You wait in line for a table at a restaurant, queue for a tiny spot in the hotel parking lot, and in the cafés –if you get a seat- you have to shout to be heard above the din of the crowd.
This Christmas let’s choose low-profile destinations, avoid the crowds and enjoy nature in winter in these five under-the-radar villages that offer a range of amenities.
Platanos, Orini Nafpaktia
Located at an altitude of 880 meters, 46 km from Nafpaktos, Platanos took its name from the huge plane tree on the village’s main square.
As night falls, people begin to flock to the large square; the quaint cafés and taverns turn on their lights and put on music. Around the church and under the trees, locals drink tsipouro and gaze at the starry sky. The village is ideal for quiet holidays away from crowded destinations and makes the perfect starting point for exploring the nature and the small villages of Orini Nafpaktia.
Accommodation: Among the grass and flowers, on a slope above the village, the stone houses of Ifigenia (“Ta spitakia tis Ifigeneias”) look out over the mountains of Nafpaktia. Curled up on the floral sofa opposite the lit corner fireplace, gaze at the magnificent view from the large window by the bed. Or spend quality time in the guesthouse’s cosy café with its large table, cushions and numerous board games. Every day in the guesthouse’s restaurant you can enjoy a variety of casseroles and appetizers. Info: Platanos, +30 26340 61500, www.ifigeneia.com
All the rooms of the guesthouse “Alonaki” are spread around a stone courtyard, reminiscent of an old neighbourhood from a Greek movie of the 50s. Featuring wooden beams on the ceiling, iron beds and old lamps, it may indeed feel like you woke up in another era. Info: Platanos, +30 26340 61315, +30 6978 172711, www.alonaki.gr
Food: Head towards the village of Agios Dimitrios and after about 10 km you will come across the historic “Hani tou Lioliou”, which dates back to 1820. At an altitude of 1200 metres, among fir trees, guests can enjoy well-roasted meats, stews and handmade pies. Info: 10th km of Provincial Road Nafpaktos – Platanos, +30 26340 48408
Metaxohori, Kissavos
Metaxohori is located next to Agia, at the foot of Kissavos, about 40 km from Larissa. In the past, the bourgeoisie of the region lived in this village. The main product of the region was silk and rich silk merchants lived in the area. That is why almost the entire village consists of large stone mansions. Tall and imposing, they also had auxiliary rooms for processing and storing silk. Today, the name of the village (Metaxohori actually means “silk village”) and the mansions are preserved, many of which have been restored with great care and respect. Metaxohori does not have many inhabitants, about 400. There are very few children and many elderly people. But they are special people who live in the village by choice and not by virtue of origin. Wander under the plane trees to the large village square, admire the mansions with their large doors and coloured shutters and relish this peaceful atmosphere. The nearby villages of Skiti, Melivia and Sotiritsa are ideal for walks and mini-excursions.
Accommodation: Oversized beds, square windows with latches, candles in recesses in the walls – in short, simplicity of high aesthetics. In “Souliotis Mansion”, wooden features and simple decorative elements create hard-to-find warmth. There are 8 rooms spread over the ground and first floor, but don’t worry, no one makes any noise here. For total privacy, choose the Damy Room, which is located alone on the lower floor. The room incorporates a piece of rock, which the owners left there intentionally. Info: Metaxohori, +30 24940 22040, www.souliotismansion.com
Food: Visit the tavern “Keramidi” and enjoy wild boar stew, kontosouvli (spit roasted pork), grilled meats and handmade delicacies under leafy plane trees next to a small waterfall. Info: Metaxohori, +30 24940 24030
Kastania, Corinth
Just 155 km from Athens, at the foot of Ziria, the small village with its stone-built houses is the ideal destination for a short getaway. At an altitude of 1,000 metres, the settlement is surrounded by chestnut, walnut and fir trees and attracts very few people even during the festive season. Lake Stymfalia and the Environmental Museum of the Piraeus Bank Group Cultural Foundation are nearby and both worth a visit. The lake is the southernmost mountainous wetland in the Balkans, boasts rich flora and fauna and is an integral part of local life. You can also visit Lake Doxa and the villages of Gkoura and Feneos, which are very close by.
Accommodation: An old stone house on the main street of the village has been restored and complemented by new buildings, which respect the traditional architecture; Astra Hotel consists of 9 charming rooms, very carefully decorated and with all modern amenities. Info: Kastania, Corinth, +30 27470 61297
Food: In the tavern “To Steki” you can enjoy handmade pies, traditional dishes such as braised beef and lamb casserole, wild boar stew and meat on spit. Info: Kastania, Corinth, +30 27470 61297
Agios Lavrentios, Pelion
Agios Lavrentios is a relatively isolated village, as it is not on the road to any of the well-known villages of Pelion. The village is built amphitheatrically on a hillside. In the cobbled uphill alleys, street lamps start to light up as soon as daylight fades. Weeds grow between the paving stones as a result of high humidity and abundant running water. Everywhere you stand, you can hear the sound of creeks and streams from closer or farther away, softer or louder. The village retains a mystical, almost medieval atmosphere with its soft yellow light from the street lamps and dense vegetation. It is the ideal place for a peaceful and relaxing holiday. The little traffic of the village is concentrated in the few cafés and taverns that operate in the main square covered by plane trees.
Accommodation: In addition to the double and superior rooms, in “Dryades” hotel you will also find family rooms and a suite covered with stone, a canopy bed, bronze fountains and great views of the Pelion slopes. Info: Agios Lavrentios, +30 24280 96110, www.hoteldryades.gr
Food: In the central square of the village, in the tavern “Vasilikos and Diosmos” you will enjoy traditional dishes such as braised goat in the pot and juicy burgers, but also more creative recipes such as beef cheeks with tomato jam and cream cheese. Info: Agios Lavrentios, +30 6937 050473
Klafsi, Evritania
The forgotten paradise around the village of Klafsi has slowly begun to attract visitors – people who have already come to know and love the quiet beauty of the village and its hospitable inhabitants. Situated in a privileged spot in the valley of Potamia, Klafsi is said to have taken its name from the cries of its inhabitants, who suffered many disasters in the village. Near the village and on the banks of the Karpenisiotis River, an early Christian church was discovered in 1957-1959 that is said to have been dedicated to Agios Leonides.
Accommodation: The traditional guesthouse “To magemeno vouno” features modern and very elegant suites and apartments with unobstructed views of the mountain slopes. Info: Klafsi, +30 22370 21327, www.magemenovouno.gr
At “Archontiko Maria” the junior suites offer a wonderful view of the mountain. The large iron canopy beds, thick carpets, plush armchairs and stone fireplace will make you feel like royalty. In addition to the suites, there are also charming double rooms with the same “courtly” decoration. Info: Klafsi, +30 6972 914434, www.archontiko–marias-karpenisi.gr
Food: Visit the tavern “Freideriki” to enjoy braised venison, roast wild boar, homemade pies, mountain greens and grilled meats by the fireplace in a really warm atmosphere. Info: Klafsi, +30 22370 23223
