In the heart of Greece, Thessaly, with the exciting nature, and the Sporades, the beautiful lush green islands of Skiathos, Skopelos and Alonnisos, are going to seduce you. Majestic mountains (Kissavos), geological marvels (Meteora), famous rivers (the Pineios), gorges, valleys, lakes and a multitude of beaches. Discover the singular and exciting beauty of this part of Greece: Meteora, Pelion, Lake Plastira, Volos, Larissa, Tempi, Elati – Pertouli, the exotic islands of Sporades and many more destinations welcome you to the place where the greatness of beauty takes center stage.Enjoy the sea and sand, alone or with company

The most popular beaches are in Pelion, offering a choice of sand or white pebbles to go with the turquoise water. Some of the most magical are Horefto, Ai Ioannis, Papa Nero, Damouhari, Fakistra and from Mylopotamos to Potistika in southern Pelion. At the Sporades, you will find amazing beaches well-known around the world – beaches of outstanding beauty such as Koukounaries and magical Lalaria on Skiathos, and Kastani, Panormos, Milia, Stafylos and Velanio on evergreen Skopelos, and Agios Dimitrios, the star of Alonissos).

Hiking, 4Χ4, canyoning, ski, water sports
Walking through the old stone paths of Pelion, you will explore villages and monasteries, fountains, fertile forests, stone bridges. Hiking in the vicinity of Meteora offers incredible views. Kissavos is the ideal choice for off-road experiences, as well as mountain biking, and canyoning (the Kalypsous Gorge and its cascades). All beaches from Agiokampos, Pelion and the Sporades are ideal for all kind of water sports. The calm waters of the Pagasitic Gulf south of Pelion are suitable for sailing and sea canoeing. Choose the popular ski resort of Pelion to enjoy incredible views during winter, and the Lake Plastira for dozens of exciting activities (horseback-riding, archery, cycling, canoeing, rowing and more). Offroaders will enjoy the tracks around northern Pelion, around Tsagarada and Kissos. One very special experience is crossing the Agrafa next to the river while the dirt tracks in the mountains above Nafpaktos have been called the Switzerland of Greece.

Local culinary wonders

• In Thessaly, you’ll enjoy homemade trahana soup, sometimes even for breakfast, in the mountain villages in the winter. Also traditional here, are pies of various kinds. In Pelion, especially in Zagora and Portaria, women’s cooperatives produce various sweets for you to buy, while in the tavernas you might try the spetsofai (sausage sauteed with peppers) and the galotyri, creamy curd cheese. At the tsipouro joints of Volos you’ll be initiated into the tsipouro ceremony, which involves downing many little glasses of the fiery liquor, somewhat tempered by lots of small plates of mezedes. In Larissa and Trikala you will savour delicious cheeses like kasseri, kefalograviera and graviera.
• The Sporades: Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonissos: Three lush green enchanting islands with stunning beaches. Among them, the famous sea park of the Northern Sporades. Discover Skiathos, the birthplace of Alexandros Papadiamantis, and enjoy a relaxing swim in Koukounaries, one of the most beautiful beaches in Greece. In Skopelos, where “Mamma Mia” was filmed, you will admire the unique architecture of its capital town (“Hora”). In Alonissos’ hiking trails, you will explore the beauty of unspoiled nature.
• Meteora: Το nature’s masterpieces, people have added their own. The largest, most important monastic community in Greece, after Mount Athos, a world-famous monument lies in Thessaly. Built on the evocative meteoric rocks, the monasteries of Meteora are waiting to reveal their treasures to you.
• Volos: Volos’ colourful waterfront is a gourmand’s delight, with its many eateries, including early industrial buildings transformed into multi-purpose centres that offer dozens of dining and entertainment choices. But don’t overlook its many fine museums and the archaeological sites of Dimino and Sesklo.
• Larissa: In this small Greek town, lying on both banks of the river Peneus, you will find important attractions such as its famous ancient theatres and the acropolis on the hill of Aghios Ahillios.
• Tempi: At Tempi, the Pineios River carves a narrow and verdant gorge between the mounts Olympus and Ossa. Nearby Ambelakia is famous for its listed grand houses.
• Pelion: Pelion is a universal favourite destination in Greece, with its fine traditional architecture, untouched villages, bridges, old fountains, grand houses and Moutzouris, its little train. Some of the most famous villages are Makrinitsa, Zagora, Tsagkarada, Mouresi, Kissos, Vyzitsa and Milies.
• Lake Plastira: Lake Plastira is where to go to relax in gorgeous surroundings and take up various sports and off-road driving.
• Elati & Pertouli: An ideal all-year destination. The meadows framed by fir forests at Elati and Pertouli, in the southern Pindos, are of incomparable beauty.
• Chios: Discover the 20 mastic villages on the south side of the island, where the rare masticha trees are cultivated; the handsome, stone dwellings of Anavatos near the cliff; and the wonderful yellow-red stone of the 19th and 20th century villas in Kambos.
• Lesvos: The petrified forest, the likes of which exist only on this island and in Arizona, and 18th century towers in the countryside, will transport you to another time.
• Ikaria: The main town (Christos) comes to life only at night, with shops opening after 9pm. The only shop open during the day is the bakery.
• Limnos: The castle in Limnos’ principal town – one of the best preserved in the Aegean – occupies a steep, rocky promontory flanked by two seaside neighbourhoods – the Romeiko (Greek) and Turkiko (Turkish) Yialo (shore). It was erected by the Byzantine emperor Andronikos I Komninos (1118-1185) on the site of older walls, most probably ancient.