The day when one collects one’s new car is a memorable event. As we stood before our new Citroën C3 Aircross for the very first time our high expectations were exceeded.

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The vehicle seemed as spacious and dynamic in appearance as it looked stylish. French finesse was apparent in every detail of its interior and exterior. Also, sitting in our new car’s cabin felt like we were seated in the comforts of our home, courtesy of its Advanced Comfort seats, as comfortable as a luxury armchair.

Just days after collecting our new car, we were on the road for Nafpaktos, in western Greece’s Etoloakarnania region. The destination, combining mountain and sea views, is an ideal choice for driving enthusiasts.

The trip represented a first opportunity for us to confirm that our new car is not just attractive, but also convenient and high-performing. To begin with, it must be pointed out that storage capacity is not a concern when travelling with the Citroën C3 Aircross. Its storage space, offering a 520-litre capacity, is one of the biggest of the vehicle’s category, ensuring sufficient space even when travelling as a family. There is no need to squeeze assorted items here and there, including the cabin’s foot area.

The comfort, speed and formidable character of the Citroën C3 Aircross assured a very pleasant journey. We also became acquainted with our new car’s features along the way. These include 12 driver assistance systems, among them the HeadUpDisplay colour screen, 5 connectivity technologies enabling the driver to make the most of the new 9-inch touch screen and the Citroën Connect Nav system, offering a variety of useful information, including traffic conditions ahead, fuel-station locations and prices, vacant parking spaces, weather forecasts, recharging stations, and other points of interest.

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Photo: Hristos Karagiorgakis
Photo: Hristos Karagiorgakis

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Crossing the Rio-Antirrio bridge, connecting the mainland with Peloponnese, on what was our first trip in our new car was exciting and memorable. Crossing this bridge in any vehicle is an amazing experience, but doing so in our Citroën C3 Aircross was even more fulfilling as this car model’s design offers large windows and a panoramic glass sunroof. These features enabled us to view the bridge and sea as if in a convertible.

Nafpaktos is a lovely destination in itself. The spot combines sea, good food and a variety of cultural events, all within close proximity. After settling into our room, we decided to enjoy a stroll at the Venetian Port. A naval battle of major historic importance, the Battle of Lepanto, took place here in 1571. A fleet of the Holy League, a coalition of Catholic states, comprising Spain and most of Italy, inflicted a major defeat on the fleet of the Ottoman Empire. Miguel de Cervantes, writer of the iconic novel “Don Quixote”, who took part in this battle and was wounded, has been honoured with a statue in the Greek town.

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The Cervantes statue/ Photo: Shutterstock

The location’s extensive history was evident as we walked along the narrow alleys and roads leading to the town’s castle. Some effort is needed to reach its elevated grounds, but the view more than rewards.

The next day, we decided to combine sea and mountain. The area’s Hiliadou beach is large and sandy, with lots of beach bars. Its water is very clean and, if you manage to visit early in the summer season, as we did, you will manage to avoid big crowds. We spent several relaxed hours under the sun and in the water and then took off for the next part of our journey, sheer pleasure for driving enthusiasts.

Nafpaktos’ gorgeous mountain area, whose road network can be challenging, was one reason we decided to cover the area travelling in our Citroën C3 Aircross. The word “escape” tends to be overused in travel articles, but let us assure you, it is a fully valid term in the case of Nafpaktos. Driving around many bends, as well as along uphill and downhill stretches, one after the other, we were in awe of the endless forests with beech, walnut and chestnut trees.

Occasionally, villages seen in the distance seemed as if they were clinging onto the mountain slopes. Vigilance is important when driving in this region. All sorts of creatures, including foxes, squirrels, even deer, can suddenly appear on the road. We happened to encounter a squirrel, an experience that confirmed just how perfectly the car’s break system works.

We made a first stop, along this leg of our journey, at Ano Hora, a wonderful village built around the slopes. It features small stone houses, uphill cobbled paths, as well as a superb view of the green mountain tops. Definitely stop for a coffee at the village square. Our next stop was at Abelakiotissa, a village renowned for its running waters. It features approximately ten public taps in the village and on its outskirts – alongside creeks, roads and within forested areas. We trekked to the superb Kakavos gorge and then returned to the village as we had worked up an appetite.

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Kryoneria/Photo: Shutterstock

We thoroughly enjoyed our time at Nafpaktos’ mountain area. Then, late in the day, we drove back to our room, experiencing a night-drive in our new car. Its stylish LED lights, a new Citroën trademark, proved very effective, offering excellent visibility in the dark.

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Photo: Hristos Karagiorgakis
Photo: Hristos Karagiorgakis

This road trip was wonderful, overall. We fully recommend a visit to Nafpaktos and the town’s mountain area. If, in this article, our destination did not get as much praise as it deserves, there is a reason, this being the thrill of acquiring and driving a brand new Citroën C3 Aircross.

Read also:

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An authentic mountainous destination of ravishing beauty in Greece