Squirrelypigs

2 days in Warsaw: The Perfect Warsaw Itinerary

2021-05-21T14:09:00.001+03:00

Poland is a country that you rarely see as a destination at your travel agency… However, it’s a wonderful and enchanting country, that make you want to visit it again and again in order to enjoy everything that it has to offer.

The capital of Poland, Warsaw, is a city that will impress you. The one side of it is totally captivating, full of breath-taking tall buildings and modern style and the other side looks like a fairytale, due to its architecture.

We made a quick trip to Warsaw and prepared a 2-day plan, in order to help you learn and see everything you should, in a weekend.

Day 1

Your day can begin with a traditional polish breakfast in a coffee place in Novy Swiat, the most popular street of the center.

After you finish your coffee and meal, you will walk to Museum of Chopin.

Chopin was one of the most famous pianists of his era and also a composer. Inside the museum, there are many of his personal belongings, letters and generally useful information about him. It’s worth entering if you love music, especially classical music, because you listen to Chopin’s songs everywhere inside and the museum is interactive in every aspect.

Walking a bit further, you will reach Copernicus’ monument.

For those who don’t know, Nikolaus Copernicus was the person who developed the “Heliocentric Theory”, which was that Earth rotates around the Sun. The monument of Copernicus is located in front of the Staszic Palace, which houses the Polish Academy of Sciences. Also, it is important to mention that the monument was always crowded with people marveling at it and taking photographs. We even saw two different Polish schools being there for an educational trip.

Close to the monument, there is the Holy Cross Church, which is one of the most notable temples of Warsaw.

Moreover, nearby you will find the impressive Presidential Palace. Its entrance is bejeweled by the statue of Joseph Poniatowski, a significant leading figure of Poland.

Walking a bit further, you will see the beautiful Old Town of Warsaw.

There, you will find museums of cultural heritage and various colorful buildings, that each one hides a legend behind.

The moment you enter Old Town, you will be amazed by the wonderful Royal Castle of Warsaw. Today it is a historic and national monument and it is listed as a national museum. Since 1980, along with the Old Town, are considered as cultural heritage by UNESCO. You can get inside, in order to gaze at beautiful areas, paintings, statues and even gardens.

You can take a break for a quick snack or a cup of coffee. In the afternoon, locals usually drink coffee (or tea), accompanying it with apple pie. So, you can relax in one of Old Town’s coffee places for a piece of traditional apple pie or for a tasty coffee.

When you feel ready, you can visit Old Town’s Market.

It is the most ancient part of the city and its center. In the center of the square, there is the monument of “Mermaid Warsaw”, the symbol of the city.

She is depicted holding a sword and a shield, ready to fight for her beloved city. Furthermore, there are many museums around the square, such as History Museum and Literature Museum.

Later, you will head to the beautiful garden Ogrod Krasinskich, where you will marvel at statues of important figures, a bewitching lake and generally a refreshing and romantic walk.

You can end your day with a relaxing stroll in the center of Warsaw and of course with a traditional polish meal in a restaurant. We suggest you to have a dinner at a restaurant of the famous polish food chain Zapiecek.

Last but not least, you could go to a pub to loosen up with a drink before going to your room. Since that’s what a local would do.

Day 2

After you enjoy a rich breakfast, start your day with the biggest park in Warsaw, the marvelous Lazienki Park, that is located in the center of the city. It’s free to enter and it is open all year round. Also, be advised that many artistic events are often organized by famous Polish artists there.

Inside the park, there are many important buildings and monuments of Warsaw. One of the most well-known ones is the “Palace on the Isle”, which used to be the royal bath-house. It is decorated with many statues and murals. Right next to it, there is the classic Amphitheater, which is inspired by the Ancient Greek and Roman architecture. Lazienki Park houses a plethora of significant sights, such as the Little Whitehouse and the Myslewicki Palace. If you want to learn more about all the important sights of the park and generally of Warsaw, click here.

Since you are there, you can marvel at Belvedere, which is located right next to the park. It is called Belvedere because of the Italian word for “beautiful sight”, since it offers an astounding view of the park. Unfortunately, the building is closed for the public, because it is used as the royal guest house, where foreign leaders stay when they visit Warsaw.

You can visit the stunning Mall of Warsaw, Zlote Tarasy.

Inside, you will enjoy a relaxing walk in a modern Mall, with many shops and adequately low prices. Moreover, you will have the opportunity to take a break for a dessert in the most famous chocolaterie of Poland, the E. Wedel. You will realize that it is one of the best chocolates in the world!

After you finish your shopping and your delicious dessert, you can visit the Palace of Culture and Science, that is located close by.

Inside the building, there are theaters, cinemas, museums, pubs and the main tourist information office of Warsaw. It’s worth going up to 30^th floor, where you will marvel at an unbelievable view of the city from 114 meters.

If you still have more time to spare, you could visit Warsaw Uprising Museum. That museum is dedicated to the uprising of 1944 from German occupation. Inside, you will find a plethora of war artifacts, photographs, testimonies, a whole airplane and many more. Don’t forget that it also offers a panoramic view of the city at the observation tower.

We are sure you will be hungry by now. There are many restaurant options in the center of the city, where you will taste traditional Polish cuisine or even fast food. Remember that the traditional polish dish is “pierogi”, that look like dumplings. If you want to read more about the traditional food of Poland, click here.

We hope you liked our 2-day plan and you are now ready to plan the trip of your dreams in this breath-taking city.

If you want to learn more information and see more photos, watch the video we have prepared here

Keep traveling!😉

3 days in Budapest: The Perfect Budapest Itinerary

2021-05-08T19:46:00.000+03:00

Budapest is one of the most popular travel-destination in the whole Europe! It is not without a reason, since it is indeed a marvelous city with unbelievable sights and monuments and of course mouth-watering food.

After we visited the beautiful capital of Hungary, we prepared a 3-day plan, in order to help you organize your trip as efficiently as possible and to not waste your time googling to search information.

Keep reading to find everything you need for having the time of your life in the magical Budapest!

Day 1

After you start your day with a traditional Hungarian breakfast (scrambled eggs and an open-faced sandwich with cheese and cured meats, such as mortadella, salami or delicious sausages), you will walk around Budapest’s center. The center of Budapest is Inner City, located in Pest.

For those who don’t know, Budapest is separated in two parts, Buda and Pest. Pest is the city that attracts more people, due to its vivid life and its impressive buildings and Buda is the residential part of Budapest, since it’s quitter but also full of sights, like Buda Castle or the marvelous Gellert Hill.

So, your first day will be dedicated to the center of Budapest and it will start with an enjoying walk in Erzsebet Square.

There you will find the Budapest Eye, namely the Ferris Wheel in the popular park of the square and you will have the opportunity to marvel at the view of the city from up high. However, the highest point for an amazing view of the city, is from the top of St. Stephen’s Basilica, which you will visit next.

St. Stephen’s Basilica is the tallest building, along with the Hungarian Parliament Building and also it is the third biggest church of Hungary. Most specifically, its height reaches 96 meters.

Its name comes from the first king of Hungary, Stephen I. You can climb the 364 stairs or use the elevator, in order to reach the top of Basilica to see the view of the city. Beware that the elevator doesn’t reach to the top and you will have to climb staircase.

After your visit in St. Stephen’s Basilica, you can head to the Hungarian State Opera House.

There, you will have the opportunity for a quick tour in the whole building, in order to learn interesting information and also watch a 10-minute performance of two opera singers. Believe us, you will be amazed by the architecture of the building and by the interesting performance of the two singers. Lastly, be advised that you can choose from a variety of languages such as English, French, Italian, Chinese etc.

After the Hungarian State Opera House, you can take a quick break for a coffee or a snack. We tried the most famous donuts of Budapest, in Mr. Funk and there were many flavors and decorations.

However, if you don’t want to eat something sweet, there are many coffee places near the Hungarian State Opera House to find something that suits your needs.

After you relax, you will continue walking to the center of the city. For example, you can head to the Metropolitan Ervin Szabo Library, which is the biggest library network. Even if you don’t love books, it’s worth visiting and we are sure that you will be amazed by the beautiful architecture of the building.

However, if you don’t want to visit the Library and you prefer to do shopping, you can go to Budapest’s Mall, Westend Shopping Center but beware that it is located a bit far from the city center. The truth is that Westend Shopping Mall wasn’t one of the most spectacular ones, but the building is quite big and has many shops.

As for your dinner, there are many places for traditional Hungarian food or fast food. We recommend trying the Hungarian cuisine and most specifically it’s worth trying goulash soup, schnitzel and pork knuckles.

Also, it’s better to end your day with a visit in a pub for a relaxing drink, like locals do. Be advised that the pubs are called ruin bars and they are located in abandoned buildings of the former Jewish quarter. It will be a unique experience.

Day 2

Your second day in Budapest is going to be the most tiring one but also the most exciting! After having a rich breakfast, you can start walking to the National Hungarian Museum. Inside, you can marvel at exhibitions about the history, art and archaeology of Hungary.

Later, you will visit the Budapest’s Central Market Hall.

It is an enormous building, full of local products (like meats, cheeses, veggies etc.), coffee places, restaurants, hypermarket and also souvenir shops! It is a beloved place for locals, since they go there for grocery shopping. We were amazed by the immense quantity of paprika, all around the Market as well as by the beautiful shapes most pickled vegetables had, as you can see in the following picture.

As we mentioned before, inside the Central Market of Budapest, you can find a lot of fast food restaurants. Therefore, you will have the opportunity to try the famous langos, the most popular snack of Hungary! If you want to learn more information about what traditional Hungarian foods you should try, you can click here.

After enjoying your walk in the Central Market of Budapest, it’s time for a magical adventure. More specifically, we suggest you to spend most of your day climbing the Gellert Hill without a second thought.

Gellert Hill reaches 235 meters and offers a great view of Danube River as well as of the whole city of Budapest. Moreover, the fortress Citadella is located on top of Gellert Hill, because it was used for the protection of the city. We are sure that you will be amazed by the awesome view of the city and you will feel both awe and satisfaction when you reach the top of Gellert Hill!

After visiting Gellert Hill, you will need a quick breather. That’s why, it will be a great idea to visit a coffee place nearby or at the city center, in order to grab langos or even… a sweet chimney cake!

Our favorite chimney cake has its origins in Hungary and that’s the reason why you should try it when you visit Budapest, because it will be the authentic one!

After you gain some strength (and enough sugar), you have two options. The first option is to have a nice walk around the city center and then go back to your room to relax and get some sleep. That’s not what we recommend though. We suggest you to get a bit more tired but also excited! That will happen by visiting Budapest’s City Park.

City Park is located near Budapest’s center and contains many sights.

The main attraction is Heroes’ Square. Heroes’ Square is one of Budapest’s biggest squares and it consists of statues of significant Hungarian figures as well as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Other important sights are the following: Museum of Fine Arts, Palace of Art, Municipal Zoological and Botanical Garden and many more. We were amazed by the Vajdahunyad Castle and the extensive park around it! It’s totally worth wandering for hours there, while looking at the beauty of this park and breathing fresh air.

As for your dinner, there are many traditional restaurants near the park, that are well-known for their delicious dishes! The truth is that restaurants outside the city center are better than others, because, as you can understand, in the city center are located the most “touristy” ones.

Day 3

Your last day in Budapest has come. But, trust us, you have a lot more to see!

The first sight of the day will be the one that you probably wanted to see the most… the picturesque Hungarian Parliament Building.

It is called «Országház» in Hungarian, which means “The House of the Nation”. Also, it’s really interesting that Hungarian Parliament Building is the biggest building in the whole Hungary!

You can get inside and take a 50-minute tour. With this tour, you can marvel at the inside of the Parliament Building, which is as stunning as its outside! More precisely, you will see walls ornated with gold and marvelous staircases. Furthermore, you will find the “Holy Crown” of Hungary, which is the original crown that was used for the coronation of every king since 12^th century.

After visiting the Parliament of Hungary, you will pass by the “Shoes on the Danube Bank”. Shoes of the Danube Bank is a monument dedicated to the Jews killed by the Nazis during World War II.

Next, you will cross the Chain Bridge, which is the first permanent bridge of Budapest that connected Buda with Pest.

Walking a bit further, you will reach Fisherman’s Bastion.

Fisherman’s Bastion is one of the most famous sights of Budapest and it attracts a great number of visitors every year. Of course, since it is located at a high point, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a captivating view of the city!

Moreover, there you will find Mattias Church, which you can explore on your own or with a tour guide. Last but not least, you can climb at the bell tower, with a guide, in order to see a better view of the city of Budapest.

Time for a break with a coffee or snack! There are a lot of coffee places or restaurants near the Fisherman’s Bastion. Also, for your information, there is a Starbucks inside the site, which is always full of people enjoying a coffee or a snack. Our suggestion is to grab a cup of warm delicious coffee from there and start walking around Fisherman’s Bastion or even better sit on a bench and stare at the view of the city of Budapest and at the marvelous Parliament.

We left the best attraction of Budapest for the end. We are talking about Buda Castle, which is located really close to Fisherman’s Bastion.

Buda Castle was the Royal Castle of Hungary, but now it is the National Art Gallery and the History Museum of Budapest. The reason we left it for the end of your trip is because the city truly transforms at night and Buda Castle offers the best view and it closes late so you have plenty of time to take as many photos as you want!

We hope that you find our 3-day plan useful and that you will spend 3 awesome and unforgettable days in the magical Budapest!

You can also watch the following video, where we analyze our 3-day trip to Budapest, if you want to see more from this amazing city!

5 Hungarian foods we tried and you should try too!

2021-05-08T18:50:00.005+03:00

Goulash

Goulash is one of the most famous dishes of Hungarian cuisine. The traditional goulash is a soup with beef, potato, carrot and spices (mostly paprika). You can find goulash everywhere in Hungary as well as in other countries of Balkans or Central Europe (e.g. Poland). However, beware that each country or even each Hungarian region has its own alterations of this dish.

We tasted goulash in Budapest and we really liked it, since it was a simple tasty warm soup, which was perfect for Hungary’s cold weather.

Langos

Langos is the favorite food/snack of Hungary. The name langos come from the Hungarian word for “fire”. Langos are basically delicious fried bread, in a circular shape. The best part is that there is a plethora of toppings that you can add on top!

More specifically, langos are golden crunchy dough on the outside and soft and warm on the inside. Traditionally it is topped with sour cream and grated cheese.

The truth is that it tastes as unique as it sounds. There are many places in Hungary that sell it, since it is the most popular street food. Also, if you ever visit Hungary, don’t forget there is a sweet version of langos, with chocolate or jam!

Chicken paprikash

Hungarians love paprika and that’s why there are many traditional dishes that are based on it!

One of them is the classic paprika chicken, which is beloved not only in Hungary, but in the whole world. Paprika chicken is basically chicken stewed in paprika roux. Other ingredients used are green pepper, tomato, sour cream, onion, pepper and garlic. Lastly, paprika chicken is traditionally served with egg dumplings.

Chimney cake (Kürtöskalács)

The beloved to everyone chimney cake has its origins in Hungary.

For those who don’t know, this sweet is a dough made out of yeast, which after they knead into long threads, they wrap it around a wooden spit. Later, they sprinkle sugar on it and they bake it over a fire. Sugar caramelizes because of the fire, but it doesn’t end there: After it is baked, it gets covered in more sugar and cinnamon or nowadays you can add chocolate or even fill it with your favorite ice-cream flavor.

Gundel pancakes

It is maybe the second most famous sweet of Hungary, after chimney cake of course.

Gundel pancakes are pancakes that look a lot like crepes. They contain walnuts, raisins and rum filling. The best part is that they are served flambee with a chocolate sauce made out of heavy cream, cocoa and egg yolks.

We ordered gundel pancakes when we were in Budapest and we were amazed at how intense the taste of alcohol was, which almost overpowered the chocolate flavor. However, it was a sweet quite different from what we were used to and that’s why we suggest you to try it too, when you visit the marvelous Hungary!

Watch also our video where we analyze our 3-day trip to Budapest, if you want to learn more of this amazing city! The video is in Greek but we have prepared english subs for you!

2 days in Sofia: The Perfect Sofia Itinerary

2021-05-07T13:26:00.000+03:00

After our trip in Sofia, we decided to prepare a 2-day itinerary for you, in order to help you visit everything you should and not waste all your time googling information.

Keep reading to find everything you need for a perfect 2-day trip in the capital of Bulgaria!

Day 1

You can start your day with a traditional Bulgarian breakfast! For example, you can try “banitza”, which is a traditional pie. There is both a sweet and a savory variation. Also, most Bulgarians eat “mekitsa” for breakfast. Mekitsa is a sweet deep-fried dough, topped with icing sugar, honey or jam.

After you finish your breakfast in one of the countless coffee places in the center of Sofia, you can visit one of its many parks. More specifically, when you visit Sofia, you will realize how beautiful it is for a city to have that many parks around the center. Seriously speaking, Sofia is surrounded by parks.

The biggest park of all is the Borisova Garden, which is where you will go right after your breakfast. Be advised that Borisova garden is enormous, so if you want to explore it, you will need a lot of time!

Later, you can head to the center of the city and more precisely to the most famous sight of Bulgaria, the Cathedral Church of Alexander Nevsky. It is one of the biggest churches in the whole world and we are sure that you will feel awe when you look at its size as well as its beautiful architecture.

Walking a bit further, you will pass by the Russian Church of Saint Nicholas.

Just by looking at the outside, you can easily understand that it’s a Russian church. The inside is also pretty, since it’s totally full of saint-paintings.

Next, you will go to the Central Market Hall of Sofia. There, you will see local products (like cheese, cured meats, fruits), restaurants and souvenir shops! For your information, the prices inside the Central Market are better than outside. Moreover, if you want to try traditional Bulgarian food, you can find many traditional places inside the market! Otherwise, you can find many restaurants in the center of the city, with traditional or international cuisine.

After you finish your lunch, you will visit the National Theater Ivan Vazov.

The National Theater Ivan Vazov is totally one of the most beautiful places in Sofia, since it’s an impressive huge building surrounded by a square full of flowers and marvelous fountains!

Later, you can go to the Rotunda Church of Saint George. Rotunda Church of Saint George is the oldest building in Sofia! We are sure that you will be amazed by the stunning sight of it and by its unique shape, but if you are an art-lover, we recommend getting inside to marvel at its inside too.

Time to impress you a bit more… Bulgaria ranks second in Europe in terms of hot springs! So, after Rotunda Church of Saint George, you can pass by the famous hot springs of Sofia that are located nearby. The hot springs are a beloved thing for locals, because it’s very relaxing after a tiring and cold winter day.

As for your dinner, be advised that there are many restaurants in the center of the city. Personally, we tried the traditional Bulgarian cuisine in the most famous restaurant in Sofia, Moma.

To be honest, we realized that Greek and Bulgarian cuisine have a lot in common. If you want to learn about the best traditional Bulgarian dishes, you can click here.

Also, do not forget that Sofia is a city with a vivid nightlife. Therefore, we would suggest you to go to a bar for a drink or a delicious cocktail, before going back to your room. We visited 5L Speakeasy bar, a hidden bar full of riddles!

For example, if you decide to visit it, you will have to search for the right key in order to unlock the door and get inside!

Day 2

After a good night’s sleep, it’s time for you to start your second day in Sofia, which is going to be as extraordinary and exciting as the first one!

You can enjoy your breakfast in a coffee place at the city center. The truth is that we went to a really nice café, that made us feel like we were in Greece. Most specifically, we went to Villa Rosiche, a great coffee place with a beautiful yard, where we had delicious sweet cakes and our favorite frappe!

Paper straws were a nice surprise and we liked the fact that this place was ecologically sensitized.

After your breakfast, you can visit Sofia’s Regional History Museum. Regional History Museum of Sofia is a beautiful museum, where you can learn all the history of the city. Moreover, it is important to mention that this museum is located at the marvelous square with the hot springs we mentioned on Day 1.

Later, you can visit Bulgaria’s National Art Gallery. There, you will learn everything about Bulgarian art. It’s worth visiting, since there are many interesting and modern exhibitions. Next to National Art Gallery, there is Sofia’s Museum of Natural History, which you can visit later if you want.

Afterwards, you can go shopping at Sofia’s Mall.

Mall of Sofia is not as big as others there, but it’s worth visiting, since it’s in the city center and it has many shops with great prices. Also, inside the Mall of Sofia, there are many restaurants and generally food places with delicious snacks, from traditional or international cuisine, so we recommend you to eat your lunch there.

After you finish your shopping and lunch, you will follow General Skobelev street. You will pass by Russian Monument’s Square and you will head to the National Palace of Culture.

Personally, we believe that the National Palace of Culture is the most spectacular sight of Sofia and that’s the reason why we left it for the end of your trip. You will have plenty of time to explore it, wander around its beautiful square and take many photos of the astonishing fountain in front of it.

Last but not least, we left it for the end of the day, since this place is all lit up at night and it’s worth having a cup of coffee there, while looking at the colorful square.

We hope that you find our 2-day itinerary and that you will have a fantastic trip in the beautiful Sofia!

You can also watch the following video, of our trip to Sofia if you want to see more! The video is in Greek but we have prepared English subtitles for you!

1 day in Piraeus by locals: The Perfect Piraeus Itinerary

2021-05-05T15:24:00.001+03:00

Piraeus is the biggest port in Europe and the second biggest in the whole world.

Since we live in Piraeus for 8 years now, we wanted to prepare a one day-plan, for all of you who want to do a quick trip to the city of Piraeus.

Read below to find out the perfect 1-day plan, in order see all the significant parts of Piraeus and not miss anything important in just 24 hours!

1- Day Itinerary

After you have a rich breakfast in one of Piraeus’ countless coffee places, you will start the exploration of the city!

More specifically, you will walk around Korai Square, one of the most central streets of Piraeus. There, you will find the Municipality of Piraeus and of course the, notable for Greeks, Municipal Theater of Piraeus.

Piraeus’ Municipal Theater is housed in a neo-classical building constructed in 1895 and it is known for its marvelous architecture as well as its splendid performances, by talented artists.

Walking downwards the Vasileos Georgiou street, towards the port, you will find the impressive Holy Trinity Church (“Aghia Triada” in Greek). The Holy Trinity church is known for its size and its wonderful paintings of saints. For your information, the original temple was built in 1839, demolished in 1944 and rebuilt in 1979. If you are interested in places churches, be advised that near the Holy Trinity church, there is the Church of Saint Spyridon, the patron saint of Piraeus. Moreover, there is another beautiful one in Akti Miaouli, the Church of Saint Nicholas.

Of course, as you walk around the center of Piraeus, you will walk through the always crowded pedestrian area, in Sotiros Dios street. There, you will be able to do your shopping or grab something to eat on your way. Most locals consider this pedestrian street as the most commercial street of Piraeus and of course they go there for shopping.

If you are not tired and you want to explore Piraeus completely, then you must visit Kastella for sure! In Kastella, you will wonder around the tallest part of the city and you will be able to enjoy a captivating view of Piraeus!

Furthermore, in Kastella there is the Church of Profitis Ilias, which you can also visit.

In order to go to Kastella, you will need either a means of transport (taxi, car or bus), or go on foot, but beware that it will be a long way.

It is important to mention that if you are in Kastella, it will be easier to visit Mikrolimano, in order to take a break for a coffee or a meal.

Mikrolimano is famous for its great coffee places and for the people it attracts every day.

Also, in Mikrolimano there is also the Sailing Club of Greece, where you can also have a coffee.

However, if you don’t want to visit Kastella and Mikrolimano, we recommend you to go to Freattida. In Frettida, you will enjoy your coffee or snack next to the marvelous view of the sea and the astonishing yachts.

Moreover, in Freattida you can find the Nautical Museum, where you can marvel at nautical items and artifacts. Last but not least, we are sure that the first thing that will attract you, will be a part of a submarine, used during World War II. For all the museums lovers out there, be advised that Piraeus has also an Archaeological Museum, notable for its exhibitions. More precisely, for those interested, Piraeus’ Archaeological Museum stands out for its bronze statues and is located in Charilaou Trikoupi street (before Terpsithea Square).

Of course, your day will end with a visit in the popular “Peiraiki”.

More specifically, you can go there by using a means of transport or on foot, in order to reach the beloved Peiraiki and do a relaxing walk, like every local does. There, you will enjoy a rich supper with delicious seafood dishes, in one of Peiraiki’s innumerable seafood taverns, with the company of the relaxing view of the sea.

After dinner, be advised that you can find various bars in the city center, where many people drink, dance and have fun until morning hours.

We hope that you find our post useful and that you will have the time of your life in the beautiful city of Piraeus!

Check also our Vlog in Piraeus here!

Keep traveling! 😉

10+3 Places you have to visit in Chania by locals

2020-10-31T11:55:00.001+02:00

We are born and raised in Crete, which means that we have been to Chania many times. That's why we decided to write this article, to help you, since we are locals and give you useful advises and information about everything you should see and visit in enchanting Chania.

10 sights you should see in Chania

Egyptian Lighthouse:

The most photographed landmark of Chania. It has a total height of 21 meters making it visible from a distance of 7 miles. It's called "Egyptian Lighthouse", but it was actually built by Venetians in 16th century. It's called "Egyptian" because it was rebuild by Egyptians, who were the conquerors of Crete, in the 19th century. It is important to mention that this lighthouse is one of the oldest, operational, ones in the world.

Walking towards the lighthouse, on your right you will be able to see "Saint Nicolas' Bastion". Which together with "Firka fortress" protected the port and making it impregnable from sea. It was named after the temple of Saint Nicolas of Mole which was inside the bastion.

Giali Tzamisi(Kioutsouk Hassan mosque):

Located at the port of Chania, it is the only mosque in the city that wasn't destroyed. It was named after the first Ottoman commandant of the city. Nowadays, it is used, during the summer months, as an event hall.

Kasteli neighborhood:

Located on the hill above the Venetian port. Excavations revealed 5000 year old findings, of the ancient city of Kydonia, which was one of the 3 cities the mythical king Mino established. You can marvel at the Minoan excavation at Aghias Ekaterinis square.
The wall that surrounds the area of Kasteli is called the Byzantin wall. It is built on top of another wall which was there since 300 b.c.

Venetian Shipyards:

A row of seven buildings, at the port of Chania. Venetians built a great number of shipyards in the city in order to repair their ships. Apart from those seven, there is also the big shipyard called "megalo Arsenali" which houses the Mediterranean Center or Architecture.

Municipal Market:

Since 1911, the Municipal Market bejewels the heart of Chania, one of the most breathtaking markets in Balkans. Shaped as a cross and a total area of 4000 square meters. Inside the market you can find traditional Cretan products and souvenirs, in order to take a piece of Chania back to your home. Even if you don't want to buy anything, it is worth visiting in order to see the architecture and feel like a true Cretan.

House of Venizelos:

It's the family home of Eleftherios Venizelos, one of Greece's greatest politicians and 7 times Prime Minister. The house was built in 1880, but it was reconstructed in 1927 . Nowadays, it operates as a museum where you can see personal belongings, furniture and ornaments owned by Eleftherios Venielos or his wife.

Grave of Venizelos:

Located on the way towards "Akrotiri", 6km outside the center of Chania, between the trees are the Graves of Eleftherios Venizelos and his son Sofoklis Venizelos, who was also a Prime Minister from 1943 untill 1952. Other than the historic significance of the site, they offer a panoramic view of the city.

Mother Church of Chania:

The Mother Church of Chania is dedicated to the Presentation of Mary. It is built in the exact location of a former Venetian temple and its walls are full of depictions of saints made from famous artists.

Municipal Garden:

Inside the Garden you will be able to find a plethora of trees, bushes, plants and a small zoo which houses animals that are indigenous to the island of Crete. Furthermore, the municipal children library, with more than 20,000 books and a variety of board games, is located inside the area. We have to mention that the coffee place there is open since the 20th century, of course remodeled. Last but not least during the summer months you will be able to watch a movie at the open air cinema.

Archaeological and Nautical Museum:

Two really significant museums are located inside the Old Venetian Harbor.

The Archaeological Museum was established in 1963. Among its collection you will be able to see findings (coins, jewellery, signs, statues, etc.) from the neolithic era until the Roman rule. The findings are distributed, based either at the location they where found or at the theme.Frequently various events, exhibitions, educational programs, and cultural events are hosted inside its halls.

The Nautical Museum was established in 1973. It contains findings from the age of copper all the way to the modern era. More specifically, since the Cretan union with Greece, World War 2, until our days, the findings consist of items found under the sea, paintings, nautical instruments, maps and many more worth taking a look at. 2,500 exhibits and its year of establishment make it the second most significant nautical museum in Greece.

There are also many more significant sights for you outside the city of Chania

Here are the 3 most significant:

Samaria Gorge

It's located 44km south of Chania and it's one of the most famous national parks in Greece. It's the longest, walkable, gorge in Europe. It offers a unique hiking experience of 5-7 hours, since it is 15km long from Omalos to Aghia Roumeli. Many travelers visit Crete because of it. It is important to mention that you can find many gorges, but a lot of them need special equipment.

Vamos Village

Half an hour away from the city you will find a historic and rebellious village, from where the liberation of Crete from the Ottomans started. It's a village full of traditional small coffee places, old buildings and elaborately made alleys. It was the first village in Greece with agritourism back in 1995. Of course you can find many more villages in Chania. |For example : the well-known Sfakia, Kolymbari, Kissamos, Paleohora, Platanias and many more.

Monastery of Panagia Hodegetria (Holy Mother the Guide)

25km western of Chania you will be able to find this beautiful monastery. It was destroyed many times by conquerors (Venetians, Ottomans, etc). Some of the cells of the original monastery, built in the 9th century, are still standing, but the rest was reconstructed. One of the abbots, was also the tutor of Greek language of king Otto and the first chancellor at the University of Athens.

Other monasteries that are worth visiting in prefecture of Chania: Monastery of Holy Trinity, Monastery of Saint John "Korakion", Monastery of Aghia Kyriaki, Monastery of Transformation, and many more.

Read also

Our 2-day itinerary of Chania with suggestions for what to do there, by clicking here.

Keep travelling! 😉

Explore the beauty of Pelion! (by Greeks)

2020-08-29T18:36:00.001+03:00

The beautiful Pelion is a mountain right next to Volos and it's the perfect place for ski winter excursions as well as summer vacations by the beach.

Reasons to visit Pelion?

Magical traditional villages!

The whole area of Pelion is full of small villages, where it feels like time has stopped in another age, a lot more relaxing from what we are used to. That doesn't mean that by visiting one you have seen everything. On the contrary, we recommend you to visit as many villages as possible, because each one has its unique beauty!

The villages known for their endless exquisiteness are the following:

Portaria:

Portaria is the most famous village of Pelion and it is crowded with people all year round, since it's really close to the ski center as well as the sea! Therefore, it's a great idea to visit it before you go skiing or swimming, because you can find many shops, cafes and taverns there.

Makrinitsa:

In Greece, it is known as "the balcony of Pelion", because from there you will marvel at the best view of Pagasetic gulf! It's really worth to have a romantic stroll and marvel at the traditional architecture and of course have a relaxing coffee or a delicious dessert at the famous Art Cafe, which is artsy decorated (as its name indicates)!

Zagora:

It is the biggest village of Pelion. There you will find the beautiful church of Saint Georgios as well as the Public Library.

Milies:

You can't get enough of walking in its paved alleys and photographing the traditional noble houses. It is also the point of departure for the famous train "Moutzouris", which travels to Ano Lechonia. Trust us, it's an experience you can't miss, since you will marvel at impecable natural sceneries, the beauty of which will stay forever in your mind.

You can also visit the villages: Tsagarada, known for its marvellous green scenery and Vizitsa, which is full of traditional Pelian manors.

Exotic beaches!

Even though Pelion is not a Cycladic island, we are sure that you won't be disappointed! You will swim in crystal clear waters and you are going to feel like you're on a Greek island. The best beaches are the following:

Milopotamos:

Seperated in two by a huge rock, with beautiful turquoise waters, pembles and golden sand.. it's a dreamy beach that will surely captivate you. Milopotamos is not an organized beach, but you can find beach bars and dressing rooms! Also, Milopotamos is really close to Tsagarada, so you can go there for your afternoon coffee!

Aghios Ioannis:

It's one of the most popular beaches in Pelion and it will remind you of a postal card from an exotic destination. Aghios Ioannis beach is organized with umbrellas and beach chairs and it's full of beach bars, taverns and restaurants, where you can enjoy a delicious meal after swimming!

Damouchari:

If you don't like being in a crowded beach and you prefer an exotic paradise all for yourself, Damouchari beach is the ideal beach for you! Of course, it's not an organized one, so you have to bring everything you might need. The interesting part is that you have to seek for the beach on foot from Tsagarada, through a wonderful path. Since cars are not allowed to enter the beach, it's a good opportunity to have a stroll and breathe fresh air, while marvelling at an astonishing natural scenery!

Of course, you can find more beautiful beaches in Pelion, such as Chorefto, known for its bluish-green coast, Plaka, with its amazing lushness and Aghioi Saranta, one of the most quiet beaches in the region.

Yummy food!

The traditional products of Pelion are: its aromatic honey, exceptional herbs, tasty traditional pasta (hilopites) and the delicious chestnuts!

Pelian kitchen is notable for spentzofai, which made with local sausages (with mixed meat), peppers and tomatoes. Other than spentzofai, in Pelion you will find many delicious traditional dishes. For example, you can taste omelette with wild asparagus. In general, locals love greens and especially wild asparagus, which sprout in spring. We suggest you to taste oregano-balls (riganokeftedes), which is a delicious dish! Made with fresh oregano, potatoes, cheese, egg, flour, salt and pepper. We are sure you will never forget them!

We partnered with Kentrikon Boutique Hotel and we give you the chance to win a 3-day trip to Aghios Ioannis of Pelion as well as enjoy a magical Boat Tour, offered by Les Hirondelles travel agency.

Click here to join our giveaway!

Good luck!

Keep travelling! 😉

All photos except the first one belong to Kentrikon Boutique Hotel.

Parga: The jewel of Epirus (by Greeks)

2020-08-21T23:19:00.000+03:00

Parga is one of the most beloved tourist destinations in Greece. And for good reason, since its paved alleys, crystal clear beaches and colorful graphic houses will make you feel like you're on an greek island!

But, it's even better to visit Parga, because you won't have to be stranded inside a ferry endlessly or spend a fortune for airplane tickets (of course without luggage), since Parga is easily reachable from every city of the mainland!

What to do in Parga

Beaches

Parga is the ideal place for eveyrone who wants a quick excursion and to enjoy a wonderful swim in turquoise waters. The most famous beach is Valtos, with crystal clear waters. It's important to mention that some umbrellas and beach chairs are free and you only have to pay for your coffee and food!

Other notable beaches are: Lychnos, Alonaki, Ai Giannakis and Piso Krioneri. Let's write a few words for each one for you to be well prepared.

Lychnos beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Greece, since the natural scenery is truly magical. It is an organized beach, full of beach bars and taverns. The only drawback is that it's not easily reachable, but the sight of the beach will make you forget the hardship you went through! Don't forget that you can rent a sea bike and visit the Cave of Aphrodite, which we will mention later on.

Alonaki is famous not only for its unimaginable waters, but also for its untamed beauty, since the rocky formations and the green forest right next to the sea is a sight you will never forget!

Ai Giannakis beach is a beautiful and clean beach with pembles and turquoise waters. It's not an organized one, but you can find a small cantine with all the essentials.

Piso Krioneri is a graphic small beach with beautiful waters and marvelous view! The reason it's so popular is because it's literally right next to Parga.

Sights

Aphrodite's Cave

As we mentioned above, near Lychnos beach you can find the famous Cave of Aphrodite, which is the cave where Aphrodite used to swim. Nearby, you can also find other caves. The legend says that anyone who swims inside one of these caves will become younger!

Acheron

It's the river which, Ancient Greeks believed, was used by the dead to cross to the Underworld. It's a bit far from the center of the town (37 km.), but it's a significant historical site. There, you will find ruins of the famous oracle, but unfortunately you won't find a guided tour.

We recommend you to visit Acheron's Springs. Unfortunately it's a bit far but it's truly a marvelous experience! The scenery is magical, waters are crystal clear and you can also do extreme sports (canoe kayak, zip line, etc.).

Venetian Castle

Since it's located on top of a hill, which you will have to climb to reach it, the view is one of a kind! There is also a cafe, in which you can have a coffee or food, accompanied with the stunning view of the town. We suggest you to visit it early in the morning or late in the afternoon, for an easier climb.

As for the castle, it's important to mention that events and plays are regularly organized there, but other than that, it's not worth visiting since it looks abandoned.

Island of Panagia

The island of Panagia is an emerald green island located across the sea of Parga. It's located so close to the town, that you can visit it via a boat or even swim the distance!

It's worth visiting, since the view you will see is splendid and indeed it's a tiny green island. There you will find the chapel of Panagia (the island is named after it) as well as an astonishing small sandy beach.

Food

Parga, being a town of Epirus, is well-known for its delicious epirutian dishes, such as pies, sweet and savory (try minced meat pie, leek pie or pasta pie), mouth-watering sweets (almond pie, walnut pie and the famous "klostati", which is the traditional baklava with walnut) and of course milk products, such as the epirian feta cheese!

Moreover, if you visit Parga, it's worth trying seafood! Since Parga is a costal area, it is famous for its delicious seafood. Try fish-balls and pies with seafood! You won't have enough of it!

We partnered with Serenity Luxe Suites and we give you the opportunity to win a 3-day trip in the magical Parga! Click here to enter the giveaway! The winner will be announced on 01/09/2020.

Good luck!

Keep traveling! 😉

Photos taken by Serenity Luxe Suites.

3 days in Amorgos by Greeks: The Perfect Amorgos Itinerary

2020-08-08T14:16:00.001+03:00

Amorgos is the easternmost island of Cyclades!

It is an island famous for its beaches with turquoise waters as well as the sheer amount of wonderful paths.

After our own trip to Amorgos, we decided to prepare an ideal 3-day itinerary, in order to help you organise the trip of your dreams!

Day 1

Unfortunately, you will spend most of your day travelling to Amorgos, especially if you are coming from Athens (Piraeus). Believe us, 8 hours seem like an eternity!

However, by the moment you reach the port of Amorgos, you will regain your strength because of the beauty you are going to see and you will be ready to explore the island! For your information, Amorgos has two harbours: Aegiali and Katapola.

Depending on where you are staying, your first day will be dedicated to the exploration of that area. We stayed in Aegiali and therefore we explored only that area, since we were exhausted (and sleepy) from our trip.

So, you will spend your first day relaxing, going for a quick swim in one of the beautiful beaches of Amorgos and of course with delicious traditional Amorgian food! The traditional dishes of Amorgos are: patatato (comes from the Greek word "patata", that means potato), which is baked goat with potatoes in tomato sauce, black-eyed beans with spinach, octopus pie and for dessert try the famous and delicious xerotigana (fried dough with honey)!

As for your night, you can spend it in a bar to sit back and enjoy a tasty drink. Just so you know, the local drink is raki with sugar! Also, it's important to mention that bars are scattered around the island. Most cafe-bars are of course located in Chora as well as Aegiali. We recommend renting a car (or bringing your own), so you won't have to depend on the scarce bus routes.

Day 2

Your day will start with a delicious breakfast, in the area you are going to stay, just like we did together with the magical view of Aegiali.

If you are wondering where we found that magnificent view, it is from Aegialis Hotel & Spa's restaurant.

After you are full, it is time for some exploration! More specifically, your second day will be dedicated to the marvellous Chora, to the most famous attraction of Amorgos, Hozoviotissa's Monastery and of course Aghia Anna's beach, which is 2 km. from the monastery.

Chora is the capital of the island and it is located close to the center of it. The reason for its location is to be concealed, so that pirates coming from the sea couldn't see it.

Personally, we believe that Chora is the most beautiful part of Amorgos and the thing that we will always remember! This is because it's an area full of traditional houses and paved alleys, endless bougainvillea and marvellous Cycladic narrows, that were a lot more captivating up close!

Even though Chora isn't an area that big, but, believe us, it's worth wandering around for hours and visiting the local shops, which sell traditional products of the island.

Of course, you have to enjoy your coffee and a delicious traditional sweet in one of Chora's countless cafes.

We had our coffee (and a delicious dessert) in the popular cafe Jazzmin, which also offers a wonderful view of the area!

After you feel ready and you have bought the souvenirs of your choice, a new adventures begins... onward to the Monastery of Hozoviotissa and the astonishing beach of Aghia Anna.

Why they're worth visiting?

As we mentioned before, the Monastery of Hozoviotissa is the most famous attraction of the island and for your information Panaghia Hozoviotissa is the patron saint of Amorgos.

The Monastery is an attractant for many visitors, because apart from its historic and religious significance, it also offers an astounding view!

In order to reach the Monastery, you will have to climb many steps, so you will enjoy a unique experience and an exceptional way of working out, accompanied by the view of the endless sea!

As for the beach of Aghia Anna, it is a stunning beach with teal waters and small pebles. It was named after the small church of Aghia Anna, which is located above it and which you can also visit, if you want. Aghia Anna's beach was truly one of the most beautiful beaches we had ever seen and justly that famous. We have to mention that since it's a small beach, it gets crowded easily, because we saw many locals going there for a quick swim. It might be the fact that we visited it on Sunday.

However, you have to keep in mind that the beach is not that easily reachable, since the steps don't go all the way down and you have to climb down a few rocks. Don't be afraid, it's not that difficult. You just have to be a bit cautious (and just to be sure wear sneakers).

One more thing we have to mention, that is not only for this beach, is that running water is difficult to find (like the rest of the Greek islands). In other words, you won't find any showers. Even local businesses told us that they don't have enough tap water and they often use bottled water for cleaning.

After your swim, the only thing you will want is filling dinner. We suggest dining in Chora, since you will be nearby, because there are many nice taverns there, in order to have a delicious traditional meal. If you can't stay in Chora, don't worry, we are sure you will find a great place to enjoy your night, since every part of Amorgos has unique beauties and places.

Day 3

Your last day in Amorgos came! On your third day you will focus on exploring some other area of the island. Since we don't know where you are going to stay, we have to talk about every area you can visit!

Aegiali

As we mentioned above, we stayed in the area of Aegiali, which is one of the two ports of Amorgos.

We can say it for certain that Aegiali is worth visiting, since it's a very beautiful area. You can enjoy a relaxing walk by the sea, go for a swim in its crystal clear beaches and of course have a coffee/drink in one of its many beach bars!

As for your meal, we tried "To Limani tis Kira Katinas", where we tasted every traditional item of the menu! We totally recommend it, since every dish was delicious, reasonably priced and we had a great time there!

Katapola

Katapola is the second and the main harbour of Amorgos. It is a small beautiful village, with many cafes, taverns and tourist shops.

If you visit it, you will have the opportunity to wander around its white alleys, enjoy a refreshing ice-cream while gazing at the sea and of course swim in one of its great beaches.

Kato Meria

Kato Meria of Amorgos is the rural part of the island, since it's basically a combination of scattered small villages and agricultural areas.

The two main attractions of Kato Meria is "Navagio" (means Shipwreck) and the church of Aghia Paraskevi. Navagio is the remains of an abandoned ship, which never set sail. It is an attractant for visitors, as well as a famous picturesque sight, since just looking at it gives you the chills!

(This photo is captured by Aegialis Hotel & Spa)

As for the church of Aghia Paraskevi, the reason it is that famous is because of the fair, that's organized every year. To be more specific, on the 25th of July, the biggest fair among the Greek islands is organized there and more than 3,500 people visit. It is a unique experience, since locals and visitors party together with endless wine and local food all day long!

Moreover, if you have your own means of transport, you can easily explore many small villages of the area. We suggest you to take the boat from Kalotaritissa and visit the beautiful Gramvousa, with the notable turquoise beaches! The journey to Gramvousa is quick and really chip. On Gramvousa you will find clean beaches with crystal clear waters and it's totally worth visiting really early (and return with the last boat).

And your trip to Amorgos came to an end. We hope that we helped you! We will be more than glad to answer all your questions in the comments below!

Keep traveling!😉

Get to know Karpathos, the beauty of Dodecanese (by Greeks)

2020-08-01T14:11:00.005+03:00

Karpathos is the second biggest island of the marvelous Dodecanese. It is famous for its beautiful beaches as well as its astonishing villages.

There are many different legends about the name of Karpathos. The dominant one is based on Greek Mythology. To be more specific, citizens of the island loved their island so much that wanted to move the Greek Gods there. So, the legend says that they kidnapped the Gods and as a result they were named "Arpatheoi" (which means kidnappers of the Gods). Later, the name changed to "Karpatheoi" and ended up being "Karpathioi" (the modern name for the citizens of Karpathos).

Reasons to visit Karpathos

First of all, it's the perfect place to relax wandering around its beautiful narrows and also to explore the graphic villages and learn about the countless local traditions. Of course, you will enjoy a rejuvenating swim in Karpathos' crystal clear waters! For your information, the most popular beaches are the following: Apella, Damatria, Amoopi, Achatta and Diakoftis.

As for the various settlements of Karpathos, we have to mention that the total number is immense. More specifically, the biggest one is Pigadia (or Karpathos) and Aperi, Menetes, Othos, Arkasa and many more follow!

The sights are not only beaches... but Karpathos is well-known for its rich history, which can be unveiled in the Museums of each area. The most significant museum is the Archaeological Museum of Karpathos. Moreover, the Folk Museum, located in Othos, is really interesting, since you can marvel at a karpathian house, which is traditionally one-room seperated in two with wooden raised floor and ornated walls with dishes, glassware, crewels and rugs.

Of course, we can't forget mentioning food!

The traditional dishes of Karpathos are: makarounes (fresh pasta served with buttersauce and cheese), manouli (goat cheese), stuffed zucchini flowers, psilokouloura (biscuits), xerotigana (crispy fried dough with honey), zibilia (sweet pies) and spoon sweets.

To be honest, we were amazed by the similarity between Karpathian and Cretan traditional dishes. For us, that's another reason to try Karpathian dishes, since they remind of us of childhood memories.

Remember to visit:

Panagia Larniotissa Monastery

From there, you can marvel at whole city's view as well as the view of many beautiful villages.

The magical Olympos

It is a beloved place both by locals and tourists, where someone can gaze at Agean from up high and enjoy the untouched beauty of Olympos' difficult terrain. It is important to mention that the road that connects Olympos with the other parts of Karpathos island was built in 1980.

The stunning island of Saria

The island of Saria is currently uninhabited but it's totally worth visiting (via a small boat) for a pleasant trip and of course for a swim in the turquiose waters of its wonderful beaches!

The adventurous paths

Karpathos is famous for its paths, which are 50 in total. Most of them pass through many small settlements of the islands. Those of you who love adventure and exploration, your trip to Karpathos will be a trip you that will stay forever in your mind!

We partnered with Apolis Beachscape Hotel and we are giving you the opportunity to win 3 stays in the magical Karpathos! Click here, to visit our instagram page and enter the giveaway!

Keep traveling!

All photos were captured by Apolis Beachscape Hotel.

24 hours in Athens by locals | The Perfect 1-Day Itinerary

2020-07-25T13:32:00.003+03:00

It would have been ideal if you had more than a day to explore Athens, but one day is enough to get a glimpse of its immense beauty!

So.. Let's find out how to spend a day in Athens, as full of exploration as possible!

First of all, you can't do anything without having breakfast!

As you probably know, we, Greeks, love food and as a result you will find many great food places everywhere. The most famous coffee places are located in the following streets: Mitropoleos, Kolokotronis, Romvis and Aghias Irinis Square.

After you feel ready and since you are in Monastiraki, you can go for a walk at Monastiraki's Flee Market. The Flee Market of Monastiraki is famous about its thrift shops and the many locals that attracts.

Later, you will head to Syntagma Square, where you will find the Greek Parliament. In order to reach Syntagma, you will have to pass through the popular Ermou street, the most notable commercial street of Greece!

In Syntagma Square, you will marvel at the Greek Parliament and the Tomb of Unknown Soldier. Of course, it is not an actual tomb, but it is a monument dedicated to all those soldiers who died during the wars and weren't recognized. In front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier there are the Presidential Guards, the famous Tsoliades/Evzones.

Next, you will turn right in Vasilissis Amalias Avenue to reach the National Garden, the small green heaven in the center of Athens!

To be more specific, the National Garden is a park in the center of the city, rich in flora and fauna and it's totally worth visiting and exploring, since it is open for the public.

At the south exit of the National Garden, you can see Zappeion. Zappeio Mansion is an enormous building, which is used as a hall both for public and private events. You can marvel at its architecture, that resembles the Ancient Greek architecture as well as wander around that beautiful area.

After you finish your walk, you will head towards the magical district of Plaka! It will be a great idea to grab something to eat/drink while walking, because you don't have a lot of time and you have many more to explore!

Plaka is maybe the oldest neighborhood of Europe! It is truly a unique area, that will thrill you for sure. Also, it is a touristy area and that's why you will see many tourist shops and of course you can buy your souvenirs from there.

Later, you will head to Anafiotika, the beloved area of Athens for most people. Anafiotika was built by workers from Anafi island and as a result the whole area looks like a greek island! You will indeed feel more like walking in the alleys of a greek island, than in a busy city. We recommend you climbing to the top of Anafiotika, in order to marvel at the view of Athens from up high.

Of course, Anafiotika won't be the only high point that you will visit... That's because you will go to the area Acropolis is located, where you can either go inside Acropolis or climb to the second highest point of the center and marvel at the beautiful sight both of Acropolis and the whole city. More specifically, if you prefer the beauty of the city instead of its history, you can visit Areopagus and Philopappos Hill, instead of visiting the crowded Acropolis.

Firstly, Areopagus is a rock that Ancient Greeks used as their court. Now it is a beloved place for locals, who sit on the rocks enjoying their coffee or beer with the view of Athens as well as Acropolis.

However, the view that Philopappos Hill offers is better than the one of Areopagus. Philopappos Hill is located really close to Areopagus (approximately 5 minutes) and as we mentioned before, it is the second highest point of the center of Athens. Climbing Philopappos Hill, you will see the view of Acropolis at first, almost at the same height of it and if you reach the top of the hill, you will marvel at the captivating view of Athenian riviera and Piraeus!

For those who prefer the historic part of Athens, we would suggest you to visit only Areopagus, that offers a marvelous view of the Covered Walkway of Attalus as well as Ancient Agora and later you can visit the Museum of Acropolis. Acropolis Museum is the most modern museum and it is considered as the most breath-taking one in Greece. That's because, it opened in 2009 and it has a great variety of items! Moreover, in Acropolis Museum there is a coffee-restaurant, where you can enjoy a coffee, while looking at Acropolis.

After all this tiring but interesting experience, it is time for a coffee or a meal. To be more specific, you can head to Thissio or Monastiraki, which are 10 minutes away from Philopappos Hill. These two (close) areas are beloved both by locals and tourists, since they are full of extraordinary places, thematic cafes and restaurants with delicious dishes!

After your break, you can go for a relaxing walk around Monastiraki or explore a bit more the center of Athens. More specifically, if you are not yet exhausted, you can visit Kolonaki, which is the most cosmic region of the center.

Lastly, we recommend you to end your day with a tasty cocktail in one of Athens' many rooftops, in order to relax while marveling at Acropolis!

Of course, for those who love vivid nightlife, Athens is the go-to location for you! To be more specific, Athens is well-known for its busy clubs and its fantastic nightlife. We suggest you to head to Keramikos, where the most famous clubs of Athens are located!

We hope that we helped you with your one day or layover in Athens and that you will have the time of your life in this beautiful city.

If you plan on staying longer, you can read here the ideal 3-day itinerary that we suggest!

Also, check out the Athenian sights without entrance fee here!

Watch our 1-minute video with the best sights of Athens' center here

Keep traveling! 😉

What caught our attention in Nafplio | The Greek Perspective Of Greece

2020-07-17T15:55:00.001+03:00

After our trip to Nafplio, we decided to tell you about what we find strange in this city.

Although it's the first capital of Greece, it is just a village

For those who don't know, Nafplio is the first capital of Greece, before Athens. Knowing that, we expected it to be more... like a city! However, Nafplio is just a small but beautiful town, with lovely colorful houses, which reminds you of a graphic village. To be more specific, Nafplio is a romantic quiet town and the ideal place for a quick escape, which will help you relax and run away from daily's routine. Personally, we believe that it's not suitable for young groups, since it doesn't have a vivid nightlife. It really caught our attention the fact that we couldn't find not even a club.

Hunting for the secret food

We searched far and wide, but... nothing. Thank God we had friends who told us that only tourists eat inside the Old Town (insinuation about us). So, we had to walk a lot ot reach a restaurant with authentic greek portions and tasty dishes.

In other words, if you love food and big portions, we suggest you to search for a restaurant outside the Old Town. A taste will surely convince you! 😉

Size doesn't matter

Although Nafplio is a really small town, it is a beloved place for everyone! More specifically, we were not the only ones who wanted to visit Nafplio for a relaxing weekend, but on the contrary, buses fulled to the bream with tourists (both Greek and foreign) arrived every hour! We can't blame them, since it's totally worth visiting Nafplio for a quiet and refreshing 2-day trip, in order to be escape from the stress a busy city, like Athens, has.

Nafplio's or Crete's food?

When we tasted the local products of Nafplio, we were amazed by the fact that two of their main products are exactly the same with Crete's local products. We are talking about "goges" (rolled pasta), which is the same with Crete's "skioufihta makaronia" and "tiropitari"(small pies with cheese), which is exactly like Crete's "mizithropites".

1,000 steps. So what?

Nafplio's most famous sight is Palamidi fortress. In order to reach the top of Palamidi, you have to climb 1,000 steps. At first, it sounds impossible or at least too tiring. However, it was really easy in comparison with what we expected! You can take small breaks as many times as you want, since there is enough space for you to stop without getting in the way of others who climb and continue climbing when you feel ready.

Of course, the view is totally worth all this climbing, since it's truly captivating, as you can see in the photo below! Therefore, don't let the number of the steps frighten you, they are not that many anyway!

We hope you found our information helpful 😀

If you want to learn more about Nafplio, you can watch our video here.

The video is in Greek but we have prepared english subtitles for you!

Keep traveling!😉

What caught our attention in Sofia | Things you didn't know

2020-07-11T15:37:00.002+03:00

After our trip to Sofia, we wanted to write you about what amazed us and what are the things that caught our attention!

1. Enormous squares

We weren’t used to huge squares in Greece and that’s why we were amazed by the immense amount and the size of them. It was really lovely to take long walks without being afraid that you will bump someone. The most beautiful pedestrianized street was Vitosha Boulevard, which was the central street of Sofia.

2. Same same but different… food

When we first got the menu and started reading all the different dishes, everything looked strange and new. But when they brought the food we ordered, everything looked familiar to us Greeks.

The tastes were a bit stranger than what we were used to but it looked the same from the outside. So, remember that if you visit Sofia, you will find food similar to its neighboring countries like Greece or Turkey.

3. Kiosks

You are probably wondering how on earth could a kiosk be different. In Greece we have small kiosks by the road, but on the contrary in Sofia kiosks are actually basements turned into mini markets and you have to lean or to kneel in order to buy anything. Also, you can only view the products through the window and you have to order the product you want to buy.

4. Parks-go-round

We were amazed by how many parks are all around Sofia. We are not used to that many parks in the center of the city and when we visited Sofia, there was a park wherever we walked. It was not just the quantity of parks but also how big the parks were. The biggest one is Borisova garden which also has two soccer fields and you will feel like you are in the middle of a forest or something.

5. People everywhere

Even though Bulgaria isn't a popular or well-known travel destination, people are everywhere. And when we say "people everywhere" we actually mean it, since wherever we were we felt like walking towards Fontana di Trevi, especially in Vitosha Boulevard, that we mentioned before.

6. Countless churches

Walking in Sofia, we were amazed by the amount of churches. There was one church in every street. We also liked the fact that most of them were really different from what we are used to, since they had ornated domes and unusual colorations.

If you do a google search of "churches in Sofia", you will be shocked by how many churches will show up!

7. A dirt cheap trip

Believe it or not the cost to go there, to stay and to return was under 100€! And our appartment was exactly at the city center. Also, the food and the drinks in general were really cheap, so we didn't spend a small fortune for just a trip as we usually do.

That's all from us!

If you want to see the most important sights of Sofia, click here to watch the video we prepared for you.

Keep traveling! 😉

2 days in Rome: The Perfect Rome Itinerary

2020-07-04T17:13:00.001+03:00

Rome… the Eternal City. Travelling to Italy is a dream for most people.

Because of that, after asking friends that live in Rome, we went for a quick trip there and prepared a 2-day plan for you to know where to go and what you must see in a weekend.

Day 1

Start your day with a typical Italian breakfast to relax and get ready for everything you want and should see. Italians’ morning routine is having a small breakfast at home and then go to a café, order an espresso and a cornetto (Italian croissant) before work, while standing at the bar.

The difference between Italian and French croissants is that Italian ones have eggs instead of butter. The flavour is amazing and there are many fillings.You should totally try it!

When you feel ready, you can start your exploration of the city. We recommend finding a room in the center of Rome and more specifically, the best place to stay is Piazza Venezia. Everything will be close to you. So, the first sight you’ll visit, will be Vittorio Emmanuelle II monument. Vittorio Emmanuelle II was the first king of the unified Italy.

Afterwards, in ten minutes you will find Pantheon, which is the biggest Roman monument that is saved undestroyed. Believe us, you will feel awe when you get inside.

Time for pizza! You can take a break by grabbing a piece of authentic Italian pizza. There are many pizzerias near Pantheon, where you can choose a piece or pieces from the pizza you like. You will be amazed with how many different pizza shapes, types and combinations of toppings exist as well as the flavor of pizzas!

Walking a little further, you will reach the temple of Handrian. You can get inside for free and there are many beautiful paintings as well as a scale model of how the temple used to be during the Roman era.

Close to the temple, there is Fontana di Trevi, your next stop. For your information, that place is always crowded, especially in the summer months. It’s a place totally worth visiting, photographing and also making a wish, as most people use to do.

After that, you will reach Piazza di Spagna with the famous steps. You are not allowed to sit at the steps now, but previously everyone used to relax sitting there while enjoying a coffee or a slice of pizza.

From there, you can take a bottle of water or an ice-cream and go to Villa Borghese, where the park is magical and the Arts Museum captivating, full of Bernini and Caravaggio’s paintings.

Later, you will continue to Piazza del Popolo, that will be also your last stop of the day. There, you will see the two identical churches and one of the biggest obelisks in Rome in the center of the square.

You can spend your night by having a relaxing walk in the center of Rome. Many restaurants are located there, where you can taste an authentic carbonara or a special pizza. You will realize that food in Rome is truly amazing and totally filling.

Day 2

After having a rich breakfast, you can walk towards Colosseum. If you want to get inside and explore it, it would be better to wake up early in the morning, because it’s always crowded. If the line stretches outside the monument, you will wait up to two hours to get inside. Is it worth visiting? Yes, it is, since it’s a place worth marveling at and there is also a variety of exhibits for you to observe.

It’s important to point out that you can visit Roman Market, Colosseum and Palatine Hill with one ticket only. Therefore, it’s worth spending your morning exploring these three sights, that are really close to each other. The experience will be fascinating and we are sure that you are going to have many pictures by the end of your visit.

Next, we recommend trying a delicious ice-cream from Venchi, the most famous ice-cream chain of Italy. Beware that you are going to encounter a long line of people waiting for the most popular ice-cream in the country.

Consequently, you can go to Campo de’ Fiori (field of flowers) and Piazza Navona, that is located near it.

In this square, there is the Fountain of the Four Rivers, the fountain of Neptune and the Fountain of Mauritanian.

Walking a bit further, you will reach the famous Castle Sant’ Angelo, which was first the Mausoleum of Handrian and then it was transformed into a fortress.

Walking the bridge Ponte Sant’ Angelo, you can detect St. Peter’s Basilica, which will be your next stop.

St. Peter’s Basilica is the biggest Christian church in the world. You can go inside and enjoy a wonderful view, but remember to check out the opening and closing hours, in order to be sure that you will be able to enter. Of course, St. Peter’s Basilica signifies the area of Vatican City, where you can also go if you have enough time. You will find there the famous Capella Sestina and the great Vatican museums.

As for your dinner, there are many restaurants in the center, as we mentioned above, or close to St. Peter’s Basilica. You can check out the menu outside every restaurant to be sure that it suits your needs. Also, it is important to check the reviews in google, it helps a lot. There are many Italian dishes, that you will adore. However, don’t forget to try the famous “tartufo”, a dessert-ice-cream, which is truffle with chocolate syrup. If you want to learn about the hidden gems of Italian cuisine, click here.

After dinner, you can enjoy a night walk to relax. You will see St. Peter Basilica all lit up and totally captivating to look at. Remember that Italians, like Greeks, don’t go to bed early and the city is always crowded with people even late at night. Also, you can find many nice bars or clubs in the center, if you want to end your trip with a relaxing or “rousing” drink.

BE ADVISED:

If you have more time and you love food, like we do, don’t forget to visit EATALY. We didn’t know it either, but some friends that live in Rome told us not to miss it. EATALY is like a Mall, but only with food inside. More specifically, locals go there to shop for essentials and not at grocery shops. There are so many wine and pasta varieties to see and Italian snacks that you can buy for your way back home. Moreover, the Mall houses many restaurants, pizzerias and places offering small snacks for you to eat on the go or while sitting at a chair and take a break.

If you want to learn more information and see photos of everything we talked about, watch the video we have prepared here.

The video is in Greek but we have prepared English subtitles for you!

Keep traveling! 😉

Ante Post: A delicious Cocktail Bar just opened in Kolonaki

2020-06-29T10:26:00.000+03:00

Are you a cocktail lover? Do you like good food?

If the answer to both questions is yes, then the right place for you opened in Kolonaki!

The moment we learned that a new place opened in Athens, we jumped for joy and went to try it, as we always do. To be honest, we hadn't had good memories of Kolonaki, since the places we have tried there had small portions, which for us is the worst thing possible. On the contrary, we really enjoyed Ante Post's food, because it was filling and tasty!

Let us show you exactly what we tasted:

So, at first we didn't know what salad to choose from, because all of them seemed appetizing. We ended up ordering tuna salad (and it was a wise decision), which was one of the best tuna salads we had ever tried.

We also order a cheese and cured meat platter, which was the biggest suprise! Trust us, we love this kind of platters and we order them whenever we can, but this one was exceptional! It had 5 different kinds of cheese and 5 different kinds of cured meat with awesome flavour! Our favourite was chorizo, which we rarely find in places in Greece. Oh! One more thing... the sauce in the middle was simply excellent and it was a great combination with the breadsticks.

Our main dish was luscious penne with chicken and dried tomato. It was simply amazing, since the flavorful dried tomatoes were a great addition! Moreover, we really liked the fact that one more place in Athens serves pasta the right way, al dente!

Last but not least, we also tried two cocktails, that made our experience even more delightful!

That's all for now.

If you visit Ante Post, we would love to read your experience!

Keep eating! 😉

Hari's Creperie: A fullfilling experience

2020-06-28T16:52:00.002+03:00

After we visited and tasted many items from Hari's Creperie, we immediately wanted to write about it!

The first thing that will impress you is the sheer size of every portion. To be more specific, we have never tried a crepe that filling and we usually order three crepes, in order to be satisfied. On the contrary, in Hari's Creperie, a single crepe is more than enough!

And since a look is worth a thousand words...

Now that you saw it for youself, you probably understood that we're not lying.

The reason we praise it that much is not only because of the filling dishes, but also for the quality of the ingredients and the great variety of menu items.

Our favorite was the burrito-crepe, which tasted exactly like an original burrito!

Also, we loved the idea of making a crepe with apple pie filling, topped with cream cheese and digestives. Believe it or not, we felt like we were eating a delicious apple pie!

Last but not least, we were amazed by the fact that they make their own chocolate! And that's probably why their sweet options are so unique!

If you think that we overreact, you suggest you try it for yourselves! A bite will surely convince you!

You can find Hari's Creperie in Heraklion, Rethimnon, Belgrade and Cyprus!

Click here to watch us taste 8 of their menu items!

Keep eating! 😉

2 days in Chania by locals: The Perfect Chania Itinerary

2020-06-27T12:20:00.003+03:00

Whoever visits the wonderful Crete must visit the magical Chania.

Chania is one of the most beautiful Greek cities. It combines Venetian and Turkish architecture, that stays intact, on the contrary to other regions. More specifically, the city of Chania is famous for its well-maintained Old Town and its exquisite Venetian port, whose edge is bejeweled with the thrilling Lighthouse.

We've made many trips to Chania and we prepared a 2-day trip plan, in order to guide you and give you all the important information you need.

Day 1

You can start your day with a morning walk in the center of the city. Chania is always crowded with people walking around, shopping or enjoying coffee in one of town’s famous coffee places. The sights and monuments, that exist in every corner of the city, will keep you a great company.

Since 1911, Municipal Market is in the heart of the city. Municipal Market is one of the most impressive markets in Balkans.

It is 4,000 m². and has the shape of a cross. Inside, you can find traditional Cretan products and souvenirs, that you can buy in order to have a part of Chania with you, when you return home. However, even if you don’t want to buy anything, walking around and marvel at the architecture and the local products is totally worth it.

Walking a little further, you will find the Mother church of Chania, which is dedicated to the “Presentation of Mary”. It was built on top of a former Venetian temple and it is full of wall-paintings drawn by
famous artists.

Afterwards, you will reach Splanzia square, where you will see the church of Saint Nicolas, that has been left unaffected since it was constructed. The church was first built in 1320 and in 1645 it was turned into the main mosque of Chania and a minaret was constructed. Of course, you can’t miss the church of Saint Rocco, who was considered to be the protector of plague. As for the Splanzia square, it was the main square during Ottoman occupation and walking there is like taking a trip back in time.

It’s time for a sweet break! The famous coffee place “Koukouvaya” (means owl), that is located in Venizelos Graves, serves delicious desserts, along with the well-known “zumero” (that means juicy), offering a wonderful view of the city at the same time. You can reach the café by taking a taxi, the bus 18 or by car in 10 minutes from the center.

Since you will be in Koukouvaya, you will visit also Venizelos Graves, that except from their historic significance, they offer a beautiful view of Chania. Eleftherios Venizelos was elected 7 times as the Prime Minister of Greece. Furthermore, you can also visit Venizelos house, which is used as a museum and is located in Chalepa, a significant historic suburb of the city.

Later in the evening, you can dine in a restaurant or in a small tavern. We suggest that you should choose from taverns in Daliani street. The traditional dishes of Chania are the following: “bureki” (pie with potato and zucchini), “sfakiani pita” (sweet pie with sweet cheese and honey), “marathopita” (pie with fennel) and “kreatoturta” (pie with meat, usually lamb). See here, if you want to learn about the traditional Cretan dishes.

Don’t forget that there are many bars and clubs you can visit later, if you want to go for a drink before sleeping.

Day 2

It’s a great idea to start your day with a walk at the famous Lighthouse, the jewel of Chania’s port.

What is interesting is that it is called “Egyptian lighthouse” but in fact it was built by Venetians during the 16^th century. Its name came in the beginning of 19^th century, when it was rebuilt from Egyptians, the conqueror’s of Crete that time. Walking towards the Lighthouse, you will see the Bastion of Saint Nikolas Mole on your right. It used to protect the port, along with the Firka fortress, making it impregnable from the sea.

Since you have visited the Egyptian lighthouse, you can continue walking around the port, where you can find the Archaeological and the Nautical museum.

Also, at the port you will find the mosque Yali Tzamisi, which was built to honour the first commandant of Chania, Kioutsouk Hasan.

Later, you can grab a coffee and walk towards Municipal Garden, where you will see a plethora of tree kinds, bushes and plants as well as a small zoo.

Moreover, the Municipal Childrens Library is inside the Garden, which contains more than 20,000 books, along with many board games. Also, it is important to mention, that the coffee place inside the Garden, is operational since 20^th century, renovated of course. For your information, you can watch a movie inside the Municipal Garden’s open air cinema during the summer.

If you want to explore more of the prefecture of Chania, we will give you useful information of the places you should visit.

If you visit Chania in the summer months, you can go at least to one of its beautiful beaches. For example, the closest beaches, ranked from the closest one (2 km.) to the furthest from the center (8 km.), are the following: Nea Chora, Aghii Apostoli, Aghia Marina (the most famous), Kalathas. However, if you own/rent a car and you are willing to explore a beach further away, it’s worth visiting the magical Elafonisi or Balos with the clear turquoise waters that don’t go deeper than one meter and the famous Falasarna.

If you visit Chania in winter or days that are not the best for swimming, it’s a great idea to visit some villages, in order to walk around their narrows and taste traditional food in one of their taverns. More specifically, there is the historic village Vamos (25 km. from Chania) and the beautiful Kolibari with its nice taverns by the sea (24 km. from Chania). Also, we have to mention the village Sfakia (72 km. from Chania). Sfakia is known everywhere in Greece for its people’s rebellion spirit and for the battles that took place there. Also, if you are an adventure and nature lover, you can go for a fascinating hiking in Samaria’s Canyon (“Faraghi Samarias”, 44 km. from Chania), that crosses through one of the most famous national forests in Greece.

As for your supper, you can find a nice tavern in one of the villages mentioned before, or choose from a restaurant in the city center. Since you are in an island, it’s better to go to a seafood restaurant in the Venetian harbor.

We hope you liked our 2-day plan and that you will enjoy your trip to Chania, a city worth visiting again and again.

You can also watch the following videos, if you want to see how were our days the second time we visited Chania.

Since it was the second time we visited the city, our trip was just walking around, shopping and a lot of food.

Also, the videos are in Greek but we have prepared English subtitles for you!

Keep traveling! 😉

Amorgos: The jewel of Cyclades (by Greeks)

2020-06-17T20:21:00.004+03:00

Amorgos is the easternmost island of Cyclades. It combines adventure and romance, since you can find there not only beautiful beaches with crystal clear waters and graphic narrows, but also many paths for hiking!

To be more specific, there are many paths, which will amaze you, since the scenery you are going to experience is truly one of a kind! Aside from the magnificent paths, Amorgos is also well-known for its organized camping! So, if you love camping, Amorgos is the perfect place for you!

As for the breath-taking beaches, we mentioned above, the most famous of them is the beach of Aghia Anna, because the movie "Le Grand Bleu" was filmed there. Of course, when you are at Amorgos, you will not visit only Aghia Anna's beach, but it's also worth visiting other beaches, such as: Aegialis, which is the biggest sandy shore of the island, Mouro's beach, with its impressive rocks and the beautiful Maltezi!

The most significant place of Amorgos, is the famous Chora (meaning mainland), which is considered by many as the most beautiful town of Cyclades! It is truly worth it to wander around its astonishing and graphic alleys, that are adorned with bloomed bougainvillea and enjoy an aromatic coffee or a relaxing drink in one of the many marvelous bars, while staring at the unique architecture of this stunning region.

If you are wondering if Amorgos has any sights, we assure you that it is full of them. The two most important sights are: the impressive monastery of Hozoviotissa and the notable shipwreck!

Yep! There is an actual shipwreck. More specifically, you can find in Kato Meria of Amorgos the remains of an abandoned ship, that never set sail. Nowadays, it is an astounding and picturesque sight. Looking at it will surely captivate you.

Obviously, we can't forget food! The traditional cuisine of Amorgos is famous for its many amazing recipes. For example, no trip to Amorgos is complete, unless you taste the delicious "xerotigana" (deep fried dough with honey) or the fantastic "patatato" (baked goat with potatoes).

Keep traveling! 😉

All photos are taken by: Aegialis Hotel & Spa.

2 days in Nafplio by Greeks: The Perfect Nafplio Itinerary

2020-06-13T13:29:00.001+03:00

In this article, you will read useful information about Nafplio and about how you can pass a wonderful weekend there. Two days are enough to enjoy a nice walk at the sights and the graphic narrows of the first capital of Greece.

Let’s see how you can make a wonderful 2-day trip in Nafplio!

Day 1

Knowing that Nafplio is a small town, you don’t have to rush! So, the first thing we suggest you to do, is to have a nice coffee in Vasileos Konstandinou street. What’s better than being in a wonderful place that looks like an island, marveling at the mesmerizing bougainvillea and people walking around its graphic alleys?

When you feel ready, you can start with walking around Nafplio’s old town. Even though it’s a small town, you will realize that it is usually crowded with people, especially during the summer or most weekends.

Of course, you will visit Kolokotroni’s park with the statue of him.

Theodoros Kolokotronis was general and pre-eminent leader of the Greek War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire.

After walking around town’s alluring alleys, you can take the boat for Bourtzi fortress. The price is 4.5€ for a round-trip ticket and it needs approximately 15 minutes to and from there.

As for Bourtzi, it is a castle built on the island of Saints Theodors. In the Venetian era, there was a long chain connecting Bourtzi with the port of Nafplio, in order to protect the city from enemy ships. Also, Bourtzi was not used as a prison as well as a place for executions.

After this exploration, it will be dinner time. There are many restaurants inside the old town, where you can taste the traditional food of Nafplio. The traditional dishes of Nafplio are the following: “goges”, “pasto chirino me avga” and “tiropitari”.

Unfortunately, if you love vivid nightlife, you can’t find any clubs there. It has nice bars though, where you can enjoy a drink before going to your room.

Day 2

You can start your day with a magical climb to Palamidi castle, which is nestled on the crest of a 216-metre high hill. Climbing 999 steps may sounds a bit difficult, but it’s not that hard. Afterall, you can make a few small stops if you want. Believe it, the view is worth all the hardship.

Palamidi castle was built by Venetians during the second venetian domination, as a fortification. After being under siege for years, it was conquered by the Greeks in 1822 and so the liberation of the city from the Turks began.

Since then, every 30^th of November, the day Palamidi was conquered by the Greeks, the liberation of the town is celebrated ceremoniously in Saint Andrea’s church, which is located inside Palamidi castle. Also, Palamidi was used as a prison and was the place where Theodoros Kolokotronis (hero of the Greek Revolution, as mentioned before) was held among its walls.

After all the tiring but fascinating experience, you can relax by enjoying a coffee/snack while marveling at the sea. You can do some shopping and after you have supplied with many souvenirs, you can visit the Archaeological museum of Nafplio.

It’s dinner time! For your information, most locals go out for lunch/dinner in the newest part of the city. So we followed their example and chose a tavern there and the food was heavenly indeed.

This is where all this magical weekend ends. In general, Nafplio is a really beautiful town, that has things to see and is usually crowded. But as we mentioned before, it doesn’t have a vivid nightlife. That’s why it is great to pass a relaxing and revitalizing weekend in a historical and graphic town.

We hope you liked our 2-day plan! You can watch also the following video to see more about Nafpliο:

The video is in Greek but we have prepared English subtitles for you!

Keep traveling!😉

ATHENS by locals: Sights WITHOUT an entrance fee

2020-06-06T15:28:00.002+03:00

Athens is famous around the world for its history and its marvelous sights..

Apart from the museums and historic sights, there are certain hidden gems that will cost you nothing!

We decided to write down everything for you, to make your trip to Athens a little bit easier and much more affordable!

Lycabettus Hill

(Lycabettus Hill)

Lycabettus Hill is one of the most famous sights of Athens, since it's the highest point of the center. However, a ticket isn't required in order to marvel at the captivating view it offers! You have to purchase a ticket only if you want to use the cable car to reach the top. We recommend you to walk the path to the top, because it will be a nice experience and a good exercise!

Apart from the beautiful view of Athens, at the top of Lycabettus Hill you can find the medieval church of Saint Georgios. For your information, there is also a cafe-restaurant, where you can enjoy a cup of coffee or a nice meal, while marvelling at the astonishing view.

Philopappos Hill - Pnyx Hill- Hill of the Nymphs

(Filis 215)

Philopappos Hill is the second highest point of Athen's center, after Lycabettus. It is full not only with tourists but locals as well, that grab a beer and climb up to marvel at the view of Athens. More specifically, from the top of Philopappos Hill you can view not only Acropolis but also the other side of Athens as well as Piraeus.

(Mouson 23)

Pnyx is one of the first and most significant locations for Democracy, since it is the place where Ancient Greeks lectured and discussed important political issues of Athens. It is worth wandering around there and see the place that gave birth to Democracy!

(Hill of the Nyphs)

As for Hill of the Nymphs, it is also called Hill of National Observatory and as you can imagine, it is the hill where you can find the National Observatory of Athens.

Aristotle's Lyceum

(Rigillis 11)

It is a historic site of immense significance! It is located in the center of Athens and it is easily reachable. In Aristotle's Lyceum, you won't find a museum or a marvelous ancient building, but the area on its own is of great archaeological importance, since it is the place where the famous philosopher Aristotle lectured.

The fact that it is one of the first schools in Greece and thinking that one of the most globally recognizable philosophers in the whole world taught his students there, makes someone want to visit the area and explore it for hours.

Roman Baths

(Vasilissis Amalias Avenue 405)

Near the National Garden of Greece (see below), you can find the ruins of Roman Baths. It is interesting to mention that the Roman Baths were uncovered during the construction a metro station.

They are basically ruins of the baths Ancient Romans used and it is important to mention that there are informational inscriptions around the area, in order to explain the basics about this archaeological site. It is worth taking a look, since there is no entrance fee.

Municipal Gallery of Athens

(Leonidiou & Millerou, Metaxourgio)

The Municipal Gallery of Athens is one of the most important galleries in Greece. Inside, you will find many magnificent paintings and whoever visits it, he/she will learn almost everything about Greek Painting. It is truly amazing that an exhibition like this, with 160 marvelous greek artworks, has a free entrance for the public! Also, it has many interesting periodical exhibitons as well as animation videos. Lastly, we want to inform you that it isn't located in a "safe" area and you better visit it in morning hours.

Museum of Popular Greek Instruments

(Diogenous 1)

In a beautiful old manor, next to the Roman Forum, you will find the Museum of Greek Folk Musical Instruments. You will amazed by the number of musical instruments exhibited there and more specifically the museum has 1,200 musical instruments used in Greek tradition. It is divided in 4 levels, based on the type of instruments. To be more specific, the topics of the four levels are the following: membranophones, aerophones, chordophones and idiophones. Of course, during your visit you will hear popular greek music and the place is totally captivating and modern.

We are sure that a visit there will thrill you, especially if you love music.

Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC)

(Andrea Siggrou Avenue 364)

Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center is located in the area of Faliro. It is one of the most important constructions of Athens, since it has new facilities for the National Library and National Opera. Moreover, many outdoor events are organized during the summer months and it will be a nice experience to participate in one of them.

Apart from watching a performance, it's worth enjoying a relaxing walk in its enormous park (68 hectares) as well as viewing the beautiful Athenian riviera!

Marina Flisvou

(Marina Flisvou)

Marina Flisvou is a big marina in Paleo Faliro. It is a beloved place for locals, since they can have a wonderful walk by the sea as well as enjoy a delicious meal or a tasty coffee, while looking at the luxury yachts! Moreover, in Marina Flisvou you can find the historic armored cruiser Averof, which is the last one of its kind. Now it is a floating museum.

National Garden

(Vasilissis Amalias Avenue 1)

In the center of Athens, you can find the wonderful National Garden, where you can enjoy a refreshing walk.

The National Garden is the only garden in Greece built according to the 19th century European design. It is a public park covering 15,5 hectares and the fact that you can wander around its splendid area without paying anything, is truly amazing! Moreover, inside you can marvel at a great variety of plants, animals as well as the beautiful graphic lake close to the center of the park.

Byzantine Churches

Athens and especially its center is full of Byzantine Churches, some of which exist for more than a thousand years! It is important to mention that a lot of byzantine churches are built on top of older christian temples or temples dedicated to other dieties. The most famous of them all is Kapnikarea, that's located in the popular Ermou street.

Plaka - Anafiotika

(Plaka)

Plaka is maybe the oldest district of Europe. It is called by many locals "the neighborhood of the gods" and it's famous for its graphic small houses, the plethora of tourist shops, the beautiful flowers and the marvelous view of Acropolis. It's totally worth wandering around this area, since its immense beauty will stay with you forever!

(Anafiotika)

Anafiotika is a unique district of Athens, since no other area looks like it! To be more specific, Anafiotika was built by workers from Anafi island and as a result it resembles a greek island! Indeed, when you visit Anafiotika, you will feel like walking the narrows of a greek island and you will be thrilled by the beautiful flowers, graphic alleys and of course... the white houses with colorful windows! Do not forget that you can marvel at the captivating view of Athens at the top of Anafiotika.

Areopagus

(Areopagus)

Areopagus is located exactly across the entrance of Acropolis. Its name means the rock of Ares, since god of war Ares was tried there by the gods for killing the son of Poseidon, god of the sea. We are sure that you will find interesting the fact that "pagos" means both rock and ice. That's probably where "on the rocks" comes from! 😉

Because of Ares trial, Areopagus was used by Ancient Greeks as a court. Today, it is an attractant both for tourists and locals, since it offers a beautiful view of the city. It's worth grabbing a coffee or a beer, sit down and enjoy the beautiful view of Athens from one side and the wonderful view of Acropolis from the other side!

Ancient Findings in metro stations

As we all know, Athens is an outdoor museum on its own, since it is one of the oldest cities in the whole world!

It is funny to think that the biggest archaeological excavation in the history of Athens took place during the construction of some metro stations! That's why everyone can marvel at the wonderful ancient findings in various metro stations, especially in those of Monastiraki, Acropolis and Syntagma.

Hymettus

(Hymettus)

Hymettus is a small green heaven in the center of the city. Most locals go there for hiking on weekends and everyone agrees that it's the best place for walking, since it's just a few minutes outside the center of Athens. and it offers a beautiful view. Moreover, in Hymettus you can find a small cantine, where you can take a break and buy something to eat, but be advised that it will be full, espeicially on Sundays. Trust us, climbing this beautiful mountain and getting close to nature is really worth it!

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

(Vasilissis Amalias Avenue 133)

The tomb of the Unknown Soldier is located in front of the Greek Parliament, at Syntagma Square. It is not an actual tomb, but it is a monument dedicated to those who died during the wars Greece participated and weren't recognized.

Furthermore, we have to mention that there is a lantern inside the monument, which exists there since 1932 and it's still lit.

Lastly, as some of you may know, the Tomb of Unknown Soldier is guarded by Evzones/Tsoliades (the Presidential Guards) who change every hour. Trust us, the changing of guards is a sight you have to see and it will cost you nothing!

Olympic Athletic Center of Athens "Spiros Louis" (OAKA)

It is the athletic center built for the Olympic Games of 2004 and it got its name after Spiros Louis, the most famous marathon runner of Greece. The Olympic Athletic Center of Athens owes its aesthetic to the famous Spanish architecturer Calatrava. OAKA houses many marvelous sights and the most important of them is the Olympic Stadium, namely the place where the beginning and ending ceremony of the Olympic Games as well as many significant sport games took place.

It's totally worth visiting, since it's a beautiful sight as well as a beloved place for locals, who exercise there every day!

Graffiti

On the contrary to other places, Athens is full of street art! More specifically, you will not believe how many graffiti you will see, if you go for a walk in the center of Athens! Even when we take a walk, we are amazed by the new graffiti that pop up around the city. For your information, the most famous graffiti places are Psirri and Keramikos.

We hope that you found our information helpful! 😀

If you want more information, you can read our 3-day itinerary in Athens here

our 1-day itinerary in Athens here

Watch also our 1-minute video with the best sights of Athens' center here

Keep traveling! 😉

Kea: a beautiful island of Greece (by Greeks)

2020-06-01T12:02:00.004+03:00

Kea is a beautiful island of Cyclades. It is the first western inhabitable island of Cyclades and it is interesting that there exists one of the biggests bays of Mediteranean, St. Nikolas bay.

Kea is an island great for a relaxing vacation, where someone can enjoy a refreshing walk at its marvelous alleys, a wonderful swim in its crystal clear water and of course a delicious meal! We recommend visiting Kea, for a quick trip. Since Kea is really close to Athens, it is so easy for someone to get away from his/her tiring routine and enjoy a perfect 2-night stay in this astonishing island.

For your information, the most popular beaches are the following: Spathi, Oggias and Koundouros, which is also awarded with a blue flag. Except from the relaxing walks and swims, Kea is known for its rich history, which you can find in Kea's archaeological sites. More specifically, the sights of Kea are: Leontas, St. Marina's Tower and the Historical TownhallErnst Ziller. Moreover, it would be better to visit island's Archaeological Museum, if you want to learn everything about Kea's history.

We cannot miss mentioning the famous Fairytales Festival! Every year, a Fairytales Festival is organized in Kea and this event is the oldest one of its kind in Greece. To be more specific, many artists, not only greeks, take part in the event and everyone goes there to marvel at their performances, theaters, book presentations and many more. Every act has to do with fairytales and legends, in order to spread the cultural heritage of Kea.

As for the food, be advised that you can find countless restaurants and taverns with traditional food, especially in Korrisia's port. There are many local products, such as honey, tomatoes, figs etc. but try not to miss "loza" (it resembles prociutto) and Kea's sausage. Trust us!

13 Important Sights of Warsaw | Useful information for every sight

2020-05-30T13:30:00.002+03:00

After our trip to Warsaw, we decided to collect the most notable sights of this beautiful city, so that you won’t miss anything and learn useful information about them.

Read below to learn about the most important sights of Poland’s capital, based on every major category:

Sights:

Old Town’s Market

(Stare Miasto)

It’s the most ancient part of Old Town as well as its center.

The general idea for a market came in mind in 13^th century and continued to be the heart of the city until 18^th century. The city thrived because of the trade, that used to take place there. Furthermore, the square was a place for public events, fairs as well as an area for public executions.

Moreover, each one of its sides is named after a well-known figure of Warsaw. Also, it is important to mention that houses weren’t enumerated, but each one was known by the name of the family that lived there and by the distinct architectural characteristics (such as size, color, decoration, etc.)

In the center of the square, there is the monument of “Mermaid Warsaw”, the symbol of the city. It is depicted holding a sword and a shield, ready to fight for her beloved city. Mermaid Warsaw is located in the center of the square, because this place is considered as the place of resurrection of Warsaw after the end of World War II.

Since we talked about the square, we have to say that we saw a small metal statue of a basilisk. At first, we thought that it was a dragon decorating a house and we took photos of it, in order to remember it. Later, we learned that it wasn’t just an ornament, but it had a story behind. A legend says that there was a basilisk in the cellar of that building, terrorizing the citizens, until one brave man killed it.

For your information, there are several buildings around the square that are turned into museums. For example, the History Museum and Literature Museum are located there.

Palace of Culture and Science

(plac Defilad 1)

This building houses theaters, cinemas, museums, pubs and the main tourist information office of Warsaw.

It is the tallest building in Warsaw and one of the tallest ones in Poland. More specifically, it is 237 meters and it is believed that someone can see it from everywhere around the city. It is interesting that the Palace of Culture and Science is built is 1955 by Russian workers, as a gift from Soviet to Polish.

Is it worth entering?

You can go inside the building and walk around the 1st floor and the basement for free.

Also, you can go to the 30^th floor, where you can marvel at the view of the city from 114 meters. More specifically, the building isn’t as good on the inside as it is on the outside, but on the contrary, the view it offers is unbelievable. The ticket price only for the view is 20 zloti (approximately 4 euros) and for your information there is a coffee place at the 30^th floor, so that you can enjoy a tasty coffee while looking at the wonderful view of Warsaw.

Copernicus Monument

(Śródmieście Północne)

Nicolaus Copernicus was mathematician and astronomer. He was the one who developed the theory that Earth rotates around the Sun, on the contrary to what people believed. Even though he died before his theory was globally accepted, today it is officially accepted and the only true one.

At his enormous statue, Copernicus is depicted sitting on a chair while holding a bronze model of the solar system. There are two signs at the monument, the one is written in Latin and the other in Polish. The first says “To Nikolaus Copernicus from a grateful nation” and the other says “To Nikolaus Copernicus from his compatriots”.

It is interesting that Copernicus, Chopin and also Mari Curie, are, many times, considered of a different nationality, from the world. That’s why Polish try to set this misconception right, by building many monuments and museums in the name of them, in the whole country.

Palaces:

Royal Palace

(plac Zamkowy 4, 00-277 )

The moment you enter Old Town, you will be amazed by the wonderful Royal Castle of Warsaw. It was the official seat of monarchy. The original building was built in 1619 and rebuilt in 1984. That being said that a huge effort was made in order to make it look as close to the original as possible.

Today, it is a historic and national monument and it is listed as a national museum. Since 1980, along with the Old Town, are considered as cultural heritage by UNESCO.

The ticket price is 30 zloti (approximately 7 euros) and you’re your information the entrance is free on Wednesdays.

Is it worth entering?

The truth is that the building is really beautiful on the inside but it doesn’t look like a castle, because it’s actually a museum. However, it has many wonderful areas, a lot of paintings and statues, some of them are authentic and some are replicas. Also, it has many stunning gardens inside.

Unfortunately, even if you book a ticket, you still have to wait in line at least for an hour. Also, you have to leave all your personal belongings at the wardrobe. The biggest problem however is that you can’t communicate properly with the stuff, because the majority doesn’t speak English at all. The only people that can speak English fluently are the tour guides, who you have to pay extra for a tour.

Presidential Palace of Warsaw.

(Krakowskie Przedmieście 48/50, 00-071)

It is the impressive presidential residence of Poland. It was built in 1643, as an aristocrat mansion, but it gained its present form in 1818.

The Presidential Palace of Warsaw, is the location, where many significant historic events took place. These historic events are important not only for Poland but for the whole world too. More specifically, one of these events was the signing of the first European Constitution, in 1791.

During World War II, the Presidential Palace of Warsaw was the operational center for the Nazi army in Poland. However, it remained intact the whole time.

Also, it is important to mention that the entrance of the palace is bejeweled by the statue of Joseph Poniatowski, a significant leading figure of Poland. Originally, this statue was at Saski Palace (“Saxon Palace”). However, during World War II the palace was destroyed and the Polish moved the statue in front of the Presidential Palace, after the war.

Palace-Museum of King Jan III

(Wilanow Krolewski 02-958)

King Jan III bought the area in 1677 and built this Palace, which was surrounded by a beautiful garden, a farm and a zoo.

It is important to mention that this Palace was built on purpose outside of the city of Warsaw. The king wanted to have a place to rest with his family, but it had to be close to the royal palace, in order for him to command his country.

Inside the palace, you can marvel at its astonishing architecture, its luxurious rooms and the royal decoration. Moreover, since 1805, an area in the palace has turned into an art museum. Also, you can walk around its wonderful gardens, each one of which has a name based on its type (such as Rose Garden, Baroque Garden, etc.). Lastly, at the edge of the park and by the river, there is one beautiful artificial lake, that you can admire and photograph.

Is it worth visiting?

The truth is that this sight is located way far from the center of Warsaw. However, if you own/rent a car or you have plenty of time, it’s worth entering and marveling at the wonderful gardens and of course the art museum, which is the oldest art museum in the whole Poland.

Also, beware that the ticket price is a bit more expensive than other Polish sights.

Parks:

Lazienki Park

It is the biggest park in Warsaw. At first, it was built as the royal baths of 17^th century. One century later, the last monarch of Poland placed villas, palaces and many monuments in the area. Since 1918, the park is opened for the public and operates all year round. Also, for your information, many artistic events are often organized by famous Polish artists there.

Inside Lazienki park, there are a lot of significant buildings and monuments of Warsaw. One of the most famous is the “Palace on the Isle”, which originally was the royal bath-house. It is decorated with various statues and murals. Right next to it, you can find the Classical Amphitheater, which is inspired by Ancient Greek and Roman architecture.

Another important sight is Myslewicki Palace, with its characteristic semi-circular shape. It was initially built as the main residence of the king, but as time passed by, it became the location where all the discussions of significant matters took place. Many diplomats, kings and leaders, not only Polish but foreigners too, have stayed in Palace’s luxurious areas and rooms.

Moreover, in Lazienki park you will find the Museum of Hunting and Horsemanship. This museum was built in king’s hunting grounds and inside it there are halls themed after this topic. More specifically, there is a traditional hunting room, full of trophies from various animals, an exhibition with forest animals, another one with all the birds native to Poland and a room with trophies of exotic animals from the five continents. It is indeed sad knowing that all those animals were killed just to decorate a wall.

Last but not least, in the Lazienki park, there is a plethora of unbelievable gardens, that will captivate you. In detail, the gardens that are located there, are the following: Royal Garden, Romantic Garden, Modern Garden and Chinese Garden. It is interesting that the park has rich wildlife, since it is the home for many animal species, such as peacocks, squirrels, mole-rats, hedgehogs, foxes, etc.

For your information, Belwederski Palace is right next to Lazienki Park. It is called Belvedere (from the Italian word for “beautiful sight”), since it offers a magnificent view of the park. Unfortunately, the entrance is forbidden for the public, because Belwederski Palace is the royal guesthouse for foreign leaders, who visit Warsaw.

Saxon Park

(Marszałkowska, 00-102)

It’s the oldest public park of Warsaw. It is a baroque park, inspired by the park of Versailles. The central route leads straight to the palace, exactly as French palaces are. In 19^th century, the aesthetic was changed, in order to look like the English one.

Inside the Saxon Park, you can see a sundial, crafted in 1863 and the Tomb of Unknown Soldier, which is located at the remnants of the Palace. Moreover, an imperial style fountain sits on one of the Park’s corners, built in 1855.

It’s a sight you can’t miss, especially when the flowers bloom. We can’t forget to mention that 70 statues were crafted and placed inside the garden, but unfortunately only 20 remain, crafted by unknown sculptors of Warsaw.

Multimedia Fountain Park

(Skwer 1 Dywizji Pancernej WP, 00-221)

Near the Old Town of Warsaw, you can marvel at the most extravagant fountain of Europe. On summer nights, you can enjoy the water jets dancing, with the company of lights and lasers, at the sound of music. Furthermore, someone can learn the whole history and the various legends of Warsaw, through an animated story, displayed on a mist, using a special kind of projector.

Be advised that this event takes place during summer months and more specifically from May to September. In Winter, you will be able to see only the dancing lights, not the water jets.

Museums:

Warsaw Uprising Museum

(Grzybowska 79, 00-844)

This museum is dedicated to the uprising of 1944 from German occupation, the post-war era and the communist regime that followed after.

The idea of creating a museum like that came in mind after the end of communist regime, in 1983, but it opened in 2004 on the 60^th anniversary of the uprising.

Inside Warsaw Uprising Museum’s halls, you will marvel at a plethora of exhibits, war artifacts, photographs, films and testimonial recordings. In 2006, the museum expanded with a new collection about Allied airdrops. It is important to mention that there is a replica of a whole airplane inside this exhibition. A big part of this exhibition is dedicated to the Germans and their allies. It shows their actions in Warsaw, as they are documented in official texts or private notes.

Moreover, it is interesting that the museum is structured in a way that the visitor views the exhibition items in chronological order. More specifically, the first items you see are from the era before the uprising and as you walk along the corridors, you end up viewing exhibits from persecution of insurgents from Warsaw.

Last but not least, remember that the tower of the museum (observation tower) is an attraction worth visiting, since it offers a panoramic view of Liberty Park as well as the city of Warsaw.

Fryderyk Chopin Museum

(Pałac Gnińskich, 00-368, Okólnik 1)

Chopin was one of the most famous composers and pianists of 19^th century. One of his most notable work and a well-known song is “Fantaisie-Impromptu”. There is no way you haven’t heard it.

The museum was established in 1954, but the building that houses it (Ostrogski Palace) was built in 17^th century. It’s one of the most beautiful museums, especially for those who love music.

Inside, you will be able to see manuscripts, personal notes, photographs, letters and statues of Chopin himself. Oftentimes, various concerts take place inside the halls of the museum.

The Ostrogski Palace is also used as the headquarters for Fryderyk Chopin’s Society, which was created in 1934 by politicians, musicians and authors, who wanted to gather everything related to Chopin.

It is a museum you should visit, since it is considered one of the most interactive of its kind and it uses modern audio-visual technology in every corner.

National Museum of Warsaw

(Aleje Jerozolimskie 3, Warsaw, Poland)

It’s the biggest museum of Warsaw and one of the biggest ones in Poland. Established in 1862, it has one of the greatest collections of Nubian Christian art.

Apart from that, it has a rich collection of ancient Greek, Roman and Egyptian art, approximately 11,000 pieces. Furthermore, there are many Polish paintings from the 16^th century until now, a collection of paintings from other countries (Italian, French, German, Russian, Danish), one gallery of Applied Arts, a section about Oriental Art and the biggest collection of Chinese Art in Poland. Also, for your information National museum houses the Numismatic museum.

Copernicus Science Center

(Wybrzeże Kościuszkowskie 20, 00-390)

At the bank of Vistula river, there is the Copernicus Science Center. It is the biggest science center of Poland and one of the most developed in Europe.

It is an interesting and interactive museum, since visitors can make various experiments and discover science’s laws on their own, in a practical and creative way.

Moreover, this museum consists of planetarium, chemistry lab, biology lab, robotic workshop and physics lab. Also, it is important to mention that Copernicus Science Center organizes every year the “Science Fair”, the biggest scientific open-air event in Europe.

A few more…

Of course, those aren’t the only museums in Warsaw. If you want to visit more museums, we must include the following: Museum of Polish Jews History, Museum of Polish Army (with exhibits from 10^th century, airplanes and tanks), Vodka Museum (where you learn the history of vodka and you can also have a taste) and

Museum of Modern Art (with over 200 works of various artists).

We hope that we helped you and that you also took a ride with us in this amazing city!

Keep traveling!😉

3 days in Athens by locals: The Perfect Athens Itinerary + MAPS

2020-05-23T15:45:00.002+03:00

Athens is one of the most ancient cities in the whole world, having been continuously inhabited for at least 5,000 years. It is considered to be the mother of Democracy and there’s no doubt that the whole city of Athens is an outdoor museum, since every step brings you closer to a part of history!

Living in Athens for so long, it was about time for us to write a 3-day itinerary for it, in order to help you see everything you should in just 3 days!

Our 3-day itinerary is separated in a specific way. The first day is dedicated to a relaxing exploration of Athens’ center, on the second day you will focus on archaeological sites and history and on the last day you are going to visit some other regions of Athens.

So… LET’S START!

Day 1

As we mentioned, your first day is dedicated to the beauty of the city center! So, starting from Syntagma, you are going to marvel at the busy Syntagma Square, where many events are often organized. For those who don’t know, if you climb the stairs of Syntagma Square, you will see the Greek Parliament Building, where the Tomb of Unknown Soldier is also located and it is guarded by the famous “tsoliades” (Greek presidential guards).

Walking downwards, you will pass through the famous Ermou street, which is full of shops and people walking around. We suggest you to enjoy a delicious breakfast or brunch in one of the many coffee places around Athens’ center! For example, you can go to Kolokotronis and Romvis street or at the Aghia Irini’s Square, where the best (and beloved by locals) coffee shops are located.

After your breakfast, you will head to the famous Monastiraki Square. There, you will see Handrian’s Library, actually the remains of it, where you can go inside if you want. Later, you will pass by Roman Forum, which was the administration center, along with Hadrian’s Library, during Roman occupation. You can go inside if you want, where you will marvel at the remains of various shops, pillars, Tower of the Winds and Fethiye Mosque, which now operates as a museum.

Next, you will climb Dioskouron Street and you will head to Anafiotika. More specifically, you will see on your right a steep upward street, which we recommend you to climb in order to marvel at the captivating view of Athens from up high. Later, dare to climb down from the steps you will find there, but carefully because many people climb up and down all the time. By getting down from the steps, you will have the opportunity to explore and marvel at Anafiotika entirely. Anafiotika is truly a unique place, since its architecture is one of a kind. More precisely, when you visit it and look around, you will probably feel like you are on a Greek island or something!

After you visit Anafiotika, you will turn right to Stratonos street, in order to head to Thespidos street and reach beautiful Plaka! Plaka is a touristy area and one of the most ancient parts of the city of Athens. We are sure you will see many touristy shops, with clothing or souvenirs as well as restaurants and generally food places. We suggest you to grab something to eat, like a sandwich or a souvlaki and keep walking till you reach the National Garden and enjoy your snack there, like locals do!

More specifically, you will go from Kidathineon Street, you will reach Vasilissis Amalias and you will go to Zappeion. Zappeion is one of Athens’ most important buildings. More precisely, Zappeion is an enormous building, with 25 separate rooms, where many meetings and ceremonies are often organized. Walking from Zappeion, you will reach the impressive National Garden, where you will enjoy a refreshing walk, breathe fresh air and of course enjoy your snack or coffee at one of its benches.

Time for the best time of the day! More specifically, after you finish with your walk and snack, you will head to the popular Lycabettus Hill! Remember that you can also pass by Panathenaic Stadium, also known as Kallimarmaro.

Moreover, you can reach Lycabettus Hill by climbing a paved path or by rail transport. There, you will marvel at the stunning view of Athens, from the highest point of the city center, namely 277 meters! The reason we suggest you to visit Lycabettus Hill in the afternoon is because it’s better to see the whole city of Athens bathed in the colors of sunset. Beware that you have to mind your personal belongings, since there are many pickpockets in touristy areas like Lycabettus Hill.

Furthermore, for your information, be advised that there is a coffee shop/restaurant in Lycabettus Hill. However, we recommend going to Kolonaki, the most cosmic area of Athens! If you don’t want to spend all your savings, it would be better to have a coffee or a dessert in Kolonaki, walk around and explore the area and then head to a restaurant in Thissio or Monastiraki. Also, in this way, you will pass through Ermou again, in order to do shopping before your dinner.

In Thissio and Monastiraki, there are many nice restaurants, where you can enjoy delicious dishes of Greek cuisine. In other words, you can go to the restaurant of your choice and have a wonderful night!

Do not forget that Athens has a vivid nightlife, so you will find countless bars (or clubs) to go, if you want to drink (at least) one drink before going back to your room. However, it would be better if you don’t stay up late, because the next day is going to be full of exploration and you will need to be well rested and ready for new adventures!

Day 2

We told you to be ready for the day 2 but we didn’t mention why. The reason is… Acropolis! More specifically, as you already know, Acropolis is always crowded. Therefore, the best hour to visit Acropolis is early in the morning. In other words, you must wake up early, eat a rich breakfast and then be there when it opens (around 8:00)!

Acropolis is the most significant sight of Athens or generally of Greece! For those who don’t know, Acropolis is the hill, where various monuments are located. Also, for your information, Acropolis means “the edge of the city” in Greek. Climbing Acropolis, you will marvel at Propilea at first, then Erehthio and of course the well-known Parthenon! It is important to mention that there is no time limit for your visit, so you can wander around as much time as you want, marveling at the monuments and of course at the magnificent view of Athens from up high.

When you exit Acropolis, you can visit Areopagus ("Arios Pagos"), that will be located exactly in front of you. Areopagus was the court of ancient Greeks and now it is an attractant for both locals and tourists, due to the captivating view it offers.

Later, you will head to the Covered Walkway of Attalus (or Stoa of Attalus). Stoa of Attalus is a sight in the center of Athens and there you will also find the Ancient Agora/Market. Stoa of Attalus is built as a gift from king Attalus to Athens, because he studied there.

You can explore the archaeological site for as much as you want, you can visit the small museum inside as well as visit the Ancient Agora. Ancient Agora operates as a museum and its exhibits are mostly about Athenian Democracy.

It's important to mention that if you find time, you can also visit the Temple of Olympian Zeus. The temple of Olympian Zeus was the most significant temple of Greece, during Hellenistic and Roman era. However, don’t worry if you miss it, since there isn’t anything inside, such as a museum or something. On the contrary, only a few columns of the temple are left and you can also marvel at the temple of Olympian Zeus when you are at Acropolis, as you can see in the picture below.

After Stoa of Attalus, you can enjoy a relaxing walk and also shopping, since you will be at Monastiraki Square. Monastiraki’s Flea Market is notable in whole Greece for its countless thrift and clothing shops and many more. Of course, you will buy souvenirs from there as well as anything else that will catch your eye!

What’s better than having a sweet break after shopping? And when we say sweet… we literally mean it! More specifically, you can go to Psirri area where the coffee places with the most delicious desserts are located.

You can visit the most famous thematic café in the center of Athens, Little Kook. You will sure notice where it is, since the whole street is decorated in many ways depending on the season.

After you feel ready, you can visit the Museum of Acropolis. The Museum of Acropolis is the most modern museum of Greece as well as the most marvelous. It opened in 2009 and it consists of 4 levels, three full of Acropolis’ exhibits and at the other (the 2^nd) you will find a coffee place, where you can marvel at the view of Athens.

Your second day in Athens doesn’t end there, since it’s time for an exciting experience! You can grab a beer or an ice-cream and start climbing Philopappos Hill. Philopappos Hill offers a captivating view of Acropolis as well as of the whole city. More specifically, you can watch the sunset while looking at the other side of Athens (and Piraeus) on the top of the hill (at the Philopappos Monument) and later you will also have the chance to see Acropolis all lit up!

After that exhausting day, you will probably be hungry and you will be tired to search for a place to eat. That’s why you will enjoy your dinner in the center of Athens, near Monastiraki Square, where you can find many nice restaurants.

As we pointed out before, there are many bars and clubs in the center of Athens. However, if you want to party till early in the morning, it’s worth visiting Kerameikos. Keramikos is full of people club hopping and partying, especially on weekends!

Day 3

As you remember, your day 3 will not be confined in the city center, but it will be dedicated to the exploration of other Athenian regions. More specifically, Athens is not just Syntagma or Monastiraki, but you have to wander around other areas, in order to explore Athens in its whole.

We recommend you to go swimming in the magical Lake of Vouliagmenis! It will be a unique experience, since its water is warm all-year-round, because the source of it is hot springs underneath Vouliagmeni. Beware that you will need to buy a ticket, in order to go swimming there. Of course, you will explore the area of Vouliagmeni in general, where you will wander around the coastline of Vouliagmeni and the beautiful bays.

Moreover, there are many places for coffee or food but be advised that the prices will be high, since Vouliagmeni is a touristy area. For this reason, we suggest you to go explore another region of Athens! For example, you can go to Glyfada to have a coffee or lunch, even on foot!

If you want to know our personal opinion, we would tell you that the best idea to continue your day is to visit the beautiful Piraeus. There, you will enjoy a wonderful walk by the sea and of course you will have the best seafood of your life!

Lastly, the best way to wave Athens goodbye is with a delicious cocktail on your hand, in one of the countless roof-tops in the center of the city! In this way, you will rest enjoying a tasty drink, while viewing at lit Acropolis at the same time.

We hope that you found our 3-day itinerary helpful and that you will have the time of your life in the magical Athens!

Keep traveling! 😉

2 Days in Heraklion by locals: The Perfect Heraklion Itinerary + MAPS

2020-05-16T19:30:00.002+03:00

Heraklion is the biggest city of Crete and the 6^th biggest city in Greece. Heraklion, and Crete in general, is known for the hospitality of its people, for the wonderful beaches and for the famous traditional taverns with good Cretan food.

Since we are from Crete and one of us is from Heraklion, we decided to make a 2-day Itinerary, in order to assist you in making the trip of your dreams and help you not to miss anything significant!

Day 1

Your day will start with Liberty Square. Heraklion’s Liberty Square is the central part of the city. There, you will find the Prefecture of Heraklion, the statue of Unknown Soldier, the most famous hotel of the city “Astoria” and the Gate of St. Georgios. Moreover, near Liberty Square, there is the Archaeological Museum, for which we will talk about later. Also, for your information, Liberty Square had many different names before, but it got the name “Liberty Square” after Crete’s liberation from the Turks.

It’s important to mention Georgiadis Park, near Liberty Square.

It is the biggest park in Heraklion. Locals used to relax there, since it had many small cafes and also a playground. Many events and a farmers’ market used to take place there some days of the week. Unfortunately, there is nothing like that nowadays due to the reconstruction of the park. Nonetheless, Georgiadis Park is a small heaven in the center of the city, where someone can marvel at its tall trees and walk inside to breathe fresh air.

If you haven't had breakfast yet and if you are a crepe/waffle lover, you can visit Hari's Creperie. Trust is, the portions are more than filling!

After visiting Liberty Square or and Georgiadis Park, you will walk downwards Dikaeosinis street or Daedalou street, where you will find many shops, in order to reach the “Agora” (means market) of Heraklion. Agora is the central market of Heraklion and is located in 1866 street. There, you will see many small shops with local products (such as meat, cheese, spices), cheap clothing shops, taverns, small cafes and of course tourist shops for you to buy souvenirs. You will realize that the Agora of Heraklion is always crowded, since almost every local buys his/her essentials from there.

After you finish with your walk and shopping, Lion’s Square is your next stop!

Lion’s Square is the most popular square of Heraklion. It got this name from its central fountain, Morosini Fountain. Morosini Fountain consists of four lions and from every lion’s mouth runs water. They built Morosini Fountain that way, so that many people could drink water at the same time and not for aesthetic reasons. Moreover, Morosini Fountain is considered one of the most beautiful Venetian monuments of Heraklion and it’s important to mention that it has been almost intact through the years.

We suggest you to take a relaxing break now. Around Lion’s Square, you can find various coffee places, where you can enjoy a nice coffee or a tasty snack. For those who love chocolate, you can walk downwards Chandakos street and you will reach Outopia café, the most famous coffee place of Heraklion, in 2 minutes.

When you feel ready, we recommend you to visit the most notable sight of Heraklion, Koules.

We suggest you to walk through the 25^th Avgoustou street, either when you want to visit Koules or when you return from it, since there you will marvel at even more sights.

More specifically, walking downwards the 25^th Avgoustou, you will find on your right Loggia, the building that houses the Municipality of Heraklion. It used to be the place where aristocrats and lords met in order to discuss important matters of the city. After Loggia, you will see the Church of St. Titos, that was initially built as a mosque in 1869.

Next, you will reach the Venetian fortress by the sea, Koules.

Koules is in the entrance of Heraklion’s port, in order to protect it from intruders. It is located there since 1540 and later it was used as a prison. Now, Koules is open for the public, where someone can walk all the way to the Lighthouse, that is located at the end of the sight. The truth is that Koules is an attractant, not only for tourists, but on the contrary almost every local goes there for jogging or for a relaxing walk with friends and family.

It is important to mention that if you want to continue walking by Heraklion’s seafront, bare in mind that you will see the Venetian Shipyards. Venetian Shipyards are located on Nearchou Avenue and you are able to see them even from Koules. Also, Venetian Shipyards were built by Venetians in the 17^th century, for the building and reconstruction of the ships.

As for the food, you can find many taverns and restaurants at the center of Heraklion. Since you are on an island, it is preferable to taste some seafood dishes, with the view at the port of the city. Of course, there are many places with local or international cuisine.

We can’t forget to mention the vivid life of Heraklion. There are many bars and clubs, where you can have a drink and take a look how locals have fun, before going to your room to rest for the next day.

Day 2

There are many nice coffee places to enjoy a rich breakfast. For example, you can go to Aretousas street or Idaeou Androu street if you want to see where locals go!

The photo you see is from Crop Roastery Brewery, which is a cafe famous for its pancake tower!

If you are a museum lover, you can start your day with a visit at one of the most significant museums, not only for Greece but for the entire Europe, the Archaeological Museum.

The Archaeological Museum is housed there since 1940, built on top of the Catholic church of St. Francis. It’s interesting that you can view at the remains of the church from museum’s garden. Inside the Archaeological Museum, you can find a plethora of findings from Crete’s history, starting from Neolithic era all the way to the Roman times. Of course, the most important exhibits are from the Minoan era and more specifically, the Archaeological Museum possesses the most significant exhibition of the Minoan era in the entire world.

For your information, there are many more museums in the city of Heraklion, that you can visit. We suggest you to visit the History Museum and the Natural History Museum.

After the visit in Archaeological Museum, you can continue your walk from Liberty Square to Averof street, until you reach the statue of Erotokritos and the Bebo Fountain. Walking through Evans street, you will find the New Gate (Gate of Jesus), which is built in 1587 as the south exit of the fortification of Heraklion. This fortification is known today as the Venetian Walls. The Venetian Walls of Heraklion were used as a defense measure, built in 1669.

There, you can find the tomb of Kazantzakis, a famous Cretan author. Also, you can see the Botanical Garden of Heraklion as well as the locally known open-air theaters, where many cultural events are organized all year round.

You can take a small break for a coffee or a snack.

Those who want to continue Plastira Avenue, be advised that you will see Bethlehem Gate, where cultural eventsand a cinema take place there. Further down the road, you will find the Almighty Gate, which locals know as Chanioporta.

On your right, you will see Kalokaerinou Avenue, which is one of the most crowded and popular streets of Heraklion. Walking through Kalokaerinou street, you will find the famous church of St. Minas, the patron saint of Heraklion.

St. Minas church is well-known for its beautiful wall-paintings and the majestic chandeliers. There, you can also find the church of Saint Aekaterini, which also operates as a museum. Its exhibits consist of paintings of saints and items used during ceremonies.

Since you will be in the area of St. Minas, know that locals go at the various taverns, located at the paved way of Kagiabi street. Moreover, there are similar taverns at Milatou street. These hospitable taverns are notable for their delicious dishes and their never-ending drinks.

BE ADVISED:

If you are planning on staying more days, don’t forget to visit the Minoan Palace of Knossos, which is considered the first city of Europe. Knossos is located a few kilometers outside the city and exists from 7,000 B.C., while the first palace was built in 1900 B.C.

We hope that we helped you with our 2-day plan and you will have the time of your life, full of exploring and endless fun!

You can also watch the following video, of our trip in Heraklion, if you want to see more!

The 10 most important sights of Rome

2020-05-09T20:23:00.001+03:00

After our trip to the capital of Italy, we decided to write about the most important sights of it, in order to help you not to miss anything significant!

Keep reading to find out what are the most important sights of Rome and learn useful information about them.

Colosseum

Colosseum or “Flavium Amphitheater” is the most famous sight of Rome. Its name comes from the Italian word “colosseo”, which means gigantic, due to the enormous statue of Nero that used to be there. As for the name “Flavium Amphitheater”, it comes from the Flavians. Flavians was the leading dynasty in Rome, the era Colosseum was constructed.

Colosseum was built in 81 A.D., so that games could be organized there for the amusement of the public as well as for the increase of appreciation to the emperor. The duration of the games was at least one day. However, there has been a game that lasted 100 days! We have to mention at this point that more than 80.000 spectators could visit it on game days free of charge to watch battles between gladiators. Lastly, nowadays inside the Colosseum you can find various exhibits, like busts, sculptures, models, artifacts and much more.

Roman Forum

Roman Forum (Foro Romano in Italian) is located near Colosseum and in the center of Rome. It is an area that consists of many remains of important buildings from the Roman era.

For many years, it was the central area for various events like talks, parades, elections, games etc. Nowadays, Roman Forum is a main draw for most tourists, since it has ruins of significant buildings everywhere. For example, Roman Forum is full of debris of temples, arches and basilicas.

More specifically, the most important buildings that we have to mention is the Temple of Vespasian and Titus, Temple of Vesta, Arch of Titos and Basilica of Maxentius.

Palatine Hill

Palatine Hill is located between Colosseum and Roman Forum. It is the place where an imperial palace was built. Also, that palace was named after the hill (palatium). Palatine Hill is one of the most ancient places in Rome and more specifically it is residential since 10^th century B.C. Moreover, according to Roman Mythology, the cave of the female wolf that saved Remus and Romulus is located at the southern side of the Palatine Hill.

In Palatine Hill, you can marvel at a plethora of significant monuments. The most important of them is the Palace of Domitian, which is separated in three parts (home, conference site, garden). Furthermore, you will find, amongst other monuments, the House of Augustus, who was the first Roman emperor.

Monument of Vittorio Emanuele II

Vittorio Emanuele II monument is located in Piazza Venezia since 1925. Vittorio Emanuele II was the first king of unified Italy and the monument was built to honor him. Also, the Tomb of Unknown Soldier with the Eternal Flame was built there, after World War I.

It is important to mention that in the base of the monument of Vittorio Emanuele II, you can find a Museum of Italian Unification. Also, don’t forget that visitors can go to the building’s roof using an elevator and catch a glimpse of the city from 71 meters.

Pantheon

Pantheon is located in Piazza della Rotonda. It is the biggest Roman monument that survived intact until now. It was constructed in 1^st century A.D. for the worshiping of all Roman gods. Afterall, that’s exactly what its name means. More precisely, Pantheon derives from the ancient Greek adjective “πάνθειον”, which means “to/for all gods”. However, Pantheon turned into a Christian church, after the prevalence of Christianism in Rome.

Of course, entering Pantheon you will feel awe, because of the impressive size of the monument. Maybe the first thing you will notice, will be the center of the dome, which has a hole, in order for the light to pass through. Moreover, there is a corner dedicated to Vittorio Emanuele II, the “father of the nation” for Italians.

Fontana di Trevi

Fontana di Trevi, as most of you already know, is a beautiful fountain in Rome. It is located in Trevi Square, which means the square of the three roads. Romans at the end of every aqueduct used to build a fountain. That’s why a fountain was built in 19 B.C. in the same place where Fontana di Trevi is located today. The aqueduct was destroyed due to attacks and in 1762 Fontana di Trevi was built as we know it today.

It Is important to mention the sculptures of Fontana di Trevi. More specifically, Roman technicians are shown discovering the spring that the water of the fountain comes from. Behind them, you can see “Palazzo Poli” which operates as a museum.

As for the coin throwing tradition, there is a legend that connects this tradition with the Trevi Fountain. More specifically, it is believed that if someone throws one coin inside the fountain, he/she will return to Rome, with two coins he/she will marry an Italian and with three coins he/she will get married in Rome. That’s why tourists from around the world throw coins in Fontana di Trevi, for their wish to come true.

Villa Borghese

Villa Borghese is a marvelous Roman sight. The garden of the villa is used as a beautiful park, free for the public and the building operates as an Art Museum.

Inside the museum’s 20 roofs, you can find the great collection of Borghese. For example, you can marvel at exhibits such as paintings and sculptures and mostly a big collection of Bernini’s statues.

As for the garden of Borghese, it is the third biggest public park in Rome. There, you can wander around Borghese park and breathe fresh air or even visit the nearby zoo.

Castle Sant’ Angelo

Castle Sant’ Angelo is a significant building of Rome, the use of which changed with the passage of time. More precisely, it was initially built as Handrian’s mausoleum, in 139 A.D. Later, it turned into a fortress for the popes. Nowadays, it is a museum, where you can find the former residence of the Pope, various statues as well as a collection of weapons. Lastly, you can climb at the top floor, where you can marvel at the view of the city.

As for its name, it is because of the vision a Pope had in 590 A.D. More specifically, Archangel Michael appeared above the building seething his sword, symbolizing the end of plague.

St. Peter’s Basilica

St. Peter’s Basilica is the biggest Christian church in the world. More precisely, its width is 150 meters, its length is 220 m. and a height that reaches 136 meters.

The square in front of St. Peter’s Basilica, attracts many people, especially during the days when Pope is on the balcony and blesses the public. Also, Catholics believe that underneath the Basilica lies the tomb of Saint Peter. Last but not least, remember to climb at the top of the dome, in order to enjoy the marvelous view of Rome.

Vatican City

Vatican City is a state-city and the center of Catholic Church, surrounded by Rome. It’s important to mention that Vatican City is the smallest country in the world and the place that Pope resides. Moreover, St. Peter’s Basilica signifies the beginning of the Vatican City.

It’s really worth visiting, since there are many Art Museums and more specifically 1400 rooms full of exhibits. There, you will also find the well-known Sistine Chapel, with the famous wall-painting of Michael Angel.

You can also watch the following video, in which we talk about our trip to Rome, if you want to learn more information about the city and see more sights!