Beauties of Greece

Athina Roumelioti

writes from Athens

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Vikos canyon in Ioannina. The Vikos Gorge ("Loud Voice") is one of the most breathtaking natural sites in Greece and one of the largest and finest gorges in the world.

Pontikonisi island in Corfu (Kerkyra) is home of the monastery of Pantokrator. It is the white stone staircase of the Monastery which gives the impression of a (mouse) tail that gave the island its name: Mouse island (Pontikonisi).

Plastiras' lake - Karditsa. The Plastiras Dam and Lake Plastiras in Karditsa supply water to the plains and the central part of Greece. The surounding area and the scenery is spectcular.

Sarakiniko beach (Milos island). It was named sarakiniko from the myth about Sarakini pirates, who used the place for refuge. The massive white, soft rocks of Sarakiniko make one feel as if they are on the moon.

The palm forest of Vai - Crete. It is a wet, coastal forest and the largest palm forest in Crete.

Ομορφιές της Ελλάδας

Αθηνά Ρουμελιώτη

γράφει από την Αθήνα

The Valley of the Butterflies is a unique and a beautiful natural spot in Rhodes Island. It is a small valey with many brooks, pines, plants, colourful flowers and thousand butterflies.

The Fraktos area in Rhodopi, is a typical example of virgin forest. This area is the only one in Greece that is absolutely protected.

Velouxi mountain in Karpenisi, Evritania. Karpenisi is a small town located in a remote area of the Pindos Mountains. The area, Evritania, has been likened to a little Switzerland and with good reason. Majestic craggy limestone mountains tower over rustic villages where steep roofs indicate how snowy winters can be. Karpenissi, or as the locals call this mountain "Velouxi", is a very nice ski resort.

The lovely beach 'Tis Grias To Pidima' is in the popular tourist island of Andros. The name is translated as "The old lady's jump"; it refers to a local myth according to which an old lady committed suicide by jumping of a cliff.

The Red Beach, "Kokini" near Akrotiri, is located in a quitter area but attracts much people. It is the most famous beach of the island of Santorini.

The green island of Lesvos, or Mytilini, is like no other Greek island. It is the third largest of the islands in Greece behind Crete and Evia. Lesbos contains one of the few known pertified forests. This natural monument is a unique site in the whole Europe. On the whole Earth there is a similar one only in Arizona, USA, but that one is quite smaller.

The word Meteora means literally 'hovering in the air' and of course brings to mind the word meteor. What created this rare geological phenomenon is one of the mysteries of nature and there are many theories though they remain theories and none have been proven. But as amazing a marvel of nature as these giant rocks are the buildings on the top of these are a marvel of man and seem just as miraculous and make Meteora one of the most spectacular places to visit in Greece.

Greece is beautiful... that's why