis which recreate the defining events of Greek History complete with characters, props and most important the near life like facial expressions. If you have time the Pavlos Vrellis Museum of Wax Effigies would make a rewarding visit.

But like all other Epirus destinations the real charm lies in the natural surroundings and the opportunities that lie within easy reach - Vikos Gorge & the picturesque villages of Zagoria; Metsovo a traditional charming mountain village; & Dodoni the archaeological site of the oldest Hellenic Oracle

HOW TO REACH
Bus: Ioannina is connected by bus to Athens (7 hrs), Thessaloniki (6 hrs), Igoumenitsa (1.5 hrs, ferry boat connection to Italy and Corfu) and other important cities. The two bus stations are located downtown.

Ferry: A hydroplane connection between the island of Corfu and Ioannina has recently started. The hydroplane takes off from the port of Corfu and lands onto the lake of Ioannina.

Flight: The Ioannina National Airport - King Pirrhus is located 4km from the city centre (contact details +30 26510 83600) and has domestic flight links with Athens, Thessaloniki. There is also an international flight per week to Tirana (Albania).

Nekromanteion, the Oracle of the Dead (Epirus, Greece)

The most famous ancient Greek world Nekromanteion, the Oracle of the Dead, lies near the northwest shores of the Lake Acherousian, where Acheron and Kokytos, the Rivers of Hades, meet. Ancient literary sources describe the Acherousian Lake as the place where the dead began their descent to Hades.

The Nekromanteion attracted people wishing to meet the souls of the dead, as these were able to foresee the future after having left their body. (Spookkyy!!!)

References to this site are found in Homer’s Odyssey, when Circe advises Ulysses to meet Teiresias, in the underworld in order to receive an oracle for his return to Ithaka. Homer also gives a vivid account of the mortal Odysseus's descent to Hades. The resemblance between the setting described by Homer and the site of the nekromanteion is astonishing, a fact also noted almost one thousand years later by Pausanias, who argues that Homer had visited this area.

Also interesting monument near the site is the chapel with the Black Madonna Painting. For more details click here

Other Links:
Photographs of Nekromanteion;
Map of Nekromanteion;

Dodona - Oldest Hellenic Oracle (Epirus, Greece)

The Site of Dodona located in Epirus, was the site of the oldest Hellenic Oracle, according to the fifth-century historian Herodotus and in fact dates to pre-Hellenic times, perhaps as early as the second millennium BCE.

The oracle at Dodona is mentioned in the Odyssey XIV and in Plato's Phaedrus: “They used to say, my friend, that the words of the oak in the holy place of Zeus at Dodona were the first prophetic utterances”.

Worship at Dodona dates back at least five thousand years, when the Earth goddess was venerated. The oracle is devoted to Dione (Earth Goddess) and her consort Zeus. Priestesses and priests in the sacred grove interpreted the rustling of the oak (or beech) leaves to determine the correct actions to be taken.
In the fourth century BCE, a small stone temple to Zeus added to the site.
In the third century BC, King Pyrrhus grandly rebuilt the Temple of Zeus, and added many other buildings including one of the biggest Greek amphitheatres, which still remains in good condition. A festival featuring athletic games, musical contests, and drama were enacted here. Today each summer it comes alive for a festival of ancient plays.
Detailed list of Site Monuments

Archaeological excavations have recovered artifacts as early as the Mycenaean era. They are displayed at the National Archaeological Museum of Athens, and the archaeological museum of Ioannina

For more details we suggest you to visit the following links:
The Official Website; Hellenic Ministry Dodona; Official Practical Information;

Other Interesting Reads Include:
About Dodoni; Dodona, the Forgotten, Unforgettable Oracle; Sanctuary of Zeus at Dodona;
Dodona Oracle Photographs

HOW TO REACH
Dodona lies off the beaten path hence public transport connections are sparse. Most visitors make a base in the lakeside town of Ioannina.

From Ioannina:
By Car: It is approximately 22 Kilometres and self driving is the best option. You can also hire a taxi.
By Bus: There are also direct buses from Ioannina but it is only three days a week. It’s best to check and verify before you confirm your plans.

For more information For more information on how to reach