Nafplio, Greece by Jeanhousen

What to See

• Mystras. This once majestic fortress town, after experiencing a spill from the Taÿgetos Mountains is now home of Byzantine palaces and churches in ruins. Today, this Unesco World Heritage Site deemed as one of the most important sites in the region.
• Nafplio. This is a beautiful port that is made of Venetian houses and narrow streets. It is also home of the Alexandros Soutzos Museum which features 1821 Greek War of Independence exhibits.
• Stemnitsa. This village is the starting site for the walks to the Lousios Gorge. Walks of various lengths start in this place, ranging from hour-long to day-long.
• Epidavros. This region is very popular for its miraculous cures. It also hosts theater and drama performances during July and August.
• Olympia. This region is home to a number of museums such as the Archaeological Museum of Olympia which features a statue of Hermes made by Praxiteles.

Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus, Greece by Fingalo

Where to Eat and Drink

• I Stemnitsa. This is a tavern open year-round in the village. Its tables lie under big umbrellas with a tasty Greek menu to boot. Their dishes are made up of generous and quality meat cuts.
• Restaurant Elysse. Its hearty cooking is what makes this a favorite in Sparta. It menu has Lakonian specialties, right from the south-central region. One fine example is the bardouniotiko, a chicken recipe with feta and onions.
• Omorfi Poli. This restaurant serves traditional dishes with their own original twists. They also have wine selections produced locally.
• Fishermen’s Tavern. Located in a seaside village, this restaurant is run by a family of fishermen, serving dishes featuring whatever was caught for the day. The most common ones include mullet, beam, and sardines.
• Hotel Kyrimai. Situated in the Gerolimenas harbor, this restaurant has a tasty menu. One of their highlights is the shrimp stuffed zucchini with saffron.

Where to Sleep

• Camping Diana. Right in the center of Olympia, this hotel is open all year and features a mini market, pool, friendly staff, and internet access.
• Hotel Marianna. This is one of Nafplio’s finest. Its rooms have terraces with traditional bedsteads and stone walls. It provides its guests with hearty breakfast meals.
• Mpelleiko. This is a stone house that dates back in the 17th century. Its rooms feature original Greek furnishings with large fireplaces. They also serve breakfast made from homemade produce.
• Ippoliti. This is a hotel that offers luxurious accommodations. The building features a grand staircase that lead to beautifully decorated rooms. It also has a gym and a small pool.
• Patra’s Primarolia Art Hotel. This hotel offers rooms with varying themes and styles, from baroque to minimalist. It also has an in-house sauna.

Resource Box:

Amy C. loves travelling to various cities and regions, particularly in the areas of the Mediterranean and the Pacific. She also performs office administration and blogging activities of World Climate, who also offers agent listing online. Want to know where she will take you next? Stay tuned for her next post.

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One of the best preserved and maintained monuments is a fortress Talao (Torre Talao). It offers a great view of miles of beaches and cliffs.

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In the historical center of town you can see a Norman castle from 11th century, monastery, ruins of Judas tower, Palazzo dei Principi from 13th century, Church of San Nicola in Plateis from the 8th century, Palazzetto Normanno from 12th century, a former prison Cimalonga tower from 15th century and many more.

You can see here a lot of exotic plants. For example, cedar. The whole region was named right after this slow-growing tree as Cedar Riviera. The tree grows up to a height of 40 to 60 meters with a trunk diameter of 80-200 centimetres.

If you don’t find something you are looking for right in Scalea, then go to the neighboring national park – Parco Nazionale del Pollino. Here you can see another amount of plants as well as protected animals, caves and several gorges, such as Argentino River Valley, the gap in Lao or Romito cave with the pre-historic graffiti.

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The Romans founded the city in 71AD, naming the fortress town on the banks of the River Ouse Eboracum. It quickly became one of the most important cities in Roman Britain.

The name York came from the Viking word Jorvik, following their capture of the city in AD886. Even beyond the time of the Vikings York’s position by the Ouse and on the key trade route between London and Edinburgh meant is became a major transport hub.

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Although this slowly declined thanks to the rise of Hull to the east and Leeds to the west, the rise of the railways saw a revival in the city’s fortunes in the 1800s and in the modern era tourism and a reflection on its eventful and often grizzly past now dominates its economy.

Tourist attractions include York Minister, the largest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe, which is located in the city’s heart. The labyrinthine York Castle and the city walls also point to its ancient past.

The ‘snickelways’ and ‘shambles’ are two excellently preserved examples of the small, winding medieval streets of yesteryear, containing an array of shops and food places to while away an afternoon or two.

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There are numerous museums and galleries to satisfy your culture fix with the Yorkshire Museum, Jorvik Viking centre, the National Railway Museum and the York Art Gallery amongst others. The Theatre Royal, Grand Opera House and Joseph Rowntree Theatre also mean your evenings are well catered for too.

As it is a town centred on tourism it is no surprise that accommodation-wise York has enough to satisfy all tastes and budgets. This ranges from basic accommodation found at the City’s University to the luxurious Royal York Hotel, comparable with the finest London Hotels or Dubai Hotels.

The kaleidoscopic clientèle from affluent tourist to impoverished student also means there are varied eating options available, from budget cafes, traditional pubs and quaint tea rooms to the height of luxury and fine dining.

Many visitors to England struggle to make it beyond the boundaries of London, and if they do it usually isn’t to venture north. However, those that do head to York will be rewarded with a city that offers all the charm England can offer with the facilities to meet the needs of even the most picky of tourists.

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