Travel Ideas – Athens Explorer Travel

Wonders of the Mainland – Chapter 1 – Meteora

Athens Explorer Travel — Thu, 20 Sep 2018 13:52:12 +0000

Located approximately 360 Km or 4 and a half hours driving away from Athens towards the northern part of the country, this extraordinary rock formation of the Meteora region would be an unmissable tourist attraction even if they weren’t crowned by Byzantine monasteries. However, the sheer spectacle of those monasteries – somehow glued atop slender stone pinnacles by medieval masons and now collectively listed as a World Heritage site – makes this one of the most visited attractions in all Greece. This strange and beautiful landscape also offers wonderful opportunities for walkers and climbers.

Meteora is the biggest and most important group of monasteries in Greece after those in Mount Athos. We can locate the first traces of their history from 11th c. when the first hermits settled there. The rock monasteries have been characterized by UNESCO as a unique phenomenon of cultural heritage and they form one of the most important stations of cultural map of Greece.
The most important monasteries of Meteora are:

The Holy Monastery of Great Meteoron. It is the biggest of the Meteorite monasteries. The church ‘Katholikon’, honoured to the ‘Transfiguration’ was erected in the middle of 14th c. and 1387/88 and decorated in 1483 and 1552. The old monastery is used as a museum, nowadays.

The Holy Monastery of Varlaam is the second, after the Great Meteoro, big in size monastery. The church, honoured to the three Bishops, is in the Athonite type (cross-in-square with dome and choirs), with spacious esonarthex (lite) surrounted by dome as well. It was built in 1541/42 and decorated in 1548, while the esonarthex was decorated in 1566. The old refectory is used as a museum while North of the Church we can see the parekklesion of the Three (Bishops) built in 1627 and decorated in 1637.

The Holy Monastery of Rousanou. It is dedicated to ‘The Transfiguration’ but honoured to Saint Barbara. The ‘Katholikon’, in the Athonite type, was founded in the middle of 16th c. and decorated in 1560. Both, the Katholikon and the reception halls are in the ground floor while the ‘archontariki’, cells and subsidiary rooms are scattered in the basement and the first floor.

The Holy Monastery of St. Nicholas Anapausas. It is the first to meet on our way from Kastraki to Meteora. The ‘Katholikon’ dedicated to St. Nicholas, is a single – nave church with small dome, built in the beginning of 16th c. It was decorated by the Cretan painter Theophanis Strelitzas or Bathas, in 1527.

The Holy Monastery of St. Stephen. It is one of the most attainable as we don’t have to cope with innumerable stairs to reach it. The small single-nave church of St. Stephen was built in the middle of 16th and decorated in 1545 or a little later. The ‘Katholikon’, honoured to St. Charalambos, was built in the Athonite type, in 1798. The old refectory of the convent is used as a museum nowadays.

The Monastery of Holy Trinity is very difficult to reach. The visitor has to cross the valley and continue high up through the rock before we arrive outside the entrance. The church is in the cross-in-square type with the dome based in two columns, built in 1475-76 and decorated in 1741. The spacious barrel – vaulted esonarthex was founded in 1689 and decorated in 1692. A small skeuophylakeion was added next to the church in 1684.

Don’t miss a visit in this geological marvel, and ideally if you visit Greece, don’t just visit it and leave, but spend at least 1 full day to hike, wonder around, eat local food, and stay in one of the hotels that offer amazing views!

Together we explore Meteora

Top Islands to Visit in Greece, Mykonos

Athens Explorer Travel — Mon, 03 Sep 2018 11:38:41 +0000

Perched within the turquoise waters of the Aegean Sea, Mykonos is one of Greece’s most famous little islands. One of the things I love about Mykonos is that it’s tiny, it’s so small that it can easily be explored in a day or two. It’s the kind of Greek island you visit which has a perfect mix of charm, culture and beautiful views.

Spend the mornings exploring Mykonos Town and the little walkways and narrow streets that are lined with various shops and eateries.For a little art, head over to the Municipal Gallery and the the Rarity Gallery.
After a bite to eat at one of the local restaurants, head over to the Old Port of the city and explore the waterfront. Perched right on the harbour front of Mykonos Town, the Agios Nikolaos Church is typically Greek with its blue dome and white-washed walls. Also look around for Petros, one of the islands most famous residents that can often be found wobbling along the harbourfront area.
Okay, you can’t visit Mykonos without seeing the windmills, it’s easily one of the most iconic and best things to do in Mykonos.Make sure to head to Little Venice for cocktails, especially around sunset.
Mykonos might be a tranquil little Greek gem but it’s also got some wild bars and music to experience. In the day, hop over to Paradise Beach where you can grab some epic cocktails at The Tropicana Beach Club. In the evening, bounce on up to Cavo Paradiso that’s perched overlooking the town itself. Think DJ sets, big crowds and a pool, obviously!

Don’t miss: Within the main town of Mykonos itself, Paraportiani Church is a gorgeous example of historic churches on the island. Well over 500 years since construction commenced, it’s one beautiful church that you can easily visit when on the island.

Another don’t miss: From Mykonos Delos is just 5-8 miles away which makes it perfect for a day trip.Once you’re there, make sure to go for a swim in the islands crystal clear waters and take in a little history by visiting the mythological birthplace of Apollo! Head over to the House of Cleopatra, see the Agora of the Italians and explore the Lions’ Terrace. This island is full of archaeological gems that’ll won’t just impress an underworked archaeologist.

Together we explore Greek Islands

Best monuments to visit in Athens Greece

Athens Explorer Travel — Mon, 03 Sep 2018 11:32:42 +0000

If you are travelling to Greece for the first time, make a one day stop in Athens to visit Acropolis. The Acropolis of Athens and its monuments are universal symbols of the classical spirit and civilization and form the greatest architectural and artistic complex bequeathed by Greek Antiquity to the world.
“Acropolis” refers to a citadel in a high place, like this ancient monument overlooking the city of Athens. In Athens you’ll find one of the world’s most famous temples, the Parthenon, built in 447 B.C.E. to honor the goddess Athena. Other structures were added later, but they’ve suffered damage and neglect over the centuries.

In the second half of the fifth century B.C., Athens, following the victory against the Persians and the establishment of democracy, took a leading position amongst the other city-states of the ancient world. In the age that followed, as thought and art flourished, an exceptional group of artists put into effect the ambitious plans of Athenian statesman Pericles and, under the inspired guidance of the sculptor Pheidias, transformed the rocky hill into a unique monument of thought and the arts. The most important monuments were built during that time: the Parthenon, by Ictinus in 447 B.C.E. to honor the goddess Athena, the Erechtheon, the Propylaea, the monumental entrance to the Acropolis, designed by Mnesicles and the small temple Athena Nike.

Don’t miss: The Acropolis Museum. Look underneath your feet as you walk over the glass floors; you’ll see ruins of homes found while the museum was being built.

Another Don’t miss: The Panathenaic Stadium, built in 140 A.D., and used for Olympic games since 1870. The stadium holds a collection of Olympic torches and posters from 1896 to the present.

We explore Athens Toghether