By Olga Charami
PANGAIO: A TALE OF AUTUMN
Carpets of fiery red leaves, countless mushrooms and thick forests of beech and chestnut trees that change hues from day to day and hide ancient rock paintings and sanctuaries. Mount Pangaio in Kavala puts on its best show in fall, and the paved road is easy to navigate up to the alpine zone and Mati Peak, at an altitude of 1,956m.
AKROTAINARO: GLIMPSES OF HISTORY
The historical lighthouse at the tip of the Mani Peninsula at Cape Tainaro marks the southernmost point of the Balkan mainland. Built in 1882 to light the way through the frequented waterway, it has been restored and is still staffed for symbolic reasons. The ancient Greeks placed one of the seven gates to Hades in the region.
CHIOS: THE ARCHITECTURE OF MASTIC
In southern Chios, the star is the famous mastic tree and the villages are built like castles in the grand fortification architecture created by the Genoese in the 14th century to protect the farmers. One of these villages is Vessa, with its charming but often dilapidated stone houses painted in lively colors.
KAIAFAS: GOLDEN SANDS
Sand dunes, sand lilies and domineering pines: Kaiafas beach is just one part of the endless beach of the Ilia Prefecture in the Peloponnese, but saying it is “beautiful” is not enough. Lake Kaiafa, famous for the thermal baths located behind it, is ideal for trekking, biking and other lake sports.