I can hardly describe what I felt during my trip to Greece. It is a country that is astounding in its beauty, practically every month of the year! There are so many travelers who want everything to be perfect and planned, but sometimes it is spontaneity that makes the difference. What’s the point if you tour according to a schedule and then go home? I have found the best way to simply use a rental car and blend in with your surroundings as if you have always lived there. There are delicacies to be found in every corner of the city if you know where to look!
For true Athenians, there is no greater joy than spending the weekend or even just a day in the fascinating city of Nafplion. There are winding roads in this seaport and stunning scenery to enjoy and you can always enjoy a bit of shopping and an afternoon respite at the many roadside cafes. If you are a fan of historic Venetian and Turkish buildings, you will love wandering around and looking at the architectural fortifications as well as the sculptures that have rich stories from the past to tell.
I almost felt like I was in a fairy tale, with the magnificent Palamidi Fortress towering over a thousand steps, Boutrzi Castle, also known as the “water castle”. Imagine that! It was made to protect the city of Nafpion from pirates and invaders. When I visited, I could almost see the castle in ancient times, not much had changed. In the midst of all this rich culture, there are bougainvillea almost everywhere in the city with an array of colors to appeal to the weary traveler. Sometimes it will provide a shower of color when the wind blows and other times much-needed shade under its petals.
When traveling from Athens to Nafpion, I had to stop in a dear little town called Loutraki. It is a vacation spot that falls right into the Gulf of Corinth and is only sixty kilometers from Athens. I soon found out that Loutraki had been almost completely destroyed by an earthquake in the year 1928, so there is little apparent history here and all the architecture is quite new and boasts modern design. As a weary traveler, I took part in their world famous spa-like baths and it was an invigorating experience like never before! After a nice hot bath I enjoyed an ice cream by the sea at a little place called Koukos Glace. It took me a long time to decide, so many flavors of ice cream and some so new, like the Baklava!
I had been told that the best restaurant to enjoy authentic Greek cuisine is Maestrali and therefore I visited it next. Even a simple plate of beef pasta is enough to awaken the senses; believe me! Not to mention you get a hefty input size. For seafood lovers, I highly recommend Giannis who has a delicious Pikilia seafood platter and shrimp saganaki, again with portions large enough to serve an army! If you are craving some American food, the Loutraki Casino is a wonderful place for a breakfast buffet. As you leave Loutraki, remember to take plenty of photos on the Corinth Canal. I know I did. It is the perfect tourist spot.
Speaking of which, there is a lot of history to be devoured in ancient Corinth, as it is known as the place where the Greeks first learned about Christianity from the Apostle Paul. There is a museum made here for history buffs to brush up on their doings. Next, head to Nafpion, but make sure it’s before the sun goes down, as you want to be able to enjoy this seaport in all its glory, which can be masked by the dark of night. However, when night falls, don’t miss the chance to shop some more! When I was there I found this little shop and thought I would spend all my money even though I usually spend carefully, such is the magic of the place!
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 was obviously madly in love with the city he lived in and had a lot to say about it. What a charming man! The energy was so good we did some serious shopping with my friend and he loved every minute of it!
In Nafpion I found the best gastronomic experience provided by Kipos, in Plateia Filellinon, although I wish I had visited all the restaurants in the city. As a tourist I would say keep your belongings close and under control as a foreign country can present a number of unique challenges; it is better not to attract too much attention. Visit Nafpion at least once; I know you will love it!
litsa!