Planning a holiday walking in Greece? Well take that calendar off your wall and plan your trekking trip around these fantastic festivals. There’s a little something for everything, so come on over to Samos and learn to party like a local.

Dance on Taverna Tabletops

After walking in Greece the last thing that you’re going to want to do with those tired feet is dance on taverna tabletops, so we’ll leave that to the locals. You may want to take advantage of the lashings of local food and drink on offer during the feast day of the Virgin Mary, so plan your walking trip around 15th August to take advantage of the eating and merriment. No matter where you are in Samos, every village square and every local taverna will be hosting their own celebrations. Wine and music play a big part in the celebrations and most followers of the Greek Orthodox religion will have been fasting for a fortnight prior to this date.

Splash Around in Samos

When you’ve been walking in Greece on a warm summer afternoon, the idea of swimming in a nice cool lake can seem like heaven; but what about entering a swimming tournament? In the town of Pythagario, swimming tournaments are just a small part of the celebrations intended to commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of Mikali. The anniversary takes place on August 6th and if you don’t like the idea of competing against an Olympian in the swimming races, you can simply watch the local children dance a traditional Samoan dance, called the ‘Sirtos’, in their local costume. Religion plays a big part in the anniversary celebrations, but the sermons are all in Greek so you may want to give them a miss. Foodies will be delighted to know that the Battle of Mikali has its own designated dish; giorti. Giorti is made with minced lamb, grains and paprika and doesn’t look dissimilar to porridge. However, giorti is a lot tastier, and will definitely fill you up after a long day walking in Greece.

Feast with Fisherman

By now you should have spotted a distinct formula to a Greek festival; dancing, eating and wine. If you head to Pythagario in June during the Feast of the Fisherman you’ll be delighted to find that the food and wine are free. The food consists of fresh fish delivered by the local fishermen and is organised by the local council. The festival wouldn’t be complete without dancing and this goes on throughout the night. If you’re planning to continue walking in Greece the next morning, you may want to rest your feet earlier on in the evening so that you are good to go.

Party for Panagia Vrondiani

Remember giorti? Well it makes another festival appearance on the 6th and 7th of August. In fact, anyone who plans a trip walking in Greece during the first week of August may find themselves in the midst of a three-day party. Straight after the celebrations commemorating the Battle of Mikali end, the feast day of Panagia Vrondiani begins. Dancing in the tavernas, followed by local wine and giorti are very much the flavour of the next two days. Walking during the day and feasting with the locals at night? It certainly sounds like the perfect holiday combination to us.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Operating since 1946, they now offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in more than 90 different countries. While walking in Greece with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, you can walk the most scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.

The online travel writing provided by Travel Content Online is free to take, providing you take the links in the text, too. Use it to add fresh online content to your website. Thank you for visiting us – hopefully our travel content will bring more visitors to your site, too.

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Greek cuisine is famous all over the world for its mix of delicious flavours and healthy ingredients. If you go walking in Greece, you’re certain to come across a whole wealth of spectacular dishes. Here’s a selection of three of the tastiest Greek dishes for you to try next time you are in the country. These are traditional Greek dishes that you’ll be able to find anywhere, so whether you’re walking in the city or the countryside you’ll be able to try them all out during your trip.

Gyros

If you build up a healthy appetite following a day of walking, in Greece you have the satisfaction of knowing that a good gyros awaits you in practically any restaurant you walk into. You may well be familiar with the doner kebab served in kebab houses throughout the UK; well this is along the same lines but a lot, lot better.

Gyros’ originate from a large vertical pillar of meat turning around on a spit. Rather than being made of one single column of processed meat like back home, the traditional gyros is comprised of lots of layers of succulent strips of real meat. This mouth-watering treat will not only fill you up but will also provide you with a taste sensation to enjoy after a long day of walking. In Greece, gyros is usually served in pita bread after being shaved off the pillar. It’s delicious and filling, so make sure you try it.

Moussaka

You many well have tried versions of moussaka back home, but when you next go walking in Greece, you should find an opportunity to try this local delight. Aubergine is the key ingredient of this delicious meal, but that’s just the start. Moussaka is made in layers: cooked aubergine in olive oil makes up the base, followed by a second layer of mince (usually lamb), and topped off with white sauce or egg custard, all baked in the oven.

When you go walking in Greece, you’ll realise that there is no end to the variations of moussaka that you will encounter. If you walk through different regions of the country, try moussaka in all of them and judge for yourself which region makes the tastiest dish.

Souvlaki

Souvlaki is classic Greek fast food, so next time you are walking in Greece and don’t have much time to stop off for a meal, this is a good option. It consists of a mix of vegetables and meat cooked on a skewer. It can then be eaten either straight from the skewer or from your hand, depending on where you are eating it.

The meat can vary, and although pork is the traditional choice, chicken is often used as well. It is generally served with a side salad, garnish or fried potatoes, but if you are in a rush then you can even eat it whilst walking. In Greece this is a very popular dish and unless you are a vegetarian then you will almost certainly find yourself tucking into a good souvlaki at some stage of your trip.

Eat Your Way Around Greece

There are many more delicious Greek dishes to try out when you are walking in Greece, and this is just a start. Baklava, horta vrasta and the famous Greek salad are served pretty much everywhere you go, so if you build up an appetite next time you go walking in Greece you know that you are never far from a mouth-watering dish to keep you going.

About The Author:

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Operating since 1946, they now offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in more than 90 different countries. While walking in Greece with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, you can walk the most scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.

The online travel writing provided by Travel Content Online is free to take, providing you take the links in the text, too. Use it to add fresh online content to your website. Thank you for visiting us – hopefully our travel content will bring more visitors to your site, too.

This article was provided by LeadGenerators, the smartest SEO agency in London

Being a particularly beautiful Greek Island, hiking in Samos is a popular activity. With ancient ruins, hilltop monasteries, rocky mountains and stretching beaches, walking in Samos offers something for everyone. Here are 5 of best the sights to see and places to visit.

A Well-Rounded Experience

Greece is known for its idyllic beauty, ancient architecture, and culture rich in tradition and myth. A trip to the island of Samos needs to incorporate all these aspects, making your holiday a truly Greek experience. From the ancient ruins of Heraion and Pythagoreion, to the fortified monastery of Moni Vronta, to the highest peak of Kerkis Mountain and the sunny beaches of Kokkari, hiking in Samos is the best way to experience the island.

1. A Temple for a Goddess

In a low marshy region in the southern part of Samos, lie the ruins of an ancient temple dedicated to the goddess, Hera. The Late Archaic Heraion of Samos was the first of the iconic Samos temples to be built.  Today, only one column remains standing, and the ruins are now a World Heritage site.

According to Greek mythology, the goddess Hera was born under a lygos tree. The annual Samian festival celebrates the binding of the image of Hera in lygos branches, a tradition which is still upheld.

This is a great stop when walking in Samos, as the area has a beautiful marshy landscape and it is located in a river basin near the sea.

2. Pythagoreion Paths

Another cultural stopping point when walking in Samos is the Pythagoreion ruins. This is an ancient fortified port, hosting Greek and Roman monuments and the famous Tunnel of Eupalinos, a popular tourist attraction.

The tunnel is 1036m in length, and was built in the 6^th century BC to serve as an aqueduct bringing fresh water into Samos. It was discovered through the writing of Herodotus, without which it may never have been found.

3. A Monastery on the Mountain

Perfect for hiking in Samos, the monastery of Moni Vronta sits high up on a mountain making for spectacular views of the sea and the hilltop village, Vourliotes. This peaceful sanctuary is the perfect stopping point when walking in Samos.

Only one monk still lives in the monastery, but if you knock, either he or one of the soldiers from a nearby post will gladly let you in to look around. Be sure to pay a visit to the ‘spileo’, a cave in the outer wall. The cave forms a chapel, where you can see a collection of ancient objects.

4. The Chalky Cliffs of Kerkis

The highest peak on the island is Vigla, in the Kerkis Mountains. This peak is 1434m high, and is a popular place for hiking in Samos. The mountain has a unique appearance, and the scenery is spectacular. Kerkis is an extinct volcano, and many of the cliff faces are white, due to thigh levels of chalk in the rock.

The mountain is also a sanctuary for endangered plants and animals and is part of a network of the EU’s protected sites, making it a great place to go walking in Samos. Several small monasteries dot the slopes, and there are many caves waiting to be explored. The Cave of Pythagoras can be found here, where Pythagoras is believed to have hidden before being exiled.

5. Coming to Rest on the Kokkari Shore

In an area of pine trees, olive trees and vineyards, walking in Samos is an extremely pleasant activity. Kokkari, on the northern part of the island, is the perfect area to unwind with slow walks as you pick the fruit and enjoy the sunshine.

Hiking in Samos is best enjoyed when you have a place to relax when you’re finished. Kokkari has three beaches. The Long Beach is situated on the waterfront, where you can enjoy walks along the coastline. There are also two secluded and sheltered bays, a great place to stop for a break when walking in Samos.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing for Ramblers Countrywide Holidays. Ramblers Worldwide have been operating since 1946 and now offer over 250 holidays in more than 70 different countries.  They are dedicated to providing the very finest holidays walking in Samos at the best value prices.

Walking in Greece is the perfect way to discover parts of the country that you wouldn’t see on ordinary package holidays. When the locals want to holiday in their homeland, they don’t head to the typical holiday resorts of Crete and Kavos, but rather the quiet and calm atmosphere of the Pelion Peninsula.

The Pelion is known for its stunning beaches and crystal clear waters, but the resort has more to offer visitors than just sea and sand. The scenic villages of Tsagarada, Portaria and Makrinitsa are all located on the peninsula and a visit, whilst walking in Greece, will take you back to a more traditional way of life. Tsagarada is known locally as the village of the flowers, but it is a 1,000 year old plane tree that visitors from all over regard as the village’s most famous attraction. The trunk is 14 inches in diameter and, contrary to the common law of botany, is joined by two other branches to form a seamless arm. In fact, some people believe that the tree bears more than a passing resemblance to a cuttlefish.

The village of the flowers is nestled underneath a giant mountain and the contrast of the region is further highlighted when you discover that this mountain is a popular ski resort in the winter. In the summer season you’re more likely to find ornithologists gathered around the mountain than skiers. This is because the resort is home to some rare birds, such as Booted Eagles, White-backed Woodpeckers and Golden Eagles.

You’ll come across some truly spectacular sights whilst walking in Greece’s Pelion Peninsula, but the most famous attraction in the area is the church of Agia Marina, in the mountain town of Kissos. Every village in Pelion is framed by its local church, but the Agia Marina is unique. Inside you can see the stunning frescoes and spectacular works of art that adorn both the ceiling and walls. If religious art is a particular interest of yours, then you can’t afford to miss the town of Zagora. Although, none of Zagora’s churches are as spectacular as the Agia Marina, the Byzantine icons and sacred vessels make them popular with pilgrims.

Zagora is the largest village in the Pelion and, walking in Greece, you’re certain to pass through here at some point. One of the first things that you may notice about Zagora is the fragrant smell of apple blossom. The town is Greece’s largest apple-producing region, so make sure you stop off en-route at one of the local tavernas and treat yourself to succulent Milopita; an apple and pear spiced cake cooked with cinnamon, metaxa brandy and Granny Smith apples. In true local style, this desert is best sampled with a cup of thick Greek coffee.

According to Greek legends, the Pelion Peninsula was the land of the Centaurs and the holiday resort of the Gods. After visiting the Peninsula, we’re certain that you’ll agree the ancient Gods choose the ideal location to take their holidays.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Operating since 1946, they now offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in more than 90 different countries. While walking in Greece with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, you can walk the most scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.

The online travel writing provided by Travel Content Online is free to take, providing you take the links in the text, too. Use it to add fresh online content to your website. Thank you for visiting us – hopefully our travel content will bring more visitors to your site, too.

The mythical island of Atlantis has been thought to be in many different places from the Arctic to Japan. However, as it was Plato, the Greek philosopher, who first mentioned Atlantis in his writings, many people believe that the mythical land of Atlantis is in fact Santorini. Plato’s description of Atlantis submerging into the water appears in his infamous dialogs -Critias and Timaeus. Plato described Atlantis as a circular island inhabited by immensely talented people, who were highly civilised and very prosperous. The island was described as being located between the Pillars of Hercules, which adds more fuel to the theory that Santorini was in fact Atlantis. It isn’t just locals that are keen to extol the legend that Santorini may in fact be Atlantis, but geological and archaeological excavations have all shed some evidence on this theory.

Santorini is a volcanic island and when walking in Greece you will get the opportunity to explore the amazing Santorini volcano up close. The volcano is known as Caldera and visitors can take a daily cruise, which allows them to climb the black volcanic walls of the volcano. The island has two other volcanoes, Nea Kameni and Palea Kameni. Palea Kameni is the oldest volcano on the island and is known for its stunning hot springs. These springs are perfect for relaxing in and the water is said to have healing properties. These volcanoes helped geologists determine that Santorini has always been prone to volcanic activity and this may have caused the island to submerge.

Archaeologists have uncovered evidence that gifted people had lived on the island since 1300BC. In fact, Minoan paintings and Bronze Age implements actually show that gifted people may have occupied the island even before that date. If you take a visit to the Archaeological Museum in Fira, you’ll be able to look at the evidence yourself. As well as carrying out analysis of items found on the island, archaeologists carried out radiometric analysis to discover when the last explosion took place. They found out that it occurred between 1615 and 1645, 1020 years after Plato died, showing that the island may have been reborn after earlier submerging into the sea as Atlantis.

Whether you believe that evidence or not, you’re certain to have an excellent holiday walking in Greece’s sunset island. The food in Santorini is amongst the best in Greece and one of the highlights of your trip is bound to be enjoying souvlaki in a traditional taverna, where Greek waiters show off their dance moves and refill your glasses with grappa. The scenic island also offers stunning walks around the orchid covered mainlands. So submerge yourself on the Santorini holiday and rediscover a hidden paradise.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Operating since 1946, they now offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in more than 90 different countries. On walking in Greece with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, you can walk the most scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.

Go walking in Greece on the beautiful island of Skopelos. The island was the setting for the hit musical ‘Mamma Mia’ and on a walking break you too can sing and dance your way around the island.

Skopelos, located in the Sporades, is one of the best islands for walking in Greece. The cragged landscape and white-washed buildings make the scenery among some of the most magnificent in Greece, and it was for perhaps this reason that the island was chosen, as the backdrop for the hit film ‘Mamma Mia’.

When you arrive on the white sand beaches of Kastani Bay, you might be tempted to grab your friends and launch into an all-singing, all-dancing rendition of ‘Does Your Mother Know?’ as the cast of ‘Mamma Mia’ did on this fantastic beach. The majority of all beach scenes were shot on this bay, and surprisingly the beach is quite hard to reach. Kastani Bay can only be accessed through a steep, pine-clad and heavily rutted dirt track. However, the difficult approach is easily worth the splendid views that you’ll be rewarded with when you reach the bottom. Avid viewers of the film will be surprised to see the absence of a wooden jetty. This is because the jetty was only built for the film and, like all the stars, has now disappeared from the island.

Sky and Sophie’s wedding chapel was created on the same site as the monastery of Agios Ioannis Prodromos, near the town of Glossa. The chapel, built for the movie, still stands and a visit can be arranged when walking in Greece. Its location on a rugged 100-metre high rock formation is extremely picturesque. At night flambeaus lighting leads from the pathway up to the entrance, via 105 stone-carved steps.

Villa Donna is located on the north side of the island, in the village of Nisa, near the area of Glisteri. Unfortunately the hotel doesn’t exist in real life, but when walking in Greece there are a number of traditional taverns and guesthouses that you can choose to stay in. You may remember a scene, from Mamma Mia, where dancers skip around olive groves surrounding Villa Donna. These olive groves are not actually located on Skopelos, but belong to one of the other islands on the Pelion Coast, Volos.
Although you won’t find a villa or olive groves surrounding the Glisteri region, you can spend a leisurely afternoon sunbathing on Glisteri Beach. This closed cove is easily accessible by bus route and, unlike the other beaches in Skopelos, it has large round pebbles instead of fine sand.

When walking in Greece, tourists often stop at Glisteri for the beachfront tavern, which serves traditional local dishes such as moussaka and spanakopita. Whilst eating at this tavern you’ll notice a small mountainous peninsula in the distance. This is where Sophie leaves from to attend her wedding. The very same peninsula was also used for the famous cliff-jumping scene with all Sophie’s fathers.

From the distinctive post-box used in the opening credits to the island of Amarantos, you’ll be surprised at the number of locations you recognise when walking in Greece’s Mamma Mia Island. We can guarantee that after spending a week on Skopelos, like the cast of Mamma Mia you too will be singing and dancing like a Super Trouper.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Operating since 1946, they now offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in more than 90 different countries. Walking in Greece with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, you can walk the most scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.