The River. Day 2. After a good night’s sleep, we woke up in high spirits. The euphoria of the previous day was still on and we couldn’t wait to start our second day in Zagori. The day’s march would take us back to Voidomatis river and the infamous Kleidonia bridge. From there, we would be…
The Gorge. Day 1. Hiking Vikos gorge under rain is treacherous because of the rock falls. So naturally the first thing I did when I woke up was to open the door and get on the small balcony. To my relief there were only a few small clouds here and there. “Good start”. The plan…
On the craziest feast in Greece! Mad max filming or an apocalypse scene? Just the Flour-war carnival of Galaxidi! “Didn’t you get dirty yet?” A sweet girl asked me. Her features were barely distinguishable beneath the mix of color and flour, which covered her face and body. Then, full of vividness, she stained my face with the…
Zagori Hike : The Beginning Having left behind Ioannina—the capital of Epirus. We took the old road to Zagorochoria—as all forty six villages of Zagori are collectively named. We hadn’t seen a car or people for the last twenty minutes and I could feel the isolation of the place as our small Fiat 500x…
Zagori : The Kingdom of Infinite Country Epirus—rightfully called “the infinite country” since ancient times, got this epithet from its mountains which row after row dominate the horizon, making the region to appear endless. Zagori, one of the most astounding places you’ll ever see, is hidden in the heart of this isolated region of northwestern…
Beirut : At the Crossroads of East and West Beirut. The metropolis of Middle East where two worlds meet, live and collide. Eastern and western civilization have fought over this city for centuries but none managed to consume it. And for that Beirut and Beirutis are a spicy mix which I have not seen anywhere…
Acropolis Museum Sanctuary of the Marbles For many years, the possibility of building an adequate museum that would house the Parthenon marbles and all the artifacts of Acropolis and the surrounding slopes remained distant as a dream. Every plan made by the Greek state, was coming to a dead end. Eventually it took a…
National Archaeological Museum of Athens The national archaeological museum of Athens is the biggest in Greece and one of the most significant in the world. Over 11.000 artifacts belong to its five major exhibitions which stretch from the Prehistoric era until the Roman period. Located in an exquisite neoclassical building on “28th October” Avenue which…
Attica Zoological Park Athens Zoo For decades the only zoo in Athens was a small one inside the National Garden behind the Greek parliament. I have memories of my parents taking me there on Sundays. I can’t remember the animals clearly—due to my young age, but I still remember my enthusiasm when I was there.…
Athens : A Walk Around the Historical Center Writing an article about Athens feels strange to me. After all, it is my hometown and looking at it as a travel destination doesn’t come natural. I have to admit that the Greek capital doesn’t look attractive on first sight. When the rest of Europe was going…
Known by everyone and roamed by few, the legendary Mt. Olympus may not be a popular destination, but it is one of the few big mountains in Europe where, at least on weekdays, one can still hike in peace and…
Deep in the heart of Cyprus and away from its blazing coastal line, the luxuriant forest of Machairas thrives against the arid climate of the subtropical Mediterranean island. Especially known to the Christian world for the homonymous monastery that was…
I’d never intended to visit Kinsale, but more times than not, unexpected encounters prove to be the most fruitful. Wandering around the gloomy city of Cork for a couple of days, I was scouting the county for a gripping seascape…
Deep in the Small Cold valley, resting at the edge of a cirque, Teryho chata has been weathering the abrupt summer storms and blinding winter blizzards of High Tatras for more than a century. Built in 1899, by the Hungarian…
The forecast said it was going to snow, and indeed, thick flakes had started to fall with the first light of the day. I was looking at them slowly drifting down, layering the dark cobblestone outside the window, thinking what…
Bratislava has an array of excellent museums and galleries to visit, but the most prominent, in my opinion, is actually a few kilometers outside the Slovakian capital, where the borders of Slovakia, Hungary, and Austria meet. There, engulfed in a…