Archive for 'Must See Attractions in Greece'

The ancient legends of gods, goddesses, fantastical creatures, wild adventures, epic battles, twisted love stories, and more still linger strongly in the imagination of Greece. As such, the sites associated with the various myths and mythological figures are popular tourist attractions today. Crete is home to one such site, Psychro Cave, which is said to be the birthplace of the king of the gods himself, Zeus. In addition, it is home to some impressive rock formations and rather does feel like some otherworldly land of gods and magical creatures that you have somehow managed to stumble upon. It is one of the many little surprises that the island of Crete has to offer a visitor and one of the things that makes the island so intriguing, beyond her pretty beaches and lovely whitewashed hilltop towns. If you are planning a holiday in the area and have found a vacation rental in Crete, it makes for an excellent day-trip. So, if you are wondering what there is to do in Crete, pencil this in as an option!

While there is so much to Greece – the history, culture, incredible beaches, stunning landscapes, delicious food, and much more besides – and lots of excellent destinations to choose, if you have found a vacation rental in Greece, many are going to want to pay a visit to her capital, Athens. Athens is an astounding place where ancient and modern worlds collide and there is a wealth of things to see and do. However, in addition to all of this, it has also been named by Lonely Planet as one of their Best In Travel 2020 Best Value Destinations.

We have recently noted and written about the great natural beauty of Greece that often goes quite a bit beyond the typical coastal landscapes that are characterised by a specific kind of beach – with soft white sands and unreal blue waters – which people seem to conjure when thinking of the country. There is a lot more to Greece, beautiful as that kind of scenery can be, and a lot more to be discovered. One of these incredible and unique places is Cape Matapan, a small landmass located at the end of the Mani Peninsula, that is home to a legendary surprise.

An intriguingly suggestive and atmospheric beauty, the cape is characterised by rugged hillsides featuring tufted grasses and rolling slopes that curve down to meet the sea. This is also where you will find the Caves of Cape Matapan, which are legendary natural creations that are steeped in Greece’s myths. If you have found a vacation rental in Peloponnese and are exploring the area, come take in these pretty seaside peaks (particularly lovely during Golden Hour before sunset) and the mysterious caves that are hidden within them.

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.

Many of us dream of escaping the chaos of the holiday season and getting away to somewhere, not exactly warm but pleasant and certainly not very cold, over the last couple weeks of December. Crete is a great place to spend the holiday season with temperatures at a low of around 10 degrees Celsius and a high of around 17 degrees Celsius, a complete absence of the intense tourist crowds that can appear at other times of the year, and lots to still enjoy for those interested in a different experience of Greece. In addition, if you head to Chania around Christmas Day, you’ll be rewarded by the most extraordinary sight: the streets filled with Santa Clauses running around. Just find a vacation rental in Crete and experience it for yourself.