Falling temperatures bring out a different side of Greece
Greece is so closely linked to summer vacations that it rarely features in winter escape plans.
That’s a shame, because while it rules the Mediterranean in the heat of July and August, it’s also got some pretty cool moves in the dead of December. Falling temperatures sprinkle new magic on stone-built villages lost in deep forests and medieval castles built into that beautiful Greek coastline. Throw vibrant cities into the mix, and a whole new perspective of the country opens up. Here are six classy places to consider for a Greek winter getaway.
A hidden mountainous treasure in the Epirus region of northwestern Greece, Zagorochoria is a complex of 46 stone-built villages. This parkland ecosystem is where locals take special guests to illustrate their ideals of natural beauty. Scenic mountain roads and traditional arched stone bridges interconnect tiny villages filled with guesthouses and little cafes.
For dramatic scenery: Monemvasia
In the southern Peloponnese, the old town of Monemvasia is one of Greece’s best-preserved Byzantine citadels. It’s a fairy tale-style castle, off limits to cars, located on a small islet linked to the mainland by a bridge.
It looks as if it’s floating on the Myrtoon Sea. It is surrounded by aristocratic mansions, churches, hammams, fountains and winding paths. Monemvasia’s important role during the Byzantine period is still evident in the walls that dive into the deep blue sea.
