"What the mind and the heart is for a human being, Greece is for humanity " - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
Nafplio
Nafplio was the first capital of the newly formed Greek republic between 1828 and 1834. It has been described by some as the most homogenous town on the Greek mainland. Its heritage can be traced to the Venetians who settled there in 1377. About 160km south of Athens it is only 1.5 hrs away from the airport. The old town forms a naturally protected bay and is cradled between two mountain fortresses. Nafplion, bristles with life eminating from its numerous restaurants and cafes and its blessed with rustic charm. It also offers the perfect backdrop for moonlit strolls either through its steeply ascending narrow streets or the seafront promenade. Its location at the North East of the Peloponnese, also makes it a perfect base camp for day trips to the Theatre of Epidavros, Mycenae, Argos and Corinth.
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The Byron Hotel was recommended to us and to be honest we could not really fault it. Located on the foothills of the citadel and on a raised position, arriving on a Thursday we were expectant of a room with a view. To our dissapointment we were informed that the only room available was on the lower ground. Having being shown the clean spacious room with a rustic courtyard, our dissapointment just like our fatigue quickly evaporated. |
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Ithaca (Ithaki)
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On his ten year long return to Ithaki, Homer's Odysseus, was hounded by misfortune. During his perilous journey, Odysseus's resolve never waivered, amongst his many tribulations he resisted the Siren's call and Calypso's embrace. For anyone who has ever visited Ithaki and taken in its green lush valleys, clear pebble beaches and bijoux ports, his feat starts making a little more sense. |
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If unlike Odysseus you don't have ten years to spare, the swiftest way to Ithaki is to fly to Kefallonia, then drive or get a bus to Fiscardo and cross to Frikes by the ferry boat. Between April and May, you can also fly to Corfu and get a sea plane from around €65 single and €130 return per person. The flight from Corfu takes around 40 minutes and is probably the best way to start your holiday in Ithaca. For full details of the Seaplane Schedule click here. |
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Set in a raised poised position in the picteresque port of the island's capital Vathi, the Perantzada Art Hotel 1811, pre-dating the arrival of Lord Byron to the island, is housed in a light-blue, neo-classical building designed by the 19th Century German architect Ernst Schiller.
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