Secret Routes

8/11/2019 Secret Routes

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Every perfect traveler always createsthe country where he travels.

At least according to Nikos Kazantzakis,one of Greeces most celebrated authors.

It was with that in mind that we createdSecret Routes: our curators went

o the beaten track to bring you someof Greeces best kept secrets

- but now, you get to forge your own path. So, ready to be the perfect traveler?


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The journey begins

Weve picked our favorite secrets from ve destinations: Athens, Thessaloniki, Crete, Kefalonia & the Peloponnese.

Its time to start exploring.


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AthensSecret Route No1

Europes oldest capital city is not just about the Acropolis. Athens can teach you how to think, how to y, how to treat

your eyes and your stomach - simultaneously - and,how to believe in magic. Ready to learn?


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I know that I know nothing. Know thyself. To be or not to be.Ok, that last quote might have been slightly out of place (sorry,Hamlet) but we were on a roll here. Inspired by our surroundings, we were strolling the grounds like an ancient Greek philosopher- minus the toga. We were at Aristotles Lyceum, you see: thearchaeological site next to the Byzantine Museum where the

famous philosopher used to converse with his students. Summerhats on (that sun burns you know), we were enjoying a di erenttype of history lesson; walking among the monuments, just likeany disciple of the Peripatetic School. In the end, tired fromall that analytical thinking, we decided to rest on the lawn for aspell. What do you know that you know?

P.S. You can access Aristotles Lyceum (from 8am - 8pm) fromthe entrance on Rigillis, or from the Byzantine Museum.

Info

Location: Rigillis& Vasilissis So as

Secret Route No1

Aristotles LyceumThe Philosophers Stone

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6/29

Im like a bird, I only y awaaaaay. Nelly Furtado couldnt havesaid it better. Also, when were nervous, we turn to pop anthemsfor consolation. See, we were literally ying - soaring high abovethe Athenian coastline. Apart from comforting songs, the legendof Icarus might have come to mind too, but fortunately there wasno risk of our wings being melted by the sun; we were packing a

motor. After hearing about MotorFly, the rst company in Greecespecializing in powered paragliders (or paramotor) set up by HarisChristopoulos, we decided to give it a try and take ight. Just onephone call and a few prayers later, we were cruising above the city,riding in one of the worlds smallest aircrafts. Join us and lets takeo into the skies - we wont tell if you start singing.

P.S. Wanna get high? Theres no need for a pilots license; just callthe MotorFly team to book a lesson.

Info

Telephone:+30 210 3467674

Secret Route No1

MotorFlyUp in the air

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7/29

The sacred rock of the Acropolis. The Odeon of Herodes Atticustheater. Our gaze was locked forever on their splendor... Until,suddenly, we heard the polite cough of the waiter at AttikosMina. Ah, yes, wed actually come for dinner, but we just couldnttake our eyes o the stunning view from the restaurants roofterrace. Serving delightful traditional Greek cuisine with a

hint of Corfu avors, owners Mina and Vassilis have createdan authentically homey atmosphere. Deciding to focus on thesplendor of our food for the rest of the night (lamb with lemonsauce = work of art), we enjoyed our al fresco summer dining inthe heart of the city. See you under the stars.

P.S. Its a famous haunt for actors and musicians who pass byafter a performance at the theater, to dine and drink in the view.

Info

Location:7 Garibaldi St., Acropoli

Telephone:+30 210 9215256

Secret Route No1

Attikos Mina A feast with a view

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The Lady of the Lake o ering Arthur the Excalibur. The Loch-Ness monster. When we heard rumors about a magical lake inthe Athenian Riviera, our imagination started running wild. But,as it turns out, reality was far more enticing. Lake Vouliagmeni was indeed full of surprises: thermal crystal clear waters (comingfrom natural springs at a depth of 100 meters), a caf-restaurant

serving delicious cocktails, chill-out music reverberating aroundthe rocks, dim spotlights lighting up the water. As the sun set inthe water, we made a sacred vow to return to this place the nextmorning - bathing suit and all (we heard theres also a sh spa).See you where the magic begins.

P.S. During the summer months, theres also a stage where youcan catch live jazz, swing and bossa nova performances.

Info

Location:Vouliagmeni

Telephone:

+30 210 8962237

Secret Route No1

Lake Vouliagmeni A night to remember

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ThessalonikiSecret Route No2

Captivating history. Wild nature. Glorious food. Sometimes you just dont know what to choose; especially if youre in Greeces

second largest city or in its surrounding area. Good news is,you dont have to: weve picked the best of everything for you.


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According to our estimations, by the time we got to the seafront, wed have a PhD in history. With each step we made, a newhistorical event seemed to suddenly pop into our head. There wasnt any magic involved though: it was just that wed gonefor a stroll with the team from Thessaloniki Walking Tours. Wed chosen the route Four squares and four stories, and our

tour guide/art-historian, Giorgos Featham, regaled us with acolorful account of the stories behind the four main squares ofThessaloniki. We had no idea they were so loaded with historicaldetails! Get your walking boots on; on a clear day, you may alsoget to see Mount Olympus.

P.S. The history walk starts every Sunday at 10:30 at the WhiteTower. See you there, fellow historians.

Info

Location:The White Tower

Telephone:

+30 2310 810226

Website:thessalonikiwalkingtours.com

Secret Route No2

Thessaloniki Walking ToursWalk and learn

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Vroom, splaaaaassh! As the jeep ripped through the stream, itfelt like we were in the middle of an Indiana Jones lm. Andthis wasnt so far from reality. While we werent exactly huntingfor ancient treasures, the nature surrounding us was a treasurein itself. Wed joined one of Nikitas jeep safaris, which tourthrough pine forests, olive groves and waterfalls. His dream

was to show the world the unique combination of mountainand sea hidden in Halkidiki - and we were more than thrilledthat it had become our reality. So, grab your best safari hat and book your trip. Indy would approve.

P.S Dont forget your bathing suit: Nikitas will take you toswimming spots even the locals havent heard of.

Info

Location: Kassandra

Telephone:

+30 23740 23290

Location:safari-hellas.com

Secret Route No2

Safari HellasThe call of the wild

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Nothing was set in stone. Least of all, our dinner. And we werent just saying this from a philosophical stand point. See, wed cometo Duck Private Che ng: a cute little restaurant in Pylaia, wherethere was no menu, and our imagination was allowed to run wild. Stephanos and Ioanna, the friendly owners, informed us ofthe ingredients they had that day (vegetables from their garden,

fresh sh from the market) - then, it was up to us to let themknow what wed like to eat. And indeed, some time later, we wereenjoying a red mullet carpaccio that was out of this world! Timeto make your own destiny. Or, you know, your own dinner.

P.S. Too tired to leave the hotel? Just call them - they can probablydeliver to your doorstep.

Info

Location: 3 Chalkis St., Pylaia

Telephone:+30 231 5519333

Secret Route No2

Duck Private Chefng So long, and thanks for all the sh

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PeloponneseSecret Route No3

This is Sparta. Well, among other things. The Peloponnese,birthplace of the Olympic Games and the Mycenaean

Dynasty, hides many secrets - from Byzantium ruins andscenic villages, to endless olive groves.


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We had to hurry. The sun would set soon. We left our trustysteed (ok, our car) at the parking lot, and started makingour way up to the mysterious abandoned city perchedon the mountainside. It wasnt an easy feat: after all, this was the Mystras castle (a UNESCO site) we had set out toexplore - and the way to its 1249-built Acropolis was windy,

cobblestone, and overall not for the faint hearted. Feelingmore like a valiant knight with each step, we finally reachedour destination - and were rewarded with a glorious prize. As the sun set, a warm, orange light washed over everything,making the Spartan valley below look like a field of gold. Now you know what your quest is.

P.S. The Archaeological Museum there will give you a deepinsight into the rich history of the area.

Info

Location: Mystras, Sparta

Telephone:

+30 27310 83377

Website:odysseus.culture.gr

Mystras Knight and day

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Secret Route No3

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It was time to get to the heart of the matter. Like, literally.To do that, we took the narrow path and crossed the small wooden bridge, until finally, we reached our destination.Polylimnio (in greek many lakes) is a surreal, hiddenparadise: imagine 15 small, green lakes and waterfallssurrounded by olive groves and vineyards that only recently

have been opened to the public. We already knew which laketo dive into first: Kadoula, named after its heart-like shape.If you want to swim, dive in from the rocks above, explorethe waterfalls or, you know, ask your sweetheart to marry you on the spot (seriously, can you think of a more romanticplace?), here you can do that to your hearts content.

P.S. The Polylimnio waterfalls are just a 40-minute drive(32km) from the town of Kalamata.

Info

Location:Voufrada, Messinia

Secret Route No3

PolylimnioTo your hearts content

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We were promised a lesson from an expert who wasoutstanding in his field. And a tasty one, at that. It was mid-afternoon after all, and an all-day swimming session hadgiven us quite an appetite. Let the Octopus Teacher satisfy your hunger might have been the strangest dinner invitation wed ever heard, but we complied and sat down at the quaint

little tavern at the port of Neapoli to get educated and fed.Octopus cooked in every way imaginable was on the menu- and we couldnt get enough (if only we had eight bellies).Ready for a tasty education?

P.S. Dont forget your camera. Youll want a photo of all thoseoctopuses hanging out to dry in the sunshine.

Info

Location:122 Akti Voion St., Neapoli

Telephone:+30 27340 22077

Secret Route No3

The Octopus Teacher A tentacle-izing experience

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18/29

Twinkle, twinkle, litt le star, how we wondered what they were.Ok, the city lights down below, were of course Kalamata. Asfor the sky full of stars above, all we could do was indeed wonder. We were perched up high at Kastraki-Meteoro,our last stop of the day where we were told we could grab acocktail with a view. And what a view indeed! Sitting at our

table inside the quirky caf-bar (which is a tasteful copy ofthe medieval castles of the area), we looked down at the lights below, reflecting on another day full of amazing experiences. Whether its a classic cocktail or fine Peloponnesian wine youll take to complement the view, dont miss it.

P.S. Let the music play! Theres also a carbon copy ancientamphitheater where you can enjoy live music.

Info

Location:Verga, Kalamata

Telephone:

+30 27210 41745

Website:kastraki-meteoro.gr

Secret Route No3

Kastraki-Meteoro A castle in the stars

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KefaloniaSecret Route No4

So much more than Captain Corelli and his Mandolin. From an unspoiled village, to a restaurant hidden within

a hotel that seems to be frozen in time, this leafy island paradise has quite a story to tell. Start reading already.


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Wes Anderson would eat his hat if he saw this place. Wecould very easily imagine Ralph Fiennes as M. Gustave sayingWelcome to the Grand Budapest Hotel, before ushering usto the majestic interior. Inside the hotel George Molfetas,everything seemed untouched by time: the walls, entrance,and lintels, even the furniture, had been kept in perfect

condition - just as it was in 1895 when the building wasconstructed. Totally in awe, we made our way to the diningroom, where the restaurant Possada (meaning formal table) was waiting to entice us with traditional recipes passed downfrom generations of Kefalonian grandmothers. Come dine ina dwelling that time forgot.

P.S. Want to cook like a Kefalonian? Combine your stay at thehotel with cooking lessons in traditional Mediterranean cuisine.

Info

Location: Falakrata

Telephone:

+30 26710 84630

Secret Route No4

Possada RestaurantThe Legend of 1895

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We took the road less traveled by. And that, had madethe difference. Especially since we were carrying a beachumbrella, mats and other accessories, while trying to keepa steady fooding. Our destination was Kako Langadi, butseveral hidden coves we came across on the way, called out tous like the Sirens - seemingly urging us to give up everything

and dive into their waters. When we finally arrived though,the sight of the golden sands and brilliantly blue waters brought on a tinge of sweet amnesia. We totally forgot aboutthe rough path, and dove straight in to the crystal waters.Believe us, its worth it.

P.S. If you love diving and snorkelling, youll find many cavesin the surrounding rocks, to explore to your hearts content.

Info

Location: Kako Langadi

Secret Route No4

Kako LangadiTwo roads diverted in the woods

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Come nd me in Kefalonia the message read. In our minds, atleast. In reality, the bottle wasnt hiding a rolled-up piece of paperinside: it was lled with white Kefalonian Muscat. Just its aroma,made us want to beam ourselves directly to the vineyard where it was produced. Luckily, the Charitatou Estate welcomes visitors with open arms: when we arrived, we were greeted by almost

the whole family - the fourth generation of wine producers, allliving there, just as their ancestors did. The best part? August was the month of vintage, and the delicious aroma of the grapes just meters away intoxicated us. Come nd us in the countryside.

P.S. The estate is open to visitors all year round, to tour the vineyards and partake in wine tasting sessions. Call the number below to make an appointment.

Info

Location: Kladata

Telephone:

+30 6973232170

Website:ktimaharitatou.com

Secret Route No4

Charitatou Estate Message in a bottle

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CreteSecret Route No5

Everything youve heard about this place is true. And then some.While in Crete, youll feel the full force of a Greek welcome -

as well as discover exotic beaches, drool-inducing dishes andtraditional tunes that will melt your heart.


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Forget 50 Shades of Grey. By our reckoning, we could see atleast 50 shades of blue - all of them equally mesmerizing. Wed been told about the pristine white sands of Balos lagoon, but we couldnt believe how multifaceted the waters were aroundhere. And thats only the half of it: from the footpath down tothe beach, we could also see the two islets, Gramvousa and Agria

Gramvousa, forming a protective perimeter behind Balos. It waspicture perfect. And when we nally reached our destination, adip in the heavenly saltwater was enough to convince us wedfound paradise. Ready to join us?

P.S. To get to Balos you can drive the 52km from Chania or takea caique from Kissamos. Dont forget your camera (and maybetwo memory cards).

Info

Location: Balos, Chania

Secret Route No5

Balos Lagoon Paradise Found

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It looked like a long way down. But we couldnt go back now.Staring down the abyss of St. Anthonys gorge from our table atDrimos Tavern was quite intimidating - but we had promisedourselves we would get the full experience. Thankfully, our waiter reassured us we were safe, so we proceeded to order ahearty meal of traditional lamb cooked in the antikristo way

(i.e. the healthiest and juiciest way possible). Afterwards, we ventured a brisk walk around the grounds, which also boasts asmall zoo. Join us - just dont look down.

P.S. On the way to Patsos (just 18km from the town of Rethymno), you can also pass through Prasses village and the famous Damof the Rivers.

Info

Location: Patsos

Website:

taverna-drimos.gr

Secret Route No5

Drimos Tavern Dining on the edge

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Once upon a time, in the 16th century, there was a medievalmonastery called Santa Maria della Misericordia (also known asCharles Abbey). But this was not the beginning of an ordinarytale: this happy ending included cocktails. See, when the Turksoccupied Chania in 1645, the monastery was turned into houses, but now it was completely restored to its former glory - with a

twist. Apart from an exhibition space, downstairs there was anincredible bar that served cocktails until late, accompanied bylive music. Safe to say we drunk happily ever after. Be sure to trythe strawberry daiquiri, it will make you say Ave Maria!

P.S. And theres more. The monastery also hides a sculpture workshop studio and a hairdressing salon.

Info

Location:Chatzimichali Daliani St. 22,Chania

Telephone:+30 28210 50172

Secret Route No5

Charles Abbey Amen to that

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