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Greece Vacation Packages
Achaia / Achaea
Achaia, the prefecture at the top of the Peloponnese
has much to offer the modern tourist. The local
population frequent the region as a holiday destination,
but it often goes unvisited by foreign tourists.
The region offers tourists a different side of
Greece. The mountains and countryside of the region
is harsh but beautiful. The locals as some of
the best in the country know the beaches. As is
often the case, these places are found when you
are not really looking for them.
Patras is the capital of the prefecture, a modern
city, Greece's third largest, and one of
the cultural centres of the country. Many tourists
only see the city as a place to transfer from
buses to ferries, but there is plenty to explore
and enjoy.
The history of the region is long and varied.
Homer and the Bible make long reference to the
prefecture. There is speculation on how the region
got its name, possibly by the Achaean settlers
arrived after they were driven out by the Dorian
Invaders. The tumultuous history of the region
has continued until more recent times, when after
invasion by the Venetians, Ottomans and other
crusaders, the region once again became a part
of Greece in 1821.
There are two skiing resorts in the area, one
on Mount Panachaicus, west of the mountain top
east of Patras and the other on Aroania, sometimes
still called Mount Chelmos near Kalavrita. On
Mount Chelmos there is also an observatory.
A narrow guage, rack and pinion railway runs the
30 kilometres between Kalavrita and Zahlorou,
offering stunning scenery and a part of Greece
that is often missed by the modern tourist. Near
to Kalavrita is the Moni Agias Lavras, a tenth
century monastery burned down by the Nazis during
the second world war. Close to Kalavrita, near
the town of Kastria is the fascinating Cave of
the Lakes, a 2km stretch of water that passes
under a system of caves, revealing lace work walls
in the summer
Aegina (Áßãéíá)
Aegina is the largest of the Saronic islands
and the island closest to Athens, so close that
many live on the island and commute to the city
for work. On the weekends, Aegina is full of people
trying to escape the capital, Aegina town becoming
a thriving tourist haunt filled with people relaxing
by the seaside.
Aegina has played an integral part in Greece's
history over the years. Being so close to Athens
it has always had a strategic trading role, gaining
wealth throughout the ages by dealing with people
like the Egyptians and Phoenicians. The 'turtle'
coins minted on the island around 1000 BC are
believed to be some of world's first currency.
After the War of Independence, between 1827 and
1829 Aegina was Greece's first temporary capital,
and following tradition, the first coins of the
newly liberated city were minted here.
Today, Aegina Town is the main tourist area,
although ferries also service the towns of Souvala
and Agia Marina. The town is lively, especially
on weekends when visitors can wander down the
port, have a meal and watch the boats in the harbour.
Aegina is not known for its beaches, but there
are some historical sites worth visiting out of
the main town. The Temple of Apollo, out
from the main town is all that remains of a large
acropolis. Further inland the Temple of Aphaia
stands and a model of Doric engineering. Once
decorated with friezes depicting the Trojan War,
these sculptures are now found in a museum in
Munich, but the temple is still impressive.
The ruins at Paleohora are also worth visiting,
the buildings; in various states of repair show
some great examples of frescoes. The monastery
at Moni Agiou Nektariou is a place of pilgrimage
for many Greeks, Saint Nectarios being
the last canonised saint of the Greek Orthodox
Church.
Loutraki (ËïõôñÜêé)
Loutraki is situated six kilometres north of
the Corinthian canal and best known for
its natural springs, the town's name is derived
from the Greek for "spring".
It was once a traditional spa resort where people
would come from around the country to convalesce
and take in the waters. The town has been devastated
by earthquakes, the largest in 1928 completely
demolishing the town. Another earthquake in 1981
has seen the town rebuilt once again in a more
modern flavour. It's now best known as a tourist
town and for the spring water, bottles of which
are readily available all over the country.
Near Loutraki are a number of sites worth visiting.
Lake Vouliagmeni to the West is a beautiful lagoon
and a popular spot on the weekends. Nearby this
is Ancient Heraion, a site excavated in the 1930s
and home to the Sanctuary of Hera.
Loutraki is home to many hotels and resorts as
well as one of the largest casinos in Europe.
Spetses (ÓðÝôóåò)
Spetses is an island found at the bottom of the
Argolis peninsula. Once known for its pine trees,
it is the island furthest away from Athens in
the Saronic group and is a place well known for
its shipbuilding. A walk along the sprawling waterfront,
and the old port known as the Dapia shows evidence
of this, with boats in various states of assembly
lining the shore.
Spetses Town shows proof of the islands seafaring
history - indeed during the War of Independence,
Spetses provided many ships for the cause. The
main town is a mix of its heritage and modern,
bustling port, but there are fewer historical
sites as the island was uninhabited for centuries
until the time of the Venetians. The area around
the Dapia has buildings and streets reminiscent
of these times. There is a museum at the top of
the town dedicated to folklore and ships' figureheads.
Good beaches are dotted around the island, and
are best accessed by scooter. The beaches at Agia
Paraskevi and Agioi Anagyri are very good, but
also very popular. Smaller, tree lined beaches
which are smaller and quieter can be found by
taking the road around the island and searching
for your own patch of paradise.
Napflio / Nafplion (Íáàðëßï)
Nafplio has much to recommend it, being a charming
seaside town, near many of the Peloponnese's major
archaeological sites and an important role in
Greece's history. Napflio was the first capital
of Greece, its strategic role evident by the three
fortresses built around the city. Evidence that
city was overtaken by the Venetians is apparent,
their occupation obvious by the houses that grace
the old city's meandering streets.
Nafplio is a good base for anybody looking to
explore Argolis, Mycenae and Epidaurus, with regular
bus, train and ferry access to the city and to
towns in the region. There is also much to see
within the confines of the town.
The most striking feature of the city is the
island fortress that lies out in the harbour.
The Bourtzi, can be visited by boat, and is home
to a folk music festival around the end of May.
The Akronafplia Fortress above the town has been
there since the Bronze Age and was used by the
Venetians as the main town. As time passed it
was also used as a prison, and the fortress has
now been turned into a hotel.
The Palamidi Fortress stands on a cliff face
overlooking the town. Completed by the Venetians
in the early eighteenth century only to be conquered
by the Turks soon after, the fortress has the
best views of the town and the Aegean. Walking
up the 999 steps is a challenge for many, so ensure
you take lots of water if attempting the climb
on a hot day. There is also road access for the
less adventurous.
Nafplio has a number of museums that cater for
all types of history fans. The Archaeological
Museum is particularly good for those interested
in Mycenaean artefacts, while the Military Museum
in the town has a collection of photographs, uniforms
and other artefacts from the War of Independence,
giving a picture of the more recent history of
Greece. There is also a folklore gallery
as well as Greece's only museum dedicated to the
komboloi, or the worry beads that you will see
in the hands of most men and sold in every tourist
shop across the country.
Food and music are another aspect of Nafplio
that are there to be explored. As the town is
a major Greek tourist attraction, there is no
shortage of seafood restaurants and nightclubs.
Being a harbour town the fish, prawns and other
ocean delicacies are always fresh and plentiful.
Many of the restaurants close down over the winter;
however, a good meal can be searched out with
ease. A recommendation is to hunt out the smaller
tavernas over the larger tourist restaurants to
experience Greek cuisine at its best.
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