One of the greatest monuments of the world, protected by UNESCO and characterized by it as “A Preserved and Protected Monument of Humanity”, Meteora is the most important (after Mount. Athos) monastic center in Greece.
Palaiokarya’s Stone Bridge is probably the most photogenic stone bridge in Greece. It is an imposing bridge with an amazing waterfall behind, which attracts thousands of tourists every year. It is located in a magical place surrounded by beautiful nature, just 30 km from the city of Trikala.
Pertouli is a small mountain village within the province of Trikala and is situated at an altitude of 1,150 metres on the central part of the Pindos mountain range . Pertouli is also famous for the nearby ski resort with snow sports fans in central Greece.
It looks like a rainbow pointing at the sky. This is how man chose to broaden his freedom, explore new places, see the rest of the world, balance distance. Passing through the gate and only after two kilometers, travelers see a passage after which the place was named. It was built five centuries ago and was the expansion of the road map of that time.
Lake Plastiras also called Tavropos Reservoir is an artificial lake fed by Tavropos (Megdovas) river, located in Karditsa regional unit, near the city of Karditsa, and about 50 Km from Trikala. The lake is named after the Greek general and politician Nikolaos Plastiras, who was the first to visualize the construction of an artificial lake in the area.
Mount Olympus is the highest mountain in Greece. It is part of the Olympus massif near the Thermaic Gulf of the Aegean Sea, located in the Olympus Range on the border between Thessaly and Macedonia, between the regional units of Larissa and Pieria, about 80 km (50 mi) southwest from Thessaloniki, and about 110 Km from Trikala.
A Preserved and Protected Monument of Humanity
Kalampaka,Meteora,Thessaly
It is located on the highest and longest in extend rock. It was established in 1340 by Aghios Athanassios Meteoritis (1302-1380). It is worth to see the tower (1520), today’s Folklore Museum with old appliances and tools, the ossuary, the church of Metamorfoseos tou Sotiros or Transfiguration of Jesus (the sanctum was built in 1388 and the main church with the narthex in 1545), the Holy Altar (built in 1557 and at present Museum of Church Heirloom) and the kitchener (cook-room of 1557, nowadays Folklore Museum with old copper, clay and wooden kitchen implements).
Saint Antonios (first half of the 15th century) and Saint Filotheos (in the middle of 16th century) are both honoured as monastery founders. The small Aghios Stefanos church is a single-aisled basilica, built in 1350. Today's Aghios Charalampos church (1798) has athonic arcitecture and is decorated with amazing fretworks. Its imposing Holy Altar has been turned into a modern museum with the most impressive church heirlooms: Scripts, post Byzantine icons, canonicals and fabrics embroidered with gold, fretworks, fine silverware pieces etc.
According to history, it was first inhabited by monk Varlaam in the 14th century. The biggest part of the athonic type church that was built in 1542, is dedicated to Agious Pantes. The main body of the church has many murals painted by the Theban painter Fragko Katelano in 1542. At the end of 16th century and in the beginning of 17th century the most organized bibliographic laboratory of Meteora monasteries and a special gold thread embroidery workshop were functioning here.
Multiple Locations, Canada
It is located on a typical imposing and steep rock of Meteora. By the script of the potentate Simeon Ouresi-Paleologou appears that Aghia Triada was an organized monastery since 1362. The church we see today was constructed around 1476 and it is a small crosslike double-columned church with a dome. Also very interesting is the Monastery Folklore Museum which has a wide selection of old clothing, appliances, tools and other folklore items.
Clayton, NC, U.S.
It was built in 1529 on the ruins of older constructions. The church of Metamorfoseos tou Sotiros or Transfiguration of Jesus was built around 1530 and is of athonic type. Its wall paintings covering the main body of the church and the narthex belong to the Cretan Art School (according to the experts’ opininon, it belongs to Gorgie, student of Theofanis the Cretan). In spite of the church being dedicated to Metamorfosi tou Sotiros, the believers celebrate the memory of Aghia Varvara (4th of December) with similar grandeur and devotion in a nearby chapel.
Portland, OR, U.S.
The multilevel, graceful and imposing Holy Monastery of Aghios Nikolaos Anapafsas is located near Kastraki Village, among the ruined monasteries of Prodromou, Aghias Monis and Pantokratoros. The organized monastic way of living in this monastery was established during the first decades of the 14th century. The frescos are the oldest signed paintings created by Theofanis the Cretan and carry all the characteristic features of this great angiographer of the Cretan Art School.
The ski center of Pertouli is located in the area of Pertouli’s Meadows at an altitude of 1.200 meters. In order to get to the ski resort you cross Elati village and continue to drive for another 7 km. Pertouli Ski center is one of the most accessible ski resorts of Greece and suitable for all members of your family due to its smooth slopes.
There are three tracks, the red, the blue and the green one, which is educational. The red track has a length of 1.500 meters and a two-seater aerial lift, the blue track has a length of 400 meters with a sliding lift and the green educational track has a length of 80 meters and is served by a baby lift. The ski center offers free parking area for all, a big chalet for coffee and lunch at resort’s bottom and a small one on top. You can rent ski equipment, snowboard or snowmobile and sled and spend the whole day enjoying the white nature around.
The stone bridge is located about two kilometers west of the village Pyli and about 20 minutes away from Trikala. Beneath it flows Portaikos River and until 1936 this bridge was the only passage from Thessaly to Epirus, joining the mountains Itamos and Koziakas. It is the second largest arch bridge of Thessaly built in 1514 by St. Vissarion, as we see in the marble inscription at the base of the bridge. It is a stone arch bridge with a semicircular arc with construction materials of limestone and sandstone.The opening of the arch is 29 meters approximately, the maximum height reaches the 13 meters, has a total length of 65.67 meters and a deck width of 2.10 meters. The bridge has been restored in 1968 and 1983 and most recently in 2005 and 2006 there have been construction efforts in order to highlight the bridge. Now the stone bridge of Pyli has excellent access to cross it, pass to the opposite shore and get amazed in the paths that continue next to Portaikos River.
Lake Plastiras, located in the wider area of Agrafa (region of Thessaly) is surrounded by an idyllic landscape of incomparable natural beauty that captivates the mind at first sight.
Dreamlike in all aspects, Plastiras Lake is one of the largest artificial lakes in Greece created in a location where in antiquity we could find the confluence of the rivers Tavropos and Achelous. It is a natural wonder that owes its existence to the inspired vision of General Nikolaos Plastiras (rightfully named after him) to create an impressive dam that would reinvigorate the entire region. Lake Plastira lives every season at its fullest, promising to offer you the holiday you dreamed of.The grandeur of the lake is crowned with the surrounding alpine peaks; snowcapped or green, with rushing streams that flirt with lacy coves, narrow inlets of water between cliffs that create fjord-like scenes and a single luscious green islet in the middle create a mind-blowing landscape which is mirrored in the emerald waters of the lake. In the vicinity you can find a handful of charming villages situated along the lakeshore or on the mountainous slopes which offer you an idyllic view of the lake!
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The clean waters of the lake alongside the particular geomorphology of the surrounding mountain ranges offer an ideal terrain for the enthusiasts of alternative tourism who wish to combine outdoor activities with recreation. Sports companies and facilities operate in the area, promising to introduce you to the 'dynamic' side of the lake.
Mount Olympus is a mythical mountain (the home of the 12 gods of Greek mythology) with a variety of microclimates which are considered responsible for the reversion of the vegetation zones.
A mythical escape of mountain and sea
Mount Olympus is the highest mountain in Greece. It is part of the Olympus massif near the Thermaic Gulf of the Aegean Sea, located in the Olympus Range on the border between Thessaly and Macedonia, between the regional units of Larissa and Pieria, about 80 km (50 mi) southwest from Thessaloniki. Mount Olympus has 52 peaks and deep gorges. The highest peak, Mytikas (Μύτικας Mýtikas), meaning "nose", rises to 2,917.727 metres (9,572.60 ft).It is one of the highest peaks in Europe in terms of topographic prominence.In Greek mythology, Olympus is the home of the Greek gods, on Mytikas peak. The mountain has exceptional biodiversity and rich flora. It has been a National Park, the first in Greece, since 1938. It is also a World Biosphere Reserve.Every year, thousands of visitors admire its fauna and flora, tour its slopes, and climb its peaks. Organized mountain refuges and various mountaineering and climbing routes are available.
Hike along the Enipeas Gorge
Your introduction to all the things to do on Mt Olympus is a gentle one, but it’s one of the most memorable excursions on the fabled mountain. Starting at Myli (at 400m altitude), just outside Litochoro, a 9km route follows the gorgeous Enipeas River Valley.
Ascend the Throne of Zeus
There are routes to a multitude of peaks, with the most popular being from Prionia (the highest point reachable by car) to the Spilios Agapitos Refuge and on to the Plateau of the Muses (the view lives up to the name) at an altitude of 2,650m (a 8.3km hike in total). You can overnight in the refuge and continue to Skala, or even Mytikas (at 2,917m, Greece’s highest point). Another option is from Gortzia (turning off the Litochoro-Prionia road) to the Pestrostrouga Refuge and on to the Valley of the Muses that way. It’s not mandatory, but it’s definitely worth having a guide.
Go canyoning along the Orlias Gorge
There are plenty of experience providers that can supply canyoning gear and know-how, with the Orlias Gorge being a favoured destination.
Head into the villages, where gods become locals
Authenticity and peace take over in Palaios Panteleimonas, 500m above the Thermaic Gulf. It’s perhaps the prettiest village, with views not just of the mountain but of the Venetian castle at Platamonas and the coast. In Palaioi Poroi, all the narrow streets seem to lead to the square, with its huge plane tree and Byzantine church, and Ano Skotina’s church of Agios Athanasios dates to the 14th century. What better settings for a coffee or to pick up local products, like honey or mountain tea?
Go mountain biking towards the clouds
Where there’s a mountain, there’s mountain biking. In fact, you’ll find two mountains that are great for biking, with neighbouring Mt Kissavos also having excellent trails.
Experience rock climbing like a god
Surely, this is up there with anything the gods can manage. The jagged peaks, ravines and folds of Olympus provide a perfect setting for rock climbing. There are plenty of options, with some companies offering epic multi-day itineraries. The Xerolaki Ridge along the north side is the most popular climbing site, giving access to the Plateau of the Muses, and some itineraries will even take you up to Mytikas. As with all things to do on Mt Olympus, you need to be especially careful as weather conditions can change quickly. Mid-May to October are the best months for climbing but get local knowledge first.
Admire nature… the true guardian of Mt. Olympus
So you can hike it, bike it, canyon it and rock climb it… but there is only one true conqueror of Olympus. Nature rules supreme on Greece’s tallest mountain, more than any god could ever do. Olympus was Greece’s first National Park (1938) and is a Natura 2000-protected biotope.
