Most are small, but a handful are larger operations with more challenging trails, ski schools, rental shops, night skiing, and big lodges. Here are a few of the best.

Central Greece

The country's biggest ski center, Parnassos is located 180 km from Athens. Parnassos is made up of two sections (Kellaria Mountain and Fterolaka Mountain). There are 13 lifts (half of them chairlifts, the rest tow lifts) and 23 trails, with 14 km of skiing. Kellaria features mostly blue (easy) and red (intermediate) trails while Fterolaka's seven trails include the 1,500-meter black (expert) Sahara trail. Expect traffic and long lines on weekends and holidays. Lift rates: Kellaria weekends/holidays: 27 euros; Fterolaka weekends/holidays: 17 euros, or Kellaria/Fterolaka daily (includes both ski centers): 12 euros. www.parnassos-ski.gr.

Karpenisi (30-22370-21112; weekends/holidays 20 euros; daily 12 euros), 78 km from Lamia, has four chair lifts, a couple of tow lifts, and 11 trails for all levels. There are four lifts and six mostly easy trails on Elatohori (30-2351-072200; lift rates: weekends/holidays 13 euros; daily 10 euros), while farther south is Pilio (30-24280-73719; lift rates: weekends/holidays 16 euros; daily 12 euros), which has three peaks, five-lifts, a five-km Nordic run, and a resort perched over the sea.

Northern Greece

Thessaloniki residents looking for a day on the slopes head to Seli (30-23310-49226), 95 km away. Fifty thousand skiers a year visit the resort, which has nine lifts, 15 downhill trials (nine easy, four intermediate, three beginner) and two Nordic ski runs. There is on-the-premises lodging, a small base village, and easy driving access. Lift rates: 13 euros weekends and holidays; 10 euros daily.

Farther north, 17 km from Naoussa, is tree-flanked 3-5 Pigadia, which typically welcomes 65,000 visitors a year with seven lifts (including one chairlift) and 10 trails that can satisfy advanced and cross-country skiers alike. There's a snowboarding park and two rental shops. Weekend visitors can combine skiing there, or at Seli, with a visit to the wine-producing city Naoussa (18 kms from both). Lift rates: 12-18 euros weekends and holidays; 10 euros daily. www.3-5pigadia.gr/.

Thirty-nine km northwest of the town of Edessa, at the border with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, is Greece's highest center, Kaimaktsalan (or "Voras"), which offers 25,000 skiers a year the best dry, fluffy snow in the country. Look for one chairlift, five tow lifts, and 14 trails good for moderate skiers. There are areas for snowboarding and snowtubing, and for those who want something to warm their bones, there's a bar. Bad weather can close the lifts and the winding mountain road leading to the center. Lift rates: 15 euros weekends and holidays; 12 euros daily. www.kaimaktsalan.gr/.

The top spot for skiing in northeastern Greece is Falakro, which is visited by more than 30,000 skiers each year. True to its name, which means "bald" in Greek, the resort features wide, obstacle-free trails. You'll also find three lodges, 9 lifts (two are chairlifts), and 20 trails, including a 2,200-metre black trail and a Nordic ski trail. It is accessed by a winding mountain road. Lift rates: 15-20 euros (depending on lift package) weekends and holidays; 10-15 euros daily (depending on package). www.falakro.gr.


To read more, please visit www.fodors.com

The quarter of the town known as Vaporia, where the sea captains lived, is of special interest and exceptional beauty.

Ano Syros was built by the Venetians at the beginning of the 13th century on the hill of San Giorgio, north-west of Ermoupolis. The Catholic basilica of San Giorgio church dominates Ano Syros. From there visitors enjoy a panoramic view of the neighbouring islands of Tinos, Delos, Mykonos, Paros, Andros and Naxos. Ano Syros is the birthplace of Markos Vamvakaris, the most important Greek singer and composer of “Rebetiko” music.

Syros is known for the International Festival of the Aegean which takes place annually on the island and it attracts world-class musicians, dancers, and actors. There is also the festival of Ano Syros and many other cultural events like art exhibitions, theater plays and concerts.

Syros has some excellent local products, of which most known are the “loukoumia” (gummy squares flavoured with roses, pistachio and other) and ”chalvadopita”, a cake filled with almonds and nougat, a traditional, very tasteful sweet. One of the most famous local chesses is “Saint Michali”.

Some of the most innovative products for Greece are produced by a small company MuMu organic.

MuMu organic is an ethical fashion company producing high-quality women’s clothes. Created in the beautiful Cycladic island of Syros in 2009 by designer Athena Bentila and artist Roland Wakker, MuMu organic is dedicated to creating stylish and timeless handmade womenswear, produced locally in Greece.

MuMu organic uses certified organic cotton and sustainable fabrics and through responsible sourcing supports Fairtrade producers in developing countries, while providing local employment for people in Greece.

MuMu organic’s beautiful designs are inspired by the breathtaking and versatile natural environment of the Greek islands. The collections feature fitted dresses, skirts and tops, which are carefully designed and tailored. The colours are bright and intense and the forms are simple and flattering. The water-based prints, designed by artist Roland Wakker, have been inspired by his original ecological paintings, giving a fresh and modern approach to the clothes.

As MuMu organic’s designer Athena Bentila says, “Our aim is to provide high fashion from sustainable materials and to inform consumers about the benefits of organic cotton. By supporting Fairtrade producers and organic farmers, we are helping make the fashion industry more sustainable, moving from throwaway fashion to beautiful, and producing timeless and long-lasting pieces. At the same time we are providing employment for people in Greece ensuring a safe and healthy, non-abusive, non-discriminatory environment with living wages. In this difficult period Greece is going through, it is very important to invest in innovation and bloom through our environmental initiatives.”

The MuMu organic ethical garments are sold through the e-shop www.mumusyros.gr.

MuMu organic is offering 25% discount to all the readers of this article, simply by entering the coupon code VisitGreece25.

http://blog.visitgreece.gr/syros-not-just-a-beautiful-greek-island-but-also-an-excellent-cultural-destination

Brief history:

According to tradition the temple of Athena on the acropolis was founded by Danaus, who came to the island with his 50 daughters to escape the rage of the goddess Hera. Follow the same ancient path that the ancient Rhodians took. When you reach the acropolis you will see a 280 BC relief of a Rhodian Trireme (ancient Greek warship) carved into the rock, an indication of the naval power of ancient Rhodes. On the bow of the Trireme stood a statue of General Agesander, sculpted by Pythokritos. Did you know that the first naval code, the famous “Rhodian Naval Code”, a code of international law and one of the most important legal documents in the world was written here in Rhodes? The emperor Antonio wrote of the Rhodian Naval Code: We may rule the world but the Rhodian Code rules the seas!

The tour begins!

Through an ancient old gate you enter the world of the magnificent acropolis; on the first level you can see more recent buildings like the 1317 Castle of the Knights of St John, which was built on the foundations of an older Byzantine fortification. There is also the Greek Orthodox Church of St John, built on the ruins of an older church. The Knights significantly strengthened the fortifications of the acropolis, turning Líndos into a powerful fortified castle. On the second level to the south you can marvel at the remains of the 300 BC Doric Temple of Athena Lindia, which was built on the site of an earlier temple. At the entrance to the acropolis there is a Hellenistic stoa (covered walkway) where vaulted constructions that were once underground water storage tanks are still visible.

A monumental staircase leads to the upper level of the sanctuary consisting of the 4th century BC buildings: the Propýlea (gateways) that were built in the same style as the Athenian Propýlea, a big peristyle open air courtyard and a small Doric temple of Athena, where the statue dedicated to the Goddess by Danaus and his daughters was situated and worshipped; from this position the sweeping views of the Aegean will take your breath away…

In the main archaeological site of Líndos, homeland of Kleovoulos, one of the seven wise men of antiquity, you can also marvel at the ancient theatre situated beneath the Temple of Athena, just as the theatre of Dionysus was situated under the Parthenon.

Enjoy a leisurely evening stroll around the picturesque settlement of Líndos.

The view of Líndos village with its cubic houses sprawling down the hillside under the acropolis is one of the most photographed scenes in Greece. The whitewashed labyrinth of little alleyways was deliberately designed to confuse pirates; today this layout makes wandering around the town a real adventure! The winding streets of the traditional well-preserved settlement of Líndos form a great backdrop to a rejuvenating evening stroll. There are picture-perfect medieval captains’ residences built around votsalotó (meaning pebbly) courtyards with emblems on their heavy wooden doorways. Arched entrances adorn the streets adding a cosmopolitan flair to the settlement. Try visiting some of them and admire the stunning interiors with their impressive ceilings and the courtyards paved with votsalotó (pebbles): it feels like you are in a folk museum! Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Virgin Mary of Líndos church in the centre of the village which is full of 15th century frescoes.

Complete your tour with a visit to two famous architectural monuments of ancient Líndos: Kleovoulos Tomb, which actually had nothing to do with Kleovoulos but was the funerary monument of a rich Lindian family, and the Archokrateio, a Hellenistic burial site of the Archokratides family carved into the rock. In the interior, a corridor used to lead to an area where burial ceremonies were performed.

Source: Visitgreece.gr

In Diros Caves you will see an underground river split up into labyrinthine watery passageways running more or less side by side among the stalactites and stalagmites created over the aeons by drop after drop of water containing calcium carbonate. The multi-coloured crystalline caverns of exceptional beauty in this 33,400-square-metre cave are reflected in the still water of the river, creating an underground paradise.

The Crossroads of Nymphs with the little white bear, the Lake of Exotic Ocean Creatures with the stone forest and incredible little haystack, the Sea of Shipwrecks complete with a sunken shipwreck, the Golden Rain, the passage through the church with chandelier and pulpit, the Suspended Fairy Beds, the Diros Chamber where there are ancient Greek mantles, the Pink Chamber and the White Chamber where there is a harp and a Royal Balcony, and the lovely Red Chamber are just some of the unparalleled wonders that nature took thousands of years to create so that we could marvel at her majesty and our own insignificance.

There are three caves at Diros, but only one is open to visitors and that is Vlyhada cave (Glyfada by another name). Tours of the wet part of the cave are conducted in small boats, safe for adults and children and last approximately thirty minutes. The temperature of the water is 14 degrees Celsius and that of the air 19 degrees Celsius whatever the season. The fossilised bones of a panther, a hippopotamus and a lion tell a tale of a different sort of life here. Finds indicate that the Diros Caves have been used as living space and storage space, as a home-industry workshop, a burial site and a place of worship. The many significant finds exhibited in the Neolithic Museum will complete your picture of the Neolithic Age.

Carved out of the limestone by the slow-moving underground river Vlychada on its way to the sea, the vast Diros Caves—the two main caves, Glyfada and Alepotrypa—were places of worship in Paleolithic and Neolithic times, and were believed to be entrances to the underworld by the ancient Greeks, and served as hiding places millennia later for Resistance fighters during World War II. Today they are one of Greece's more popular natural attractions, and a visit is an entertaining and surreal experience.

Climb aboard a boat for a 25-minute tour of Glyfada's grottoes—with formations of luminous pink, white, yellow, and red stalagmites and stalactites that resemble buildings and mythical beasts. The cave system is believed to be at least 70 km (43 mi) long, with more than 2,800 waterways, perhaps extending as far as Sparta. At the end of the tour you walk for several hundred yards (about a fifth of a mile) before emerging onto a path above the crashing surf. The close quarters in the passageways are not for the claustrophobic, and even in summer the caves are chilly. During high season you may wait up to two hours for a boat, so plan to arrive early. In low season you may have to wait until enough people arrive to fill up a boat. Opening hours change frequently.

More Information

Address: Along southern coast, 5 km (3 mi) west of Areopolis-Vathia Rd., Pirgos Dirou, Pirgos Diros Caves, 23062
Phone: 27330/52222
Cost: €15
Hours: Nov.-Mar., daily 8:30-15:00
Apr.-Oct., daily 8:30-17:30

Source: Fodors.com

Head out round the southeastern edge of the lagoon, past the old bridge, and look back at the Argostoli waterfront. Don’t dwell on the panorama too long or you’ll miss the wonderful statues and mausoleums of Drapano Cemetery.

For the next few miles, the road climbs steeply until the crystal waters of Argostoli Bay sparkle in the sunshine hundreds of feet below. In the distance, across the channel, the hills of the Pali Peninsula intersect sea and sky. If you’ve rented a Porsche, the twisting corniche will put your driving skills to the test; for the rest of us, sit back, get the camera out and enjoy the ride—remember to bring extra batteries.

Eventually, you’ll cross the isthmus connecting the Pali Peninsula to the mainland. The sea view disappears for a few miles but the rugged hills, dotted with pines, speak of a desolate beauty. Don’t worry the best is still to come.

About twenty miles out of Argostoli is one of Europe’s most photographed beaches. Here you’ll need to decide whether to take the winding track down the cliff to Myrtos Beach or just pull over and take pictures. The light on these Kefalonian cliffs has an unworldly clarity, drawing every shade of blue and turquoise from the sea, setting it off against the snow-white arc of the beach.

A few miles further north, the ruined castle at Assos serves up another breathtaking view. Built by the Venetians in the 16th century, the fort sits atop a rocky outcrop overlooking a sheltered harbor and picturesque village. Home to some of the most photogenic buildings on the island, Assos is certainly worth checking out.

If you didn’t make it down to Myrtos, there’s still Emplisi Beach—five minutes out of Fiskardo. It’s a quiet sheltered cove, an ideal spot for a refreshing swim.
Next up is charming Fiskardo where pastel-painted buildings line the quayside, their walls festooned with flowers. Lock up the car, stroll down to the harbor and enjoy some Greek dishes under a shaded cabana by the water’s edge.

There’s plenty to see in Fiskardo but plan on leaving a couple of hours before sunset if you’re returning to Argostoli—negotiating the tortuous bends in the dark might not be for everyone.

If you make it back in time, finish the day at Saint Theodori’s Lighthouse. Santorini may be the sunset capital of the world but you won’t be disappointed as the sun disappears behind Paliki leaving the sky a kaleidoscope of purple, red and orange.

On days like these, it can seem unfair that Greece and its islands have so much natural beauty.

About the Author

Paul Dillon is a British author living in Los Angeles, California. His Kefalonia novel, The Magic in the Receiver, is currently an Amazon bestseller in the Greek Travel category.

Source: Visitgreece.gr

It is ideally located for access to Halkidiki, day trips to Thessaloniki, has a very reliable ferry network for Thasos, Lesvos, Samos and Samothraki and is just a twenty minute drive from the mountainous region of Pangaio, well worth a visit for its natural beauty including large expanses of forest, as well as for its monasteries and skiing during the winter.

The reason why people refer to Kavala as the Blue City is clear; the dramatic old town is built upon a rocky headland which is surrounded by the blue and turquoise colours of the Aegean, creating a stunning backdrop for a city and reflecting the Mediterranean sun onto the colourful houses.

The old town of Kavala was formerly a colony of Thasos and called Neapolis. It was significant both strategically and economically due to its proximity to the road which connects Thrace and Macedonia. It has been discovered that the first inhabitants of Neapolis came from Paros and Thasos. Being ideally positioned to confront invasions from Thrace, Kavala also functioned as a very important port linking the west and the east. This role would have begun around 650 BC. The city’s name then changed to Christoupolis under Byzantine rule and Kavala under Turkish occupation. Historically, Kavala has functioned as an important base for the tobacco trade, a key fishing port as well as being suitably located for the movement of gold from the Pangaio Mountain.

Upon visiting Kavala, one realises immediately how the development through many periods of history has created the modern city of Kavala, with constructions such as the Town Hall, a combination of traditional Greek and neoclassical architecture and the houses in the area of Panagia which were built by Greeks, Jews and Turks in the early twentieth century. The most symbolic constructions, however, are the Fortress (Frourio) and the Aqueduct (Camares), built by the Turks and the Venetians in AD 1425.

Kavala has an array of things to see and do, with a long coastline of white sandy beaches which begin at the ammolofoi, an area of sand dunes backing onto the region of vineyards just under twenty kilometres west of Kavala. As one heads closer towards the city, the fishing village of Iraklitsa offers a variety of Tavernas, all of which offer high quality seafood and mezedes, mainly catering for the local market. One of the most popular is Taverna Odysseas, located on the village promenade overlooking the small harbour.

The main road from Iraklitsa to Kavala meanders along the coastline between the mountains and the sea, with a continuous view of Fidonisi (Snake Island) and Thassos in the distance. (Photo-above left)

The most obvious place to visit in the city of Kavala is of course the fortress, with frequent live music performances as well as plays taking place during the summer, many of which are free of charge. Access to the fortress is through a cobbled street which runs through the old town past the old Turkish style houses.

In the local area any inquisitive visitor would find it hard to resist the urge to visit the ancient site of Philippi, one of the most important towns of Eastern Macedonia which had important privileges during Macedonian rule. However, the Battle of Philippi in 42 BC would lead to its transformation into a completely Roman town. The Apostle Paul baptized Agia Lydia, the first Greek female and European to be baptized by him, just a few minutes walk from Philippi.

For those with access to a vehicle, the region of the Nestos River is not to be missed due to its absolutely stunning natural beauty. (Photo-above center)

In all, Kavala can be described as a highly varied holiday destination with something to cater for the demands of every individual, ranging from beaches with crystal waters to Tavernas with live music as well as ancient sites and mountain hikes. What is more, this is a truly Greek working city and visitors will experience an authentic Greek way of life rather than any artificially created environment to cater specifically for tourists.

Author: George Howell

It is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. There are two entrances: one at the bottom of the site and the other one in the middle. It is about 6 km away from Sparti. In the modern village of Mystras - situated 1 km or so from the archaeological site, there are a few restaurants and hotels.

Its fortifications and churches, its palaces and mansions, its roads and fountains, charm thousands of visitors daily and offers them valuable insights in the evolution and culture of the Byzantines.

For two centuries Mistras was at the forefront of developments and had a brilliant history full of glory, splendour and political, social and cultural contributions. Its story begins in the mid-13th century when the Franks were dominant in the Peloponnese. In 1249 Villehardouin II built an impregnable fortress at the top of a hill called Mistras or Mizithras. Ten years later Villehardouin found himself a prisoner of the Byzantine Emperor Michael Paleologus and bought his freedom by handing over the fortresses of Mistras, Monemvasia and Mani. Mistras offered security, so that the inhabitants of neighbouring Lacedaemonia, as Sparti was then called, made their homes on the slopes surrounding the fortress.

The settlement and the Hora (town) were protected by a wall, but the new houses were built outside the enclosure. Another wall protected the new settlement, Kato Hora. The strategoi (generals) governed the town, and as of 1308, when the seat of the Diocese had been moved to Lacedaemonia,

Mistras became in the mid-14th century the capital of the Peloponnese and the seat of the Seignioly (Despotate) of the Moreas, with a ruler or despot who enjoyed tenure for life.

Sightseeing

The Palaces

The palaces of the despots of Morea dominate Mistras from their rocky foundations in the centre of Ano Hora where the Monemvasia gate leads from Kato Hora. It is a spectacular complex, comprised of buildings built at different times. The first, the "mansion of the Cantakuzenoi", was constructed in the first years, perhaps by the Franks. The second edifice dates from the same period (1250-1350). The third, a four-storey building, was erected between 1350 and 1400, as was the fourth, a two-storey mansion which was the residence of the despot. The fifth building (1400-1450) was the palace of the Paleologoi. Its length is 38 m. and its width 12 m. The first storey was intended for the departments of the Seigniory. The second was the throne hall. The abandoned palaces constitute an important attraction for the modern visitor. After their restoration, they are a vivid reminder of an era that has left an indelible mark on history. As is the grand square before them, the site of official displays during the days of Mistras' glory and a market in later years, when the town was a busy commercial centre.


Tel: +30 27310 83377

To read more, please visit thegreektravel.com

For thousands of years Northern Greece has been the country’s melting pot, a geographical and cultural crossroads where the ancient Greek heritage has been colored by Balkan traditions and where oriental influences from the time of the Ottoman occupation have been molded in the Orthodox legacy that Byzantium left behind. Hence, Northern Greece has developed its own distinctive character compared to the rest of the country manifested by notable differences in the architecture, the food, the local customs and at some places even the language. Here you will experience a different version of Greece among the most genuine and authentic ones that exist today. And surely, one of the most charming.

And yet, despite being one of the country’s most enticing regions, Northern Greece remains relatively undiscovered. Thessaloniki, the metropolis of the area, and Chalkidiki, the three pronged peninsula with the mesmerizing turquoise waters, are two exceptions, since they are well frequented during summer by many sun-thirsty eastern Europeans, Greek families or business travelers. If like them you are looking for the clichéd trademarks of the archetypical Greek holiday, the sun, the sea and the nightlife you will find them here, often at a very good price…as you would in any other part of Greece.

What you will find nowhere else though is the home of the mighty warrior Philip II of Macedon and his famous son, Alexander the Great who built one of the greatest empires in the history of mankind. Vergina, the burial site of Macedonian kings with its fantastic museum, Pella the ancient Macedonian capital, and the impossibly invigorating site of Dion at the foot of mount Olympus with its famous colorful mosaics, springs and luxuriant vegetation, are without a doubt three of Greece’s most impressive ancient sites. From the colorful, vibrant, urban experience of Thessaloniki, where Byzantine churches and Roman ruins mingle with trendy bars and restaurants, to the cultural mosaicism of the atmospheric small jewels of Kavala, Xanthi, Kastoria, Edessa, Alexandroupoli and Ioannina or Zagorochoria, the magnificent complex of traditional mountain villages, you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to traditional architecture, folkore, historical sites and welcoming locals.

And if you hesitate whether to venture in the heartland’s stark mountains and wilderness, we assure you that once you make the first step you will barely remember, let alone, miss the indigo-colored beaches you left behind. Few places in the world beat the soothing melancholy of the Prespes lakes, the beauty of national parks across the Pindos mountain range or the awe when you peek above the lip of a vertiginous cliff at Vikos, the steepest gorge in the world.


Northern Greece is equally great to visit both in winter and summertime. In summer you get the “sea and sun” but also many opportunities for trekking, whitewater rafting, mountain biking and other outdoor activities; in winter time you trade the hot sunny beach days with the cosy atmosphere of a fireplace in one of the traditional mountain villages watching the snow falling outside. A great time to go skiing or to relax at one of many the spas that have started colonizing the area. And on top of that you get to have the, usually packed with bus tours, archaeological sites all to yourself.

Bottom line: Northern Greece offers an enthralling mix of traditional architecture, historical sites and stunning natural beauty enrobed in a unique character. For travelers seeking to experience a less known yet genuine version of the country, Northern Greece marks the spot.

Source: Travelscopemag.com
 

The tasteful thyme honey and the fresh fish are also some of the great gifts of nature to the lucky island.

The history of Lemnos is lost in the mists of time. According to mythology, Hephaestus had his forge on the island and taught its first residents, the Sinties, the art of processing copper. The Island flourished during prehistoric times. In 512BC it was conquered by the Persians, but it regained its liberty after the end of the Persian Wars. Since then, it had been subjugated consecutively by the Romans, the Venetians and the Turks, until its definitive liberation in 1912 during the 1st Balkan War.

Capital of the island is Mýrina, a town beautiful for its traditional paved alleys, its old stone mansions, its promenade by the sea, and last but not least for its Byzantine Castle. The impressive castle that overlooks the town lies on a rocky and steep peninsula, on the hillside of which small deer roam free.

Touring around the island is as much an enviable experience as choosing only some of its beauties to write about is a nasty task. Still, a visit to Lemnos is not complete without having been to:

• The Petrified Forest near the town of Moudros, where one has the chance to see fossilised trunks, leaves, fruit and palm-tree roots aged 20-22 million years.
• The prehistoric settlement of Poliochni which is thought to be the oldest Neolithic city in Europe. Actually, a rectangular building with a double row of stepped seats that had been found on the site resembles a parliamentary architectural structure; that’s why it is presumed to be the oldest parliament discovered in the world!
• The archaeological site of Hephaestia, the prehistoric capital of the Pelasgians, whose glory days lasted well over 2000 years (1000BC to 1200AD). Admire the ruins of a complex of a city built and rebuilt in 10 layers, including palaces, baths, Christian churches, a Hellenistic-Roman theatre, a necropolis, and a sanctuary dedicated to the great goddess Lemnos.
• The two small lakes Alyki and Chortarolimni which constitute wetland habitats, refuge and breeding places for rare and endangered bird species.
• The ideal for skin conditions and urinary system problems thermal springs of Hephaestus, at only 4km from Mýrina.
• The waterfalls near the village of Káspakas, where the waters rush off a height of 15m to create an appealing natural site dotted with small plateaus and tiny ponds.
• The village of Kontiás, one of the biggest and most beautiful ones, which is built on a pine-clad hill and is decorated by traditional stone houses, deserted windmills, and the picturesque church off Ághios Dimitrios with the stone bell tower.
• The gorgeous sandy beaches of the islands, which range from peaceful, remote, romantic to busy and well-organised ones. Especially the water sports lovers will go crazy for the beaches of Thanos, Gomati (treat yourself with the pleasure of rolling on the sand dunes there) and Keros, with the last one being a well-known centre for aquatic pleasures and sports activities. Nevertheless, the repeaters of the island and the locals would answer Platý or Chavoúli should they be asked to choose a beach to appear on a postal card from Limnos.

Source: Visitgreece.gr

Now the islands have become some of the world’s most recognizable tourist destinations. Most visitors flock to the same handful of places every year but there are hundreds of islands to choose from, many of which have maintained their village life. Here are five off the well-worn tourist track...

Folegandros
When an Athens travel agent told me to visit Folegandros I was skeptical. It was late July and boats to other islands were sold out. I hadn’t heard of Folegandros and had to be shown it on a map but I booked anyway. It turns out that was the best decision I’d make that summer. Folegandros is a hidden gem in the Aegean, with a cliff-hanging whitewashed village (known locally as hora), rugged but stunning landscapes and beaches hugging the side of high promontories. Visitors are mainly Greek with a smattering of French and Italians. The sleepy town wakes up in the night with tables spilling into the cobblestone streets filled with multilingual diners. Breakfast or dinner in the courtyard of Mimi’s restaurant is almost surreal in its charm.

Patmos

In 2009, Forbes magazine proclaimed Patmos the most idyllic place to live in Europe. It’s hard not to see why. The island coastline rolls and swirls forming bays and inlets with crystal blue water. Patmos is dominated by the imposing Monastery of St. John the Theologian under which is the cave where John wrote Revelations. The spiritual island has numerous beaches and a surprisingly vibrant nightlife for a place where monks make up a good portion of the population. George’s Place at Kambos beach is a good spot to get a drink while soaking up the sun. A visit to the three historic windmills, recently restored by a Swiss banker who vacations on the island, is a must.

Anafi

Anafi is stunning, but chances are you’ll overlook it once you realize how time consuming it is to reach. There’s no airport and it’s a 10-hour ferry ride from Athens . The population? Less than 300. Those who make the journey are rewarded with the island’s remoteness, serene beaches and its enchanting white cubist village that tumbles down from the mountains. The footpaths around the island linking the various settlements make it a perfect place to hike during the early morning or at dusk when the sun is not so strong. Take a tour through the island’s history on a hike from the hora (main town) to the 8th century BC ruins of Kastelli to the monastery Panagia Kalamiotissa built on Apollo’s temple. It also offers gorgeous views of the coast.

Samos

Popular with northern Europeans, Samos is one of Greece’s greenest islands known for its Muscat wines. Samians are undeniably proud of the their export and never forget to insist that it’s not just for drinking with dessert. Vineyards roll up and down the hillsides of Samos right down to the sea and can be visited on an informal basis. The Viticultural Union of Samos’ museum is a great place to taste the wines and learn more about the island. Samos is large and meant to be explored by car, which are easy to rent here. Stay in the picturesque port of Pythagorio with its shiny cobblestone streets and bustling, popular waterfront. The fish restaurants on the far left of the port are the best. The capital Vathy is mostly devoid of tourists but worth exploring on a Friday night when locals dine and stroll along the harbour where working fishermen (and women) tend to their vessels and string nets.

Samothraki

Steeped in mystery and lore, Samothraki is one of Greece’s most magical islands. With no natural harbour and no airport, it is mostly visited by northern Greeks – and, according to legend, witches. Rumour has it that the island is frequented by sorcerers and other practitioners of the dark arts, due to its ancient reputation for pre-Hellenic cults and its more mysterious atmosphere compared to the white-washed, austere islands in the southern Aegean. Whether that’s true, the island, once described as “taciturn” by author Lawrence Durrell, is lush and mountainous with hidden waterfalls and tropical vegetation. Towering Mount Fengari hovers like a dark cloud over the north Aegean from the Greek mainland and offers impressive views – if you’re up for a hike. The island is also home to the Sanctuary of the Great Gods, a pre-Hellenic and Hellenic historical site where the famous Winged Victory of Samothrace statue, now in the Louvre, once stood.

To read more, please visit The Globe and Mail

By Alexander Besant