Archive for 'Hiking in Greece'

Greece is famously beautiful, though most conjure a particular image of only one type of charm the land boasts: pretty beaches, glittering water in rich azure and teal shades, and villages perched atop sheer, dramatic cliffs. However, there is a wealth of other landscapes and views to take in across the region that are far more unexpected to most travellers: from skiing resorts blanketed in snow to towering peaks in verdant valleys topped by monasteries like something from a fantasy novel to tall old forests filled with butterflies. Even amongst these utterly stunning gems, one of the most utterly picturesque spots in Greece, however, has to be Drakolimni. If you have found a vacation rental in Greece and are up for an adventure, then pencil in a visit to this incredibly beautiful place and see it with your own two eyes.

Drakolimni is the name given to a group of lakes in Greece’s Epirus region, though two are especially famous. One is located on Mount Tymfi and the other on Mount Smolikas, a few kilometres away. Steeped in legend and strikingly beautiful, these glassy lakes are located in panoramic spots atop these two mountains, set in stone and grassy surroundings. Bare and striking, they look almost manmade and futuristic.

The name of the lakes actually translates to “Dragon Lake” and is named for a local legend that says two dragons once warred in the area. One lived at the lake on Mount Tymfi and the other lived at the lake on Mount Smolikas. They threw stones at each other and it is said that this is why the shores of the Tymfi Lake are black with white stones and the shores of the Smolikas lake are white with black stones, having tainted each others’ homes.

If you are looking to take in a fascinating medieval monument as well as some incredible panoramic views over the coast, go for a short but very gratifying hike, and then spend some time on a truly stunning beach and you have found a vacation rental in Peloponnese, then you need to head to the lovely coastal town of Pylos. This is where you will find the ruins of a 13th century fortress perched on a cliff called Old Navarino Castle and the utterly beautiful natural surroundings that you can admire as they unfold below when you reach the ancient building.

Navarino Castle was built in the strategic location in which it stands today in the 13th century by the Franks. It was positioned for observation and defence and endured centuries of attacks and sieges before being taken by the Venetians in the 15th century and then passing back and forth from Venetian and Ottoman control. Once Pylos Castle was built nearby, Navarino lost its significance and, over time, fell to ruin. It is known by locals as “Paleokastro”, “the old fortress,” and is a romantic ruin.

The more we look at Greece as a holiday destination, the more we find to fall in love with beyond great food, impressive ancient ruins, popular destinations, and stunning picture-perfect sandy beaches. There is a vast and verdant landscape to be explore, gorges to be traversed, rapids to be braved, resorts to be skied, trails to be hiked, and much more besides. If you’ve been thinking about holidaying in Greece, try to look beyond the regular tourist appeals and attractions and see a little more of the many lesser-known charms that visitors often miss. Prepare to have some adventures amidst all that relaxation and to make memories that last a lifetime because Greece is exceptionally beautiful and boasts a wonderfully diverse landscape that is just waiting to be discovered.

Take, for example, the hidden gem that is the mountain range of Taygetus, which is a must for those looking for some exploration and outdoor adventures and who have found a vacation rental in Peloponnese. Running 100km north to south on Peloponnese's central southern peninsula, it is a vast area to be explored and offers lots of different opportunities for walking, hiking and other outdoor activities. Compared to other mountain ranges in Greece, it is the wildest and most rugged with wild and towering limestone peaks rising from foothills dotted by gorges and covered in scrub, forests, and olive trees and groves.

The north of Greece is probably somewhat unlike the vision of the country that you have in mind. It is vast and lush and very green. It is full of endless forests, winding rivers, wide lakes, fertile valleys, craggy mountains, rolling hills, and stunning and varied landscapes. From tasting wine in vineyards to hanging out in naturally occurring hot springs and from hiking and skiing on snow-capped peaks to tackling river rapids, there are all sorts of adventures for all sorts of people that find a vacation rental in Central Macedonia. However, if you are looking for lots of adventure in just one place, then we recommend a day trip to the Nestos Adventure Park.

Around 30km from the city of Kavala is the Nestos National Park which is a nature reserve and an area around the Nestos River that is divided into the Nestos Gorge at Toxotes and the Nestos delta at Chrysoupolis. A place of particular natural beauty, you will find lots of special eco systems, a diverse flora and fauna, alluvial land, freshwater lakes and lagoons, river forests, open meadows, mountains and more. As a result, it is the perfect place to establish an adventure centre!

Kardámaina, or Kardámena (often written with the accents omitted) is a small seaside resort town on the island of Kos, in Greece, mid-way along the south coast of the island. Only 7km from the Kos Island International Airport at Antimacheia, it is an easy place to visit for a day if you have found a vacation rental in Kos.

Formerly a small fishing village, it remains relatively small but is also now a popular summer destination, with its population of less than 2,000 tripling in the summer months. The town has a long history, being built on the site of the ancient settlement of Alasarna, which was an important urban centre in the 2nd century BC.