Greece, since 1981, is member of the European Union and, together with 18 other EU member states a monetary union, the euro zone. It is a member of the United Nations, the OECD, NATO, the OSCE and the Council of Europe. The Human Development Index ranks Greece among the highly developed countries.
The Greeks of modern times call themselves Hellenes, but they had many different names throughout history. However, Homer (8th century BC) did not use the term "Hellene" in his epics. In classical antiquity, the Greeks hardly lay a point to present ithemselfves as a unified nation. The own home instead, be it a polis or a kingdom, was up to a few exceptions far more important. The participants in the Olympic Games were summarized as Hellenes. Perhaps it was this name later, in the first centuries of Christianity, being used as synonymous with paganism. From late antiquity until the end of the Middle Ages (1453), the Greeks even called themselves Rhomaioi (ancient Greek for, Romans').
For some time now, visiting the Greek island of Chios has been high on my list of places to visit that just need a good reason. My friend Belgin now offered this reason, who suggested a short relaxation trip to the island of Chios at the weekend after a stressful work week.
Everyone probably still remembers the images that went around the world from Lesvos during the first refugee crisis. We will not renew these images in our heads, not even here in the travel portal in the News category!
During our round trip on the Greek island of Lesbos, our route also led to the north coast of the island of Lesbos to the city of Mithymna, which was already known in ancient times and which today, with its almost 1,670 inhabitants, is often also referred to as Molyvos.
In order to get away from the hectic city of Izmir for a short time, we planned a short weekend trip to Lesvos, the Greek Aegean Island just off the Turkish coast near Ayvalık.
After a restful, quiet night in the small inn of Mitilini, after breakfast we head to the fortress ruins of Mitilini. The low-rise buildings of the town, which has around 30,000 inhabitants, stretch along the hill, which is towered above in an almost semi-circular shape by the massive ruins of the ancient fortress.
Ágios Pávlos - Our explorations in Halkidiki should initially lead us to so-called Paulus spring at the Chapel Ágios Pávlos, where there is a first trail to explore today, extending around the rock Petros, one of the highest points on Sithonia.
Petralona - From Camper stop Zampetas we had planned visiting the cave of Petralona next to Mount Katsika together with our camper neighbors Suse and Axel, who are on their way to New Zealand in a VW Camper, when Axel's message that he wanted to do the tour by bicycle surprised us in the morning.
Halkidiki - After several days of exploration of trails in the National Park of Mount Olympus and possible outdoor activities and culinary offerings around Rapsani we turned to Halkidiki, the peninsula next to Thessaloniki that is basically quite well known to travelers because of Mount Athos and the surrounding monasteries.
Looking for locations for Campers and holiday travelers one often hears of the three fingers of Halkidiki peninsula, namely Kassandra, Sithonia and Athos.
Our explorations of the so-called three fingers of Chalkidiki also brought us to the third, eastern finger, which is not allowed to be entered or rather only entered with special permission - the monastic republic of Athos.
In search of a bakery, which offers the delicious Kourambie cakes all year round, we had found Gkemitzis in Afytos during the internet research, who ran a small eco-shop and invited us to his home village.
Once again we were on the way to Sithonia, the still lovely sunshine in mid-November had led us to visit the middle finger of the Halkidiki peninsula again.
Another discovery tour led us to Nea Potidea on Kassandra peninsula, where we could hope to find some remains of Roman or Byzantine ruins according to the well proven ancient name of the place Potideia or Poteideia.
Our explorations in Halkidiki had us led to the ruined city of Olynthus, despite the now hot summer temperatures, an absolutely watch able destination.
The day of our current explorations on Sithonia was nearing its end, time to take care of accommodation for the night. From Andrea and John we have got the tip to use the campsite at the beach boulevard of Kalamitsi.
Tsipouro Distillation - From the middle of autumn to the end of the year, Tsipouro will also be distilled in the region of Bourazani, which, according to Giorgos, normally requires a special license for the producer.
Our tour through the Pindos National Park had first led us to the villages of Kapesovo and Koukouli, both of them, so at least local documents, were founded in the 13th century.
After an adventurous journey crossing the Pindos mountains, we visited the district capital Konitsa together with George from Camper stop Bourazani, which is located only a few kilometers from the Albanian border.
Only a few hundred meters away from the border with Albania, in the Konitsa region, the Monastery of Molivdoskepasti, dedicated to the Domitian and the Virgin Mary, is situated since the 13th century.
During our introductory discussions Giorgos also told us about one of the many special features in the mountain village of Bourazani, which can be easily reached on foot from the local camper stop: the local watermill, which is also used here for washing the carpets of local residents due to the available water power.