Archive for 'Localities in Greece'

The stunning island of Crete is a natural gem that boasts incredible beaches, pretty views, and excellent hiking routes. If you have found a villa in Crete and you are interested in hiking, in particular, then you should seek out the White Mountains, or Lefka Ori. The largest and most scenic massif on the island, this is the best place to head for incredible panoramas and a wonderful range of hiking routes that are suitable for a wide variety of levels of experience and fitness in hiking. Whether you want to just go for a stroll and take some photos of this beautiful landscape in Greece that surrounds or you want to spend a whole day hiking and working up a good sweat, you'll find what you're looking for if you head to the White Mountains.

Taking up a good portion of the centre of West Crete, the White Mountains are the main feature of the area and loom large and impressive in the background throughout the area. Made of limestone, they take their name from the fact that their peaks remain dusted in a white cap of snow late into the spring (with some of the highest peaks managing to hold onto some snow right up to June) and that the limestone summits reflect the sun and appear white as a result in the summer months as well. The highest peak is Pachnes at 2,453m but there are over thirty more summits in the range that are higher than 2,000m. In addition, the range is home to endless caves, sinkholes, precipices, meadows, unique landscapes (such as the moon-like desert in the centre and southern part of the range), fascinating rock formations, and more. There are also 50 rocky gorges, the most famous of which is the gorge of Samaria, where trekking, canyoning, and other outdoor pursuits are possible. This diverse landscape is, furthermore, home to a great variety of flora and fauna, much of which is found nowhere else, not even on other parts of the island.

If you think of a holiday in Crete or Greece, you are likely to picture plenty of time on her incredible beaches, enjoying the stunning deep blue of the sea meeting the pale shores, the pleasant water temperatures, the great weather, and the beautiful surroundings. However, in addition to her beaches, her most obvious and well-known trait, the island is also home to lots of other amazing natural wonders and little surprises to uncover as you explore. One such incredible gem is Lake Kournas.

The only freshwater lake in Crete, this relatively large (at a maximum length of 1.087km and a maximum breadth of 0.88km) and shallow (at 22.5m at its deepest point) but stunning lake is located in a valley among the hills, surrounded by a particularly beautiful landscape, just a few kilometres from the sea. Known as Lake Koressia in antiquity, it is now named for the Arabic word, “kurna,” for, “lake,” (or bath) so calling it Lake Kournas in English is kind of like calling it Lake Lake!

The gorgeous Mykonos is one of Greece’s most popular holiday locations and must-see destinations. It is easy to see why: it is an utterly stunning island dotted with pretty whitewashed towns, rich blue-coloured domed churches, cute tavernas, little boutiques and shops, trendy bars, donkeys carrying bundles up hillsides, and excellent spots to watch the incredible watercolour sunsets that put on performances above the island each night. If you want to get well and truly away from it all and enjoy the peace and relaxation that the slower pace of life on the Greek islands affords, then just find a vacation rental in Mykonos or a holiday rental in the South Aegean and either stay on the island or visit it for day trips.

While you visit the island, be sure to set aside some time to head to the Armenistis Lighthouse, a pretty and still-functioning historic lighthouse that offers one of the best and most heartrendingly beautiful views on the island. Located to the north-west of the island, above a homonymous bay, Armenistis Lighthouse was built after the wrecking of an English ship on the shores nearby in the 19th century, which left 11 crew members dead. It became apparent that something needed to be done to help prevent such tragedies from happening again in the future and, in 1891, a lighthouse was built.

Santorini is one of the world’s most famous and beloved holiday destinations that is at the top of a lot of bucket lists and lists of desired vacation spots. Its endless blue skies, crystal clear waters, cute white-washed architecture, flowers, and famous sunsets have been captured and shared by countless visitors and continue to attract more looking for a slice of that romantic perfection offered by this incredible place. If you have found a villa in the South Aegean, make time to head to this beautiful island in Greece and see what all the hype is about for yourself. You’ll encounter crowds that you might not have imagined in idyllic daydreams about the place but we think you’ll still be pretty impressed. It is quite the sight to behold, after all.

One of the key destinations in Santorini is Oia, the island’s northernmost village. This is likely the place that you will see pictured in most images of the island that are featured in articles, guidebooks, social media posts, and television shows. It is an exceptionally photogenic town that is a maze of little shops, restaurants, cafés, other businesses, houses, and those iconic white churches topped by blue domes. A pedestrian town, it is famous for its sunsets, the amazing sweeping views over the rest of the island and the caldera from its position along a cliffside, the crowds gathered to take in those views, and the chic and expensive restaurants and little stores. It is synonymous with style and glamour and is the destination of choice on the island today, particularly among the rich and famous.