Pelion - Greece - Fall 2015
Mount Pelion, the mythical homeland to Chiron the Centaur and summer residence of the gods is a scenic one-hour drive from Volos, a coastal port city situated midway on the Greek mainland. Mount Pelion remains beautiful all year round with its pristine and diverse beaches, lush forests with miles of hiking trails, skiing in the winter, and picturesque villages that seem to refuse change as they maintain their traditional architecture with warmth and charm.
Credits:
Produced and Directed by: George Giampuranis
Filmed and Edited by: Christopher Dormoy
Music: Tony Anderson - Rise (Ambient)
Special thanks to:
The lost Unicorn Hotel & Restaurant, Tsagkarada
lostunicorn.com/
Taverna Agnanti, Tsagkarada
tavernaagnanti.wix.com/com
Prasino Galazio Hotel, Mouresi
prasino-galazio.gr/
Kentriko Restaurant, Makrinista
restokentriko.com/
To Magazaki tis Fisis (Little Shop of Nature), Makrinista
votanapiliou.com
4K Trikeri Island, top attractions and places - Travel guide | Greece, land of myths
To one side, the Pagasitikos Gulf and, to the other, the Aegean. In between, a magical mountain to discover by the name of Pelion! Water gurgles in the fountains. Sunbeams stream through the leaves of the plane trees, apple trees, oaks, beeches, gardenias, hydrangeas, camellias. Nature flourishes in the fertile soil of Thessaly. In the autumn, a surreal palette of orange and red unfolds before you. Pathways, old churches, beaches with peacock-coloured water all add to this multi-coloured assemblage. Up high, its villages teeter on the edge of the mountain. From Milina until Trikeri: a destination for locals and intrepid travellers. Fresh fish, delicious fish soup and seafood in the tavernas. By boat you’ll discover the hidden beauty of the Pagasitikos.
Paleo Trikeri is a small car-free island of about 4.5 km ² with 75,000 olive trees and citrus trees, which is located in the Gulf of Volos in Thessaly, Greece. The tiny island of Trikeri in the Pagasitic Gulf off the end of the Pelion peninsula is one of Greece’s lesser-known idylls.
There are no cars on the lush green island. There are some narrow lanes, but no actual roads, and most of the island’s infrastructure consists of hiking trails. The island’s port area features just a few tavernas and small shops.
In less than one hour one can go from one side of Trikeri to the other on foot, exploring the lush vegetation and the pristine pebble beaches while enjoying stunning views of the Pelion peninsula.
Perched atop the highest point of the island is the imposing Monastery of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary. There is little touristic activity on the island and it is therefore ideal for those seeking a quite and relaxing time with the authentic pace of the Greek Islands, as well as for individual travelers in the Pelion region.
There are numerous small beaches (gravel or coarse sand) and many hiking trails on the tracks around the island. Also Trikeri Island is ideal for water sports. It is quite possible that you can have a beach to yourself even in high season. As for Eating out, there are tavernas providing fresh sea food.
One of the reasons the island has seen so little human impact is because in the eleventh century the island, than called Palaio Trikeri, was abandoned. It was seen as rich pickings for pirates, and its coves and inlets were the perfect places for pirates to hide their booty.
All Palaio Trikeri’s inhabitants moved to the mainland. It was only in the eighteenth century, when a monk decided to go and live there, that the island saw its first real inhabitant in centuries.
Legend says that the monk found a lost icon of the Virgin Mary and built a church next to the ruins of the old one, so he could house the icon there. The construction of the monastery began in 1827.
Zagora: the apple-tree village
Zagorin apples, chestnuts and cherries are famous throughout Greece. They are the staples of Zagora, the largest, wealthiest and most historic village in Pelion. From the beginning of the 20th century, Zagorians turned to agriculture, and to apples in particular. Their Agricultural Cooperative was founded in 1916.
Pelion’s villages
Pouri, Keramidi, Mouresi, Kissos, Milies, Vizitsa, Pinakates, Agios Georgios Nilias, Agios Lavrentios... the villages of Pelion, each with its own character, are all worth a visit. Incredible architecture, traditional bed & breakfasts, shady squares with churches, traditional coffee shops and tavernas all contribute to your quickly becoming part of the furniture!
Old churches
The old churches of Pelion hide surprises. The Pammegiston Taxiarchon monastery in Milies was renovated in 1764 and is renowned for its amazing acoustics. Why? Some 48 jars, turned upside-down and hidden in the roof combine with five inter-connecting underground wells to create a sonic sensation.. At Kissos, you’ll visit Agia Marina, built in 1650, and admire its beautiful murals inspired by the Apocalypse, as well as the Old and New Testaments. All of these monasteries, churches and attractions will enchant you.
Aegean waters
As you make your way down the mountain, you’ll come across large and small beaches with white pebbles or fine sand and crystal-clear water. Off the beaches of Pelion, you’ll swim under the gaze of aristocratic Pelion houses and plane trees that practically reach the water.
Pelion’s paths
Pelion was, and is, a living mountain. Discover it through the dense network of trails and paths, such as Milies-Tsangarada, Tsangarada-Damouhari-Ai Iannis, Kissos-Mouresi, Chania-Kissos, Portaria-Chania and Damouhari-Fakistra. Experienced hikers and nature lovers will discover the mountain’s secrets, the history and rich vegetation.
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