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Greece

Nikis avenue at dusk, Thessaloniki
Greece

The Essential Guide to Thessaloniki

November 27, 2015

After sharing with you all the delicious things I ate in Thessaloniki, it’s time for a more comprehensive guide! To recap: Thessaloniki is Greece’s second-largest city located in the region of Macedonia in Northern Greece. Unlike Athens, Thessaloniki wasn’t a famous city in ancient times, as the Macedonian Kings had chosen different cities as their base: Aeges, Phillipi, Pydna. The city flourished under Roman rule and even more during the Byzantine era. The Byzantine legacy is prominent all over the city and its monuments constitute part of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. Things to see and do in Thessaloniki Archaeological Museum The Archaeological Museum houses individual…

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Mystras castle town, Peloponnese, Greece
Greece, Travel Guides

Exploring Mystras

October 9, 2015

Today we’re going to explore yet another Byzantine castle town of the Peloponnese: Mystras, which played an important role in the Byzantine Empire during its final centuries, until it fell to the Ottomans in 1460. Mystras location and view are breathtaking! You get to see the plains of Sparta. Sparta is the hometown of King Leonidas and the 300 warriors who fought the Persians at Thermopylae!  This Byzantine castle town is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mystras’ History The city was founded in 1249 by the ruler of the Frankish Principality of Achaea William II of Villehardouin, who built…

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Monemvasia
Greece, Travel Guides

Exploring the castletown of Monemvasia

October 1, 2015

When you approach Monemvasia all you can see is an imposing big rock standing next to the coast, discerning just a few buildings on top of it. The city remains unseen as it is located in the south-east corner of the rock, which is connected to the mainland with a bridge making it the only access point to the city. That’s how Monemvasia got its name: from the words “moni” (μονή) and “emvasi” (έμβαση) meaning single access. That rock gave to the city the nickname “Gibraltar of the East” due to the similarity to the Gibraltar rock (in smaller scale)…

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Knossos, Heraklion, Crete
Greece, Travel Guides

Visiting Knossos: Europe’s oldest city

September 24, 2015

I’m sure you’re all familiar with the word labyrinth, aren’t you? You might as well have heard about the myth of Minotaur, the half bull half human creature which was killed by Theseus with the help of Ariadne. Yes I know, lots of characters in just one sentence, but you can read the (quick) story over at Wikipedia. Well, today I’m taking you to the actual place where this myth takes place: the city and palace of Knossos. The archaeological site The city and palace of Knossos date from 1700BC. The site was discovered in late 19th century by Minos…

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The Essential Guide to Elafonisos, Greece
Greece, Travel Guides

The essential guide to Elafonisos

September 17, 2015

Updated October 2019 “What are you doing next weekend?” said my friend, “Come along with us, we are going to Elafonisos Island. They say the sea there is Caribbean turquoise”.  I jumped on the opportunity and visited the small island. That was 5 years ago. Since then I’ve been to Elafonisos island twice more (the most recent visit being a few weeks ago) and since I love it so much (the beach is indeed divine), it’s time to introduce it to you too! Elafonisos (Ελαφόνησος) is a small island off the coast of southeastern Peloponnese in the region of Lakonia….

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Crete Road Trip: Heraklion to Iearapetra
Greece, Travel Guides

Crete Road Trip: Heraklion to Ierapetra

September 11, 2015

During the last 3 years I’m spending my vacations in Crete (even got married there) as my husband comes from the island. His village is located in the center of Crete (literally), so we can venture out either to the west or the east in (almost) equal time! In the past we took road trips mostly to the west in the regions of Rethymno and Chania, as there are more interesting beaches there, including Elafonisi, one of the Greek beaches you shouldn’t miss! This year though I decided to take a road trip to the east, visiting Agios Nikolaos, Plaka and Ierapetra,…

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the essential guide to Lefkada
Greece, Travel Guides

The essential guide to Lefkada

August 13, 2015

In case you were wondering, yes all these Greek Island guides serve one and only purpose: to make you visit Greece! Today’s post is yet another island with gorgeous beaches. Only this time we’re moving west to the Ionian Sea. Ladies and gentlemen I present you Lefkada! What to see and do The beaches are Lefkada’s biggest assets no questions asked! I will elaborate on those further one. Vasiliki and Nydri are two seaside villages with marinas, restaurants and hotels. Karya is a traditional village up in the mountain where you are going to find delicious food and local embroidery….

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