Dodecanese is set of 12 large and another 150 small beautiful islands in the Aegean Sea that boast of unspoilt natural beauty and many historical attractions.
One of the popular islands of this group is Kalymnos that has a scenic coastline and old churches and castles. Not frequented by tourists, the island offers peaceful and relaxed environment.
Another island which allows you to escape from the hectic modern life is Karpathos. It has many beautiful isolated beaches. Its northern part has many villages that still practise the old, traditional lifestyle.
Haiki is another small island located in this region. It has many beautiful and serene beaches and waterfronts. Many of these beaches are organized and offer all comforts while other beaches are completely isolated and can only be reached after trekking. These beaches offer the visitors privacy to enjoy the virgin landscape. This island has many architectural attractions such as a medieval castle which is built on a rocky hill and stone clock tower in front of the Town Hall. Another noteworthy attraction is the long bell tower in the Church of Saint Nicolas. The inhabitants of Haiki are known for their hospitality.
The charming islands of Dodecanese are ideal for people who want to escape from the hustle bustle of modern life and wish to have a peaceful time in the lap of nature.
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Elounda is a small island located at a distance of around 7 km from Agios Nikolaos. It has five villages among which the popular village of Sxisma is situated along the sea side. It was once a little Greek village but it has now slowly transformed into a popular tourist destination. In fact, it attracts the largest number of tourists in Crete.
Elounda has many clubs, discotheques, bars, eating joints and hotels. It has sandy beaches that are regarded as the most beautiful in the entire Crete region. These beaches are organized and offer many water sports for tourists who seek some adventure and excitement.
There is also a small fishing village, which you can visit for meals. You can find all sorts of eating joints ranging from those serving traditional fare to modern international cuisine in Elounda.
A major attraction of Elounda is Spinalonga, which can be reached by a small boat ride or canoe ride. It is an islet at the entrance of the Elounda bay. Here you can see a magnificent Venetian fortress from the sixteenth century. The view from Spinalonga is breathtaking and the boat ride is exciting and fun.
Elounda allows tourists to relax and have fun in a cosy atmosphere. It is a great place to unwind and enjoy the nature.
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Athens if the capital city of Greece and gives a glimpse of the rich historical past of the country. It has been the home for many different civilizations which have left their mark on the city. The remnants of these rich civilizations are visible all over the city in the form of various historical monuments.
One of the most famous historical sites in Athens is the Acropolis Hill or the ‘Sacred Rock’. This site is the house for many stunning architectural constructions from the Golden Age of the Greek civilization. At the entrance of the holy region of Athena, the goddess, are the spectacular monuments called as the Propylaea. They are made of marble and have a grand design. The beautiful Ionian temple, Apteros Nike is also located here.
The other beautiful monuments in the city include The Temple of Poseidon, Roman Market, Odeion of Herodes Atticus, Panathinaiko Stadium or Kallimarmaro and Olymbion. Various artifacts are displayed in many museums in the city such as the Archaeological Museum. The museums display the artifacts in a very interesting and informative manner.
Further, if you enjoy observing beautifully constructed buildings then you will be interested in viewing many buildings in the City such as the Parliament and the University that have interesting neo classical architecture. Athens is also famous for its nightlife and after a day of historical sightseeing you can relax in its numerous pubs and clubs.
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Corinthia is the first prefecture of Greece that lies close to Athens. Its capital city, Corinth offers visitors a chance to stay on the shores of the sea while enjoying all the modern luxury.
Corinth is a place with a rich history and many interesting historical landmarks. One of the famous attractions is Acrocorinth, a big rock which has many ruins and sites at its foot including temples and shrines. The historical past of Corinth, which dates back to 5th century BC to 3rd century AD, comes to life in this place. The site of this mighty rock leaves onlookers in awe of it. It has Byzantine fort lined on the top and the view from the peak is thrilling and delightful.
Another breathtaking historical monument is the Temple of Apollo with Doric Columns. This 6th century BC temple is quite grand and showcases the skills of ancient craftsmen. Another attraction is the museum which houses interesting artifacts such as Roman mosaics and statues. Corinth Canal is yet another famous historical site that attracts many tourists every year.
Corinthia provides all modern comforts and gives visitors a chance to explore its mystical past without sacrificing their luxury.
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Situated amidst nature’s wonders, Astypalea is a small Greek island with bays, cliffs and clear blue waters. The island is part of the Dodecanese Greek Islands and is located between Amorgos and Kos. It has four small but picturesque villages: Chora, Analipsi (or Maltezana), Vathi and Livadia. As the island is not much developed in terms of tourism, it provides the perfect get away for people who want a peaceful vacation far from the buzzing tourists all around.
Though the island is not high on the list of tourist spots and the local population lives off agriculture and fishing, it does not lack natural beauty or places to see. Astypalea has a small archaeological museum, some beautiful churches and a grand citadel. You can also see the remains of a Roman Villa in Chora and Cave of the Dragon in Dracospilia.
Astypalea offers you beautiful pebbled and rocky beaches including the beach of Maltezana and Livadia. You can go for boating expeditions to Moura and Parou islands nearby. You can also go for swimming, snorkeling and other water sports.
The native population is quite friendly and the island offers you a great night life with several bars and discos in Skala and Chora regions. So if you are looking for an ideal tourist spot off the radar of tourists, Astypalea is just the place for you.
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Arahova is located on Mt Parnassos. It was built on the ruins of Anemoria and Kiparissos, the two cities which existed in 2000 B.C. It was ruled by the Ottoman and Greek rulers.
There are many places of historical interests in Arahova. Agios Georgios is the biggest Church in Arahova. If you visit the place in April, you can enjoy the annual festival held here to celebrate the Greek victory over the Ottoman rulers.
Mount Parnassos has a mythological past. The mountain is named after Parnassos, the son of the nymph Kleodora and is believed to be sacred to Apollo. It is also considered to be the home of the nine muses.
The best ski centre of Greece is located on this mountain. The 16 ski runs attract a large number of visitors every winter. The National Park of Parnassos is also worth a visit.
If you have some time to travel 30 km, you can go to Distomo village to visit The Monastery of Osios Loukas. The monastery was built in the 10th century and has great heritage value. Arahova is only 12 km from Delphi and can be used as a base to visit the ancient temple.
Arahova is a popular destination not only in the winters, but also can be visited during the summers. If you are looking for a cool summer vacation, then you can consider Arahova because of its proximity to the beaches Itea and Antikira.
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Antiparos is located in the Aegean Sea of Greece and is one of the islands of the Cyclades. It is located southwest of its bigger neighbour Paros and is a small holiday paradise. One of the best things about Antiparos is that you can walk to most places and it is virtually traffic free.
Antiparos has several small beautiful beaches which are great for swimming. Sandy shores and crystal water are a given here. The beach at Soros is particularly famous for its calm atmosphere.
The cave of Antiparos and the Enetic castle are a must visit. The cave still has some stalagmites and stalactites, which make for a spectacular view. There are many small churches around in Antiparos and you must visit the Church of Agios Igannis Spiliotis.
You can also go for day trips to Despotiko, a small islet located to the south of Antiparos. Many tourists from Paros and Antiparos go to Despotiko and spend hours on its beautiful beaches.
A bicycle ride along the seaside and mountains of Antiporas will give you the opportunity to enjoy the ravishing natural scenery of the island.
If you like water sports, then you can also indulge in scuba diving, kayaking and pedaloe boating.
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Anafi is a small, sparsely populated island in the Cyclades. The island’s steep cliffs allow you to enjoy marvellous views of the sea. If you are looking for a quiet place to relax and spend time in company of the spectacular nature, Anafi is just the place for you.
Anafi has a small port called Agios Nikolaos, from where you can get to Chora, the main village, in a few minutes. Most of the restaurants and markets are located along Chora’s main road.
Located 6 km from Chora in the extreme end of Anafi, is the Moni Kalamiotissas monastery, which is the main place of tourist interest. Close to the monastery are the remains of a sanctuary to Apollo.
Kastelli is another place in Anafi where you can see the remains of ancient settlements dating back to as far as the 9th century. The Venetians had also built a fortress here in the 15th century of which the ruins can still be seen here.
Besides the places of historical interest, you can also spend some great time at a number of lovely beaches in Anafi. The beach in Agios Nikolaos is sandy and great for spending idyllic time. From there you can go to other beaches by boat. Klissidi is one such beach where arrays of palm trees create a lovely visual.
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Amorgos is undoubtedly the star attraction of Cyclades. It lies in the south east of the main group of islands and boasts of a mountainous topography which makes way some absolutely spectacular views.
The island has two natural ports – Katapola and Aigiali. Katapola, the main port of Amorgos lies on the northern coast and is by far the best natural harbour of the Cyclades. Aigiali is more popular as a resort destination.
The south east coast of the island is very steep and hosts a monastery embedded in a mountain cliff. The monastery is called Panagia of Hozoviotissa and was built in 1088 by a Byzantine emperor, Alexios Komninos. The monastery is only visible by sea as it is hidden by the steep mountains it is embedded in. It is one of the most important sites in Amorgos and is a great example of Byzantine architecture perfectly synched with the natural beauty.
Amorgos is one of the few places in the world that offers visitors the option to indulge in both mountaineering and water sport activities. Amorgos is also known for its archaeological wealth. There are a number of impressive archaeological sites which give you the peek into its history from the prehistoric times.
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Agia Galini, meaning Holy Peace is a small city on the southern coast of Crete, Greece. It was at one time a small fishing village, which has now transformed into a popular tourist destination. However, this little village still does not see a big influx of tourists and retains its serene and peaceful atmosphere. It is great place to escape from their hectic urban life and enjoy the slow paced life of a small village.
Agia Galini is famous for its natural beauty. This village is built on top of the hills, which surround a port. The view of the Lybian Sea from the village is beautiful and breathtaking. You can enjoy the beauty of colourful sunsets along the beaches around this area, which can be visited for day trips. The sandy beaches of Agia Galini are calm and offer a wonderful opportunity to relax and unwind in peace. You can also enjoy day boat trips to popular destinations like Agios Giorgos, Paximadi, Preveli and Agio Farago from the harbour.
Even though Agia Galini is a small village, it has all modern amenities and public conveniences such as ATM machines, restaurants and convenient modes of transportation. There many places here, which serve excellent local food. This small village also boasts of an active night life and an interesting local market.
(Image courtesy robertpaulyoung)
