According to Pindar’s ode, the island was born from the union of the sun god Helios and the nymph Rhodes. The cities are named after their three sons. Actis, one of the sons of Heliοs and Rhodes, went to Egypt to build the city of Heliopolis and continue to teach Egyptian astrology.

Rhodes is known worldwide for the Colossus of Rhodes, which was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The Colossus of Rhodes was a bronze statue of Helios that once stood at the port. It was completed in 280 BC and then destroyed by an earthquake in 224 BC. Today there is no trace of the statue. In 1988 the old town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Rhodes is one of the most unique of all Greek islands. It has a rich history reflected in its many buildings and historic landmarks. On top of that, there are also beaches, museums and many other attractions to keep anyone busy. This is a particularly family-friendly island.

If you visit Rhodes do not forget to see the Palace of the Grand Master. It can be found in the old town of Rhodes. Built in the 14th century, it was originally home to the governor and was an administrative center. Constructed with 158 rooms, only 24 are currently open to visitors. Enjoy antique furniture of the 16th and 17th centuries, impressive frescoes by renowned artists, and gorgeous floors paved with a mosaic of ancient Roman and Byzantine art. You’ll be greeted by statues of the Greek and Roman period in the interior yard. Finally, take pleasure in exhibitions and performances that frequent the palace.

Visit the Valley of the Butterflies. This lush valley on the west side of Rhodes is suitable for fascinating fun and adventure. The reserve is named after the Jersey Tiger Butterfly, or Euplasia quadripunctaria, which floods this green valley in spring and autumn. Walk the cool, narrow streets and enjoy the many waterfalls and wooden bridges while watching these wonderful creatures. Take your camera to record this unique excursion and enjoy a lunch soaked in the beauty of nature.

Besides the rich history, it is also beautiful physically, especially on the beaches. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Greece! While you are on this island, you will want to relax and swim on some of these beaches such as Tsambika beach and Agios Pavlos beach.

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Visitors come from all over the world to see this geological formation. The 4-mile caldera is best seen from Oia or the capital Fira. Both locations offer an array of restaurants, hotel rooms, and other amenities designed to be the perfect starting point for your exploration of the caldera. Visitors to Fira can even choose to ride a donkey to the top of the caldera, providing stunning views along the way.

In addition to the crater, Santorini has two islets of black lava. Nea Kameni is particularly well known for the healing waters of its hot springs. The high amount of sulfur on the island of Agios Nikolaos portends for its healing powers. Many of the villages on Santorini are located on towering cliffs, giving visitors great views of the volcano and its islets. The largest islet Palea Kameni also features healing hot springs.

Santorini is one of the most unique places in Greece, mainly because of its unique landscape. Due to the island’s past volcanic activity, this affected the appearance of the beach. Colored sand, crystal blue water, and interesting scenery are a few things to look forward to when you and your family visit the beaches.

No trip to Santorini is complete without spending a lot of time at its many beautiful beaches. Vlychada is a long sandy beach with sun loungers perfect for laying up and relaxing. When you’re searching for a secluded beach getaway, head to Cape Columbo. This secluded beach is located 10 kilometers from Fira and features towering red cliff formations overlooking the warm waters. Or choose the famous Red beach and its exceptional snorkeling under a distinct red and black volcanic rocks landscape.

You’d be hard-pressed to find a nicer place to enjoy the sunset on an island than Santorini. All the island’s natural elements combine to create a romantic display of sunsets from all over Santorini. While there are many amazing places to see the sunset in the distance, the quaint village of Oia is known for its beautiful sunsets. Or head out to the water on a sunset cruise to watch the day end. Wherever you choose to watch the legendary Santorini sunset, you will be in for a treat.

When visiting Santorini do not forget to visit the Museum of Prehistoric Thira, located in downtown Fira close to the sea. Artifacts come from two large historic sites on the island: Potamos and Akrotiri. There is also great island naval history and there is a museum that proves it. The Maritime Museum is one of the places you will not want to miss.

Santorini is a unique island for wine production. The soil here has unique properties due to volcanic activity. Many of the wines produced on the island are enjoyed as table wines, but there are some wineries here that produce wines for people all over the world to enjoy. The Gaia Winery is a notable place on the island, and visitors should stop by for a tour and tasting! Gaia Winery has seventeen labels and has won 150 national awards.

Santorini is one of those islands that has a lot to offer. Although there is a lot to do, the landscape stands out. While you are here, you will want to prioritize visiting some of the wonderful places mentioned.

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Preveza, Igoumenitsa, Sivota, Parga are popular summer destinations characterized by beautiful beaches, crystal clear waters and vibrant life. On the other hand, Ioannina, Arta, Metsovo, the famous Zagorochoria and the villages of Thesprotia attract many visitors in winter as well. Many traditional stone settlements offer unique beauty when it is snowing and are destinations for relaxation and excellent food in winter. The advantages of the area are that while you are on the mountain, in less than an hour you can be at sea. Another reason to visit Epirus is religious tourism since you can combine the visit to imposing monasteries and find yourself in the local festivals.

Epirus has a strong historical style. The combination of the ancient and Byzantine periods is visible in many places. In Epirus, we can see important archeological sites, museums, monasteries, and sights. But what sets Greece apart from the rest, is its nature. Famous gorges, picturesque lakes and rare dragon lakes, beautiful rivers and the mountainous mass of Pindos to steal the show. It is an excellent choice for those who love nature activities during the quiet holidays and for anyone who wants to combine mountain and sea.

Finally, the Epirus cuisine which is based on exceptional local products wins even the most demanding. The most popular products are the delicious pies from pure ingredients that you can taste, the local syrupy sweets or pastries such as saragli, walnut pie, Metsovite flute and the well-known Gianniotiko kadaifi but also the excellent wines of Metsovo and Zitsa and the unique tsipouro of Epirus.

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Where to go: 

Tsagarada is one of the most famous destinations in Pelion. It is famous for the traditional stone houses that exist in the village, for the Church of Agia Paraskevi and for the square with the huge plane tree that is 1000 years old, where under its shade you can enjoy your coffee together with some local sweets.

Another destination to visit is Makrinitsa. A picturesque and busy village especially in the winter months. Eleftherios Venizelos had described Makrinitsa as the balcony of Pelion due to the panoramic view of Volos and the Pagasitic Gulf from the central square of the village. The central Square of Makrinitsa is adorned by the marble fountain with the four bronze lion heads and the immortal water as well as the Church of Agios Ioannis Prodromos. In the cafe “Theofilos” you will see the large mural of the famous Greek painter Theofilos Hadjimichael from 1910 entitled “Battle in the Cold Fountain”.

If you are in Makrinitsa, do not forget to walk on the cobbled path from the main square to the church of Panagia, which is maintained in excellent condition until today

Another destination is Zagora. The largest village of Pelion spreads on a green slope and offers visitors a magical view of the Aegean Sea. The well-preserved mansions are there to remind visitors of the glory days of the area. The plane trees and the flowered courtyards offer peace to anyone who decides to take a walk in the village. In the square, you will find the Church of Agios Georgios but also the famous Library of Zagora that hides rare manuscripts.

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What to do:

The first thing a visitor should do is hiking. The landscapes and images that this magical location offers for exploration will accompany him forever. The churches that can be found in the villages of Pelion are of great interest to visitors, as they are very popular with those who do religious tourism.

Do not forget to visit the Folklore Museum housed in the mansion of D. Zoulias in Portaria, which has been declared a protected site by the Ministry of Culture.

If you are in Pelion, you should not miss the train route from Ano Lechonia to Milies. The journey takes 90 minutes and with a 15-minute stop at Ano Goutzea station. When you finally reach Milies you have 3.5 hours to walk on the traditional cobbled path that leads you to the center of the village with the folklore museum and the library while you can enjoy your food in the traditional taverns.

During the winter months, you can visit the ski resort for winter sports and entertainment.

What to taste:

In addition to the famous pastries of Pelion, you can try excellent local delicacies. 

One of them is the boubari which is very popular with the visitors of the taverns. This is a recipe with liver, rice, onion, and spices, which are made like a sausage and baked in the oven.

Another excellent “meze” is the Oregano meatballs, made from fresh spring oregano before it blooms, making it an excellent choice for vegetarians. 

Of course, the local sweets of the spoon and the walnut pie will impress you.

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