A Traveler’s Tale Of Athens To Nafplion
I can scarcely describe what I feel when I visit Greece. It is a country that is staggering in its beauty, virtually every month of the year! There are so many travelers who want everything to be perfect and planned but sometimes it is the spontaneity that makes the difference. What is the point if you will tour according to a schedule and then go home? I have found the best way to just use a rented car and blend in with your surroundings as if you have always lived there. There are delights to be found in each corner of the city if you know where to look! A Traveler’s Tale Of Athens To Nafplion by Litsa!
For true Athenians, there is no greater joy than to spend the weekend or even just a day in the spell-bounding city of Nafplion. There are twisting roads in this seaport and breath-taking scenery to take in and you can always indulge in a little shopping and an afternoon respite at the numerous roadside cafes there. If you are an enthusiast of Venetian and Turkish historical buildings, you will love roaming around and taking in the architectural fortifications as well as sculptures which have rich tales of the past to tell!
I almost felt like I was in a fairytale- what with the magnificent Palamidi Fortress that towers over a thousand steps of stairs, the Boutrzi Castle which is also known as the ‘water castle.’ Imagine that! It was made to protect the city of Nafplion from pirates and invaders. When I visited it, I could almost see the castle back in olden times it hadn’t changed all that much. Amidst all this rich culture, there is bougainvillea almost everywhere in the city with a number of colors to entice the weary traveler. Sometimes it will provide a shower of color when the wind blows and other times much needed shade under its petals.
A Traveler’s Tale Of Athens To Nafplion by Litsa!
When I was traveling from Athens to Nafplion, I had to stop in a dear little town called Loutraki. It is a vacationing spot that falls right on the Gulf of Corinth and is a mere sixty kilometers from Athens. I soon found that Loutraki had been almost entirely destroyed in the year 1928 by an earthquake, which is why there is little apparent history here and all the architecture is fairly new and boasts of modern design. As a tired traveler, I took part in their world-famous spa-like baths and it was an invigorating experience like nothing I have ever had! After a nice hot bath, I enjoyed a gelato by the sea in a little place called Koukos Glace. A gem of a place with an amazing choice of flavors, all so new and delicious!
I had been told that the best restaurant to enjoy authentic Greek Cuisine is the Maestrali and hence I visited that next. Even a simple dish of beef pasta is enough to arouse the senses; believe me! Not to mention you get a considerable entrée size. For lovers of seafood, I recommend Giannis which has a lovely Pikilia seafood platter and shrimp saganaki- again with portions big enough to serve an army! If you find you are craving a bit of American food, the Loutraki Casino is a wonderful place for a buffet breakfast. On your way out of Loutraki, remember to snap a lot of photos in the Corinth Canal- I know I did. It’s the perfect tourist spot.
Speaking of which there is much history to be devoured in the ancient Corinth as it is known as the location of the Greeks learning about Christianity for the first time from the Apostle Paul. There is a museum made here to the effect for history enthusiasts to brush up on their facts. Next head on over to Nafplion but make sure it is before the sun sets as you want to be able to enjoy this seaport in all its glory which may be masked by the cover of night!
When the evening does descend, however, don’t waste an opportunity to walk the streets and shop a bit more! When I was there I found this small shop and thoughts I’d spend all my money even though I’m usually a careful spender- such is the magic of the place!
A Traveler’s Tale Of Athens To Nafplion by Litsa!
I found the perfect little souvenir shop on Amalias 4 called Takis Souvenirs and found myself striking up a conversation with the shop owner who you could tell was madly in love with the city he lived in and had a lot to say about it. What a delightful man! He made it easy for us to shop, his energy was very positive! I love to shop where I feel good, and the people have a happy disposition! I end up shopping more if am happy! And that is what we did with my friend!
In Nafplion I found the best dining experience to be provided by Kipos, at Plateia Filellinon although I wish I could have visited every restaurant in the city. As a tourist I would say keep your belongings close by and in check as a foreign country can pose any number of unique challenges- it is better to not draw too much attention to yourself.
Do visit Nafplion at least once; I know you’ll love it!
A Traveler’s Tale Of Athens To Nafplion by Litsa, a great pleasure indeed!!
Litsa with Love!