Live a little

Greek summer music festivals

By Debbie - 2:56 PM

2 Comments

Top Things to do in Pefkohori, Halkidiki

By Debbie - 1:41 PM

Pefkohori is a village in Kassandra, the "first toe" of Halkidiki Peninsula in Greece and is one of the top touristic places for Greeks and foreigners during summer months. It is quite popular among students and youngsters who live in the nearby city of Thessaloniki.

Halkidiki is known for its amazing deep blue color waters, its vast green areas and its natural extraordinary beauty. It is also known for Mount Athos, a World Heritage Site, commonly referred to as "Holy Mountain" (Agio Oros in Greek). It is considered to be a sacred area with Monasteries and long historical monastic traditions, isolated from the rest of the world, where only men can step their feet on. So technically I will never be able to go.

For the time being, I felt really blessed to be able to go in Halkidiki and appreciate the beauty of my country one more time.

So if you ever plan to visit Pefkohori (please, do! and do it during summertime) here are the top things you should do:

1. Walk along the beach, from Pefkohori till Glarocavos

This walk is really nice. For me it is also very tempting. When I am on a beach I want to walk along to find out what more beauties it holds and maybe- to find where it ends. Sometimes it can be exhausting as some beaches (like this one) are quite vast but with the help of technology (yes, I mean Google Maps) I can realise it before starting my adventurous walk.

This path is not a short distance. It is 7 km long but if you are fond of walking the scenery will amaze you as you go by, plus you will discover beautiful beach bars and areas where you can stop for a coffee. See below for example, my favourite discovery, Elephant beach bar!

2. Feel like in paradise at Elephant beach bar

The most dreamy place in Pefkohori beach is undoubtedly Elephant beach bar. It is like a colorful oasis in the heart of the desert. Having a colorful exotic decor, with cactuses, handmade colorful latin american masks and everything made of wood, you will have such a great time relaxing and enjoying the scenery.

The sun beds have huge colorful pillows to sunbathe in style and big beds to lie and drink a cocktail while gazing to the blue sea in front of you!

3. Spend a morning at the SPA in Loutra

Loutra is a village located just 15 minutes far from Pefkohori and you can easily get there by car or by taxi (one way drive costs 15 EUR). The area is famous for its thermal waters that have healing capacities.

The thermal spa of Loutra were first discovered by a farmer looking for sulfur to "feed" his vineyards. After the end of World War II, residents blew the rocks with dynamite and hydrosulfide water came out creating the Hot Springs.

The spa building we visit today was built in 2000 and has two swimming pools (indoor&outdoor), a sauna, a hamam and offers massages for healing and rejuvenation. Thermal water is famous for its therapeutical powers against many diseases in bones, joints, muscles and skin diseases.

The water temperature reaches up to 39 degrees and is really wonderful to swim inside. The cost is 5 EUR for a 30-minute swim in the pool. The smell is not really nice, yes it is like spoilt eggs but in 5 minutes you get used to it and you will be so relaxed that who cares about the smell?

4. Swim at Glarocavos and explore the ghost port

Glarocavos has one of the most beautiful beaches of the area. It is located 3 km from Pefkohori beach. A canteen and sunbeds are set at Glarocavos beach so refreshments are available to beat the heat. Waters are transparent and the sand is almost white. A real beauty.

If you are in the mood for a small adventure, you can go even further and continue walking along the beach. You will find an abandoned old port. Sank little boats in a rotten wooden pier among a small forest with great and picturesque views. It is definitely a photogenic place and you can make unique shots (as probably you will be the only one there) like the one above :)

5. Eat souvlaki at Oveliskos

They told me it is the best souvlaki in Pefkohori. So I tasted it and it was true. You can choose from three different bread: the classic, the arabic (it is thinner) and the cypriot (is like sandwich bread). You don't want to smell tzatziki? No problem! You can choose from a variety of vegeterian and more light sauces to accompany your meat. Really tasty, really nice and reeeeealy huge! A must!

6. Swim at Chroussou beach, the best of the area

Considered as the best beach of the area you should definitely go for a swim there. It is a little bit organised as there are sun beds and a small canteen for refreshments but don't expect anything more than that. As I told you, sun beds and umbrellas are completely free, so first come - first served. Usually is very crowded but when I went there (beginning of May) it was like an isolated paradise :)

7. Drink a frappe by the pool at Atrium Hotel

Atrium hotel is considered to be one of the best hotels in the area. It is located a little bit outside of Pefkohori village, you will have to walk 10 minutes uphill. You can easily go inside and relax by the pool bar, drink a coffee (try frappe, the greek famous modern coffee) with views till Pefkohori beach.

8. Swim at the beach in front of Rigakis Hotel

If you start walking from Pefkohori beach towards the village Hanioti, sooner or later you will bump up on a wonderful beach bar that is owned by Rigakis hotel.
Wooden chairs, a small boat on the shore great to take some photos, barrels transformed into huge chairs and sunbeds on the beach. What else do you need? A paradise beach, you have it! A coffee in your hand, you got it! The perfect place to be.

Have in mind that all sunbeds and umbrellas in the area are absolutely free of charge. You can order a coffeee or other refreshment if you would like but no one will charge you for using them. The beach is so wonderful, you cannot miss it!

9. Visit Thessaloniki!

My favourite city of Greece! definitely a must! This beauty is incomparable. Being only a 1,5 hour drive from Pefkohori you can easily get there. In case you do not have a car, everyday buses are going to Thessaloniki (various times, check the schedule first) and the journey lasts about 2,5 hours and one way ticket costs 12,80 EUR. Check my list with the top things to do here and enjoy!

What to pack?
Sandals, synscreen, your swimsuit, a hat and light clothing!

2 Comments

TURKEY

View from the top: Lycian Rock Tombs

By Debbie - 1:13 PM

0 Comments

Traveldiary

TRAVELDIARY #9 TOMB OF AMYNTAS&KAYAKOY, TURKEY

By Debbie - 9:26 PM

0 Comments

TURKEY

Top things to do in Fethiye

By Debbie - 8:10 PM

Fethiye is a Turkish city located at the South coast of Mediterranean Sea, just opposite of the Greek island of Rhodes. I had the chance to stay there for a whole week and explore the beauty, the sun, the smells and the taste of this touristic city.

Due to its touristic self, Fethiye is not a place to feel the Turkish atmosphere 100%. Ofcourse there are beautiful mosques (I love the architecture!) and bazaars and kebab places but the city is quite similar to any other European seaside resort. However, it is a nice place to relax, see some cultural things and enjoy the sea.

So here is my list with the top things to do while in Fethiye:

1. Walk along Calis beach

Calis beach is a 2 km long beach located on the West side of Fethiye and is definitely one of the highlights of the area. It has a pedestrianized boardwalk full of cafes, crazy restaurants like Ottoman-Mexican-Italian ones and bars with live music. They are definitely very touristic because of the location (the area is full of hotels) so we did not dine to any of them but the walk was fun and full of people so we did not mind the touristic ambiance.

We bought some beers from a mini market along the boardwalk and relaxed at the beach gazing the waves and collecting shells. If you want to swim mind that water deepens abruptly and there are pebbles inside that sometimes may be slippery.

2. Visit the local market (pazari) and buy aromatic spices!

As you walk around the old town of Fethiye you will reach a pedestrianized area where there are local shops selling traditional souvenirs, spices, fresh fruits and vegetables.
There is nothing more traditional while in Turkey than spices. The spices here taste differently. They have a special taste, a special aroma, you can even find weird things non-existent in your country (for example we found black chili, have you heard of it?). My advice is to buy as much as you can. They are of great quality, in general they are cheap and they will definitely spice up your life!

3. Taste dondurma, the traditional Turkish ice cream

I am planning to write a different post about food in Turkey but I will give a hint with this recommendation. My friend Diana took me to try this different type of ice-cream. I have never heard of a "typical Turkish ice cream" so i was thinking that I would definitely have tried something like that before. Come on, I've been to Italy, nothing compares to gelato!
But dondurma IS different! First of all it is an experience: the guy serving you is almost a magician joggling with your ice-cream before you take it. He makes tricks and fun things to entertain you (sometimes a complete fail, I saw my ice-cream falling on the street, nothing more heartbreaking). But when you finally get the ice-cream in your hands then you think that it does have a different taste. It is heavy and tastes like a soft chewing ice-cream. Try chocolate and the traditional fystik (pistachio!). Dondurma is usually sold from street vendor carts and you will find it all around. This one is located at Ataturk road in Fethiye center.

4. Walk along the Port of Fethiye

A nice walk to spend an afternoon is to walk along the port of Fethiye and gaze the blue sea with the beautiful boats and yachts.

5. Visit the Lycian Rock Tombs

A not-to-be-missed experience! Carved rocks just 10 minutes outside of Fethiye Old Town form an unique mosaic on the mountain that is visible from the city.

Ofcourse we could't skip this attraction and we visited the highest and the most important rock tomb, the Tomb of Amyntas. It is actually quite easy to get there: from Fethiye center just take the road off the dolmuş station and you will see the mountain in front of you. Then you just have to climb some steps to reach to the top. The view will compensate any tiredness. All the city of Fethiye will lie in front of your eyes and that is something! Take your time and stay at the tomb gazing the panoramic view of the city. It's not crowded at all, when we went there we were alone and that made it even better!

6. Visit Kayaköy

What can I say about Kayaköy? It is a magical place that takes you back to time, it is like visiting the past. An unmissable attraction, make sure you have read a bit of history beforehand so it will mean more to you than an abandoned ghost village. See more about Kayaköy at this post.

7. Party hard at Grandboozey.. or.. maybe not!

For a night out, the hotel staff recommended us the club Grandboozey located at Ölüdeniz city center. This club is really old style, it reminded me the 90s clubs in Athens. Neon lights are covering the entrance and a sign "Happy New Year" was passing over - yeah, it was April.
Techno music was playing inside and really bad quality of drinks - you pay for an alcoholic drink but there is no alcohol inside. The balcony outside the club is a nice area to relax and save your ears from getting deaf but it doesn't really worth it. The entrance is free so you can go in and have a look to see if this is your style of partying.
Alternatively, I would suggest going out at Calis boardwalk or Fethiye city centre. Much much much better choices!

8. See the blue lagoon

The famous blue lagoon of Ölüdeniz is located inside a protected National Park (Ölüdeniz Tabiat Parkı) set a few meters far from Ölüdeniz beach and the entrance fee is 7 TL.
Inside the park -although it feels a bit decadent- there are organised facilities like toilets, showers, sunbeds with umbrellas (charges apply) as well as bars and water sports. I would suggest taking a drink before entering the park as everything is overcharged by the time you enter.

The sea is nice, calm and waters are shallow so perfect for families with children. Although the waters are not so turquoise as advertised, the lagoon is a nice place to relax and the view of the surrounding mountains create a nice ambiance.

9. Swim at Ölüdeniz beach

In case you don't want to pay for a swim, then Ölüdeniz beach is the perfect spot for swimming and relaxing while taking the sun. Located 14 km (9 mi) to the south of Fethiye, there are frequent buses (dolmuş) taking you there from Fethiye old town (ticket costs 5 TL).
There are many souvenir shops, restaurants and cafeterias so you can stay for a drink or have lunch there. Just have in mind that photos are not allowed at the main square - where buses leave you - as there is a military base and police is shouting at you to delete the photos. It happened to us while making a video of the beautiful scenery and we almost missed the bus on the way back.

10. Paragliding at Ölüdeniz beach

Paragliding here must be a breathtaking experience. I had no idea that it was so common in the area. Then, I read that Ölüdeniz is regarded as one of the best places in the world to paraglide!

Little human drones were flying over our heads and sometimes they were so high we could barely see them. What an envy! The location is amazing for the view not only because of the blue lagoon but also because of Mount Babadag's height. It costs around 50EUR so if you are not afraid of heights (even if you are - face your fears!) I would definitely recommend it!

Where we stayed:

Odyssey Residence at Calis beach

Useful information:
- 1 Euro ~ 3 Turkish Liras
There are many places around Fethiye to exchange money with pretty good exchange rates.
- People are really friendly, helpful and nice. Be prepared! They reach you in order to help you, so do not be scared they are not coming to rip you off.
- Turkey is in general a cheap destination but in local markets you should negotiate the price, it is a tradition here!

Greek summer music festivals

JUNE 2016

Release Athens Festival: 1, 3, 7 &13 June 2016 @ Plateia Nerou, Faliro Athens

MATALA BEACH FESTIVAL: 17-19 June 2016 @ Matala Beach, Crete

JULY 2016

Ejekt Festival: 8 July 2016 @Plateia Nerou, Athens

UP FESTIVAL: 14-16 July 2016, Amorgos Island

Up Festival 2016 | Αμοργός

Rockwave Festival: 18-19 July 2016 @TerraVibe, Malakasa

AUGUST 2016

River Party 3-7 August 2016 @ Nestorio, Kastoria

5th Los Almiros festival 5-6 August 2016 @ Almyros, Volos

Top Things to do in Pefkohori, Halkidiki

View from the top: Lycian Rock Tombs

TRAVELDIARY #9 TOMB OF AMYNTAS&KAYAKOY, TURKEY

Top things to do in Fethiye

Traveldiary #8 Fethiye, Turkey

About me

Follow Me

HOTELS

Categories

AUTUMN LOVE

MY BUCKETLIST:

Blog Archive