Zagorohoria
If you decide that this winter is the right time for you to visit Greece, here are the destinations that most deserve your money and attention.
Summer vacations are out this year. We know it's sad, but it's a reality that all of us are having to face. It's not all bad news, though. We might have had to change a few things about our vacation plans in 2020, but they don't have to go out of the window completely. You'll still be able to take a break and go away this year – you'll just have to do it at a different time of the year than you might be accustomed to. That means looking at destinations for colder months, and we've got an unconventional idea for you. You might think of Greece as a warm-weather destination, but it has just as much to offer you during winter as it does during summer.
Even if you don’t know much about geography or history, you’ll be familiar with the myths and legends of Greece and its ancient civilization. Many of us have fond memories of studying Greek legends at school, inspired by tales of mighty Gods living on Mount Olympus. Those myths have fed into a thousand works of fiction, from the blockbuster ‘Hercules’ movie to several games that have become popular at new casino site. Hercules has his very own online slots game, but there are also more general games dealing with Greek myths like ‘Legends of Greece’ and ‘Greek Gods.’ The mere existence of the online slots is evidence that childhood fascinations linger into adulthood, and so it’s only right that we should all consider visiting Greece at some point!
If you decide that this winter is the right time for you to visit Greece, here are the destinations that most deserve your money and attention.
Arachova
The most popular type of activity that people associate with winter vacations is skiing. You might not think that Greece has much to offer in terms of skiing, but you would be wrong to make that assumption. There's a large, high-profile ski center on Mount Parnassus, and Arachova is the closest village to it. There's more to Arachova than just being convenient for fans of the slopes, though; it's a hipster paradise full of cute shops, luxury hotel facilities, all-night bars, and five-star restaurants. As if all those modern attractions weren't already enough to justify a visit, it's also well placed for a visit to the famous archaeological site of Delphi, the legendary former seat of the oracle. If you're not a fan of skis or snowboards, you can still enjoy excellent views over the valleys by hiking up the mountain trails.
Pelion
Also known as Pilio, this is the secret peninsula that most non-Greeks don't know about. If you ever wanted to get an idea of what life in Greece was like centuries ago, Pelion is the best place to go to find out. The rustic villages appear to have been frozen in time, untouched and untroubled by the chaos of the past two hundred years, selling homemade food and jams while also welcoming tourists to their many fine tavernas. As you might expect from such a rural location, the food isn't too modern, but that's all part of the experience. Pilio is almost cut off from the world by the mountain slopes that surround it and the dense forest that grows overhead, but beneath those canopies, you'll find apple groves that seem to go on forever and beaches that are almost deserted. Walking into Pelion is like walking into the middle of a fairytale, and you might never want to leave.
Loutraki
You might not be able to find much in the way of warm weather during winter months, but it doesn't mean that you have to go without heat altogether. If you want to keep warm, pay a visit to Loutraki and find Pozar Spa in Greece's Macedonian region. You'll get all the comforts of a modern spa facility, but also all the joys and benefits that come with visiting a natural spa. That's because the site is fed by a thermal spring at the base of Mount Boras, where water emerges from the Toplitsa river at a temperature of 37 degrees Centigrade. A whole fifty private baths have been created using water from the river, along with a pair of indoor swimming pools and a series of thermal waterfalls. For want of a better phrase, you get all the best bits of being outdoors while staying indoors. What more could you want for winter?
Meteora
Many of the historical sites in Greece are well known, but the global view of Greece’s ancient treasures is very Athens-centric. Everybody knows about the Parthenon. Far fewer people know about Meteora, despite the fact that it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most incredibly beautiful places in the world. You can make up your own story about how the ancient monasteries here ended up on top of such delicate-looking rock pillars – that’s what the locals do, and nobody knows the real answer. There were once 24 active monasteries in Meteora, the oldest of which first opened more than one thousand years ago. Only six remain today, but they’re open to visitors and provide a fascinating insight into an ancient, mystical world. How you choose to visit them is up to you. Hike if you want to, drive if the hike is too challenging, or if you’re feeling really adventurous, take a hot air balloon.
Zagori
If you’re visiting Greece in winter, you have to go to Zagori. It’s as simple as that. This enormous region consists of more than five hundred square miles of mountains and forests, embellished by countless waterfalls and natural caves. Not everything you’ll see here is natural, though. Nearly fifty ancient stone villages still stand inside Zagori. They’re known as the Zagorohoria, and they’re some of the most mysterious ancient structures in all of Greece. When you consider Greece’s rich cultural history, that’s no small statement to make! The old masons of Greece made some wonderful structures, but they really excelled themselves with these villages. Zagori is a place for the adventurers; somewhere you can take a hike and feel at one with nature, or get wet and go whitewater rafting. It’s as exhilarating as it is gorgeous, and it’s not to be missed.
