3 Serene Destinations for a Long Weekend Getaway

Portaria, Pelion

Portaria, one of the crucial accessible villages close to Volos, is good for an extended weekend, with a drive time of lower than 4 hours from Athens and solely 2.5 hours from Thessaloniki. This enchanting village has a beautiful central sq., shaded by the sprawling branches of historical aircraft bushes – a really perfect place to get pleasure from your morning espresso in tranquility.

Close by, you’ll uncover charming villages good for day journeys. Hania, the very best village within the area, is simply 20 kilometers away, and the drive there is without doubt one of the most picturesque routes Pelion has to supply. A 35-minute drive will take you to Drakia, which additionally boasts a beautiful central sq.. When the climate’s good, the Metaxogenis tavern (Tel. (+30) 24280.960.15), which focuses on conventional delicacies made with native substances, units up tables beneath a big aircraft tree. Be sure you strive the native delicacy, boubari (finely chopped liver with onions, rice, and spices wrapped in gut), together with their completely grilled meats.

In neighboring Makrinitsa, you’ll be able to get pleasure from breathtaking views of Volos and the Pagasitic Gulf, in addition to scrumptious meals at Kardamo (Tel. (+30) 24280.901.31). Between Makrinitsa and Portaria is the start of the Centaurs’ Path, a 1.9-kilometer path that meanders by means of a lush gorge with flowing streams – good for a leisurely hike.

Whereas in Portaria, be sure that to cease at Kritsa Tavern (Portaria, Tel. (+30) 24280.991.21) for completely executed conventional Pelion recipes. Take pleasure in hearty dishes like spetzofai (sausages and peppers in tomato sauce), wild greens with eggs, and revolutionary choices equivalent to linguine with veal fillet and Parmesan cream.

Karpenisi, Evrytania

Karpenisi, the capital of Evrytania, sits at an altitude of 975 meters, a scenic 3.5-hour drive from Athens and about 4 hours from Thessaloniki. This charming area is brimming with points of interest – monasteries, museums, caves, and gorges – making it ultimate for each street journeys and day excursions.

A brief drive leads you to the village of Koryschades, residence to the fascinating Nationwide Resistance Museum (Tel. (+30) 22370.249.96; open 10:00-15:00, closed Wednesdays and Thursdays). It was right here, in Might 1944, that the primary “Mountain Authorities” convened, representing the communist-led resistance throughout World Struggle II. The museum options a formidable assortment of relics and paperwork from that period.

Persevering with alongside the Karpenisi-Proussos provincial street, you’ll uncover Newton Park (seventh km Karpenisi-Proussos, Tel. (+30) 22370.246.14), a theme park providing quite a lot of instructional and entertaining actions for kids. For a pleasant meal, head to Mikro Chorio and go to the Horiatiko Nasiopoulos Tavern (Tel. (+30) 22370.412.57), identified for its grilled meats. Simply three kilometers away, in Megalo Chorio, you’ll be able to get pleasure from scrumptious sweets and high quality espresso at Rakomelo (Tel. (+30) 22370.413.39).

Again in Karpenisi, be sure that to cease by the Mountain Museum (49 Zinopoulou, Tel. (+30) 22370-80265; open Thursday to Monday 10:00-14:00, Saturday 18:00-21:00), the place you’ll be able to discover the historical past of mountaineering and snowboarding, and even take a digital actuality tour of the Panta Vrechi Gorge, a location that’s significantly difficult to entry in winter.

Kalavryta, Achaia

Kalavryta is barely a 2.5-hour drive from Athens and supplies the best steadiness of nature and historical past for a three-day getaway. Start by visiting the Kalavryta Bloodbath Memorial, which overlooks the village. On December 13, 1943, German forces executed over 650 males in retaliation for partisan operations. Be taught extra about this darkish chapter within the area’s historical past at the Kalavryta Holocaust Museum (1-5 Andrea Syggrou, Tel. (+30) 26920.236.46; open 09:00-16:00, closed Mondays; entrance price 4 euros).

The Holy Monastery of Aghia Lavra, positioned simply 5 kilometres southwest of the village, is claimed to be the positioning the place the Greek Struggle of Independence started in 1821. Kalavryta is nestled on the foot of Mount Helmos and presents quite a few climbing alternatives, however probably the most pleasurable expertise is using the Odontotos, the legendary cog railway that has been in operation since 1896. The practice travels from Kalavryta to Diakofto, passing by means of the breathtaking Vouraikos Gorge.

Keliari (19 Lochia Kapota, Tel. (+30) 26920.233.01), Peri Orexeos (57 twenty fifth Martiou, Tel. (+30) 26920.244.44), and Avli (Solioti 12, Tel. (+30) 26920.244.04) are three conventional taverns that serve hearty, genuine Greek delicacies.