#Mountainous Nafpaktia

[gemsofgreece]

Grammeni Oxiá is a village in Mountainous Nafpaktia, surrounded by forests. Its name means “a beech like a painting”. 

Photo by @stef_greece on Instagram.

[travelingare]

📍Gramneni Oxia,Mountain Nafpaktia, Greece 🇬🇷

Yes this place is in Greece😱🍂🍁

This place is a dream!

@potamoulas_a

Welcome November!

Καλό μήνα σε όλους σας!!

@traveling_are

#travel #travelingare #grammenioxia #nafpaktos #autumn #forest #europe #november #happymonth

[safereturndoubtful]

Villages of the Kravara - Ambelakiotissa

Tuesday 14th November 2023

Temperatures up high at this time of year are difficult to predict. At 10 pm last night, up at Veluchio, at 1850 metres, it was 3C, but it didn’t get any colder. With the sun up at 7:30, it had warmed to 9C by 8am, and the van solar certainly was grateful, back up to 100% very quickly.

Roja and I were out walking just after 9, keen to achieve another peak up here, before continuing our drive south. About an hour away, was Anemos at 2198 metres, giving superb views of the northern Pindos, and a suitably refreshing way to start the day.

A little video at the peak, for the panorama..

We had 50 kilometres to drive today, but were aware that it would take two hours. I took the chance to stock-up at the Lidl in Karpenisi, before we ascended, as the road uncoiled ahead of us. It was similar to yesterday, if not even more up and down, with numerous hairpins. On asphalt, being a front wheel drive, the van can manage the gradients we have encountered so far. The difficulty is when the road is unsealed, which was about a third of what we did today. Often, on the more heavily used roads, the steeper sections are concreted, which helps. But the worst sections today, fortunately, were downhill.

Eventually, at about 3 pm, we arrived at Ambelakiotissa. There are 55 villages that make up the region’s hinterland (Oreini Nafpaktia in Greek), the smaller group, 15 of them, in the mountains, are known as Kravara. Most of the villages have about 100 inhabitants. It’s about a 3 hour drive from Athens, so holiday homes are common. Here in Ambelakiotissa, they are about two thirds of the village.

The village is famous for its monastery, about 80 metres in altitude above the village, but from which the Aegean Sea can be seen. These villages all originate from the Ottoman Empire, mid 15th century.

Of the four villages I will visit, this gets the least visitors. The streets are too narrow to park on, but there is a small car park behind the church, where I am. There’s one taverna, next to the church. I wandered the village just as dusk arrived, and put my head in the taverna, but there was nothing but a blaring TV. I will visit for coffee tomorrow.

[wecocogg-blog]

People often think of Greece as just a summer destination. Although we absolutely love the Greek beaches and Greek summer, Greece has so much more to offer. As an example, did you know that Greece has 23 ski resorts? Read on to find out more about the best time of year to visit Greece!

Greece in summer (June – August) – Is summer really the best time of year to visit Greece?

Welcome to Greece – A warm, dry climate and lots of sun. Lovely beaches and clear blue sea. Island-hopping, or driving along the coast. Sand between your toenails. A Greek salad with a glass of ouzo. Plenty of ancient sites and antiquities, for some. Long nights and lazy days, for others.

For many people, this is the essence of Greece. If you are a summer person, have a look at our top 10 tips for visiting Greece in summer. However, if you want to discover some of Greece’s many other faces, you might prefer to visit in other seasons.

Greece in autumn (September – November)

Autumn can be a great season to visit Greece. If you like swimming, September is one of the best months. The sea is much warmer than in early summer, and the tourist crowds are gone. Alternatively, if you like mountains and lakes, visiting Greece in autumn can be very rewarding.

If you are in Greece at the right time of year, you can even pick chestnuts! Mountainous Nafpaktia area, a few hours from Athens, organises the chestnut picking festival in October each year.

In bigger cities, normal activities resume after summer, and you are likely to come across several cultural events. Just remember to bring an umbrella, as rain can be quite intense!

Greece in winter (December – February)

With temperatures in Greece dropping to 0 C (32 F) or less in winter, it’s no surprise that 23 ski resorts operate throughout the country. Parnassos, Vasilitsa and Kalavrita are among the most popular ski resorts in Greece. You can check out a map of Greece’s ski resorts here. Remember, the sun will eventually appear, so make sure you pack some sunblock!

If you are interested in museums and the ancient sites, winter can be a great time to visit Greece. The attractions are not as crowded as in summer, apart from the occasional school trip. Make sure you are informed of closing times, and plan your visit accordingly!

Greece in spring (March – May)

Spring in Greece is absolutely amazing. Apart from the occasional rainy day in March, the weather is generally mild and dry. This is the best time of the year to go white water rafting. Hiking will also reward you with great views and flowers blossoming everywhere.

Swimming is definitely possible, although the sea will be quite cold as snow may still be melting.

An interesting time to be in Greece, even if you are not religious, is around Easter, in April or late May.

Greek Easter is very important, and probably unlike anything else you have ever seen, so consider this when you are booking your tickets!

Conclusion – When is the best time of year to visit Greece?

In fact, it’s really hard to answer that question and it all depends on your preferences.

Spring – Outdoor activities

Summer – Beaches and sun

Autumn – Mountains and lakes

Winter – Skiing

Dave loves cycling, so he prefers spring and autumn, when temperatures are not super high. Vanessa loves summer, as she likes swimming and snorkelling. Speaking of which, have a look at our article about our ten favourite beaches in Greece!

                        When is YOUR favourite time of year to be in Greece? Please let us know in the comments below!

The post The best time of year to visit Greece appeared first on .

[expertofathens]

Ορεινή Ναυπακτία ☃ Mountainous Nafpaktia

[gemsofgreece]

A rural Greece

Photos from Rupákia, Aetolia - Acarnania by Yiannis Roussopoulos.

[safereturndoubtful]

The slow road south down the spine of the Pindos

Monday 13th November 2023

The most unforgettable thing about a memorable visit to Katarraktis was the almost vertical wall of the Tzoumerka mountains to the east. I hardly took my eye off them. There’s a reasonably easy route to the ridge, possible I would think to ride on a mountain bike. A trail that zigzags up to the refuge, tucked away behind an outcrop at 1650 metres. The ridge is another 4-500 metres up. On Saturday night, through my binoculars, I could see a light up there. I don’t think it could be from the refuge, as that is hidden by the rocky outcrop. Maybe a camper. Certainly the weather was good enough. It just succeeds in making me envious, and is another entry to my list of missions once fully functional. It’s possible, relatively easily having gained the height, of about 2100 metres, to spend several hours on the ridge, taking in a few summits. A superb day.

On Sunday morning I knew the weather would break. Roja and I took in another circular tour of the village before a late morning coffee, and a few drops of rain. We left just after midday, with the plan to drive for a couple of hours. However, the rain set in quite furiously, and the cloud descended. I’ve mentioned it before, but the roads here become quite dangerous in heavy rainfall, with frequent rockslides, and sand and mud on the road.

At the small village of Tetrakomo, after only an hour’s driving, I called it a day, and settled in to read, and watch the rugby. It rained heavily until the early hours.

Monday dawned bright. A spectacular morning with the cloud loitering in the valleys, enhancing an already magnificent view.

I was heading for the town of Karpenisi. Actually, my next destination is the Kravara, as Patrick Leigh Fermor refers to it, mountainous Nafpaktia in central Greece, called Kravara during the Ottoman occupation. It is surrounded by huge mountain ranges, the main features being the mountains of Tsakalaki, Xerovouni and Tsekoura reach an altitude of 1,731 m, as well as rivers, gorges, streams, waterfalls and (artificial) lakes.

But first to Karpenisi. The journey was 101 miles, and took almost 4 hours. The roads continue to be amazing to drive on. Today just about took the prize. I lost count of the number of passes I headed over. Frequently up to 1200 metres and down again to 400 metres. Progress was slower than usual as there was the expected debris on the road, some of which even required me moving them.

At Vragkiana the road turned from asphalt to just a track. After my experience a few days ago, I stopped and called into the village cafe to see if anyone knew what condition it was in. The young woman behind the counter assured me it was just 6 kilometres, steep and loose in places, but passable. She forgot to add the three stream, or river, crossings.. but she was right, it was passable. Just about..

My actual destination was 10 kilometres from Karpenisi. To the north the road climbs another 800 metres from the town, which itself is at 1000 metres, to a rarely used ski resort.

We arrived there just after 4 pm, and headed straight out to walk, and gain some more height. Our timing was perfect, we got up to a minor peak at 2100 metres just as the sun was going down. It was a superb end to the daylight of what had been a tiring driving day. I think the pictures speak for themselves.