Petaloúdes, Butterfly Valley, Rhodes, Greece by dancing_triss

The Wonderful Butterfly Valley

One of the most visited areas in Rhodes is the beautiful Butterfly Valley. It’s a natural park that is situated deep within the gorgeous forest where the wonderful Panaxia butterflies are scattered about. If you visit during August you’ll notice a huge increase in the amount of Panaxia butterflies. This is the prime time of their reproduction. The sight of millions of butterflies fluttering all throughout the region is quite a beautiful sight to see. Anyone who loves butterflies, gorgeous fauna and an all-around good time will appreciate a beautiful stroll through this area.

Rest Areas

During your nature trail you may want to stop and take a rest; you’ll have no shortage of areas to get a bite to eat and relax. There is a restaurant and cafeteria section that will offer you some great options for a memorable lunch.  You can also visit the butterfly museum and learn all about the reproduction cycles and details about the Panaxia butterflies. It’s very important that you do not disturb the butterflies of the region at any time during your trip as they are highly protected by wildlife authorities. You should always be respectful of nature when you’re visiting these types of areas.

Butterfly in Petaloudes (Butterfly Valley), Rhodes, Greece by dancing_triss

What to Bring Along

It’s a good idea to bring along a camera as your hiking trail is certain to be filled with many beautiful sights. An evening nature stroll through the park is ideal as it will allow you to snap some of the most beautiful pictures. Using flash is not recommended as it can disturb the butterflies of the region. The rocky terrain can be a bit hard on your feet, so you want to be certain that you have a good set of shoes for the trail.

Author Byline:

Randy Johnson has worked for many hotels in Rhodes Greece and has experience in travel planning.

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All of this has opened the door for a lot of moving abroad and relocation. When it comes down to it, there are many reasons why people decide to move abroad, but in general when they are asked they will give the same few reasons over and over again as the driving forces behind their move.

It may sound obvious, but the main reason for many who are looking to move abroad is simply due to job opportunities. With the economy still in a bit of a rough shape, some areas of Europe are just not performing as well as others. Thus, some quite talented workers, in Greece for example, who want to work but are having trouble finding a position, might explore relocation to Germany, a place with a robust economy.

Another popular reason is quite simple, it’s due to retirement. Once retired and with the children grown and out of the home, many couples look to do a bit of travel and exploration, they might have always dreamed about a little beach house on the coast of Portugal that was the spot for many family holidays over the years. Now will be the time to make it a reality.

Hand in hand with that is the weather. As we all know, some places in Europe can be a bit dreary during parts of the year, winters in Norway, or the rain in the UK, for example. Many dream of being able to wander about during the winter in the warmer climates of Spain and Italy whenever they feel like it. So, they decide to move to a new place to experience that.

Quality of life is another consideration for many. A person or family could just be growing tired of a stressful fast paced life and long to live in a place that has much less hustle and bustle, yet at the same time still provides some nice career options. Or, they could be looking to downsize, practice less in the way of consumerism and just have a much more simple existence.

Finally, many also cite looking for a fresh start or a new experience as a reason for moving abroad. An investment banker in London who has grown quite tired of his job can take the opportunity to follow his lifelong dream of opening up a snowboarding lessons shop in Switzerland. The opportunities to start fresh and change careers or passions are quite appealing to many when they consider moving abroad.

As you can see, there are many personal reasons that go with thinking about a move abroad. But there are many singles, couples and families doing it now, with plenty more to come over the next decades as well.

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Mountains

Over 80% of Greece consists of mountains. It is one of the most mountainous regions in all of Europe, third only to Norway and Albania. It is located in South-Eastern Europe at the convergence of three continents, Europe, Asia, and Africa. What makes this country unique is the view of the sea from almost any mountain top. The mountains are not very high, the tallest being just less than 3,000 meters, but the sea is never more than 100 Km. Mount Olympus is the tallest mountain and contains over 52 peaks. It also is home to a variety of flora and fauna.

Peninsula

Greece offers a unique combination of largely mountainous regions, but also a peninsula. Peninsulas are characterized as being projected into a large body of water but connected to a mainland. Often a peninsula is surrounded by almost 75% water. Greece is located at the southern end of the Balkan Peninsula on the Peninsula of Haemus.  This peninsula is connected to the mainland by the canal of Corinth Isthmus.

Islands

Greece includes over 1600 islands and islets that are grouped into clusters. There are on 227 of the islands that are actually inhabited though. Five of the most popular and well known are: Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, the Dodecanese and the Cyclades. An entire vacation alone could be spent exploring this vast region of islands. Potentially the most famous is Crete. It is the largest island in Greece and fifth largest in the Mediterranean. It serves as a large tourist hub so much of the economy and business caters to travelers.  The other islands are lesser known than Crete but still have much too offer. With less tourism traffic it is possible to get around easier and more efficiently yet still enjoy the beauty and wonder of the Grecian islands.

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Hot Springs

One significant hot spring has been the site of many battles of centuries due to its valuable location on the Balkan Peninsula that is a necessary passage route from the north to the south. This was the site where the Persians and Spartans battled and the oft repeated saying “Go tell it to the Spartans” was ignited.

Forests of Greece

Up to one quarter of the land area of Greece is covered by forests. They are considered to be of significant value to the natural landscape and tourism industry so they are widely protected. Housed within these forests are many national parks where afternoons picnicking can be a delightful treat. These parks tend to be located deep within valleys in between gorges so an afternoon dining provides quite a sight to see as well.

The landscape of Greece is truly amazing and you should definitely explore it yourself if you have the chance.  Villa holidays in Greece are ideal for people of all ages and with villas located throughout the country you can stay somewhere beautiful and unique depending on your tastes.

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Barcelona

To start off experiencing the Mediterranean in a major city filled with action, fantastic shopping and dining, and a nightlife that is second to none, Barcelona is an ideal place.  During the day, there are many museums to experience filled with the rich history of Barcelona.  One of the most popular is the Barcelona FC Museum, dedicated to the incredibly popular football team – it is the second most visited museum in all of Spain!  At night, you can visit one of Barcelona’s many nightclubs and dance your cares away.

Carassonne

Carassonne in southern France should be on everyone’s list of places to visit when exploring the Mediterranean.  It is a thriving medieval Castle that is filled with Renaissance history.  As soon as you enter through the drawbridge, you will feel like you have stepped into a history book.  The best way to get the full Carassonne experience is to stay overnight so you can have the city essentially to yourself after the many tour groups have left.  Halloween is an especially great night to visit thanks to the house of terror they put on as well as other decorations.

The Algarve

The Algarve is the most popular holiday destination in Portugal and with good reason.  It is very safe, very welcoming, and is relatively cheap.  The beaches are also stunning and clean, which is made even more impressive by the fact that there are over 200km of beaches to enjoy.  English is widely spoken at most of the resorts as well.  If you love playing golf, then The Algarve is a perfect holiday destination as it is home to over 30 courses.  It may shock you to learn that the total population of The Algarve is under 500,000, yet the region receives over ten times that amount of tourists per year.

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Crete

Crete is the largest Greek island by area and is an extremely popular holiday destination for tourists.  Every year, over 2 million visitors travel to Crete, the majority of them staying in the capital, Heraklion.  One of the biggest draws is of course the magnificent beaches, but also the tremendous nightlife which will give you plenty to do to fill your days as well as your nights.  If beaches and nightclubs aren’t really your thing, Crete also has some magnificent mountains that are ideal for hiking in.

Cefalu

Cefalu located in Sicily is a beachside village that has a very strong feeling of history.  The streets are all narrow and cobbled and barely provide enough room for a Smart Car to navigate.  Lining the streets are antique shops, craft shops and fruit and veg markets, all of which are worth a visit.  Relatively quiet compared to other destinations, you will be able to enjoy the water in Cefalu without the frantic pace of life in other destinations.  There are a lot of ancient buildings, such as the Cathedral of Cefalu that provide a great experience for tourists too.  Cefalu is also home to numerous bars and restaurants so you will never run out of things to see and do.

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If you are planning on visiting the Med for the first time, look into staying at the La Manga Club.  A stay here is guaranteed to make you want to return time and time again.

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The Greek Isles are a hotspot for the most interesting and picturesque holidays for everything from recreation to relaxation. Go island hopping from Santorini, to Crete, Mykonos and Karpathos, to name just a few of the jewels of this amazing region. Do not worry, no matter if you choose to take a leisurely stroll through the quaint villas or find a seaside adventure, there are countless things to see and do.

The Greek Islands are truly paradise on earth, with quaint villages that dot the landscape and seem untouched by time. Explore an amazing culture filled with wine, dance and song, mixed with exquisite culinary delights to soothe every palate. The locals are friendly and more than happy to introduce you to the island and make everything seem like a home away from home. From jeep safaris in the mountains to archaeological museums and even caves, there is so much to explore, allowing you to reconnect with your beloved companion in ways that neither of you could have ever imagined possible. 

Whether you are a young couple full of the party spirit or established partners looking for a new destination there are exciting bars and night clubs in towns like Malia on Crete while breathtaking volcanic views can be found on the tranquil isle of Santorini. One of the many great things about the islands is that they are filled with so many romantic enclaves in which to be alone together. Go on a leisurely stroll through cobble-stone streets and take in some shopping at the centre of the world, finding perfect gifts for each other.

Take a chance by making the Greek Isles your next romantic getaway and make memories for a lifetime.

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Located at the south of Lefkas Island, Vassiliki is considered as one of the best and most popular windsurfing areas in Europe. Windsurfers love it here because the winds area is clean, the water is flat, the beach is gently shelving and has a sandy bottom, which are all ideal components of a good windsurfing beach. Usually, the beginners windsurf in the morning when the breeze is gentle, and the intermediate to expert windsurfers take to the water in the afternoon when the thermal winds kick in.

It doesn’t matter if no one in the family knows how to surf. Having your vacation and family activity holidays in Greece, especially in this part of the country ensures that after your vacation, all of you will at least know how to windsurf. Lessons are available for both children and adults. Aside from windsurfing lessons, sailing lessons are also being offered.

For children who are too young to windsurf or sail, there are other equally exciting activities on offer at the children’s clubs. Playing on the beach, biking, and court games are all for the taking. Adults who are not so much into water sports will surely enjoy mountain biking amongst the mountains and hills of Lefkas Island. With all these family activity holidays in Greece, each day of your stay is an adventure.

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Athens was allegedly established in the 3rd millennium BC, but according to writings and documentation it was at the beginning of the 8th century BC. Significant development of Athens started in 547 BC during the reign of Peisistratos. At that time he began to build a temple on the Acropolis, which is a flat-topped rock that rises 150 metres above sea level. The temple was dedicated to the goddess Athena.

Democracy reached its peak during the reign of Pericles. In this “golden period” Athens was also home to the philosopher Socrates and many representatives of the ancient tragedy as Sophocles, Aeschylus and Euripides. In 395 the Athens with the whole Greece became a part of the Byzantine Empire (Eastern Roman Empire).

New expansion of Athens returned in the 12th century when the Greek population began to come back. In the 15th century, the city came under Ottoman domination of the Turks and rebuilt it in his own image. In 1822, when the War of Independence took place, the Greeks conquered the local Turkish fortress which was built on the Acropolis, and drove the Turks from Athens. Four years later, however, came back and managed to suppress the Greek uprising. In 1830 Greece declared its independence and eventually Athens was ready for a new era of glory. In 1832, Athens became the capital of Greece, which until then was located in Nafplio.

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Architecture of Athens is a very cosmopolitan, as well as the city itself. There are countless monuments, therefore one of the main sources of income for the city is tourism. You can admire the original preserved ancient Greek monuments, relics of the period of the Roman Empire, Byzantine sanctuary as well as you can follow the development of modern Greek architecture. In addition, many buildings constructed in the late 19th century were designed along the lines of ancient buildings. Squares and parks feature the most ancient statues of Greek gods, philosophers and heroes fighting for the independence of Greece.

When you visit Athens you should definitely not miss its massive landmark, the Acropolis. Its top is decorated with columns of the Parthenon. Acropolis (Upper Town) can be found in a number of Greek cities, but that one in Athens is certainly the most famous in the world. Construction of the Parthenon, which is made of marble extracted from local quarries, lasted for 9 years and was completed in 438 BC. It has impressive dimensions (69.5 metres x 30.5 metres) and a simple and elegant Doric style. Parthenon is now undoubtedly one of the most interesting and best preserved ancient monuments in Greece. According to historians once shone colors – red, green and blue, and its main item was 12 metres high statue of goddess Athena, after which the city is named. The original model of the Parthenon can be seen in the National Archaeological Museum. Parthenon was partially restored in the 19th century, but archaeological works are still taking place here.

As the Parthenon was a place of worship, the Agora was the place of a simple life of Athenians. It was a place of markets, schools, spas and ordinary citizens homes. About 100 m east of the ancient Agora lies the Roman Forum (the marketplace). Although the place looks a bit old, it includes one of the rarest sights of Athens – The Tower of the Winds. Other important structures here are the Fethiye Tzami Mosque from 1458 and Hadrian’s Library.

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Other interesting places include Monastiraki Square, famous for its shops and stalls where you can buy anything. If you find something that is not possible to buy here, then it is probably not possible to buy anywhere else in Athens. The best atmosphere here is on Sunday morning, when the market floods the surrounding small streets and stretches up to the Kerameikos cemetery. This small cemetery, which served as a burial already in the 12th century BC is a quiet refuge and an oasis of greenery. On Monastiraki Square you can find the Byzantine church, which is now surrounded with modern buildings and shops with various goods. This old town district was formerly the heart of Ottoman Athens. Already under Turkish domination it was a place of the main market, so the area still retains a similar Oriental character. You can sit and rest comfortably in one of the tavernas and cafes with a view of the Agora.

If you want to rest, come to Plateia Mitropoleos – cathedral square. In fact there are two cathedrals, small and large one. On the right side is a Little Mitropoli – temple built in the 12th century and dedicated to St. Eleftherios. The interior of the temple resembles a cave and is illuminated by votive candles. There is spiritual atmosphere. The temple is decorated with graceful sculptural works. Other attractions of this district are Tsistaráki Mosque from 1759, Fethyie Mosque. Very beautiful is also the Byzantine church Kapnikaréa from 11th century.

Plaka is a tourist favorite district stretches in eastern and northern foot of the Acropolis. You will find here such as the Museum of Greek Folk Art, Kanellopoulos Museum or the Museum of folk instruments. Plaka is also known for a number of bars, restaurants, cafes and tavernas. As early as Byzantine times, it was the center of everyday life and is currently one of the most visited places in Athens. When you visit Plaka you should not miss a visit to one of the local restaurants and try traditional Greek cuisine.

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In the center of Athens you can find Syntagma Square, whose name could be translated as the Constitutional Square. It is one of the most important squares in the Greek capital, the home of important institutions, companies. It is a place of a popular guards’ changing of the National Guard. Perhaps the most expressive building in the square is the building of the Greek Parliament, which is sometimes also called Vouli. Construction of the original Royal Palace was completed in 1842. From its balcony, a King Otto I. proclaimed the first Greek constitution. The square hosts many banks and also a number of important buildings such as the National Library, the University or the Academy of Arts. Near Syntagma Square have been found remains of the largest temple in all over Greece – Temple of Olympian Zeus. Columns were 17 metres high and it took incredible 700 years until the temple was completed.

Around the Parliament buildings are situated National Gardens, which are also known as Royal Gardens, because they were established together with the palace. Gardens with an area of ​​16 hectares offer a pleasant rest. In small lakes you can see the sea turtles. You can enjoy the marble statues and fountains, and refresh yourself in one of the cafes that are located here. In the southern part of the gardens is Zappeion palace from the 19th century. This spectacular building was originally built for the Greco-Roman cousins Evangelos and Konstantinos Zappas, who wanted to use it as a hall for holding the tournament competitions. Zappeion palace currently serves as a conference center.

One of the most famous part of the Athens is undoubtedly Kolonaki, where compared to other parts of the city you will find much more galleries, antique shops and boutiques with fashionable clothing. There is also Kyklad Goulandris Museum of Art, which belongs to one of the most interesting buildings of the city. This modern museum was opened in 1986 and now shows the collection of 5000 years old artefacts from the Aegean and Cyprus. Kolonaki is a home to the Benaki Museum, which is one of the most important Greek institutions. It preserves and protects the cultural legacy of Hellenism. It is one of the largest and oldest museums in Greece. One of the most famous shopping street, which intersects the Kolonaki area, is Tsakalof Street. Right here you can find absolutely the most luxurious, most peculiar, and of course the most expensive goods throughout Athens. The street is rated among the six most expensive streets in the world.

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Another tourist attraction is the Athenian limestone hill Lykavittos, that reaches an altitude of 277 metres and is visible from any part of the Greek capital. From its top, where stands the Chapel of Agios Georgios, you can enjoy a beautiful views of the city.

Among the most busiest places in the city is Omonoia Square, the center of all commerce and nightlife. It is a key point of the whole city, and no other place can match it. The most important tourist attractions of the surrounding area is the National Archaeological Museum. This is one of the leading institutions of its kind in the world. If you want to see all the parts and collections of the museum, one day would certainly not be enough.

Athens is in addition to its heritage, unfortunately, also known as one of the noisiest cities in the world. It is among the cities with the lowest ratio of green space per capita in Europe – officially has only two square meters of greenery per capita. Also, the population density is very high. Through the streets run 4000 buses, at least 14,000 taxis and countless cars. So the main problem of the city is very busy traffic associated with never-ending smog. The Greek government took actions to reduce traffic so the situation is improving. Great improvements in the infrastructure of the city brought a summer Olympic Games hosted by Athens in 2004.

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Pindos massif composed of several separate mountain units (Smolikas, Tymfí, Aigo, Lakmos, Athamanon, Oros Iti, Karava and others). The highest peak is Smolikas reaching an altitude of 2637 meters. It is the second highest mountain in Greece, after Mount Olympus.

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The Pindus mountain features two national parks that protect the original and almost intact nature. National Park Vikos-Aoos stretching over an area of ​​3360 hectares, was founded in 1973 and occupies an area around the Vikos gorge, characterized by its vertical walls, which often reach heights up to 950 meters. The gorge is 12 km long considered one of the greatest natural wonders. There are just several tourists here, so be aware of the fact that during the trip you can meet only a few people. The best time to visit the gorge is the beginning or end of summer, when water flows quiet.

There are two major rivers Aoös and Vikos, powered by a water from melting snow. They flow along the hiking trails, which are inaccessible when the snow is melting. A unique natural phenomenon in the area is 405 m deep Cave of Provatina and the nearby Chasm of Epos, where is an underground lake in a depth of 469 m. This area also includes Astraka plateau and Tymfí massive.

The larger Pindos National Park, which history dates back to 1966 is a home to the bears and wolves, deer, wild boars, chamois, wild cats and also snakes.

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Poros is, like the most Greek islands, of volcanic origin. It consists of two parts – a small rocky island Sphairia and much bigger and busier Kalaureia, where is also a vast majority of hotel complexes and beaches. Both sites are connected by a bridge. The first building, which you see when you arrive on Poros, is the white clock tower overlooking the island Sphairia. From its summit, where you can get after overcoming incredible amount of stairs you have a wonderful view over the harbor and the picturesque local countryside.

On the Kalaureia you can then do a little trip to the remains of the Temple of Poseidon. This was built five hundred years before Christ in honor of the ruler of the seas, made of the granite stone, which was imported from the neighboring island of Aegina. In the fourth century, the temple was destroyed by the earthquake, so that today you can see mostly the foundations of that massive structures. Among them is also located Bust of Demosthenes, who was a prominent Greek orator, killed at Poros with a poison. If you are passionate lover of the ancient monuments, visit the small archaeological museum with the exhibition related to the Temple of Poseidon.

But to the Greek islands you mainly travel because of the sea and beautiful beaches, right? They can be found on the southern part of Poros, while the north is dominated by olive and citrus groves. The beaches here are rocky as well as sandy and you can rent a lounger with a parasol on all of them. To achieve perfection, do a short stay in a nice local tavern to taste a delicious moussaka and souvlaki.

Poros Island is located in the Saronic Gulf, not far from Athens. The journey from Piraeus port takes approximately 1 hour and costs around €18.

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Beaches
On the island you will find beautiful pebble and sandy beaches. The best beaches for swimming are mostly in the eastern part of the island. The beaches are gentle with a calm sea (the waves are nearly absent, since the eastern side is not open to the sea), while at the western part you can find rocks.

Climate
Corfu has the coldest climate of all Greek islands (in summer daytime temperatures are around 28 °C), which is pleasant in summer and suitable also for hiking and exploring the island. rare here in the summer of weak collisions occur.

Kerkyra Town
Kerkyra is the capital of Corfu. The town has over 35 000 inhabitants. You shouldn’t miss Vlacheraina monastery, which lies on the own little island.

Corfu is very attractive for its beauty, charm, freshness and distinctive villages with magical ports. In them you can find fishing boats and tavernas. Throughout the island you will see a huge amount of cypresses, olive trees, pines and citruses.

Northern coast of Corfu has long been a popular destination for air tours. The tourists are in this beautiful island totally excited. Many famous people have joined their life or name with this favorite destinations – for example, Johan Wolfgang Goethe, Oscar Wilde or the wife of Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph I. – Elisabeth, called Sissi.

Corfu has also a rich history and interesting architecture. If you plan on sightseeing tour, you will certainly be happy that the island is dotted with plenty of sights worth visiting. You can visit Achillion – Classicist mansion, where the Empress Sissi spent much of her life. Another beautiful experience of your vacation could also be a walk to the ruins of a Byzantine castle Angelokastro from the 13th century or to the southernmost point of the island, which is Cape Asprokavos. There is an abandoned monastery, above which you can enjoy the view of 130m high rocky cliffs.

The Corfu has several interesting places that we strongly recommend you to visit: the capital of Corfu, Vlacherna monastery, Empress Sissi villa in the village of Gastouri, Pantokrator mountain, tourist town Paleokastritsa with nearby caves by the sea, village Lakoness, view Bela Vista or resort of Sidari with bizarre rocky reefs.

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