Archive for 'Pretty Views in Greece'

Greece has lots of famously beautiful beaches; beaches where the sand is pale white and soft as cotton and the waters that lap against the shore are crystal clear and a shocking blue that seems too perfect for real-life. There are many excellent beaches in the area around the Aegean Sea, in particular, but if you have found a vacation rental in the North Aegean region and are looking for a beach that is both especially picture-perfect and a little bit tropical-looking, then you need to head right to Seychelles.

Seychelles, of course, is a stunningly beautiful country in East Africa but it is also the name of a beach on the island of Ikaria in the North Aegean Sea. Somewhat confusingly, it is often referred to as the “Jamaica of the Aegean Sea,” but gained both the real name and this nickname due to the especially rich blue colour of the water at the beach, which is enhanced by the white pebbles that line the shore and seabed and reflect the sun strongly, making the sea look an even more vibrant blue.

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.

If you are either an avid or an aspiring climber and have found a vacation rental in the South Aegean, then a trip to the island of Kalymnos is an absolute must. It is said to have the highest concentration of sport routes anywhere in the world with 66 crags and 3,400 different routes to choose from, though this is only a tiny portion of possible climbs that have been marked and explored. One of the best climbing destinations in the world, it combines a wide range of types of crags and levels of challenge with the most extraordinary setting and views, making the whole thing a rather magical experience overall.

The climbing at Kalymnos is set in four different areas on the island, the largest concentration of crags and routes are above the villages of Myrties, Masouri and Armeos, the area around the villages of Arginonta, Skalia, and Emporios is also well-established, the routes on the island of Telendos are newly explored, while the southern part of the main island is the least developed.

What is Greece without her ruins? The majestic remnants of the architectural gems of Ancient Greece are iconic and fascinating and must-sees for anyone who has found a vacation rental in Greece. In particular, if you find yourself in the capital, you'll be within reach of some of the most characteristic and important ruins in the country. Among them, the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion is especially famous and beloved and something that anyone who has found a vacation rental in Athens should set aside some time to go and visit.

All this week, we have been talking about Folegandros, a gorgeous lesser-known Greek island in the Aegean Sea that is wonderfully rugged, boasts incredible views, pretty towns, and plenty to keep those with a sense of adventure and a desire to explore in the most serene of settings entertained. If you have found a vacation rental in the South Aegean or a holiday rental in Crete, Folegandros is well worth exploring and after focusing on the capital in the last post, here is what else the island has to offer...

Then there is Karavostasis port, the first place you'll arrive when you come to town where you will find some of the best restaurants on the island; excellent little tavernas and eateries with tables spilling out onto the streets, serving up handmade pasta, snails, orange pies, almond treats, white goats cheese, capers, fried watermelon, and delicious local red and white wines. You'll also see fishing boats lined up next to yachts and few international tourists but plenty of Athenians, who have been holidaying in the area for a long time, writers, artists, and the odd celebrity turning up aboard their own yachts.