Visual Inspiration: The Greek Islands Part 1

Today I am going to post an array of beautiful images of a few of the Greek Islands for you to look at.  There are so many gorgeous islands and areas of the mainland that it makes it impossible to post them all but at least this is a start!  I already have to break them into 3 posts as I got a bit over excited when choosing the images so please enjoy Part 1!

Kastelorizo Island
Image from thanassis.com

Paros Island
Image from dogreece.com

Kefalonia Island
Image from ionianislandholidays.com

Patmos Island
Image from sailingissues.com

Skiathos Island
Image from starclippersblog.com

Skopelos Island
Image from mamma-mia-holidays.co.uk

Symi Island
Image from mythos-sailing.com

Tilos Islands
Image from tilos-park.typepad.com

Part 2 of Greek Island inspiration to come tomorrow.  Seriously, I cannot wait to get to Crete in 3 weeks time.  

NY

The Striking Acropolis Museum

Today is International Museum Day and to celebrate the Acropolis Museum has opened it's doors to a day of free admission.  I have to admit this Museum is top of my list to see.  I cannot believe I have not been yet and am itching to go.

Image from e-architect.co.uk

Image from wallpaper.com

Image from theacropolismuseum.gr

It has had write ups all over the world and just from these images you can see how beautiful it looks.  Here is a little history:

The Acropolis Museum was first conceived by Constantinos Karamanlis in September 1976. He also selected the site, upon which the Museum was finally built, decades later. With his penetrating vision, C. Karamanlis defined the need and established the means for a new Museum equipped with all technical facilities for the conservation of the invaluable Greek artifacts, where eventually the Parthenon sculptures will be reunited.

For these reasons, architectural competitions were conducted in 1976 and 1979, but without success. In 1989, Melina Mercouri, who as Minister of Culture inextricably identified her policies with the claim for the return of the Parthenon Marbles from the British Museum, initiated an international architectural competition. The results of this competition were annulled following the discovery of a large urban settlement on the Makriyianni site dating from Archaic to Early Christian Athens. This discovery now needed to be integrated into the New Museum that was to be built on this site.

In the year 2000, the Organization for the Construction of the New Acropolis Museum announced an invitation to a new tender, which was realized in accord with the Directives of the European Union. It is this Tender that has come to fruition with the awarding of the design tender to Bernard Tschumi with Michael Photiadis and their associates and the completion of construction in 2007.

Today, the new Acropolis Museum has a total area of 25,000 square meters, with exhibition space of over 14,000 square meters, ten times more than that of the old museum on the Hill of the Acropolis. The new Museum offers all the amenities expected in an international museum of the 21st century.

Image from nytimes.com

Image from nytimes.com

Image from nytimes.com

Image from european-destinations.blogspot.com

Image from amaliapolis.com

As you can see from the above images it is rich in cultural history and has such an abundance of ancient artifacts, that is is hard to know where to start.  I regularly visit the Acropolis when I am in Athens, my Aunt and I for years used to have a day visit and then, whilst supposedly taking the dog for a walk, would nip into town to see it lit at night.  I watched  the painstaking restoration of the Acropolis and it's freezes, all done by hand with what looked like a severly undersized paintbrushe for such a large task.  This building seems to do justice to all that hard work and it is a fitting rest place for all the gorgeous artifacts, freezes and statues that now reside there.

Please visit the official website of the museum for more information www.theacropolismuseum.gr

A worthy site of interest for all your guests and yourselves.

NY

Some Churches on Rhodes: Just a Taster

So I completely forgot to finish the post on Rhodes, I whole heartedly apologise!  I thought some inspiring churches would be the way forward today.  If there is one thing to be said about the Greek Islands, it is that you never have a shortage of choice in the Church department and not just that, the variety is amazing.

If you want a small church on the sea, you can have one.  If you want a large church in a mountain village, you can have one of those too.  The choice is endless, so please enjoy the small array of photos below and remember these are not even the tip of the iceberg!

Moni Thari, Nr Laerma

Image from wallcoo.net

This church was built around the 13th century on the foundations of a much earlier church. In the grounds you can see the remains of the building that was built in the 9th century.  It has array of stunning frescoes and is the venue for many festivals including those on the 21st / 22nd May.

Profitis Ilias, Prifitis Ilias

Image from rhodosinfo.com

This church is nestled into the mountain of the same name.  It is located in a place called Elafina (meaning female deer) and Elafos (meaning deer also!).  It is a wreck unfortunately but would make an amazing venue if you can locate the priest who covers that area.


Agios Pavlos (St Pauls), Lindos

Image from ionianweddings.co.uk

This cute little church is set on the edge of a bay, just outside the village of Lindos.  Though the chapel itself is too small to have a lot guests, the opportunity to have the service outside in the courtyard over looking the sea, more than makes up for it.  It is named after St Paul, which legend says came here in 43AD to preach Christianity and thus this chapel was dedicated to him.


The Monastery of Panagia Tsambika

Image from holiday2rhodes.com

This amazing monastery is situated 25km from Rhodes town and has gorgeous views over the sea.  It is said to stand on the site where in ancient times an alter to Artemis once stood and where sacrifices to the goddess were held.  It's name comes from the word 'Tsamba" which means spark.  It is said that a shepherd discovered an icon of the Virgin Mary (Panagia) and hence a monastery was built in the same spot to house it. This icon is believed to be miracle-working  and now the monastery is a pilgrimage for woman who are having trouble conceiving.


Agios Panteleimon, Monolithos Fort

Image from Steve Hoges, Flickr.com

This gorgeous church is situated in the grounds of the Venetian fort of Monolithos.  It was built in the 15th century by the Grand Master d'Audusson up on 300ft of rock and has incredible views of the sea as far as Halki.


My personal favorite is Agios Panteleimon, I am just a sucker for a great set of steps, a beautiful white church and a view to die for.


NY

Rhodes: A Brief History and Some Sites of Interest.

Rhodes is steeped in history and has been inhabited since the Stone Age.  Cretans were the first to settle on the island but after the Trojan War in 1184 BC the Phoenicians and the Dorians settled there. It was renown for it’s famous artists, philosophers and writers in the 3^rd century.  It has been under the rule of Greece, the Romans, the Muslim forces of both Muawiyah and the Selijuk Turks.  Then it was occupied by the Knights Hospitaller (soon to be the ‘Knights of Rhodes’),part of the Ottoman Empire, occupied by the Italians and lastly Rhodes was reunited with Greece again in 1947, along with the other Dodecanese islands. Rhodes has played an interesting role in modern day history especially the Second World War. The Gestapo rounded up the island’s Jewish inhabitants on the 19^th July 1944, to send them to their extermination camps.  Only 160 of the islands 600 Greek Jews survived.

Image of Rhodes Old Town from adriatictours.com

Image of The Temple of Apollo from petersommer.com

There have been a huge amount of antiquities found on the island and there are numerous ancient sites for people to visit.  Rhodes was the home of one of the Seven Wonders of the World.  Unfortunately the Colossus of Rhodes (a giant bronze statue) was completely destroyed in an earthquake in 224BC.  There is however a wealth of historical sites such a the Acropolis of Lindos, the Acropolis of Rhodes, The Temple of Apollo, The Governor’s Palace and Rhodes Old town, to name but a few.

Image of The Acopolis at Lindos from villa-fedra.com

Image of the Colossus of Rhodes from howstuffworks.com

In mythology some say that the island's name derives from the nymph Rhodes.  Others maintain that Rhodes was named after the rose, either because the island was abundant in these beautiful flowers or because the ancient inhabitants likened it's beauty to that of a rose. 

There is so much history in relation to this island that I have only done a brief synopsis but if you would like to know more, www.wikipedia.com  and www.rhodesguide.com have a more details for you to read.


NY

Bravo the Greek Islands!

So chuffed to see that the Greek Islands won The Best Beach Destination award at this years British Travel Awards.  It is true, you really cannot beat the idyllic setting of the islands, they are gorgeous!  It is nice to have some recognition for it. Did you know that there are over 6000 islands and islets in Greece? Variety is the spice of life.  Here is some beautiful images depicting a small example of what the Islands have to offer.

From left Ithaca, Rhodes & Skopelos

From left Cephalonis, Kassos (island of my Grandfather) & Andros

Go Greece!

NY

The Peloponnese Hotels as Promised.

Below are 3 choices from the Peloponnese for you to have a look at.  They are all gorgeous and yet have their own character.  I have put all their website details for you t as I can only show you a selection of photos per hotel and there are some amazing ones on their sites.  

Hotel Perivoli, Pyrgiotika, Nafplio

Images from www.hotelperivoli.com

The Pervoli Hotel sits in Orange Groves on the outskirts of Pyrgiotika Village.  It was built in 2009 but in keeping with the traditional architecture of the area.  There are 12 rooms, all of which have views looking out over the countryside and village.  The hotel is just 6.5 Km from Napflio.

The Hotel has a restaurant on the ground floor and also an al fresco dining area by the pool.  The restaurant serves homemade food with only the freshest, local ingredients.  They cater for receptions, depending on the area you use, range from 50 - 150 guests.  The website with all the information, photos and contact details is www.hotelperivoli.com

Kinsterna Hotel  & Spa, Agios Stefanos, Monemvasia

Images from www.kinsternahotel.gr

This hotel is tucked away in the hills over looking Monemvasia.  The building itself, is steeped in history and dates back to the 13th centuary.  There is a Spa in the hotel and there are 27 rooms and suites, each meticulously renovated.

The hotel is set in citrus groves and vineyards so is a beautiful venue for a wedding.  The hotel itself has the facilities to organise all the details from flowers, photography, cake to transport.  There are also a varitey of churches in the area to choose from for the ceremony.  Find out more on their website www.kinsternahotel.gr.  It really is a beautiful hotel and the setting is divine.

Kyrimai Hotel, Gerolimenas, Mani

Images from fhotels.net, yadeshotels.gr & Gobez.gr

Kyrimai stands on a bay at the end of the village of Gerolimenas.  It's deck looks directly out over the sea and the building was newly refurbished in 2003.  Their restaurant is run by the award winning Greek chef Yiannis Baksevanis and serves Greek cuisine.

It is an amazing area and the views are stunning.    There are 21 rooms in the hotel ranging from classic rooms, a tower house to suites and all have been beautifully decorated. Please visit their website and see how gorgeous this hotel is; www.kyrimai.gr

Also I stumbled across a great little book the other day with hidden gems of hotels throughout Greece, if you are interested give it a read; Alastair Sawdays's Special Places to Stay GREECE.

I hope you enjoyed the hotels I choose.

NY

The Peloponnese: A Brief History and Some Sites of Interest.

As with all of Greece a lot has happened in the Peloponnese, writing about it all would take weeks so I am going to give you a brief in sight into its history, as well as provide you with some links if you want to learn more.  It is known for its importance in the Mythological world as it is the scene of many myths and the name Peloponnese means 'island of Pelops' the hero who was said to have conquered the entire area.

Throughout the years the Peloponnese has been part of the Roman republic, the Byzantium Empire, been subject to Arab raids, incorporated into the Ottoman Empire and the list goes on.  It was also where the start of the Greek War of Independence occurred at Kalamata in 1821.

Olympia, Npflion & Mycenae

Images from stoupabay.co.uk, tooth-tourism.com & teachers.sduhsd.net

Needless to say there is a lot to see in the different areas. You have a huge array of historical attractions from  Mycenaean palaces, Byzantine cities, and Frankish and Venetian fortresses. There is the Theatre of Epidavros, Ancient Olympia, Mycenae, Ancient Asine and the Venetian stronghold of Monemvasia.  There are various beautiful cities and areas to  discover like Napflio ( the original capital of Greece before Athens),  Sparta, The Corinth and Kalamata. Of course, there are many more sites to see but these are just a few examples of what the Peloponnese has to offer.

Arkadian Mountains, Sparta & Voidokoilia Beach

Images from andrewvanz.blogspot.com, virtualtourist.com & hotelnavarone.gr

On top of all this there are of course amazing beaches and coves like the beaches of Messinia  and awe inspiring, wildflower-covered mountains of Arkadia, or in the rugged Mani).  There truly is something for everyone and a landscape to die for.

Below are the sites I promised at the start.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peloponnese

www.ancientgreece.com/s/Wars/

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/greece/the-peloponnese

www.fodors.com/world/europe/greece/peloponnese

http://www.greeklandscapes.com/greece/peloponnese01.html

The Peloponnese is a mythical and magical place and really deserves to be in the running for you venue choice.  I know everyone dreams of a Greek island wedding but technically, since the Corinth Canal was built in the 1893, it is!

NY

Another Couple of Amazing Venue Choices

Emelisse & Perantzada Art Hotels, Kefalonia & Ithaca

Emelisse Hotel

Images From i-escape.com

I am inspired to look for more! When I was looking for our wedding it was a lot harder to find cool places but with the rise in boutique/ hip hotels in Greece over the past couple of years there seems to be an abundance of really great places.  The Emelisse and the Perantzada Art Hotels are part of a small chain (3 hotels in all) owned by Tsimaras Art Hotels.  They are not huge hotels but if you are looking to have a smaller, more intimate wedding, this could be the place for you.  The Amelisse is situated on Kefalonia whilst Perantzada is on Ithaca.  Both are equally beautiful with amazing views from the terraces over the sea.  Tsimaras have an in house wedding service and will cover not only all your catering needs (including the cake) but also all the floral arrangements ( bouquet and all).

Perantzada Hotel

Images from i-escape.com and luxuryhotelsgreece.gr

The Tsimaras website is www.arthotel.gr and for the wedding info add /wedding to the end.  Otherwise they can be found on numerous website specialising in boutique hotels such as Mr & Mrs Smith, i-escape and Luxury Hotels Greece. Again I love it!


NY