Greece - much more than Sirtaki, Moussaka and Ouzo
The Greeks of modern times call themselves Hellenes, but they had many different names throughout history. However, Homer (8th century BC) did not use the term "Hellene" in his epics. In classical antiquity, the Greeks hardly lay a point to present ithemselfves as a unified nation. The own home instead, be it a polis or a kingdom, was up to a few exceptions far more important. The participants in the Olympic Games were summarized as Hellenes. Perhaps it was this name later, in the first centuries of Christianity, being used as synonymous with paganism. From late antiquity until the end of the Middle Ages (1453), the Greeks even called themselves Rhomaioi (ancient Greek for, Romans').
Lesvos and the refugees - the other side of the coin?
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Everyone probably still remembers the images that went around the world from Lesvos during the first refugee crisis. We will not renew these images in our heads, not even here in the travel portal in the News category!
Mithymna on Lesbos - also called Molyvos
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During our round trip on the Greek island of Lesbos, our route also led to the north coast of the island of Lesbos to the city of Mithymna, which was already known in ancient times and which today, with its almost 1,670 inhabitants, is often also referred to as Molyvos.
Lesvos - Trip to the Greek Aegean Island near Ayvalık
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In order to get away from the hectic city of Izmir for a short time, we planned a short weekend trip to Lesvos, the Greek Aegean Island just off the Turkish coast near Ayvalık.
Mytilene on Lesbos - ancient fortress ruins of Mitilini
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After a restful, quiet night in the small inn of Mitilini, after breakfast we head to the fortress ruins of Mitilini. The low-rise buildings of the town, which has around 30,000 inhabitants, stretch along the hill, which is towered above in an almost semi-circular shape by the massive ruins of the ancient fortress.
Ouranoupoli – seaside resort and port for Athos monasteries
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Our explorations of the so-called three fingers of Chalkidiki also brought us to the third, eastern finger, which is not allowed to be entered or rather only entered with special permission - the monastic republic of Athos.
Afytos - once a fisherman's village - today tourist attraction
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In search of a bakery, which offers the delicious Kourambie cakes all year round, we had found Gkemitzis in Afytos during the internet research, who ran a small eco-shop and invited us to his home village.
Sithonia - even in autumn and winter still beautiful
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- Category: Halkidiki
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Once again we were on the way to Sithonia, the still lovely sunshine in mid-November had led us to visit the middle finger of the Halkidiki peninsula again.
Trip to Cave of Petralona - By car or is the bike an option?
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- Category: Halkidiki
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From Camper stop Zampetas we had planned visiting the cave of Petralona next to Mount Katsika together with our camper neighbors Suse and Axel, who are on their way to New Zealand in a VW Camper, when Axel's message that he wanted to do the tour by bicycle surprised us in the morning.
Byzantine Potidea - ancient coin making and trading town
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- Category: Halkidiki
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Another discovery tour led us to Nea Potidea on Kassandra peninsula, where we could hope to find some remains of Roman or Byzantine ruins according to the well proven ancient name of the place Potideia or Poteideia.
Ágios Pávlos - The S. Pauls spring next to Neos Marmaras
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- Category: Halkidiki
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Our explorations in Halkidiki should initially lead us to so-called Paulus spring at the Chapel Ágios Pávlos, where there is a first trail to explore today, extending around the rock Petros, one of the highest points on Sithonia.
Olynth - once the political center of Halkidiki
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Our explorations in Halkidiki had us led to the ruined city of Olynthus, despite the now hot summer temperatures, an absolutely watch able destination.
Sithonia - sandy beaches on the second finger of Halkidiki
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Looking for locations for Campers and holiday travelers one often hears of the three fingers of Halkidiki peninsula, namely Kassandra, Sithonia and Athos.
Kalamitsi - harbor, diving-station & bay on Sithonia
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The day of our current explorations on Sithonia was nearing its end, time to take care of accommodation for the night. From Andrea and John we have got the tip to use the campsite at the beach boulevard of Kalamitsi.
Halkidiki - just a summer paradise with ancient past?
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After several days of exploration of trails in the National Park of Mount Olympus and possible outdoor activities and culinary offerings around Rapsani we turned to Halkidiki, the peninsula next to Thessaloniki that is basically quite well known to travelers because of Mount Athos and the surrounding monasteries.
Not just the arch bridge makes Konitsa attractive for campers
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After an adventurous journey crossing the Pindos mountains, we visited the district capital Konitsa together with George from Camper stop Bourazani, which is located only a few kilometers from the Albanian border.
Pindos - Cosy villages and exciting bridge constructions
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Our tour through the Pindos National Park had first led us to the villages of Kapesovo and Koukouli, both of them, so at least local documents, were founded in the 13th century.
Monaster Molivdokskepasti with its wondrous icons!
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Only a few hundred meters away from the border with Albania, in the Konitsa region, the Monastery of Molivdoskepasti, dedicated to the Domitian and the Virgin Mary, is situated since the 13th century.
Exploring Pindos Mountains - Hiking to the Vikos Gorge
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During our stay at Camping Vrachos in Kastraki at Meteora monasteries we also had the idea of a first exploration to the Pindos mountain range in Ioannina, especially to "explore" the famous Vikos Gorge.
Bourazani - Stopover at Tsipouro Distillation
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From the middle of autumn to the end of the year, Tsipouro will also be distilled in the region of Bourazani, which, according to Giorgos, normally requires a special license for the producer.
Bourazani at Pindos - A water mill for carpet washing
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During our introductory discussions Giorgos also told us about one of the many special features in the mountain village of Bourazani, which can be easily reached on foot from the local camper stop: the local watermill, which is also used here for washing the carpets of local residents due to the available water power.