Skiing…in Greece!

It is not widely known, but it is a fact that skiing holidays in Greece are much less expensive than in other areas of Europe.  Perhaps the more famous European ski resorts attract more celebrities, but the mountains of Greece offer stunning, idyllic scenery, their own particular charm, and proximity to other attractions, historical sites, and at some locations, thermal springs.

Greece offers exhilarating adventures against the stunning beauty of the alpine landscape.

Two websites have the most comprehensive information on ski resorts in or near central Greece: www.visitgreece.com, the official site of the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) and www.greektravel.com, Matt Barrett’s popular guide. Slopes in Central Greece closest to Athens are on Mount Parnassus, a two hour drive from Athens and close to Delphi; and the Pelion Mountain (Agriolefkes), and Mount Velouchi, (Karpenisi), both approximately four hours from Athens by car.

Mount Parnassus has fifteen slopes and Agriolefkes and Karpenisi have three. All have accommodations, cafeterias, and restaurants. Highly recommended, also, is the modern ski lodge on Kalavrita in the Peloponessos, the second largest ski resort in Greece. Some ski enthusiasts consider Kalavrita to be among the best in Europe.

On the island of Crete, Alpine Travel will plan ski holidays for you and your group. Tourists come from all over the world for the cross-country adventures on the White Mountains and Mount Psiloritis. For information about a unique and exciting new package called “Heliskiing” that Alpine is offering this season contact George Antonakakis, founder, at www.alpinetravel.gr. Mr. Antonakakis is a pilot rated AR (Aerobatics) by the British Aerobatic Academy under the European Aviation Safety Agency.

Weather permitting, groups are taken by helicopter to the top of slopes on The White Mountains for cross-country skiing. It has become very popular and you are encouraged to book as soon as possible. Please visit the website to see photos of activity during a seven-day “Heliskiing” trips. Alpine Travel is well-known for its “adventure” travel all year round at various locations on the island and for popular active holidays for families. Summer travel packages range from trekking, hiking gorges, and kayaking to bungee jumping.

TELOS

Published in The National Herald, January 2014

Winter Hiking on the Island of Kea

In my many decades of traveling to Greece, I have spent some winter months in Athens, but never on an island. I want to do this eventually—maybe next year–so I began my research, searching for an island where I could be active, but also discover more about ancient Greece. I immediately eliminated strenuous activity such as skiing and hiking, and while participating in the winter olive harvest on the island of Ithaca sounded interesting, it did not appeal to me.

I wanted an island close to Athens where I can take gentle walks through archaic ruins—my way of combining moderate physical activity with the pleasure of learning more about the ancient world. I searched through guide books and on internet sites to no avail until I consulted Matt Barrett’s Greece Travel Guide and found information on what for me would be an ideal winter holiday: rambling through the walking trails on the island of Kea.

According to Mr. Barrett: “The island of Kea has perhaps the best system of walking trails, most of them ancient, that connect the ancient cities on the island. While winter may not be the best time for swimming, it is the best time for hiking.” He describes it as “a hiker’s paradise,” with “the best system of walking paths and trails of any Greek island.” He says the landscape is varied, including “remote coves and ruins of ancient cities.” If, like me, you fancy walking tours on Kea during any season, please visit www.greecetravel.com for more information on the tours offered by Kostis Marulis, a guide living on the island.

The island of Kea is an hour from nearby Lavrion by ferry and is a good all-season island because of its miles and miles of ancient footpaths, clearly marked and kept up by the municipality. The Red Tractor Farms Guesthouse not only has comfortable rooms with fireplaces but they also provide guests with seasonal activities like olive-picking and production, wine-making and traditional crafts of the island. Kostis Marulis leads nature tours around the island and he and his wife Marcie serve as your hosts.

If you want to site by a cozy fireplace at night and enjoy a taste of a real Greek island in the off-season please visit www.hotelsofgreece.com/cyclades/kea/red-tractor-farm. You may want to change your holiday in Greece from the summer to the winter.

Published in The National Herald - January 2014 and in Hellenic Lifestyle ... Celebrating Greek Spirit

Winter Sail on the Greek Islands

Unless you are a very creative person, very rich, or very lucky, it would be difficult to find a sense of freedom more exquisite than sailing the Greek islands with your family or friends in a yacht selected especially to fit your particular needs.

Yet this is the unique service offered by Skipper Stefan Ritscher who has connections with charter companies throughout Greece and offers exclusive and personalized sailing cruises—even in the winter.

In fact, some seafarers believe one of the best times for sailing in Greece is in the winter during the season known as “Alkyonides.” According to Matt Barrett, a friend of Skipper Ritscher, the Alkyonides, a word taken from Greek mythology, “is a two- to three-week period between Christmas and mid-January considered to be a rare ‘meteorological phenomenon.’” He says that almost every day during these weeks the skies are cloudless and a brilliant blue and the temperature is usually a warm 60 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. Keep this in mind for next year, but remember it is never too early to plan ahead for something so extraordinary that you will most likely remember it for the rest of your life.