I rushed off recently to get a copy of a Sunday newspaper [10th June 2007] when a chum called to tell me that there was an extended article about Greece in the travel section. 

As mentioned above, the article was by Mark Ellingham, editor of the Rough Guides.  Mark surely has the best job in the world, and I read his article with great interest!  I was quite pleased to find that of the 25 things he lists, I have already done 15!  Of the remaining 10, eight of them were already on my list of "do's".  There were only two, which at this stage were not on my list at all. 

For those of you who have not seen the list, here it is...........

[I think Mark may have had them in an order of merit]

1. METEORA

When researching the original Rough Guide to Greece, this was the sight that Mark said he most wanted to see.   [Not yet done]

2. THE ACROPOLIS

Everybody's favourite!  Have done it too often to count!

3. SANTORINI

Terrific!  Have visited twice.  First visit in 2003.

4. GREEK WINE

Mark praises the modern wine industry in Greece, citing the wonderful wines from Santorini and Limnos.  There are now many fine wine estates in the islands as well as on the mainland.  I have written a fairly comprehensive article on Greek wines on my Hellasworld site

5. A NIGHT AT THE THEATRE

Oh yes!  I have visited Epidavros but not seen a production there.  I have seen one at the Herodus Atticus Theatre at the foot of the Acropolis, and also a fabulous production of "Medea" at the ancient amphitheatre in Samos.  The backdrop was the sunset over the sea.  Beat that!

6. NAFPLIO

I agree! Stunning!  Visited it way back in 1992 on a coach trip through the Peloponnese.

7. GRILLED OCTOPUS

Yum! Sophocles's Ouzeri on the waterfront in Lipsi is the place to enjoy this!

8. THE MANI

Mark recommends Patrick Leigh Fermor's book "Mani" as the perfect introduction to this region.  I have read the book and am looking forward to going, but owing to the logistics of getting to Inner Mani, in particular, this will probably have to wait a couple of years!  [Not yet done]

9. WALKING IN EPIRUS

This was not on my original list, but I had planned to visit Ioanina, which is in the Epirus region.  I shall definitely take up Mark's recommendation and extend my stay there to do some walking in the Zagoria region ( about 25 kms north of Ioanina), where he says the gorges, scenery and picturesque villages are a must!  [Not done]

10. MYCENAE

Visited this on my Peloponnese trip in 1992.  Fantastic!

11. A BOAT TRIP AROUND PAXOS

[Not done]

12. GREEK EASTER

I have some nice pics on my Hellasworld site enjoying Easter lunch with chums on Kalymnos.  Easter is BIG on Kalymnos.  Don't miss the dynamite throwing in Pothia on Easter Sunday.  Corfu is special as well.  The experiece is not to be missed if you have the opportunity to be in Greece (especially the islands) at Easter time.

13. BYZANTINE RUINS OF MYSTRA

As a keen student of Byzantine art and architecture, I made this one of  the destinations on my very early trips to Greece, back in the 1990s.  It is wonderfully scenic....and, of course, very interesting.

14. MONEMVASIA

Another splendid Byzantine site in the Peloponnese. [Not done]

15. SKOPELOS

Terrific!  Have visited a number of times; especially when I was living on Alonissos in the late 1990s  A verdant island; great for walking.  And the tiered main town is something special, too.

16. MOUNT PELION

Have visited, whilst staying on Alonissis, Agia Kyriaki, a small, very simple fishing village right at the foot of the Pelion peninsula.  But, I hope to do a longer car trip through the peninsula in the not too distant future. [Not yet done]

17. THASSOS

Somehow thought this one might get away!  Have heard so many great reports and done the reading, but thought it might slip through the net.....however....have been quite keen to visit Kavala, which is " just across the water".  Shall combine Thassos  with a trip to Kavala.

[Not yet done]

18. KALAVRYTA RAILWAY

I know all about this incredible sight and experience.  Have read about it in Edward Enfield's hilarious "Greece on my Wheels".   Sounded facinating, but just seemed too remote ever to get to.  Mark describes it as a "crazy feat of 19th Century Italian engineering, rising at gradients up to one in seven as it cuts through the Vouraiko Gorge, amid a fantasy of tunnels, bridges and precipitous overhangs."  [Not done]

19. OPEN-AIR CINEMAS

Oh yes!  One of the great pleasures of any summer evening in Greece!  Thission Cinema close-by the Acropolis is terrific, and I have enjoyed great evenings out at the open-air cinema in Pothia on Kalymnos, as well as the art deco one at Lakki on Leros.  But the best one I have been to is the one at Mitilini on Samos, where you sit in what is almost a courtyard garden chomping pizza and sipping rose wine whilst watching the movie!

20. PAROS

Quintessentially Cycladic.  First visited in 2003, and intend to go back again in the not too distant future.

21. EATING OUT IN THE PLAKA

Always a fantastic experience.  But also take a peek at close-by Iroon Square in Psiri.  Some great eating places, and cafe-bars as well.

22. DELPHI

Have visited twice.  Not to be missed!

23. SAMARIA GORGE

On my list!  [Not yet done]

24. METHONI

Am visiting here in 2007, combining it with a visit to Koroni
[Have since,(2007)visited Methoni]

25. PATMOS

Fantastic!  Have visited many times and even lived and worked there in the summer of 2000.  I really love this island.  Great for walking.  Lovely beaches, and, of course, the monastery.  I shall go back again and again.

So, there it is, 16 down and 9 to go!

One day I might get to see them all!

[June 2007]

 

MY ULTIMATE GREECE!

Over the years, since my first ever visit to Greece, I have pondered how to get the most enjoyment out of this fascinating and exhilirating country.  What, I thought, would constitute my ultimate "full package" Greek experience?  I have travelled extensively throughout Greece, chatted to fellow-Grecophiles, and read loads about the country in order to compile a list of places to visit and things to experience in order to get the real feel for Greece.  There will be places to visit that I have not included on my "priority" list at this stage, but the places that I have chosen are those which have captured my imagination when hearing about them or reading about them.

Here are the 25 places and experiences that I consider are the "quintessence" of Greece.

PLACES:

1  Athens. My page on Athens elsewhere on the site indicates how I get the greatest pleasure from my visits to this fabulous city

2  Thessaloniki.  The "second" city of Greece.  Terrific and a very different feel.

3  Mount Athos.  Unique.  An autonomous monastic " republic" on the Halkidiki peninsula.  High Orthodoxy. As a member of FOMA, I hope to visit in the not too distant future.

4  Meteora.  In everybody's "Top 5".  Still to be done!

5  Olympia.  Not to be missed!  Visited back in 1992.

6  Delphi.  Likewise!  Have visited twice.  Always worth going back to.

7  Samaria Gorge, Crete.  Hopefully in 2008!

8 Pelion.  Have visited  A.K at tip of peninsula via Skopelos, but hope to spend a longer stay in 2008.

9  Knossos.  One of the big "archaeological 'musts'".  Give yourself at least 4-5 hours there.  You will not be disappointed

10  Koroni.  Have read up lots about Koroni and nearby Methoni, and have always been keen to visit this remoter part of Greece.

11  Mystras.  Fascinating and beautiful.  Stunning Byzantine art and architecture.

12  Mani.  Could not resist the idea of visiting after reading Patrick L-Fs book "Mani".  Hope to visit in 2007.

13  Mycenae. Visited here on my grand tour in 1992.  Terrific.

14  The Islands.  Of course. this is why most of us visit Greece.  It's the single thing that makes visiting Greece so special; each one island being so different from the next.  Culture seldom comes top of the list when visiting an island.  It's the different pace of life, the beaches, snorkelling, walking, and, of course. the special warmth and hospitality of the islanders.   After my first ever island visit, I decided to visit at least one island in each of the groups in order to get the different "feel" of each particular group.  After extensive reading up on all the islands, I compiled my "priority" list.  The islands I have visited are listed on my "Destination Roll-call" page.  These, here, are the islands, which for one or other particular reason are high on my list still to visit:  Thassos, Kythnos, Anafi, Sikinos, Astypalea, Koufounissia and Kastelorizo.

EXPERIENCES:

15  Island-hopping by ferry.  Magic!

16  Religious Festivals: Easter, Panagia, Village wedding.  A wonderful insight into a social side of Greek life.  Captures the true spirit of  the customs and traditions.

17  Ouzeries.  A quintessentially Greek experience.  Ouzo and grilled octopus at a  waterside ouzeri.  Difficult to beat!

18  Sunset over the Aegean.  Atmospheric and evocative. . . . . whilst sipping a glass of retsina!

19  Sailing.  During the day, aimlessly sailing around and dropping anchor in a secluded cove.  In the evening, mooring at a remote coastal village with dinner at a quayside taverna,  Did this a few years ago with chums.  Unforgettable!

20  Bouzouki/ Rembetika.  The warm heart of Greece through its unique styles of music.  An evening at a bouzouki or rembetika club is something special...and moving.

21  Open-air theatre/ cinema.  Great evening out!  My fave is at Mytilini on Samos.

22  Tavernas.  Well, the entire Greek eating experience, really.  Especially at a small, traditional village or waterside tav.  And don't they just know how to find the perfect locations for their tavs!  Nothing beats a tav; sorry, not even a bistro, trattoria or a cantina.

23.  Mopeds/scooters.  These were made for the Greek islands!  Wouldn't dream of riding one in the UK, but how brilliant is it to zoot around in the islands in T-shirt, shorts, flip-flops and no helmet ( naughty, naughty!). . . . just like a local!

24  Living and working in Greece.  Nothing brings you closer to the real feel of Greece than having this great experience  Do it if you can!

25  Athens Airport.  Yes....I love it!  Modern, bright, airy, efficient.  When you get into the terminal and see those signs in Greek, you know you are "home"!

AND . . an extra one, . . Number 26........Being able to speak and understand some Greek.  What a difference it makes.  Makes you feel just that little bit more part of the whole experience!

THERE IT IS. . . . HOPE YOU AGREE WITH SOME OF THEM!

JUNE 2007