Archive for 'Architectural Gems in Greece'

If you found a holiday rental in Patras and followed the advice of our previous article to hike the nearby mountain range of Panachaiko, you might have spotted a beautiful dome towering over the rest of the city's skyline. This charming building is the Cathedral of St Andrew in Patras and is a 19th century beauty that is well worth a visit, should you find yourself exploring this incredible city.

A small church was originally erected on site between 1836 and 1843 on the spot where Apostle Andrew died a martyr under architect Lyssandros Kaftantzoglou. Inside the building is Andrew's tomb and his relics were initially housed there too until they were transferred, first to Constantinople and then Rome. However, in the 60s, as a gesture of good will to the people of the city, the saint's skull and finger were returned to his resting place.

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The Aquarium of Rhodes is a stunning building that encases an interesting collection of marine life and is a must-see for anyone who has found a vacation rental in Rhodes.

Built during the Italian occupation of the Dodecanese Islands, under Governor Mario Lago as the Reale Istituto di Ricerche Biologiche di Rodi (Royal Biological Research Institute of Rhodes) in Cape of Mili, the northernmost point of Rhodes Island, in 1934, it was designed by Italian architect Armando Bernabiti. Combining local and Art Deco architectural elements with naval aesthetics like curved lines, porthole-like windows and a central cylindrical tower and the marine-fauna inspired entrance decoration, it is a charming and iconic structure. This has not really been altered over the years but in the 1970s, an exhibition hall and a pool for the seals were added to the north side of the building. The original interior also remains and was decorated with porous rocks and natural seashells and a floor paved with a black and white pebble mosaic. Stepping inside, therefore, feels like entering an underwater cave.

Drama is a town and the capital of a prefecture of the same name that has “drama” in the name but not in the atmosphere. It is a stunning area of natural beauty located on the north-eastern edge of Greece that is made up of endless plains, mountains, a sprinkling of ski resorts, lush forests of firs, oaks, beeches and pines, burbling streams and rivers, and fields of colourful flowers. Idyllic, unpretentious, authentic and pretty, it is a lesser-known gem in Greece.

If you have found a vacation rental in Central Macedonia, why not come explore this charming area for yourself?

In the winter, the area is perfect for those interested in skiing, snowboarding and other winter sports, though the idea of Greece and snow may seem incongruous to some! There are several resorts where you can spend days out on the snow and evenings warming up to local hospitality and tasty dishes like their famous potatoes and soutzoukakia, skewered spicy meatballs.

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Those who are looking for a villa in Greece or a vacation rental in Peloponnese, in particular, might be seeking out things to see and do in the area. If you're one of those people and if you're fond of bizarre and unusual things, then you might want to seek out the amazing Castle of Agrilis.

Located on the Western coast of Greece, this tacky and striking colourful gem was built in the 1960s by an American-born doctor of Greek descent, Harry Fournier. After making his money as a surgeon in Chicago, he retired to his family's homeland and later decided that he wanted to leave his mark on the city from which his kin came.

Chania harbour is probably the first thing that visitors to Crete see upon arrival to the beautiful Greek island. It is one of two ports that most pull in to and it is a beauty; the old port, the Venetian harbour, a cluster of old buildings, museums, churches, restaurants, cafes and crafts shops right on the coast.

Carefully built in the 14th century for commercial purposes and to protect against pirate raids, the harbour is a stunning and oft-photographed place that one needs to see with their own eyes. If you have found a vacation rental in Crete, be sure to come an appreciate this charming little port and the equally stunning city right behind it.

The second largest city on Crete and one of the most beautiful of all cities in Greece, Chania has a unique atmosphere that has a touch of the spirit of Florence and Venice from its Venetian roots, which is uniquely and wonderfully combined with the tradition, culture and character of Crete.