NAFPLIO
A special place, mysterious, blessed, full of natural beauty and culture. Spectacular scenery meets gorgeous beaches and medieval atmosphere. It was the capital of the First Hellenic Republic, since the start of the Greek Revolution in 1821 until 1834. Its beauty is well known worldwide.
Most important sites are Palamidi Castle with 913 steps leading you from the town to the fortress, built by the Venetians circa 1711, and used much later as a prison for Theodoros Kolokotronis himself, hero of the Greek revolution, and Bourtzi Island, a tiny islet facing the Nafplio port, where Antonio Gambello built a fortress designed to fit the narrow shape of the island in 1417.
IOS ISLAND
Íos or Niós, as the locals call it, is one of the most beautiful islands of the Cyclades, like a flower, as its name “Ion” denotes. According to the ancient tradition, Íos was the homeland of Homer’s mother and the final resting place of the great epic poet. Upon reaching the island, the view before you is enchanting: as pretty as a picture, Chora lies very close to the harbor in Ormos and greets the travelers, built in an amphitheater -like manner on the slope of a hill, on the top of which there are ruins of a medieval castle. This is a listed traditional village, one of the finest examples of Cycladic architecture.
Snow-white little houses, picturesque arcade-covered alleys (“stiyádia”), the twelve windmills, churches with arched belfries and light blue domes create a unique residential area. Chora’s sheltered alleys is the “stage” where Koúnia, an ancient local custom is performed every May, as follows: young men make swings for young ladies who rock themselves while listening to traditional love songs being sung to them in the form of a dialogue.
Ios offers many activities, including hiking, watching the amazing sunsets, visiting historic sites, and enjoying the laid-back lifestyle of Greece. For those who love hiking Ios is the ideal destination. Its hilly morphology and the innumerable paths opened by shepherds on its hills enable visitors to see amazing places of wild beauty and enjoy the view to the nearby islands. If you want to experience daily farming works performed in the old fashioned way, local stock farmers wit be willing to show you through the entire production process (grazing, milking, cheese-making).
Explore! Mylopótas, Magganári, Psáthi, Yialós, Kálamos and Ayia Theodóti beaches are known worldwide –among others– to be top choices for dives in the island’s emerald waters. In order to explore the inland, follow the paths that shepherds prefer to take (Ayia Theodóti- Hóra, Ayia Eirini-Valmás Beach, Hóra-Pýrgos-Psáthi, Hóra -Ayios Spyridonas-Perivólia-Ayios Prókopas-Pelekaniá) and discover the pristine natural beauty of Íos through magic scents and colours.
KOS ISLAND
Endless beaches with turquoise waters, lush vegetation and abundantly flowing streams, ancient and medieval monuments, grand edifices of Italian architecture all come to spell one word: Kos, the third largest island of the Dodecanese Group, only 4 miles away from the coast of Turkey. Kos is the island that gave the world Hippocrates, the father of medicine.
RHODES ISLAND
Welcome to Rhodes, the capital of the Dodecanese, an island which is ideal not only for those who want to relax but also for those looking for an action-packed holiday! With its bright green hills, rich green valleys and uninterrupted line of golden beaches, Rhodes is truly a blessed place. Add in the excellent facilities for tourism, the island’s special blend of cosmopolitan and traditional, and numerous cultural and archaeological sites and you’ve got the perfect holiday destination.
SYMI ISLAND
While approaching the port of Symi, one has the overwhelming feeling of entering a perfectly painted image of a scenic traditional village. As a rule, people remain agape and cannot take their eyes off the spectacular sight. The few who can resist the superb spectacle of the town of Symi stretching its impeccable architecture on the slopes of the surrounding hills, take off their eyes to look at their book guides.
