Greece: A Lifetime Kayaking Experience

Posted on August 28, 2014 Written by Tasio

Greece with its rich history in culture is one place that you should make a point of visiting in your lifetime. The preservation of culture to date coupled with the breathtaking scenery from turquoise bays, white sandy beaches, amazing sea caves and sea cliffs is an experience of a lifetime. You will experience adventurous tours to the indigenous fishing villages covered with snow literally hanging from the edges of cliffs and overlooking clear blue sea, ancient monasteries and fortresses, castles, secluded chapels, hidden caves, coves among the lush green environment of pine and olive trees.

The Greek archipelago has many rock outcrops with over 3000 islands where about 140 of them are habitable and will offer a kayaking experience that is world class whether you are starting out your paddling lessons, want to perfect your skills through tough windy and rough conditions or are an experienced kayaker there are all options for everyone. You will also get time for hiking with variety of locations to choose, swimming, snorkeling and unwinding at the sandy beaches while enjoying the breeze from the sea.

· The best time for kayaking in Greece is end of May to mid-June, September to mid-October when the weather is a bit warm and sea water too.

· In July and August it’s favorable to do your tours in late afternoons or early mornings when the sun isn’t too much intense as is the case during this time of the year.

There are a variety of locations that offer quintessential kayaking trips including the Lefkada islands in the Ionian Sea with Ithaki and Kefalonia isles nearby with other smaller isles in between. The prices are quite cheap comparing the experience you get with prices ranging from € 135 euros to €270 for the accommodation and kayaking experience depending on whether you want guided or unguided tours for three days. The cost of meals is separate from this package.

· For safety and comfort of the vacationers involved most tour companies use a tandem kayak which are ideal for touring.

· Basic healthy physical conditions and fitness are necessary for the tours though there are short drills, safety instructions and kayaking skills offered at the start of the tour and for experienced kayakers who may want longer trips fitness and swimming skills are crucial. This is also key for those individuals planning on going out to rent the best fishing kayak for their boating trip.

Another suitable location is around the Dodecanese Islands; mountainous islands between Crete and Turkey in the Aegean Sea. The name means 12 islands but there are 54 more with largest being Kos, Rhodes and Karpathos. The visit offers visits to the tree of Hippocrates, the Askleipon, Venetian castle where the knights of Saint John resided at Kos, rock climbing and sponge diving at Kalymnos, huge bays and lush flora at Leros and Telenodos islands where there are no vehicles!

The prices on this side are far more expensive ranging from €650 to €850 per person without including accommodation, meals, personal equipment and other expenses and up to €1300 for the costs including meals and accommodation.
The kayaking guidance is usually offered by experienced BCU certified instructors who are guaranteed to guide you to safety during your time in the sea.

Why You Should Take an Olive Tour

Posted on July 8, 2014 Written by Tasio

The earliest ever known cultivation of olives came from Crete in 3500 B.C. in the ancient Minoan times. It didn’t take too long before cultivation of this olive tree became a little bit more organized .After some time, it turned out to be a major component of this island’s economy. Almost at the same time, Cretans saw the need to begin exporting this olive oil to the mainland of Greece, Asian Minor and also North Africa. Quickly, Greece picked up on this cultivation the olive oil and tree became synonymous for Greek cooking as the centuries swept by and by.

When you arrive in Greece, Charter a yacht. Corfu will guide you throughout the yachting and then venture off into the awesome Island of Paros. Whilst in Paros make sure you visit the unique Pension. Owners offer guests opportunities to press the olive oil themselves. Guests also take part in gathering the olives, making them for pressing, as well as extracting oil using old and traditional processes. Once you are done with pressing, the owners will then open the big central kitchen in the centre of a ten-room guesthouse and guide you on how to easily cook with fresh olive oil that you pressed. Guests also get to enjoy excursions to the best of the restaurants and local Paros taverns for in-depth explorations of the genuine art of Greek cooking. This mostly happens in November and December.

Olives found in Corfu are reaped from November to April 6-8 months after the appearance of Greece’s spring blossoms. With their mild winters as well as long, hot summers, Corfu, possesses the best climate for these olive trees to grow, mature and fruit. In other places, these olives are beaten from trees using poles and then caught up using large nets. Nowadays, most olive farmers make use of current machinery in harvesting the olives, including branch and trunk shakers. Despite this, some Corfu olive growers pick those that fall naturally onto the ground. Or, they are helped by rain and wind. Once olives are collected, they are taken immediately for pressing. If they aren’t pressed there and then, they begin oxidizing and end up fermenting. Several years ago, this crushing process was majorly done using hands, a spherical stone and basins.

Today, applying the same technique, olives are easily and quickly crushed by machines such as the stainless steel grindstone. Then, the oil is filtered from the paste by way of centrifugation-spinning the paste very quickly. Overlooking the scenic bay of Agni, you see the Agni Olive Press. This one occupies the part at the top of a former agricultural structure.

This villa is unique and was transformed by the owner’s sure touch, Giuseppe, into a great enchanted getaway. This must probably be among the most charming houses all over Corfu. It is full of character, life, chic with a skilful blend of both new and old. Most of these features of old olive pressing have all been included into the building with vaulted bricks, openings, stone wall and millstones placed to act as tables. A broad paved road then catches the beautiful rays of the sun for the rest of the day and ends up looking down to the olive trees, the sea as well as the mainland adjacent. Beneath this Olive Press, and somehow separate, is the Giuseppe’s Retreat. This is where Giuseppe himself used to spend most of his summers.

Great Greek Monuments

Posted on June 12, 2014 Written by Tasio

Greece is one stop point for most tourists from several countries worldwide. This country in widely known to have beautiful blue skies as well as sprawling beautiful beaches. Talk of monuments, Greek is home the world’s most popular.

Greece is a nation set close to the Balkan Peninsula, South of Europe. It is a perfect spot to visit during days off work or holiday. It has over 300 islands which since time immemorial have magnetized visitors who have had the chance to tour them. Today, Greece it toured by millions of tourists which therefore enhances and strengthens the country’s economy.

Monuments of Greece

1. Olympia:

Olympia stands on a plain in Peloponnese close to the sea known as Ionian. A temple was constructed way back around 470 B.C. This temple, at one point in time hosted a massive statue of the Greek god Zeus. This statue was made from Ivory, bronze and given a last touch of gold. This statue was later destroyed and was previously one of the seven wonders from the Ancient World. Another of the temple that was constructed at Olympia focused on Zeus’s wife Hera; nowadays it’s in where the Olympic flame is lit whenever there is a new game.

2. Delphi:

Another monument is Delphi at the foot of Mount Parnassos. It was always a sacred place for the earth-goddess known as Gaia and was under tough guard with a monstrous python.In the 8^th century B.C., this place was central for Apollo’s cult, and temples were constructed for Apollo at Delphi as well as the goddess Athena. But today, Delphi is most probably widely known due to the fact that it hosted the Delphic Oracle, who was a priestess also called Pythia.

3. The Acropolis of Athens:

Despite how many times you have had to tour this temple of 1000s of years old, you won’t ever get tired of planning yet another visit. The great monument from the Acropolis of Athens, Karamejkos and the Temple of Olympian Zeus monuments are all treasure from the old Athens. Athen’s Acropolis is an awesome rocky projection that dominates the present day Athens not forgetting the Ilissos river valley. Majority of these temples were built under the orders from Pericles an Athenian statesman during the late 5^th century. This period was known as the Golden Chronological Age of Greek civilization.

4. The Mycenae fortress:

The old town of Mycenae can be said to be definitely an archaeological park that has seen flocks of people each year. It has lion gate marks at the entry towards the old citadel of Mycenae. Probably, this is the most adored monument of Greek’s civilization. The citadel is also encompassed by fortified walls constructed from large stone masonry.

5. The Epidaurus Theatre:

This theatre is used today as the major attraction spot at Epidaurus. There are also some ruins that are still standing like sports stadia, baths and the great Temple of Asclepius. Epidaurus theater is still being used today having been uncovered in the 1800s.It is one of the monuments considered as perfect acoustics.

This great Greek offering of historical monuments offer magical experiences that made memorable through this country’s love of life, with more genuine hospitality that helps create certainly unforgettable experiences.

The Best Greek Beaches

Posted on May 3, 2014 Written by Tasio

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Trying to choose the best Greek beaches can turn out to be very intimidating. Are you about to receive a holiday break? Well, you don’t have any reason to be put off. Greece has way too much to offer you during your beach break. From the hidden iconic bays to the busy, great scenic coves, Greece has several great places to unwind. Here is a rundown of the best beaches that you can visit while in Greece.

Elafonísi, Crete

This beach is a tiny and uninhabited islet. It lies marooned towards the edge of a glorious scenic turquoise lagoon both sharing the name. You will find the warm and clear lagoon as well as pink-white sands on this beach. The awesome islet is magnificent and will let you unwind and have a feeling of a really different world. You won’t have these to yourself if you don’t plan someday to travel over to Greece during the off season.

Limniónas beach in Pelion Peninsula

Towards the Southeast of Mylopótamos you will find this great, attractive and scenic beach. It is a walking distance from Mylopótamos, but must pass through Lambinoú village. It’s fro here that you will find a paved road leading 3 kilometers down past the rebuilt 18th century Lambidhónas Monastery. While on this path, you will enjoy the sporting fine frescoes over the Monastery doors.

Horeftó, Pelion Peninsula

This is a decent, long and beautiful sand beach that lies in front of the village(formally fishing). You will also find few of the great beaches in this region like the Áyii Saránda beach that lies 2 km on the South of 2 little coves in Análipsi and also South of Horeftó just north of the fishing village – a one of its kind paradise, popular with rough campers and nudists.

Paleohóri, Mílos

8 km South of Zefyría, you will find a down-winding surfaced road. This place is called Paleohóri, with one of the best island beaches. This beach is made warm by underground volcanism. There is also little rock tunnel that leads westwards to yet another second beach. This one is also is backed with extraordinarily colored cliffs. Imagine seeing steam vents heat the shallow mass of water.

Shipwreck Bay, Zákynthos

This region is surrounded by several steep cliffs. This is yet another very popular idyllic bay that has golden sands as well as bright blue waters. It is often called the “Smuggler’s Cove” because of the enormous and rusting shipwreck that lies bare on the shore of this beach. There is also a paved road leading from Volímes to other cliffs that overlook the bay (original name is Tó Naváyio).Enjoy hair-raising views from whatever location of the shipwreck/ cargo ship. This ship was mistaken to be a drug-running vessel thereby ran aground by coastguards in the 1960s.

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