Leros food

Leros like many other Greek islands offers a gastronomic experience to every visitor with local food specialities made by  local housewives,  in the cafes, restaurants and the taverns, where the most tastiest and simple food is served. Leros culinary feast is based mainly on regional products,like, fresh fish, various pies and tartes, the delicious local cheese myzithra and  tsitsiri and the local honey  made out of thyme.

In Leros island, the simple and authentic cuisine is dominant in all places. The local cuisine of Leros is beyond the typical Greek food and cuisine of the package and mass tourism, is a cuisine as fascinating as the unique architecture of the island, the unique landscape and the   hospitality of its friendly inhabitants, who will welcome you, with a simple code of contact and communication. You will not find on Leros upmarket restaurants, nor typical Greek taverns full of hordes of tourists in Leros anyway.
The island of Leros that is surrounded by  the Aegean sea has a unique tradition in fish dishes. The island’s blue waters are very rich in fishes with a huge variety of different species therefore giving the local families numerous possibilities for the culinary choices every day.  Traditional Greek fish dishes are characterized by many unique variations. You can enjoy fresh fish especially at Panteli, and also in more remote areas like Xerokambo and Blefouti  having a view to the sea.

Although Leros island is one of those islands where seafood is an important part of a family’s daily meals, it does not mean that meat dishes are entirely absent from the local cuisine. In Leros the visitor will find many tasty and  traditional recipes. Lamb, pork, chicken, goat, beef,  and other meat products like sausages are served in the local taverns and restaurants. Meat is another main dish of every home in Leros but also in all local eateries. In Platanos and Agia Marina you will taste the typical Greek Souvlaki with pita bread.
 
The women of Leros know how to charm your taste with their cooking and especially with their various vegetable dishes cooked with a lot of olive oil . All kinds of fresh vegetables can be found on Leros like , squashes, fresh beans, aubergines, tomatoes, okras and green paprika  are some of the basic ingredients of the local vegeterian food.

Ithaca the island of Odysseus

Ithaca island is the legendary home of the Greek hero of the Trojan war , Odysseus. Ithaca is an island in the Ionian Sea, west of the mainland of Greece and north-east of Cephalonia. It is part of the Ionian Islands archipelago and has about 5000 inhabitants its area is 103 sq. km. The island has an area of 96 sq. km. Highest point is the Niritos mount 809 met height, the capital and main port is the Ithaca town. The island of Ithaca is very green and has many bays. Large parts of the island were destroyed. in 1953 by an earthquake that hit as well other Ionian islands like Kefalonia. The island of Ithaca can be reached is by ferry from Lefkada, Kefalonia and Patras The oldest settlement on the island dates back to the second millennium BC. Near the village of Pelikati, was discovered ruins from the Mycenae civilisation, as well as cyclopean walls. In other archaeological sites have been discovered pottery and Mycenaean objects of the geometric period.
 The island was occupied by the Romans in the second century BC. Later Ithaca was part of the Byzantine Empire. In the twelfth century, was occupied by the Normans of Sicily. After a brief time under Ottoman rule, Ithaca fell into the rule of the Republic of Venice. In the late eighteenth century, it is taken by France and then in 1809, by the United Kingdom. Finally, in 1864, the British returned Ithaca to Greece. The archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann believed that the Palace of Odysseus was on the mountain Aetos because according to some descriptions of Homer about the landscape around the palace there are some Cyclopean walls on the summit which indicates the existence of a Mycenaean settlement. The conclusions are controversial as another place on the island compete as the ancient palace site.

Preveza travel guide

Preveza by several national roads to the Greek road network. The National Highway 18 leads in a northerly direction toward Igoumenitsa in a southerly direction through the tunnel after Preveza Vonitsa in southern ambrakischen Gulf or on the island of Lefkada. The National Highway 21 leads in a north-easterly direction and continue to Filippiada Ioannina (north), or Arta (South East).

On the south of Preveza-lying peninsula Actium is the commercial airport of Preveza. The port of Preveza is located on the western coast of the Gulf  and not on the Ionian Sea. Rail links do not exist

Generally speaking Preveza is an expensive place to stay but if you book well in advance and steer clear of the all-important Preveza view you’ll be able to find reasonably priced pension-style Preveza accommodation with basic but comfortable facilities. There are also two youth hostels on the island and three well-equipped campsites.

The Preveza was established after the final decline of Nikopolis, probably in the 11 th century when surrendered by the Byzantine Emperor to the Venetians as emporeio . The primary reason for the recommendation was the favourable position at the mouth of Amvrakikos used for the transport and commercial needs of the continent and the Akarnania

In this first period and throughout the Middle Ages Preveza followed the fortunes of the Despot of Epirus, which was part. Normans under threat several times since, Venetians, Albanians, Turks, the Franks and finally occupied it in 1449, when the Sultan Bayezid made Preveza with Naval dockyards

Athens a concrete jungle

 Athens became important the recent years, About 50% of Greek industrial companies have their headquarters in the metropolitan area of Athens, the  trade with China has stressed the importance of the Greek shipping increase, most Chinese products on the Greek container ship to Europe. The Athens map has change in the resent years as the city is expanding further to the coastal resorst to the east, west and south of the greater Athens area. A big problem is the textile industry, which no longer competitive, but a major employer. the Olympic Games have an intensive building activity in Athens. The new infrastructure with highways makes easy the day trips from Athens to several places in Attica.
Athens has the advantage of the remoteness of Europe, because the city become an important trading post between Europe and the Orient,.In Athens, mainly in the suburbs built new residential buildings, most of the major projects concerning the infrastructure or administrative buildings. An urban blessing was the Olympics, to the many planned projects pushed or only achieved. There currently is the largest city park in Europe on the site of the former airport. The center of the modern city is the Syntagma Square, where the old Royal Palace, the Greek Parliament and other public buildings of the 19 th century. It established itself as the center of Athens after the devaluation of the transport centre of Harmony. In the 3 decades that followed World War II was build many new multi-storey buildings, which they characterize the current image of the town. Incomplete but was urban planning of the city in these decades of development, without provision for parks and public spaces and broad avenues. These problems contribute to the characterisation of the city which the recent municipal authorities  and governments are trying to reverse pedestrian roads to with roads, public works and extensive subsidy maintenance of external faces of buildings. The municipality has given a great effort to the development of the historical center of Athens. Sightseeing is a great pleasure through the pedestrian roads around the Acropolis. The general picture of Athens today is of a modern city.

Greece tourist information

Greece usefull information: Lost or damaged baggage: If your baggage contains valuables, declare them to the airline at the origin before travelling! In case of loss, you will be entitled to compensation for the full amount declared.
Report the loss or damage to your baggage immediately with the “lost and found” department of the airline involved.

Health information: Take proper protection against some infections and hazards, such as:

Gastroenteritis – traveler’s diarrhea – Foodborne diseases ( nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fever etc.).
How to prevent them: Wash always your hands before and after eating. Tap water in Greece is safe to drink but avoid using water from wells. If in doubt choose bottled water. Eat vegetables and fruit that have been washed well. Avoid raw and undercooked food.
Sun exposure. Always bear in mind that the sun can be dangerous. Ultraviolet sun radiation includes UVA and UVB rays which can cause skin damage(burns, cancer, melanoma) as well as thermal exhaustion and shock. Do not expose in the sun too long and always protect yourselves.
Service and tipping advice: The custom of tipping is not as precisely regulated although it is customary to offer some gratuity for a service well done. More often, however, you are presented with a bill which includes a service charge. If this is the case it will be approximately l0-l5%. If you would like to leave a little extra for the waiter, you might round up to the nearest 5 or 10 euro leaving 1-2 euros on the table for the busboy and tip porters and concierges between 2 -3.00 €. You are generally expected to tip a taxi driver rounding up the amount to the next round euro figure. Others, should be tipped in proportion to the level of services rendered. There is one little service charge in Greece which may cause you a bit of surprise. When you enter a restroom in a public place you will often be greeted by an attendant who is invariably an elderly black-clad woman. She maintains the facilities and bestows toilet paper and should accordingly be rewarded with a small tip of few cents.

Calling someone: As always in Europe, the golden rule is never call home from a hotel room. The charges can break your heart. Public telephones take prepaid phone cards, is the cheapest way to make intercity or international calls, you purchase them from the kiosks and they allow you to know exactly how much money you are spending.

Mobile Phones: In Greece you can use all GSM mobile phones but, US cell phones do not work in Greece.  If you bring your own mobile phone with you, when you first switch it on in Greece, will be prompt of which mobile phone provider to use. We recommend you to choose the one recommended by your home mobile phone service provider.
Incoming calls are expensive, because you pay for the international part of the call (from your country, where your phone service is provided, to you, in Greece). Tip: Check on rates and services with your phone service provider, before your travel.

Internet and E-mails  When traveling in Greece you want to have a look at your e-mails, or at your favorite news site using your Notebook, but don’t have an Internet Connection or your provider don’t offer roaming in Greece. Tip: Easiest way to “connect” your own notebook in Greece and on all your travels worldwide, is to set up an account with Net Roamer They give you an ISP account that you can use worldwide without changing settings on your laptop alternativelly you can buy a internet cart for several internet providers like cosmote for 10 euros from every kiosk.

Postal Service ELTA: If you need to send a letter there are stamp vending machines and post-boxes outside all central post offices. Parcels sent abroad must be inspected, so do not wrap and seal them beforehand. Brown paper, soft padded envelopes and cardboard boxes can be bought at the post offices themselves. Signs denoting post offices are usually bright yellow, as are post-boxes. Most places which sell postcards, such as the street kiosks, also sell stamps.

Electric Current: The standard in Greece is 220V AC (50Hz).

Time: Greek time is two hours ahead of G M T, an hour ahead of Central European Time and seven hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.

Visiting Churches and Monasteries:  You are expected to dress in a respectable manner when visiting churches and monasteries: long trousers for men, sleeved dresses and no miniskirts or shorts for women. Shopping in Greece is cheaper then many other countries of the EU.

Public holidays in Greece: The legal National holidays in Greece are:

January 1, New Year’s Day
January 6, Epiphany Day (Baptism of Christ),
41 days before Easter – Clean Monday (Kathari Deftera) – End of the Carnival.
March 25,  The Revolution Day – against the Turks.
Good Friday to Easter Monday ( Greek Orthodox dates ).
May 1, Labour Day
Whitmonday (Holy Spirit Monday), day after Whitsunday (Pentecost), the 7th Sunday after Easter
August 15, Assumption of the Virgin
October 28, The “Ohi” (=No) Day – II world war
December 25 and 26,  Christmas days.
On these holidays, Government offices, Banks, Post offices, most stores, and many restaurants are closed; a few museums, sites and attractions may be open. Before your visit Greece is a good idea to learn some Greek phrases and find out more about wither in Greece as sometimes it can be even snow in Athens as well as in many Greek islands like last february there was a lot of snowing in islands that   have rare snow like Kalymnos or Naxos, Paros, Santorini, and even Crete. Always is good to have several maps of Greece .

Tourist Police: offers information and help, whenever tourists face problems, solve minor differences between tourists and entreprises. Tel. No.171 is an emergency telephone line on a 24 hour basis from all over Greece and the Greek islands.

For more information on tourism matters you may visit Greek National Tourism Organisation – G.N.T.O. (EOT in Greek) website and find plenty.
Otherwise the G.N.T.O. addresses in Athens are:
Head office: 7, Tsoha Street, Athens. Tel.: 210 8707000. e-mail:info@gnto.gr Working hours: Weekdays 08.00-15.00
Information desk: 26, Leoforos Amalias, 105 64 Athens.  Tel.: 210 3310565, 210 3310692.
Information Desk at “Eletherios Venizelos” airport (arrivals hall). Tel.: 210 3530445-448. Working hours: Monday-Sunday: 08.00-22.00

For information abou the arrivals and departures  of Greek ferries to the Greek islands call the port authorities in Piraeus port at 210 4124585

Strolling in Athens

 A stroll through the streets of Athens in October time is a joy, thanks to the glamour of the city is blessed with spared when the great heat of the Mediterranean  sun. Autumns in Athens is by far a nice  season, and it is certainly  not as bad as winter. Summer in Athens are nothing of what you see in other European towns : drab and dreary day full of darkness and loneliness is not simply a phenomenon. In fact, Athenian October are filled with optimism – the weather is still pleasant and the first light of autumn rains do much to the atmosphere, so that the attic area even more beautiful. Athenians have always been particularly at this time of year, a time when they are preparing for a new season and a new beginning. It seems, October brings the optimist in all of us.The fruits of this optimism are cracking all over town: numerous artistic and othe Athens cultural events will be staged, which together represent, or better reflect Athens  creative perspectives. Why not visit the  museum of Athens like the Museum of Cycladic Art, the Benaki Museum, or one of the many smaller private collections and museums dotted around the city centre and the surrounding districts? course, you can also on the streets of Kolonaki, Plaka, Psirri, Syntagma and the historic centre to indulge in a little shopping therapy  in Monastiraki, the cheap stuff are also hard to resist!

The summer in Athens licence must not cause your loneliness. Instead, I should proideazei to wander the beaches deserted  capital and enjoy away from the crowds and noise.

The town is decorated by public gardens and groves of course, they are not able to address the shortage of green space, such as: 

The National Garden, next to the Parliament, which has an area of 150 acres and was created under King Otto, in 1842. It is full of wild “forest” and day trees, ornamental shrubs, flowers and decorated with artificial pools that have aquatic plants and swans, fountains and vrysoules.

The Diomideios Garden in Haidari, area 1,500 acres, includes a standard, a rich collection of flowers and plants from around the world and National Legacy – the Central Committee headed by the University of Athens. Apart from the educational value, and is one of the most important recreation areas and green in western Athens.

Continuation of the National Garden is the garden Zappeio, created in 1887 by Stefanos Dragoumis, with an area of 130 acres. It has various kinds of trees and plants, a fountain with colorful lights and the palace of the Zappeion, where there are several reports.

The grove of the pedion Areos. The second green lung of the city, and tall trees, flowers and lakes, with broad streets and squares, with the tall statue of Athena and two small churches of Saints Taxiarches and San Charalambous. The garden began to be planted in 1934. Through the most recent regeneration deducted in instalments coating of the roads which are replaced by a tight soil giving the sense of rural life.Meet areas of the prefecture of Attica possessing coast perfect for happily spend your afternoon hours during the summer months

Entertainment in Athens is on the same wavelength optimistic. Athens businessmen and women to meet with all of its current standing demand for change and renewal. New restaurants in Athens and bars open their doors, while the well-known and successful companies are treating themselves to makeovers influenced by the latest trends.

Visa requirements for Greece

Greece is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement. For further details about passport/visa regulations within the Schengen area:

Visa is Required by all except the following:
* Nationals of E.U. countries, Australia, Canada, Japan and US for a period of up to 3 months;
* Nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Korea (Rep. of), Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, St Kitts & Nevis, San Marino, Slovak Republic, Switzerland and Vatican City for a period of up to 3 months;
* Nationals of Brazil, El Salvador and Uruguay for a period of up to 2 months;
* Nationals of Singapore for a period of up to 2 weeks;
* Passengers continuing their journey to a third country within 48 hours provided they are holding tickets with reserved seats and other documents for their onward journey except: Nationals of Angola, Bangladesh, Congo (Rep. of), Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria and Turkey who always need a visa, even if they are transiting on the same aircraft.
Note: The above list is subject to change at short notice; please check with the Greek Consulate or Consular section at the Greek Embassy in your country before travelling.

A Passport valid for 6 months is required by all except:
- EU nationals with a valid national ID card and with sufficient funds for their length of stay;
- Nationals of Monaco and Switzerland with valid national ID cards.

Required documents for visa:

Personal interview is sometimes necessary for the application.
Completed application form with stamped, self-addressed envelope.
Proof of sufficient funds to cover stay.
Fee (payable in cash).
Passport valid for at least 6 months with blank pages to affix visa.
1 passport-size photo.
Return or onward ticket or proof of booking / itinerary from travel agent.
Proof of reason for visit, such as proof of participation in the symposium or a letter of invitation from the Organising Committee.
Proof of travel insurance.
Time required to issue visa:

For personal applications: 3 weeks
For applications by post: 1 month
Type and cost of the visa: A uniform type of visa, the Schengen visa is issued for tourist, business and private visits. There are 3 types of Schengen visa: Short-stay, Transit and Airport Transit. The cost varries.

By ariving in the airport of Athens or in Piraeus harbour be sure to use the Athens public transport sytem, metro trolleys and buses. Visit also the famous Plaka the Acropolis of Athens and Monastiraki the flea Market. Buses in Greece connecting the whole of the Maionland.

Patmos island

 Patmos is a small Greek island in the Aegean Sea. It is one of the Dodecanese islands, has a population of about 2500 people and an area of 34.6 sq km. The highest point of the island is the Profitis Ilias, to 269 meters above sea level.

The main communities of Patmos are Chora and Skala, who is also the only port the most Patmos hotels , restaurants and bars are located in Skala. The churches and communities of Patmos belong to the Eastern Orthodox tradition.

Patmos is renowned for its mention in the letter of Christian Revelation. The introduction to the book states that the author, John, was banished in Patmos, and that there was and wrote their visions of Jesus. The traditions of early Christianity identify with this John of Patmos St. John the Evangelist. Therefore, Patmos is a major destination for Christian pilgrimage. Visitors can see the cave in which John allegedly took their visions. There are several monasteries on the island dedicated to St. John.

Patmos has ferry connections with Piraeus Lipsi, Leros, Kalymnos, symi, Kos and Rhodes

Greek Customs

On January 8 every year the custom of gynecocratia = female dominion or matriarchy revives in the villages of Monoklissia and N. Petra in the region of Seres, Northern Greece. On this date the women hang out in the “kafeneia” while the men stay home with the children and the chores. Only at nightfall they are allowed to join the women and celebrate with them. This custom also takes place in the villages of Strimi and Xilagani in the Komotini region and at Nea Kassani near Xanthi as well as in the village of Aspro near Kilkis. In the festivities later in evening, only the married couples of the community can take part.

The custom of “Gynekokratia” is very well known all over Greece, and a large number of visitors, Greek and foreign reporters visit the towns every year to watch the new «Amazons» controling the village for one day. The married women elect a woman as chairperson as well as the rest of the members of the Board, consisting also of women. Women occupy all the positions on that day. You encounter a role of reversal in society; a traffic policewoman, a post woman etc. The men are occupied with housework; they wash the clothes, do the ironing, look after the children and in general they wear the housewife’s apron and kept busy at home, which is left in a complete mess by the wives.

So, while the husbands are busy with the housework the wives are holding a «session» at the coffee shops. They smoke, play cards and enjoy themselves until the early hours. No men are allowed to take part in the festivities. If one of them dares to appear the least that is going to happen to him is to get drenched with water.

This is a Thracian custom brought here by the Thracian refugees. Another name for this custom is the festivity of «Babo» or «vrexoudio» because on the men who dare to go out of the house get completely wet. This custom is a distant recall of the primitive period’s matriarchal spirit, which was obvious in the religion of people from Asia Minor from the Prehistoric period. Most probably it influenced the northern areas (Thrace) and was slightly preserved in life. Lately, the custom adopted a particular festive style and became a real tourist attraction with its «Dionysus style» celebrations, in which women play the main roles.

Our tour, organised from 5 – 35 persons can be organised as a 2 days tour, or a 3 days tour combining the “epiphania” traditions of Northern

Hidden tips about Greece

There are many  places in Greece that many people want to visit, but it is very difficult to get access to them because its easier if you have your own car. Many places with historical past, culture and of course natural beauty.  The Ancient Olympia, Delphi, Mystras, Mycenae,  Monemvasia, the Mountain of Olympus and the ancient site of Dion, Meteora, Ioannina and the famous Zagorohoria  the villages of Pelion like Tsagarada, Arachova in Livadia there are just a few to mention, many people complaining that  organised tourism is too expencive and unsophisticated. The best thing you should do is get as much information about how to visit those places and do it your self. After all there are buses and trains in Greece with reasonable prices.

Of course this way its easy if you travel alone or just a couple but in cases of large families the best way is to rent a mini bus or arrange a private tour by coach.
The alternative of course is just to visit the Greek islands. The island of Andros in the cyclades its only a few hours from Athens the same like the Saronic islands of Aegina, Poros or Hydra. Greece is a hidden paradise worth visiting.