STEP GUIDEMAP OF GREECE
Dear STEPer, With the following guide we aim to help you travel around Greece in the weekends. The guide includes wonderful places around the 3 cities that ELSA Local groups exist in Greece. Your traineeship should be your first priority during your time in Greece, but – as they say – you can not perform well if you do not have a good – well deserved trip in the weekends. These destinations are perfect for 1-2 days trips. For more information, do not hesitate to contact your hosting group. We wish you good luck in your traineeship and we hope that you have a wonderful time here.
1) Epidaurus - Take a walk in the olive groves, behind the port of Palaia Epidaurus, as the sun is setting - The Sunken City: swim between the Mycenaean tombs, walls and archeological artifacts - Create your own ceramic art in a local workshop - The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus is considered to be the most perfect ancient Greek theatre with regard to acoustics and aesthetics. The monument attracts a large number of Greek and foreign visitors and is used for the performance of ancient drama plays.
2) Nafplio -Ιt's a stunning place to learn about Greek history, Nafplio is home to an Archaeological Museum, housed in a splendid Venetian build ing on Syntagma Square -Τhe coastal town has a variety of beaches and secluded coves.Stroll along the waterfront promenade and stumble across a succession of beaches, including Arvanitia, Neraki and Karathona, a long sandy beach. -Ιt’s full of castles and fortresses. The spectacular Palamidi castle, perched above Nafplio, was built by the Venetians in 1711–1714. Admire gates dating back to the Bronze Age at the Acronauplia fortress standing tall behind the Old Town.The Bourtzi, located on a tiny island off the harbour, was also built by Venetians in the 15th century.
3) Arachova - Arachova is a mountain town. Its name is of South Slavic origin and denotes a place with walnut trees. - Arachova has a panoramic view, uphill small houses and the cobbled streets show a picturesque architecture. The town center includes a huge and steep cliff, the Bell Tower, covered with dense ivy - If you love skiing this is the place for you!
4) Alexandroupoli -The lighthouse, Alexandroupoli’s emblem, stands 27m tall, six storeys of stone steps, and its light can be seen 37km away -A tour around the coastal zone between the archaeological sites of Mesimvria Zone and Maroneia stretching out to the small port of Agios Charalambos, a visit to ancient Ismara , to the cave-church of Agioi Theodoroi, to the mines and to the famous villa of Kirki are also a must during your stay in the area.
5) Xanthi - Αn Open Museum: the cobbled narrow streets of the Old Town are decorated by gorgeous mansions, whose architectural style is a marvelous blend of local and ottoman architecture -Don’t forget to visit the flea market with its distinctive local flavor taking places every Saturday at Zoagoras Square! -Get a deeper insight into the rich history of the area through your visit to the Folk Art Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Municipal Gallery and Avdera Archaeological site.
6) Evros Delta It is one of the most significant wetlands not only in Greece but throughout Europe. Every season thousands of birds, fish, reptiles and animals refuge there. The flora of the delta is unique, with many rare species. The visitors can observe the birds with binoculars and, when the weather allows, to go on a boat tour.
7) Kavala -Built like an amphitheatre on the slopes of Mount Symvolo, it is one of the most picturesque cities in Greece, blessed with historic buildings that possess a modern character. - The ancient city of Philippi, an important archaeological site in Eastern Macedonia - The Castle of Kavala which has been built and rebuilt since the 5th century - The Imaret, a beautiful example of Ottoman architecture
-
8) Edessa
Waterfalls Park offers several viewing points allowing you to gaze an Edessa's star attraction, and even get quite close to the thunderous flow -The cave at Waterfalls Park is worth a peep for its fanglike stalactites, though the narrow grotto is sadly scarred by graffiti. Through the cave you can stand behind Karanos falls' curtain of falling water. - Don't forget to‌ visit the Folklore Museum and the Museum of Water & Water Power.
9) Vergina - Vergina is best known as the site of ancient Aigai, the first capital of Macedon -Aigai has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status as "an exception al testimony to a significant development in European civilization"
And now, you are simply unSTEPable!