29-11-2012 13:55

ROUTE 1: Vouliagmeni Lagoon and Heraion

A beautiful and short route (16 km) northwest of Loutraki leads to Vouliagmeni Lake or Lagoon to be accurate. The area is protected because of its great natural beauty, and beloved by tourists who go swimming and eating at taverns. The lagoon was named Eschatiotis, because it was the last of the peninsula (:eschatos = last), or Gorgopis of the name of Megareas’ mother who drowned in its waters. It is 2 km in length, 1 km in width and 40 meters of depth. The scenery is serene and gets even more beautiful when painted with pink and purple colors of the sunset. Once you reach the level of water you have two choices: make the round from the left, where there are some houses and camping or go to the right side, as they all do, to go to Heraion and the lighthouse. If you turn left, after the taverns, you can see the channel that connects the water with the Corinthian Gulf: it is shallow and the water flow change once every six hours in 30 meters far from this point.

Westward a settlement of the early Prohellinic II period has been discovered and next to it ossuaries with 500 pots and skeletons were found. Findings of ceramics indicate that families lived near the lagoon during the third and second millennium, occupied in agriculture and fishing.

At the first kilometer of your way to Heraion, you will see a wooden sign to the church of St. Nicholas. It is worth ascending up there (10 minutes) because you have very nice views of the lagoon and Loutraki. Arriving at Heraion, one of the most beautiful locations in Greece, scattered with ancient ruins on the waterfront, you may leave the car and walk downhill on the pathThen go up to the right to see the first stonebuilt lighthouse at cape Malagkavi, among the oldest ones in Greece, built in 1897.

In return, make a short detour to the right to the point of view of Heraion. Heraion has two sections - even formerly thought there were two temples of Hera, Hera Akraia and Hera Limenaia, as it is still written on the signs. This is has been revised and researchers now talk about one sanctuary: the one of Hera Akraia – Limenaia. Above the small cove, with the cold and deep waters where tourists flock in the summer, there is the chapel of St. John.


ROUTE 2: Loutraki – Schinos

With Loutraki as the starting point drive to the lagoon of Vouliagmeni and after 6 km. turn left at the crossroad towards the monasteries of Saint Patapios, Prophet Elias, Saint Gerasimos and Saint John Baptist. At the next junction turn right on the retreat of Saint Gerasimos, with the stone cross of 13 meters visible from afar (visiting hours 8-13.00 and 16.00-20.00). Diagonally across there is the church of John the Baptist. In another 3 km there is a junction: the road on the right leads to the church of Prophet Elias that offers wonderful views to Loutraki. Next to the monastery there is a cave (visiting hours 8-13.00, 16.00-19.00). Turning left at the crossroad you get to St. Patapios. Climb up the 180 steps and you will find the eminent religious center of Loutraki. The monastery situated at an altitude of 700 meters in the mountains of Gerania was built in the 11th century and the relics of Saint Patapios and three full-length murals found in the cave where the relics are, have been the benchmark of the monastery. The murals depict Saint Patapios, Saint Patience and Saint Nikon. 40 nuns live in the monastery that you can visit until sunset.

From the main road leading towards Perachora and just before the village, turn right to Pisia and Schinos. Through olive and pine trees at a height of 650 meters and after 4 km you reach Pisia. A deep ravine with trees and water make the village especially picturesque. Bisia was the former name of the village which currently has 150 residents who are occupied in agriculture and livestock. The village played a significant role in the Revolution of 1821, since the residents with the gunpowder mills, windmills and ovens fed the fighters. You could see the church of Agia Paraskevi, which is the metropolis of the village and the church of St. George, which is a natural cave. Continue your ride through pine and fir trees that are on the foothills of Gerania Mountains. After 12 km you reach the village of Schinos with its beautiful beaches.

Aktaion - Writing gastronomic history since 1922

Like a relay race of three generations; a journey with happy days, sad days, joys, sorrows, wars, Occupation, poverty, hunger, deaths, volcanic eruptions, catastrophic earthquakes, flee for a better life, return, better days, feasts, tourism explosion, financial crises and so on… Everything has been indelibly inscribed on the walls of this small building, Aktaion. I feel grateful that life has given me the opportunity to hold the reins of Aktaion all the way to its centennial.

Santorini has a secret... but we have to share it.

It opened in 2004 and soon became one of the favourite dining spots in Santorini. It is called Metaxy mas which means.. between us, but it is not a secret any more that this restaurant has a rich menu with almost 40 different dishes and appetizers based on traditional Greek cuisine.

We found the best scandinavian bar in Naxos!

Touristorama has been travelling all around Greece and its islands for over a decade. This year, during our trip to Naxos, the biggest of the Cyclades complex, we discovered an interesting spot, perfect for your night out on the island… which is what we do best: finding the best places and then propose you should visit them! Prime is a Scandinavian Bar, located on a privileged position in Chora of Naxos, opposite the port. It’s been operating for 21 years and enjoys a great fame to both foreign and local tourists.

Parea Restaurant: a beautiful terrace for the perfect dinner.

We have been choosing Parea Tavern for our meals and dinners for 14 years! Every time someone from Touristorama travels to the island of Santorini, he enjoys authentic Greek cuisine at the terrace of this restaurant in the heart of Fira. And we are not the only ones. Thousands of tourists include it among their favorites on the volcanic island.

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Explore the fascinating volcanic island of Santorini the way you want it yourself! Enjoy a unique accommodation experience, with huge doses of privacy and luxury by choosing to stay in Incognito Villa.

Something old, something new.... Marmita combines them both!

The Marmita Restaurant is now a part of the history of Santorini, since it has been operating in Megalochori since 2004. From 2013 it s been running under the observation of new owner Giannis Manikas and the sense of renewal is obvious.

Get Behind the Wheel and Discover Naxos with a Car

The best thing to do when you get to Naxos is to rent a car. Even if, there is public transportation, there could be long delays while waiting for buses. The most convenient option is to visit Naction...

Parea Restaurant: a beautiful terrace for the perfect dinner.

We have been choosing Parea Tavern for our meals and dinners for 14 years! Every time someone from Touristorama travels to the island of Santorini, he enjoys authentic Greek cuisine at the terrace of this...

Something old, something new.... Marmita combines them both!

The Marmita Restaurant is now a part of the history of Santorini, since it has been operating in Megalochori since 2004. From 2013 it s been running under the observation of new owner Giannis Manikas and...

Privacy on the vivid island of Santorini? Yes, you can have it!

Explore the fascinating volcanic island of Santorini the way you want it yourself! Enjoy a unique accommodation experience, with huge doses of privacy and luxury by choosing to stay in Incognito Villa.