Archive for the ‘Greece’ Category

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Guest Interview – David Kamm of The Greek Cat

Wednesday, May 27th, 2009Karen Bryan

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In this guest interview, David Kamm of The Greek Cat gives Europe a la Carte some background into his blog. I came across David on Twitter and initially I was unsure of whether The Greek Cat meant the cat (animal) or the Greek term “cat” which means a young male who is a smooth operator with the opposite sex. As soon as I clicked on David’s blog and saw the beautiful photos of the (animal) cats with stunning Greek island backgrounds, I emailed David to ask him to do a guest post, even although I’m not personally a lover of cats.

The Greek Cat

David Kamm of The Greek Cat

1 What is the aim of your blog?

The primary aim of my travel photography blog is to highlight some of the ‘real’ cats of Greece (cats of the Greek Islands in particular), as found in their everyday settings and activities. The reality is that there is a serious problem with cat overpopulation in Greece, so stray cats are certainly easy to find for photographic subject material. And while many of these cats are in pretty good shape and seem to be living well – at least during tourist season – in most cases they are not the idealized, model cats and kittens you see pictured in the calendars sold in the Greek tourist shops.

I don’t really think of myself as an ‘animal activist’, but I do care about animals and pets (we used to have two cats), so this was a fun travel photography self-assignment. My blog also includes links to some animal welfare groups that are trying to help the stray/feral cats of Greece.

And just to mix in some other things while still staying true to a Greek theme, I also include some photographs that are more typical of travel photography in Greece – landscapes, food, people, etc. But this blog will for the most part remain focused on the many cats we encountered there.

In the end, my hope is that people who like Greece, cats, photography, and travel – or any combination of these – will find something to enjoy in my blog.

2 What prompted you to start your blog?

The short answer is that I had accumulated a decent number of cat images from two recent trips to Greece, and decided that a niche travel photography blog would be a good outlet for them.

For a little more background, my wife and I first went to Greece in 2002, and we noticed all the cats near our hotel on Samos island, which is off the coast of Turkey. I was just reviving my interest in SLR-based photography back then, and didn’t really come back with any great photos of anything. We went back (to the Cyclades islands) in 2007, and that’s where I first really focused on shooting ‘cat portraits’ with my Pentax K10D DSLR. Everything in the blog so far is from that trip. Then we traveled to the Saronic Gulf islands last fall, and I knew ahead of time that I’d be working to add to my collection of cat images while there. I’ll be posting and writing about those images a little later this year.

Also last fall, I became increasingly interested in social media tools, such as blogs, Twitter, Facebook, etc., for personal and professional reasons, and so decided to dive in using the Greek cats theme as a basis for that. It’s been a great way to learn the ropes, and hopefully some people are enjoying the output from my efforts.

3 What has been the hardest aspect of having your own blog?

I think it’s got to be the discipline aspect of posting on a reasonably regular basis, and trying to keep it interesting for readers. The blog definitely is an important complement to my photography now, but it does take time, and unfortunately has to take a back seat to my day job. Still, it’s a great way to show some (hopefully) decent images that would otherwise just be sitting on my PC’s hard drive, or in some online gallery with no real story content and reader interaction.

4 What is the funniest thing that has happened to you running your blog?

It’s got to be that I now have actual ‘cats’ following me on Twitter. Who would have guessed that some cats are smart enough to sign up for Twitter accounts, post little profile pictures of themselves, and tweet about their daily routines? :-) The same thing has happened on my ‘Greek Cat’ Facebook page, which I’ve really not spent much time on at all. I guess these aren’t really blog-specific examples, but they all tie into one another, with the photo blog as my content anchor for everything else.

5 Is there anything you would do differently with the benefit of hindsight?

The main thing I wonder about is my decision to use a fully-hosted blogging tool, vs. a self-hosted platform such as Wordpress.org. But so far I’m fine with the simplicity of the hosted option. And since I own the www.greekcat.com domain, I’ll probably point that to my blog pretty soon.

The other thing I may reconsider is my image sizing. I currently post the photos at 400 pixels wide, which isn’t large enough to maximize their impact. But it fits my Blogger template, so that’s how I got started with that sizing. I may decide to link those blog images to larger versions at some point.

My Comments – I certainly remember lots of cats gathering around restaurants tables when I was on the Greek Islands. Your photos really do capture the essence of the Greek islands.

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Posted in Greece, Guest interviews, Photos by Karen Bryan | 2 Comments »

The Natural Beauty of Delphi, Greece

Wednesday, May 27th, 2009Marcus Cederstrom

temple-of-apollo-4

Nestled in the mountains of central Greece and just a two and a half hour drive from Athens lies the ruins of Delphi (as well as a town, but it’s the old stuff that’s interesting). The archaeological site, which is also a World Heritage Site, is most famous for the oracle of Delphi.

temple-of-apollo-2

However, Delphi has so much more to offer than ancient prophesies. The Temple of Apollo is marked by a few beautiful remaining columns. The stadium gives rise to visions of ancient footraces with thousands of spectators filling the seats still visible today. And of course, a large theater. From its place on the side of a mountain it looks out over the Temple of Apollo and the valley below. It was this very view that caught my attention.

temple-of-apollo-1

I love history. To read it. To see it. I love to romanticize it and imagine what life was like. But what truly took my breath away was not the ruins, which were amazing, but the setting. To be honest, I wasn’t prepared for the mountains of Greece. The jagged rock and sheer cliff faces were an intimidating backdrop to the ancient ruins. Really, a beautiful juxtaposition to the spectacular view to the valley below.

theater-2

In fact, the scenery allowed me to romanticize the history of Delphi even more. The ancient kings coming to consult the oracle. The worship of Apollo. The early forms of athletic competition. The World Heritage Site designation is well-deserved at Delphi.

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Posted in Architecture, Culture, Greece by Marcus Cederstrom | 3 Comments »

Sounion, Greece – In Search of Lord Byron

Wednesday, April 8th, 2009Marcus Cederstrom

Just a short day trip away from Athens is Sounion, home to the Temple of Poseidon which sits atop a slight hill surrounded by the Aegean Sea. Legend has it that it was at this spot that King Aegeus committed suicide by jumping into the sea which now bears his name.

Sailboat from Temple of Poseidon

While this makes for an interesting story, I was more intrigued by the numerous names carved onto the Temple of Poseidon. Somewhere among all of the names was Lord Byron’s. Supposedly carved by him in the early 1800s.

No one is entirely sure if Lord Byron was actually responsible for the carving, but nonetheless, it became my quest to find his name. Unfortunately, the guard ropes were deterrent enough and I wasn’t able to get too close.

temple-of-poseidon-2

Instead, I took pictures of the columns in hopes of being able to zoom in close enough to find his name. I couldn’t. I made four trips around the Temple. Stopping at the different pillars. Straining my eyes. Zooming my camera. Nothing.

I left Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon never having found Lord Byron. But somewhere on the base of a pillar is his signature graffiti.

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Posted in Day trips, Greece by Marcus Cederstrom | No Comments »

Discover the sea-turtles on the Greek island of Zakynthos

Thursday, March 19th, 2009Heather Cowper

Turtles are a big deal on the Greek island of Zakynthos where I visit my sister every year. Zakynthos is home to the loggerhead turtle, Caretta Caretta and their nesting sites on the beaches in the bay of Laganas are protected.

But there’s controversy too, in turtle-paradise and the building and development of land nearby continues as locals try to cash in on the island’s tourism. A marine park has been established, and the turtles are a big draw for visitors who go out on boat trips to try and spot the turtles. If you swim out far enough from the beach with your snorkle you might even see some in the water.

The best place to find out about the turtles is the Earth, Sea and Sky information centre at one of the key nesting areas on Gerakas beach, staffed by volunteers from all over Europe. Go and find out about their efforts to preserve the nesting sites and  buy a few turtle postcards there. Then pop next door to the traditional taverna, for a cold drink and a plate of kalamari, in the shade of a huge mulberry tree.

Gerakas beach

Because of the marine park, building is banned around Gerakas beach which makes it one of my favourite beaches on Zakynthos, but if you find it a little overcrowded in high season, try Dafni beach, which is just the other side of the headland and with just as much chance of seeing a turtle. If you can get your hire car down the steep and hair-raising drive down the pot-holed dirt track, you’ll find the same unspoilt environment, with just a few shady beach bars to relax.

Thanks to RobW for his turtle photos on Flickr

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Posted in Greece, Wildlife by Heather Cowper | 3 Comments »

Four top spots to enjoy Spring in Europe

Friday, March 13th, 2009Andy Hayes

spring in europe

Well, the days are starting to get longer, the spring flowers have sprung, and despite a few flurries here and there, it is feeling distinctively like spring here in Europe. Now’s the time to start thinking about your next European holiday – often good airfare deals and hotel discounts can be had this time of year as the post-Christmas holiday rush has ended and folk are not quite yet planning summer holidays. As well, the economic climate means there are even more travel deals out there today. Here’s a few destinations to put at the top of your list for spring:

Madrid
Spain’s largest city is full of life any season of the year, but the summer weather can be brutally hot. During April and May the city has less rain than in winter and temperatures are very comfortable, even though snow can still be found in the nearby mountains. Don’t miss the Prado, which will also be less crowded at this time.

Amalfi Coast
Tucked away just south of Rome, this portion of the Italian cost can be well overcrowded in summer. But the fresh breeze from the sea brings warmer temperatures and less crowds in spring, meaning you can take time to enjoy the view and the neighbouring attractions such as the ruins at Pompeii.

Santorini
The tourist season starts in Santorini on March 1st – go any earlier and you’ll find many restaurants, B&Bs, and attractions closed. The weather can be very hot in summer but very comfortable in spring, and similar to Amalfi, you can relax and enjoy those stunning seaside views without all the hassle.

Prague
While the Czech capital will not be as warm and cozy as its southernly cousins in this list, spring is still a great time to go and enjoy the “real” Prague, avoiding the hordes of tourists that hit this town en masse come summer. See Charles Bridge at sunrise without a cast of thousands. Go to some of the city’s more popular restaurants without a reservation. Sit in one of the city centre squares and enjoy a cold Pilsner. You’ve earned it.

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Posted in Authentic travel, Czech Republic, Greece, Italy, Short breaks, Spain by Andy Hayes | 2 Comments »

North-east Greece: Take the slow road from Thessaloniki to Alexandroupoli.

Wednesday, March 11th, 2009Karen Bryan

Greece is a very popular summer sun holiday destination, with many direct flights to the various islands as well as several inland destinations.  Many package holidays to the North of Greece use the airport at Thessaloniki, with accommodation at the three-pronged peninsula of Halkidiki.

However, the area east of Thessaloniki stretching to the border with Turkey is most beautiful and little explored! It must be one of these pretty-well kept Greek secrets! Interesting, historic towns and mountainous villages on, or in close proximity to the sea, such as Kavala, Xanthi and Avdira, as well as the beautiful island of Thassos all lie within a 400km distance. Public transport is provided from Thessaloniki and there are also many local operators.

The E90 is the main road Thessaloniki to Alexandroupoli, with many roads connecting to the various towns/villages in all directions, including Bulgaria to the North. The area can be best explored over one to two weeks using car hire from Thessaloniki and staying from 1-3 nights in strategic locations en route. Bring your camera, hiking boots AND swimming trunks!

TOWNS AND PLACES OF INTEREST

Thessaloniki, Greece

Thessaloniki harbour by joaoa. Note the shadow of the White Tower fort, part of the Byzantine fortifications.

The area east of Thessaloniki to Alexandroupoli is rich in very diverse history, ranging from the paleolithic to the modern, with many, many, locations of interest. For simplicity, only some will be mentioned, leaving the traveller free to explore and discover further.

Kavala

This town lies 100km east of Thessaloniki, and it forms a magnificent crescent on the hill surrounding the north Aegean coastline. It is both beautiful and historic.

It was founded around 600BC and was famous for its gold mines, coin mint and as a seaport. It fell to the Romans around 170BC, and it was in that era that Paul the Apostle visited en route to Europe. Kavala was called Christoupolis (city of Christ) by the Byzantines and it was captured and burned by the Normans in 1185. While still being rebuilt it was again captured (with the rest of Greece) by the Ottoman Turks in 1387 and held till 1932. During this period (specifically between the 14th and 15th centuries) the city was once again destroyed and rebuilt. The Ottomans eventually added to the natural beauty of Kavala by the construction of an aqueduct as well as by extending the Byzantine fortress. It is due to all these influences that the city has an atmosphere and flavour all of its own.

Kavala

Kavala by Jorge-11

About 30km to the South-east lies the village of Keramoti, which forms the nearest approach to the island of Thassos. According to an ancient myth, Thassos was the island of the Sirens, the devilish women with a fish tail. Thassos was inhabited during pre-historic times, and the first known inhabitants were Thracian tribes. During the 7th century BC it was colonized by Greeks from Paros, who discovered its riches of gold, marble and lush forests. The island was eventually captured by the Athenians of antiquity and, following a brief but importnant period of occupation by the Genoese in the 14th century BC, when the fortifications were greatly improved, its later fortunes followed those of Greece. It was was eventually liberated from the Turks and reunited with the rest of Greece in 1912. Today the island is one of the few trully pine-wooded parts of Greece that are in very close proximity to beautiful beaches. However, recent fires have destroyed some of its natural beauty.

Bay

Thassos by Jonners

Xanthi (The city of the thousand colours)
This had its beginnings as a small Greek village, until the Ottomans brought settlers from the depths of Asia Minor circa 1500 AD. By the 17th century, Xanthi had become famous for its tobacco which led to prosperity. Two earthquakes, both in 1829, levelled the city, with the subsequent re-building resulting in huge economic development. During the early stages of the 20th century the city was captured and freed from the Bulgarians twice, eventually becoming a permanent part of Greece in 1919. Once again, Xanthi was occupied by Bulgarians between 1941-1944, then returned to the Greeks post world war II. The Bazaar is an interesting mixture of Greek and Turkish flavours in harmony and concert, and it takes place on Saturdays. Best times to visit are in February or March (Carnival, linked to Easter) and beginning of September for the Old Town Festival.

Ξάνθη Καρναβάλι - Xanthi Carnival 2008

Xanthi Carnival by agnostos69

Heading further east, we come upon Komotini, an inland town at this narrow strip of Greece between Bulgaria in the North and the sea to the south. The village of Maroneia lies 30km to the south of Komotini. In the 5th century BC Maroneia was the most prosperous city-state in the province of Thrace. Today it is pretty with old traditional houses and huge archaeological sites. These stretch all the way to the sea along a most peaceful valley, gentle hills and a view of Mt. Ismaros.

Εκτελούνται Μεταφοραί...

Komotini: one is never too far from colourful politics in Greece. Image by PIAZZA del POPOLO

Alexandroupoli, at journey’s eastern end, is the capital of the Evros Prefecture in Thrace and has a population of 70,000. It lies 15km kilometres west of the mouth of the river Maritsa (Evros) and 40km west from the border with Turkey.

Kalamaki beach - Alexandroupoli

Alexandroupolis beach with views to the island of Samothraki very near Turkey. By dimsis

Alexandroupoli’s war ravaged, bloody history only goes back to the 19th century, with the Ottoman Turks initially forming a small village to connect (Greek) Macedonia with Istanbul, and the village subsequently being captured by Russia in the late 1800s (Russian-Turkish war). The city returned to Ottoman control by the end of the war, and remained Turkish until the 1st Balkan war, when Bulgaria and Greece were allies. Eventually the town would be returned to Bulgaria, however it re-reverted to the Greeks in the 1920s following the 1st World war. Bulgaria was once again given the town by their comrades the Nazis during the 2nd world war occupation of Greece, and Alexandroupolis was returned to Greece at the end of hostilities. Between the wars, occupations and recent (2007) fires, the city is a surreal assembley of a mixture of different cultural remnants and modernity which you’ll either love or hate!

I hope that you have enjoyed our journey on the slow road  from Thessaloniki to Alexandroupoli.  Have you visited this region, what did you think of it?

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Posted in Authentic travel, Culture, Greece by Karen Bryan | 4 Comments »

Donkeys, Swimming, and Gyros: The Greek Island of Hydra

Wednesday, February 25th, 2009Marcus Cederstrom

The snow continues to cover Stockholm and the temperature struggles to rise over freezing, so I thought it was time to revisit a trip I just took a few months ago to the sun – Hydra, one of the Greek islands closest to Athens. 

The trip took about an hour and a half on the back of the Flying Dolphin for about 25 Euros.  I’ll be honest, a bit more planning and research could have resulted in a much cheaper ticket.  It usually does.  But nothing was going to stop me from getting to that island.

Hydra is said to be free from all motorized vehicles except for a couple of trucks used to transport building materials and other heavy materials.  The rest?  Donkeys.  Getting off the boat you come face to face with donkeys, all of which are waiting to take tourists around the island. 

Donkeys at your arrival to Hydra

After the extra money spent on the boat ride, I decided to forego a donkey ride.  Instead, I wandered around the island.  And I couldn’t have been more pleased with my choice.  The place was beautiful.  A sleepy little island town.  Walking deeper into the island I realized that the donkeys weren’t just a tourist trap.  Even the locals were using them. 

As the midday sun warmed up, it was time for a quick lunch followed by a swim. An hour after eating of course.  A quick lunch at a cheap gyro place near the harbor was perfect.  After which I made my way back towards the water.  There wasn’t much to be said for a beach, but plenty of rocky outcrops allowed for a good towel-laying area and plenty of places to jump into the clear Greek waters. 

Greek Island of Hydra

I spent the rest of the afternoon wandering the skinny streets and just taking in the island.  Nowhere to go, nowhere to be.  And life was good on the Greek island of Hydra.

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Posted in Greece by Marcus Cederstrom | No Comments »

Café culture in Greece

Thursday, January 22nd, 2009Heather Cowper

Part of enjoying your visit to any Greek town or city is to do as the Greeks do and sit with a coffee to watch the world go by. In the town square or by the harbour you’ll find the most popular cafés where both tourists and the trendy Greeks like to hang out. These will probably be the most expensive place to take your coffee, but what’s that against the opportunity to see and be seen. If you want to blend in, leave the shorts and vest tops for the beach and dress up a little with your chicest top, trendy jeans, gold jewellery and lip gloss like the Greek girls do. You’ll often find comfortable sofa or rattan style chairs that encourage you to relax in the early evening while you decide where to head next for dinner.

 Street cafe in Zante town

The authentic Greek coffee is served very strong, black and sweet in a small cup with a glass of water to clear your palate. Don’t knock back every drop or you’ll get a mouthful of the fine grounds at the bottom of the cup. If this isn’t your taste then try a foaming iced café frappé instead.

Away from the main squares and down the side streets, you’ll find a different kind of café which may have just a few tables in front of a narrow bar or pastry shop. These are the kind of bars where you’ll find the older locals hanging out, or where you’d go to buy your pastries or ice creams. Personally I like this kind of non-touristy place better, as you watch the bustle of everyday life down the side streets.

Sweet pastries or Glika in Zante town

You may find a shop specialising in glika, those super sweet pastries made with flaky pastry and nuts, dripping with honey or syrup. These are the natural accompaniment to that super-strong Greek coffee which will offset the sweetness. Baklava is the one everyone knows about, but you should be able to choose from a selection under the counter. Sometimes, this sort of shop will also sell the traditional cheese pies or Tiropita made of puff pastry and local soft cheese, if you’re looking for a savoury snack on the move. You’ll also find the cake shops with a few tables selling all those colourful creamy cakes, and often ice creams too. Again you can sit at one of their tables inside or out and enjoy one of their cakes with a coffee.

Creamy cakes in Zante town

The Greeks are not great pudding makers at home, and they would normally buy these creamy cakes or the sweet glika to take home and serve in the afternoon, when guests come to call. On saints’ days and name days, a Greek family will keep open house for friends and family who drop by. A name day is the feast day of the saint who shares your name and tends to be like a communal birthday, as many people will share the same name, and be celebrating on the same day.

Coffee and cakes in Zante town

There’s always so much to do on holiday, but sometimes you see more by sitting still. What’s your favourite way to enjoy a coffee when travelling?

All photos by Heatheronhertravels on Flickr

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Posted in Authentic travel, Budget options, Cuisine, Culture, Greece, Restaurants, Travel tips by Heather Cowper | 4 Comments »

A Mama Mia fantasy on the Greek Island of Skopelos

Thursday, January 1st, 2009Heather Cowper

This Christmas, in between the turkey and mince pies, I escaped to the gorgeous Greek island of Skopelos, by watching the recently released DVD of Mama Mia. The film is a frothy musical fantasy, with those catchy Abba tunes set against the idyllic Greek island setting. Of course this is the Greece we dream of, before the days of the tacky souvenir shops and the all-day English breakfast.

Agnontas, Skopelos

At least the white, pine clad cliffs, sandy beaches and the gaily painted boats bobbing in the harbour were real. Apart from Meryl and Piers, the star of the show had to be that picturesque chapel of Agios Ioannis Prodromos, built on top of a rocky outcrop jutting out into the sea. This is where Donna (Meryl Streep) sings her heart out to her lost love Sam (Pierce Brosnan), among the wild thyme with the waves crashing on the rocks below. Who wouldn’t want to be taken up the winding path with 105 steps on a donkey to be married here, although sadly it’s only open once a year on the feast day of St John the Baptist in June.

Aggios Ioannis Chapel

One of the reasons Skopelos retains its unspoilt Greek charm is because it does not have its own airport but you can catch the hydrofoil from the neighbouring island of Skiathos, which can be reached by a flight from Athens and other European cities. Happy dreaming of your next holiday in the sun. For more information, visit the Skopelos website.

Thanks to rgtmum and Jan Leversund for their photos on Flickr

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Posted in Greece by Heather Cowper | 3 Comments »

Guest interview – Andreas Palikiras of Ionian Weddings

Friday, October 17th, 2008Karen Bryan

I read about Ionian weddings in a press release and was astounded by the excellent value for money weddings that they arrange in Greece. I wrote about the hiring your own Greek island for your wedding ceremony and a reception for 20 guests which costs 3800 euro in the Wandalust blog. I contacted the founder of Ionian Weddings, Andreas Palikiras and asked him if he’d do a guest interview for the Europe a la Carte blog.

1 What is the aim of your business?

We want to be the number one wedding planning consultancy for brides and grooms planning to marry in Greece. This means a bespoke, unbiased and personal service here in the UK right up to the couple’s departure matched by professional and friendly planners at our featured destinations to make each wedding experience unique and unforgettable.

2 What prompted you to start your own business?

Our own wedding in Corfu. Even though I am Greek, speak the language fluently and understand the culture, my wife and I found that we spent a lot of time and money researching venues, chasing replies from local suppliers and we realised how difficult and stressful it would be for a British couple
who didn’t speak Greek to try to do this, especially from a distance. At the same time we realised that Greece had huge potential for weddings as there are some stunning venues to choose from, the weather is fantastic and it costs a fraction of the average UK wedding. When our guests (both Greek and English) commented that ours was the best wedding they had been to and joked that we should organise weddings for a living we decided to make a go of it!

3 What has been the hardest aspect of having your own business?

As we specialise in the Greek islands, we spend a lot of time on resort and venue inspections, meeting our partners and constantly developing new wedding ideas. We always try to combine these trips with some holiday time but it never quite happens! But then, we’d rather be working on a beautiful Greek island than in a stuffy office in central London!

4 What is the funniest thing that has happened to you running your own
business?

We have a policy of speaking to the couple rather than other people on their behalf. Sometimes parents ring up or enquire and on one occasion we were dealing with the father of the bride. When we asked to speak to the bride to get her views, he wrote back saying “The bride is my daughter who has been sat here with me reading your mails. Believe me she is not bound and gagged even though it may sound like an arranged marriage by dad”.

5 Is there anything you would do differently with the benefit of hindsight?

Starting Ionian Weddings earlier. We have witnessed a huge increase in bookings in a relatively short space of time and people are now searching for our brand name which is fantastic. We love what we do and wish we had taken the leap to starting our new business earlier.

My comments – Andreas, I can relate to planning to have a holiday and it ending up being a business trip, it is hard to switch off when you are running your own business. Unfortunately the increase of the value of the euro against the British pound must have increased the cost of Greek weddings to British clients but it’s still fantastic value for money for a romantic wedding in a beautiful, sunny location.

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Posted in Greece, Guest interviews, Themed holidays by Karen Bryan | 3 Comments »

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