Perfect Four Days in Meteora and Nafplio
Feb 4th, 2023, 05:11 AM
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Day One: Sunset from Meteora
Two monasteries down; four to go. It's Saturday night and all the good spots in Meteora get crowded for what seems like an evening sunset ritual.
Every night, there is a patient wait in several spots for the evening sunset. The colors can be long lasting, allowing us to get some shots from various spots on the way across and down from the Meteora area. These photos provide a glimpse of its attraction.
Every night, there is a patient wait in several spots for the evening sunset. The colors can be long lasting, allowing us to get some shots from various spots on the way across and down from the Meteora area. These photos provide a glimpse of its attraction.
Feb 4th, 2023, 01:11 PM
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Day Two: The Holy Monastery of Saint Nicholas of Anapafsas
We were warned of extra traffic on Sundays, so we got an early start to try to see the remaining four monasteries before the crowds got too bad.
The Monastery of Saint Nicholas is the first monastery on the northern loop, beginning shortly after you leave Kastraki.
It seemed we were the first to arrive on this morning and we almost had the place to ourselves, with the exception of a ticket seller. Of course, it is located at the top of a cliff, and there is a decent uphill walk to the steep steps you finally take to reach the entry.
We have read that only one monk lives here. We were given permission to photograph two of them. And, we spotted a fairly large beekeeping operation below the 900 year-old monastery.
The Monastery of Saint Nicholas is the first monastery on the northern loop, beginning shortly after you leave Kastraki.
It seemed we were the first to arrive on this morning and we almost had the place to ourselves, with the exception of a ticket seller. Of course, it is located at the top of a cliff, and there is a decent uphill walk to the steep steps you finally take to reach the entry.
We have read that only one monk lives here. We were given permission to photograph two of them. And, we spotted a fairly large beekeeping operation below the 900 year-old monastery.
Feb 5th, 2023, 04:14 AM
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Thank you KarenWoo Debbielynn thomasgetrost kleeblatt
Heimdall Although there is a nightly vigil for the sunset there, as everywhere, it can be hit or miss. The second day was a day without a cloud in the sky, and the sunset offered little color.
Heimdall Although there is a nightly vigil for the sunset there, as everywhere, it can be hit or miss. The second day was a day without a cloud in the sky, and the sunset offered little color.
Feb 5th, 2023, 04:32 AM
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Day Two: Holy Monastery of Roussanou
Our fourth monastery, Roussanou, might be considered the second convent. Founded in the 16th century, Roussanou is inhabited by nuns, who operate a gift shop, which included local products. The monastery is settled on a low rock, and, it’s easily accessible. The gardens were stunning.
Feb 5th, 2023, 02:54 PM
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Day Two: Varlaam Monastery
Varlaam is named after the lone monk that started the place in 1350. After being abandoned, it was re-opened and expanded by more monks in the 1500’s.
It was built using the only access at the time, ropes and baskets, with a system still in use, even while we were there.
This monastery is gorgeous in every way. Historical objects, like a massive old wooden rain barrel, art, a grand museum, large inside areas and terraces. We just beat the crowds to this place, which we felt was the most photogenic of all of them.
It was built using the only access at the time, ropes and baskets, with a system still in use, even while we were there.
This monastery is gorgeous in every way. Historical objects, like a massive old wooden rain barrel, art, a grand museum, large inside areas and terraces. We just beat the crowds to this place, which we felt was the most photogenic of all of them.
Feb 5th, 2023, 08:28 PM
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I'm loving this trip report! Greece has always been on my radar, but it's becoming a serious contender for spring vacation 2025.
Oddly enough, there is a Greek monastery complex that's open to the public in Florence, Arizona. It's kind of in the middle of nowhere, about an hour outside of Phoenix, but it has about half a dozen churches, orange and olive groves, and gardens. It's like a little piece of Greek paradise in the desert. I visited recently while visiting family in Arizona and was blown away!
Oddly enough, there is a Greek monastery complex that's open to the public in Florence, Arizona. It's kind of in the middle of nowhere, about an hour outside of Phoenix, but it has about half a dozen churches, orange and olive groves, and gardens. It's like a little piece of Greek paradise in the desert. I visited recently while visiting family in Arizona and was blown away!
Feb 6th, 2023, 06:49 AM
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I'm loving this trip report! Greece has always been on my radar, but it's becoming a serious contender for spring vacation 2025.
Oddly enough, there is a Greek monastery complex that's open to the public in Florence, Arizona. It's kind of in the middle of nowhere, about an hour outside of Phoenix, but it has about half a dozen churches, orange and olive groves, and gardens. It's like a little piece of Greek paradise in the desert. I visited recently while visiting family in Arizona and was blown away!
Oddly enough, there is a Greek monastery complex that's open to the public in Florence, Arizona. It's kind of in the middle of nowhere, about an hour outside of Phoenix, but it has about half a dozen churches, orange and olive groves, and gardens. It's like a little piece of Greek paradise in the desert. I visited recently while visiting family in Arizona and was blown away!
Feb 6th, 2023, 07:05 AM
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Day Two: Holy Monastery of Great Meteoron
Our last visit was to Great Meteoron, the oldest, largest and tallest of the six monasteries. This was the busiest of the monasteries.
A spectacular and colorful orthodox church, full of icons and frescoes, was packed with people and included monitors making sure we didn’t get a photo.
A spectacular and colorful orthodox church, full of icons and frescoes, was packed with people and included monitors making sure we didn’t get a photo.
Feb 6th, 2023, 08:37 AM
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We arrived Saturday afternoon and visited two monasteries before closing. The other four were on Sunday, the first two before the Sunday crowds and buses began their peak times. Fortunately, the last two were spacious enough to accommodate the growing crowds.
Feb 6th, 2023, 12:30 PM
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Day Three: The Drive to Nafplio
Another gorgeous day for a drive on great, uncrowded roads with more attractive roadside rest areas. Along the way, we saw lots of different mini orthodox chapels, something you often see in addition to the full-size ones, on private properties and hillsides in Greece. Just as we see dealers in the US with lots full of backyard sheds of various sizes and shapes for sale, we noticed two similar commercial lots selling these chapels, also in various colors and configurations.
Despite the five-hour drive, there was lots of scenery, including two gulfs, the Ambracian Gulf and the Gulf of Corinth. The many tolls included the priciest one we encountered, this one for the stunning Rio-Antirro Bridge, one of the world’s longest fully suspended bridges of its type. The toll was close to $15.
Despite the five-hour drive, there was lots of scenery, including two gulfs, the Ambracian Gulf and the Gulf of Corinth. The many tolls included the priciest one we encountered, this one for the stunning Rio-Antirro Bridge, one of the world’s longest fully suspended bridges of its type. The toll was close to $15.
Feb 7th, 2023, 04:24 AM
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Day Three: Nafplio
Nafplio is often on the list of the "most romantic" cities in Greece. It sure is picturesque. Think colorful architecture and bougainville, history, cobblestone streets, and just about all the restaurants and shops fit for a magazine cover.
Statues, parliament buildings, perfect structures and, of course the ancient castle that hovers over the town.
It is early October, but the weather gods have given us a couple of beautiful summer days. And there are no people. A peacock strutting around the streets, a lazy dog but no people. The restaurants stay open year-round here, and we expected an evening crush of business, but it didn’t come the two nights we were there.
The signature island fort is there every time you look out at the water, day or night. It has changed military hands, first the Venetians, then the Turks and finally the Greeks before becoming a home for local executioners.There are boat excursions there, but we were told you cannot step foot on it, so you may as well just have a drink and look at it from a distance.
Statues, parliament buildings, perfect structures and, of course the ancient castle that hovers over the town.
It is early October, but the weather gods have given us a couple of beautiful summer days. And there are no people. A peacock strutting around the streets, a lazy dog but no people. The restaurants stay open year-round here, and we expected an evening crush of business, but it didn’t come the two nights we were there.
The signature island fort is there every time you look out at the water, day or night. It has changed military hands, first the Venetians, then the Turks and finally the Greeks before becoming a home for local executioners.There are boat excursions there, but we were told you cannot step foot on it, so you may as well just have a drink and look at it from a distance.
Feb 7th, 2023, 06:05 AM
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I love your photos of Nafplio! It is such a beautiful city. We stayed there 5 nights at the Pension Omorfi, and visited nearby ruins, such as Epidaurus, Mycenae and Mystras (my favorite). We drove down the Argolid peninsula to Ermioni. Spent a day or two exploring Nafplio and the fort.
This is my photo that is similar to yours. Taken last May. Everywhere you turn there is bougainvillea!
This is my photo that is similar to yours. Taken last May. Everywhere you turn there is bougainvillea!
Feb 7th, 2023, 06:34 AM
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I love your photos of Nafplio! It is such a beautiful city. We stayed there 5 nights at the Pension Omorfi, and visited nearby ruins, such as Epidaurus, Mycenae and Mystras (my favorite). We drove down the Argolid peninsula to Ermioni. Spent a day or two exploring Nafplio and the fort.
This is my photo that is similar to yours. Taken last May. Everywhere you turn there is bougainvillea!
This is my photo that is similar to yours. Taken last May. Everywhere you turn there is bougainvillea!
