Fly & Drive

Thessaly & Pelion (harmony of mountain & sea colors)

  • Itinerary

    8 days / 7 nights

1st day: Arrival to airport & pick up the car from rent a car company – transfer to Pelion (western side) and stay in Portaria picturesque village for the night.

  • Extra tip of the day: Have a nice walk around Portaria’s village and admire the local -typical of Pelion- architecture and the beautiful view of Volos harbour and Pagasitikos gulf.
  • Where to eat: at “Gefsokrator” sophisticated taverna with local delicacies.
  • Where to sleep: “Despotikon” lodge (www.despotikon.gr) or Valeni Boutique hotel (www.valeni.gr).

2nd day: Visit the Dimini archeological site (on the outskirts of Volos): the Neolithic (5000 BC) Acropolis is one of the most ancient sites in Greece. You can also visit a mycenean tomb very well preserved, remain of the mycenean era (1600 BC) – return to Volos harbour and visit the very interesting Archeological Museum (with exhibits from the neolithic era of Sesklon and Dimini sites) – have lunch in one of the famous “tsipouradika” (old typical tavernas that serve “tsipouro”, a local strong alcoholic drink, made by the locals. It is served with little “mezedes”, sea food finger food) – have a walk in the harbour (from where-according to the myths-Jason and the Argonauts set out to their long journey, in order to find the famous “golden fleece”). Overnight in Portaria’ (1/2 h from Volos).

  • Extra tips of the day: You can attend a seminar on Greek cuisine in the restaurant “Kritsa”(T.24280-90006), in Portaria. Alternatively, you can visit the wine factory “DIMITRA”, in Nea Anghialos (www.thessalikotsipouro.gr), where you learn how the local “tsipouro” is made.
  • Where to eat: at “Dionisis” tsipouradiko or at “Lepi” tsipouradiko (on the harbour).

3rd day: Visit the picturesque village of Makrynitsa (5km away from Portaria) by car or by walking. This village is called the “Aegean Balcony”, because of its beautiful views to the Aegean sea. You can visit there the Byzantine church of Agios Georgios, drink a greek cofffee under the plane trees of the square or visit the house painted by Theofilos (the famous for his “naif technique” greek painter of the 19th century) – return to Portaria’ and overnight.

  • Extra tip of the day: Visit the women’s consortium in Makrynitsa and buy local handmade products.
  • Where to eat: in taverna “Apolafsi”, near the central square, mostly because of its great views.

4th day: Proceed to eastern Pelion. On the way, you can visit the “Organic Farm” and buy organic products like honey, handmade pasta, local herbs, sirop fruit sweets and apple vinegar. Arrival to Tsangarada village and Mouresi village – overnight in Mouresi.

  • Extra tip of the day: Go to Fakistra little beach for a swim or drink a fresh lemon juice in Tsagarada’s square, under the oldest plane tree of Greece (1.700 years old).
  • Where to eat: In “Aleka’s House”, famous for its local specialties, in Tsangarada or “Lost Unicorn” with more sophisticated Pelian cuisine.
  • Where to sleep: “Gardenia Studios” (www.gardenia-studios.gr), in Mouresi.

5th day: From Mouresi go for a hiking excursion to Ai Giannis and swim into the crystal clear waters of Plaka beach. Then follow the “kalderimi” (local mountain path) to Damouhari little port (where the film “MammaMia” was shooted) and eat in the local fish taverna, by the sea. Return to Mouresi village for overnight.

  • Extra tip of the day: Rent a canoe or kayak from “Pelion Secrets Sea Kayaking”, in Damouhari in order to explore the caves and the little secret beaches along the coast (www.pelionsecrets.com).

6th day: Go by car to Milies Village and take the little train, called “Moutzouris”, which goes for 1 h.30m across the green mountain and reaches small villages and beautiful places of Pelion. When you come back to Milies, you can go by car and visit some more interesting villages: Lechonia – Vyzitsa – Ag.Lavrentios – Pinakates. Then return to Mouresi.

  • Extra tips of the day: Visit the church of Taxiarxhon in Milies, famous for its acoustics or drink a refreshing frappé coffee under the plane trees, in the picturesque Pinakates village.
  • Where to eat: In “Dryadon Gefsis”, in Ag.Lavrentios.

7th day: Mouresi -Tsagarada – Mylopotamos (for a swim) or Mouresi – Makryrrachi – Zagora (famous for its tasty apple production) – Ag.Saranta (for a swim) – return to Mouresi village.

  • Where to eat: In the famous taverna of “Deipnosofistis” (T.24260 49825), in Mylopotamos.

8th day: From Mouresi to Meteora (2.5 h distance) – visit the famous Byzantine monasteries on the top of the rocks and admire the views. Overnight in Kalambaka or return to the airport.

  • Extra tips of the day: Visit the Mushroom Museum in Kalambaka, where you can admire not only the big variety of the local mushrooms but also the interesting exhibition of birds of the local rich fauna.
  • Where to eat: In “Meteora” local restaurant, where friendly Ketty will offer you a variety of all her specialties.
  • Where to sleep: “Hotel Grand Meteora” (www.grandmeteora.gr) or “Hotel Kastraki” (www.hotelkastraki.gr

Extra Tips

  • Horseriding along the beaches (“Milies Riding Naturalistic Club”)
  • Escort private tour guide (Dimitris) for the hiking tours (also the guide will explain to you all about Pelion’s beautiful and extremely rich and unique flora)
  • Boat trip to the beaches
  • Cooking lessons, in Kritsa (Portaria’)
  • Hiking in the mountain paths or kalderimia (“Pilion Walks”)
  • Mountain bike in Pelion’s paths (“Montis Ordo”)