On our way back from Albania, we decided to visit Meteora again and to do this, we stopped in Greece for a few hours. Just thinking about this visit gave me a strange feeling. As soon as I got there, I felt overwhelmed by memories and emotions. It was a real pleasure to revisit the valley of Thessaly, an area blessed with unique landscapes which seem to be cut out of a fairy tale.

Admiring the beauty of this region was easy, but the difficult part was to compare the past images with the present ones. I felt like I was playing a game and I was trying to find the similarities between the two images.

The spectacular high sandstone rocks make this corner of heaven unique in the world. It is true that the image of these mysterious rocks, whose origin is still unknown, is simply breathtaking, but what really makes them special are the monasteries built on top of them.

The six monasteries were built by monks many centuries ago and for good reason they are the main attraction in the area. The Monasteries of Meteora seem to be unreal thanks to their extraordinary appearance which gives you the impression that they are suspended somewhere between the earth and the sky. It is unbelievable how the monks succeeded in building these masterpieces right on top of the rocks.Nowadays, the complex of monasteries is a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its cultural and religious significance.

Even though I wanted to revisit all the six monasteries, I only managed to see three of them. The first one was the Monastery of Saint Stephen with its two lovely cathedrals which shelter sacred relics of saints and religious items.The second one was the Monastery of Varlaam located in the middle of a sublime scenery and blessed with an interesting museum where you can admire a collection of painted icons and holy objects. The last one was the Monastery of Great Meteoron, a real proof of architectural mastery. This is the biggest and the oldest monastery in the complex and it is blessed with beautiful frescoes, religious icons and spectacular views.

All of these monasteries were exactly how I remembered them. They looked as if the passing of time hadn’t changed them at all. My only regret is that I didn’t manage to visit all of them again, but at least I saw the other ones from the car. The Monastery of Saint Nicholas Anapafsas, the Monastery of the Holy Trinity and the Monastery of Roussanou looked unaffected by the passing of time as well.

Everything happens for a reason and maybe the fact that I haven’t revisited all the monasteries will make me come back to this place. Who knows, maybe I will return to this amazing place after 10 more years? What I do know is that Meteora is the kind of place which deserves to be visited more than once.

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A small stretch of white sand surrounded by high limestone cliffs is washed away by the crystal blue waters.

The symbol of the beach is the wrecked ship which has been lying on this piece of land for decades. The legend that surrounds this shipwreck is still debated on. According to the legend this shipwreck is actually a Scottish ship, called the Panagiotis.

One version of the legend says that the Panagiotis was a famous ship belonging to the cigarette smugglers and to the Italian mafia which wrecked in 1980, while it was followed by the Greek coast guard. It is said that the entire crew vanished into thin air.

Another version of the legend says that the Minister of tourism brought the wreck of the Panagiotis on the shore of Navagio Beach on purpose. It is believed that the ship wrecked in a totally different place and that it was brought to the shore as a marketing strategy meant to increase the popularity of the beach.

Whatever side of the story you choose to believe, the truth is that Navagio Beach is a much more popular place due to this interesting shipwreck.

Remember that the future belongs to the curious and stay close for the next “Did you know that?”

You can also read the previous articles “Did you know that?” ⇒Here →1.→2.

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It is true that the city has gone through major changes during the centuries, but somehow it managed to preserve its authenticity.

The historical center of Athens can be considered an open-air museum thanks to the multitude of remains that can be admired there.

The place that perfectly portraits the energy of the glorious past of Athens is definitely the Acropolis. The Holy Rock of Athens, as the Acropolis is called, rises majestically in the heart of the city and is considered the most important symbol of the Greek ancient culture. This fortified citadel is blessed with 21 important remains of Greek temples, edifices and buildings.

My favorite places and also the most well-preserved in the entire complex are: the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, the Propylaia, the Temple of Athena Nike and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus.

1.The Parthenon is a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena, who is considered the patroness of Athens. This cultural monument is the most significant edifice of the Ancient Greece that still stands today. Displaying features of both Doric and Ionic architectural styles, the entire sanctuary is surrounded by massive columns and it is considered a fine example of Greek architecture.

The Parthenon had a tumultuous history and it passed through several stages during the centuries. For example the edifice used to serve as a treasury of the Delian League and later it became the symbol of the Athenian Empire.  In the 5^th century CE it was converted into a Christian church dedicated to the Virgin Mary and after the Ottoman conquest it was turned into a mosque. It is definitely a surprisingly interesting evolution.

2.The Erechtheion is also an ancient temple dedicated to Athena and Poseidon. Displaying an interesting and complex design, with a lot of Ionic architectural details, this temple is in my opinion the most beautiful and the best preserved in the entire area. My favorite part of this temple is the famous Porch of the Caryatids. Also named the Porch of the Maidens, this interesting structure has six support columns designed as six female figures.

As well as the Parthenon, the Erechtheion went through a tumultuous evolution over time. It used to be a church in the Byzantine period, a palace in the Frankish period and the residence of the Turkish commander’s harem in the Ottoman period.

3.The Propylaia is the monumental gateway to the Acropolis of Athens or the main entrance to this sacred place.  This structure consists of a number of rooms and gates which are linked with porticos and stairs. Surrounded by massive columns and walls and displaying a blend between the Doric and Ionic architectural styles, the Propylaia was considered one of the most innovative buildings of the Classical Antiquity.

It was the only building that survived the Greek, the Roman and the Byzantine periods. The Propylaia used to serve as the palace of the Acciaioli family during the period of the Duchy of Athens.

4.The Temple of Athena Nike is a small temple named after the Greek goddess with the same name. The temple was actually built in order to worship Athena as the goddess of victory and wisdom. The name Nike means victory in Greek.

Situated on the right side of the Propylaia, this is the first structure which was entirely built in the Ionic architectural style. The temple was surrounded by a railing covered with different architectural motifs representing Athena’s life.  The original fragments of the frieze that used to decorate the temple are now exposed in the British Museum and the Acropolis Museum.

5.Another interesting building situated in this complex is the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. As the name suggests, this theater was built by Herodes Atticus in the memory of his wife Aspasia Annia Regilla.

Built on a steep slope, in the shape of an amphitheater, the original theater had three stone walls and a wooden roof and it was used as a stage for music concerts.  The remains of the Herodeon, as it is also called, host nowadays different outdoor music concerts and theatre performances.  It seems that this building hasn’t lost its main purpose.

To conclude, in case you haven’t visited the Acropolis yet you should definitely plan a trip there. This will be a great opportunity to admire the remains of the most important Greek temples, edifices and buildings.

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I am talking about those places loaded with a special type of energy, whose value is pointed out by their important role in history. These places can have a great impact on you, especially if you are a history and an art lover.

I have recently visited the Acropolis for the second time and I must say that it was indeed a wonderful feeling. Situated on a rocky outcrop, above the city of Athens, the Acropolis is an ancient fortified citadel which hosts the most important remains of some Greek edifices, temples and buildings. Rising right in the heart of Athens, the Holy Rock of Athens, as it is called, is the most important reference point of the Greek ancient culture.

The word “acropolis” comes from the Greek akron which means extremity and polis which means city. Even if this complex of buildings was repeatedly destroyed during the wars that took place in Athens, it was rebuilt each time. The Acropolis went through a tumultuous period until the end of the 19^th century, when things fell into place for this Greek citadel. That was the moment when the reconstruction process began and the ancient appearance of the citadel started changing.

Some of the original sculptures and objects were sent to the most important museums in the world. So, don’t be surprised if among the sculptures and objects which can be admired on the Acropolis, there are also copies! This is not such an important aspect and it doesn’t affect the beauty and the energy of this place.

There are actually 21 remains that can be admired in the citadel. The Parthenon, the Propylaia, the Erechtheion, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus and the Temple of Athena Nike are among the ones that are worth mentioning. In my opinion these five are also the most well-preserved and interesting buildings in the entire complex.

Another interesting aspect is that visiting the Acropolis you will have the chance to admire a spectacular panoramic view over the entire city.

To conclude, the Acropolis of Athens is definitely a place which deserves to be added on anyone’s trip list.

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I must say that I felt speechless quite a few times during my travel experiences. One of the places that had such an effect on me was Balos Beach, also called the Lagoon of Balos. Situated on the Gramvousa Island, in the region of Chania, this Greek jewel is the most famous and beautiful beach in Crete.

When I first saw this piece of heaven from the top of the cliffs, I simply felt that my heart stopped for a few seconds. Breathtaking is the term I would use, if I had to describe that scenery in just one word. This amazing blue lagoon seems to flaunt its beauty among the high cliffs that surround it.

Once you get to the beach, you will be delighted by a stretch of pink and white sand which seems to be spoiled in the sunlight by the crystal blue waters. Balos Beach is a natural masterpiece, a place which will give you the chance to experience heaven on earth.

If I haven’t convinced you yet, you should take a look at my beautiful collection of pictures which I’m sure will help you make a decision.

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For example, one of the beaches that I think about with great pleasure is Navagio Beach. Situated in Greece, on the coast of Zakynthos Island, this beach is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. It is enough to see one picture of this beach to realize why it is so famous. The lovely white sand and the clear blue waters surrounded by limestone cliffs make Navagio Beach a real piece of heaven.

This place is also called the Shipwreck Beach because right in the middle of the beach the tourists can admire a wrecked ship which, according to the local legend, belonged to smugglers.  Navagio is a small beach but the feeling you get after spending a few hours there, is absolutely breathtaking.

In case you have a trip list that includes a number of beautiful beaches you would like to visit, make sure you will give yourself the chance to admire this piece of heaven. On this note, I will let the following pictures speak for themselves.

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A visit to this place will be a great opportunity to explore and admire the underwater world of the Mediterranean Sea. This lovely place will give you the feeling that this world does its best to impress you. I really recommend this place in case you decide to spend your holiday in Crete. The Cretaquarium is definitely worth experiencing. If I have not convinced you so far, I’m sure the following pictures will.

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It is situated near the town of Gournes, at about 15 kilometers of Heraklion, in Crete. The Cretaquarium Thalassocosmos was founded in a former American military base by the institute of Marine Biology of Crete, in 2005. It is the first large aquarium in Greece and also a public research institution operated by the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research.

This is the reason why it is considered to be an important educational and cultural center. There you will have the opportunity to explore the sea world of the Mediterranean Sea, about 250 different species and 2500 Mediterranean and tropical organisms. The entire place is very well organized and it perfectly imitates the stunning underwater environment: 60 different tanks and 100 observation points.

The whole place is decorated with a multitude of blue and green lights and it will give you the feeling that you are in a dream underwater world. It will be a fascinating experience to explore and admire the diversity of the marine life: fish, corals, sharks, sea horses, sea anemones, lobsters, octopuses and a lot of different sea organisms.

I could go on and on with this list of species, but the best way to discover the beauty of the underwater world is actually to go there and see all those species. If I had to choose only three creatures that I liked the most I would definitely say: the spectacular stingrays, the beautiful sea turtles Caretta Caretta and the amazing jellyfish.

It is really relaxing to watch them and you could look at them for hours. You should know that the tour will take about two hours. It depends on how interested you are in reading the information tablets and the touch screens. It will be a great opportunity to learn a lot of things about the marine life.

You should also know that it is very easy to get to the Cretaquarium. There is a large parking place available for visitors in case you want to get there by car. If you choose to get there by bus you should know that the bus station is near the aquarium, at about 5 minutes of walking.

Therefore if you are going to visit Crete, make sure that you will add the Cretaquarium on your trip list, because it is one of those places where you can see and learn a lot of things.

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It is situated in the south-west of Crete, at about 70 kilometers from the city of Chania. The lagoon of Elafonisi is one of those exceptional natural beauties. You will be speechless in front of the exotic scenery that you will find there.

A long stretch of fine sand and the clear greenish blue water blend together in a harmonious way. The sandy patches that look like small sand islets and the cedars that are scattered all over the place, give that special touch to the entire beach. The scenery is embellished by a few interesting stones of various shapes and sizes, which seem to tan in the sun together with the tourists.

The stretch of pink sand that can be seen along the waterline makes this place really interesting and different. This pink color of the sand is due to a multitude of crushed shells which leave behind a pink powder. Elafonisi Beach is a very entertaining beach where you can choose from a variety of activities: water sports, snorkeling or swimming.

There are some parts of the beach where the level of the water is not very high and where the children can safely swim or play. Elafonisi Beach is quite accessible and you can easily get there by boat or by car. No matter how you choose to get there, you will have the chance to admire beautiful landscapes.

If you choose to get there by boat it will be a great opportunity to explore the beauty of the entire peninsula, but if you choose to get there by car you will have the possibility to discover a picturesque mountain scenery. You should know that the beach is actually situated at the end of the road, where you can also find a parking place.

The beach has a few facilities but my advice is to take everything you might need with you in order to avoid queuing because Elafonisi beach is pretty crowded, especially during summer. The entire area is a nature reserve, under Natura 2000 protection program, because it shelters a variety of rare species.The sea turtles, called caretta caretta are the most famous and popular.

To sum up, Elafonisi Beach is a piece of heaven and you should not leave Crete without visiting it.

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No matter how you choose to spend your time in Crete, you should know that the lagoon of Balos or Balos Beach is one of those places you should not miss. Situated in the north-west of the region of Chania, at about 17 kilometers away from Kissamos, the lagoon of Balos is a part of the Gramvousa Island.

Balos Beach which is actually the iconic image of Crete due to its wild natural beauty and its exotic scenery is definitely the most beautiful beach in Crete. The stretch of pink and white sand washed away by the clear blue and turquoise water and surrounded by large cliffs creates a spectacular scenery. The sand is light pink due to the millions of crushed shells.

This special color of the sand together with the large cliff that embellishes the lagoon gives a special touch to the whole place. It is a perfect place to snorkel and admire the beauty of the sea life. The entire area is actually a nature reserve, under Natura 2000 protection program, because it shelters a variety of rare species such as: cormorants, shags, falcons, seals and sea turtles called caretta caretta.

You should know that there are actually three ways you can reach this corner of heaven: by boat, by car or on foot. The easiest way to get there is by boat or by ferry from Kissamos. This will give you the chance to admire the Gramvousa Island in all its splendor: its beautiful shores, the beach of Imeri Gramvousa with its old fortress and the shipwrecked vessel, but also the amazing lagoon of Balos.

This is a great opportunity, but in my opinion it is not the best choice because you will not have enough time to enjoy the beauty of the amazing lagoon. You will have only an hour or two to visit the entire place. This is the reason why I advise you to get to the lagoon of Balos by car. It is true that you will have to drive slowly from Kaliviani on a dirt road of about 10 kilometers, but it is not as bad as they say. It will take you about 45 minutes to get to the top of the cliffs, but believe me it is worth the effort because the sight is spectacular.

At the end of the road there is a parking place where you can leave your car and from there you have to walk about 10 minutes to get to this stunning place. The image seen from the top of the cliffs is simply breathtaking and its beauty cannot be described in words. You should know that from there you have to go down a path of almost one kilometer in order to get to the beach.

If you love hiking you have this possibility as well. If you start from Kaliavani there is a three hours walk. This is in my opinion the most difficult way to reach the beach but it will definitely be a memorable experience. No matter how you choose to get to this corner of heaven make sure that you take everything you need with you: water, food, sunscreen, suitable clothing and footwear and a good camera. An underwater camera will be more than perfect.

You will be so impressed by the beauty of this place that you will not stop taking pictures! You should also know that there are lounge chairs and terraces on the beach that urge you to sit down and relax.
As I have already told you, Balos Beach is one of those places that you should definitely visit during your trip to Crete. It would be a real loss to miss this Greek jewel.

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