5 Christmas destinations to forget the crisis!
If you belong to those who want to go somewhere for the holidays and think about money or you just do not want to follow the many and are looking for an original and alternative place to visit. Cosmo thought, searched and suggests you five destinations with special interest and low prices!
Oneiroupoli - Drama The village of Ag. Vassilis!
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, Santa Claus lives in the Dream City of Drama! You read well, if you visit the center of Drama, the lush garden and Eleftherias Square you will see with your own eyes the village of Agios Vassilis!
Cute wooden houses, scattered in the park, host activities for the little visitors at the "Post Office" of Oneiroupolis. Arcturus House »volunteers from the environmental organization help their little friends make teddy bears out of clay.
In the "Elf Atelier", one of the most favorite of the children, Santa Claus's assistants paint the children's faces and turn them into little elves. In the "House of Santa Claus" they are given the opportunity to meet the beloved Saint in person.
These are just a few of the activities that little friends of the fairytale state can visit along with the carousel, the train and many more toys. Traditional pies and piroski from the women of the area, local sausages and cheap bulk wine complete the scene and young and old live a festive situation, equal to their European counterparts.
With so many activities during the Christmas season, in recent years acritic Drama has become one of the most interesting winter destinations.
Of course, we could not leave unattended the natural beauty of the area, Drama is one of the few cities in Greece that manages to maintain such a beautiful, natural park as that of Ag. Barbara.
Vasilitsa - Grevena
The snow Queen!
If you still think you can not do, Christmas vacation without practicing your favorite ski. We have the solution here too, which goes by the name of Vasilitsa!
Name and thing, since we are talking about a "queen" of snow!
The National Ski Center of Vasilitsa, Grevena is evolving into one of the largest ski resorts in Greece, as it already has one of the largest slopes, while with the new projects the services offered were significantly upgraded.
Vasilitsa is located 45 km from the city of Grevena, towards the northwestern end of the prefecture and thanks to the excellent quality and long duration of snow, but also the perfect slopes, it quickly became known and gained fanatical visitors.
It is characteristic that in the last five years the traffic of visitors is increasing and more than expected, while in peak days in Vasilitsa the inseparable prevails. Thus, the operation of the ski resort undoubtedly brought a rapid development of tourism throughout the prefecture.
However, before going up to Vasilitsa, book an accommodation or room in the large and small hotel units and the dozens of hostels located in a zone of 20-30 km from the ski center or even in Grevena.
Kalavrita, a special ski resort!
Kalavrita historically appears in 776 BC. with the name Kynaithi. The name indicates the appeal of the inhabitants for hunting. Kynaithi is located SE of today's Kalavrita in the area between the chapel of Agios Konstantinos and the Castle
Their current name that appeared with the Frankish rule is due to the good and cool springs that ran in and out of the city. They are built at an altitude of 756 meters from the sea in the shadow of Chelmos in a privileged position full of fir trees.
In the Province of Kalavrita you can visit very important religious, historical, archaeological, nature and tourist attractions. The first and best for your Christmas getaways is the ski center of Kalavrita, which is located on the NW side of Helmos at an altitude of 1700m (Xerokampos) to 2340m (Neraidorachi). There is a rich snowy landscape here too!
The ski resort has been operating since 1988 and has 7 lifts, 12 slopes, ample parking spaces, cafes, restaurants, shops selling and renting equipment as well as a ski school. It is 14 km from Kalavrita and 203 km from Athens.
Finally, on New Year's Eve, a New Year's Eve party is organized in the big hall of Chalet, in Xerokampos Helmou (altitude 1750 m). with rich buffet, drinks, champagnes, royal pies, music, dance, fireworks and many happenings are waiting for you for an unforgettable reception of the new year 2010 ...
Xanthi, the city with a thousand colors!
Xanthi is not only worth it for its carnival. It may be mainly known for this but the colors and fragrances that enchant the visitor always live there! I think it is mainly the atmosphere of the city, which fits incredibly well with the festive atmosphere of the days and makes you feel that you are very far from everything that tires you every day.
Xanthi is a city in Thrace, the capital of the homonymous prefecture. Built at the foot of the Rhodope Mountains, at the beginning of the plain which extends south to the Thracian Sea. It is the commercial and spiritual center of the region and with one of its features, it is the multiculturalism and the harmonious coexistence of the Christian and the Muslim element.
The modern city is a pole of attraction for everyday life. Shops, squares, parks, entertainment centers such as cafes, restaurants, taverns, etc., with wonderful aesthetics, patisseries with sweets which are known throughout Greece and Europe with special flavors such as carioca and saragli.
Fun, another part of everyday life, is characterized by intense. It has a special liveliness and colorfulness: youth hangouts, cinemas, bars etc.
In the area of Xanthi, the world-famous aromatic tobacco Basmas is produced. Formerly she was called "lord" because of the wealth brought by the tobacco trade and in this way she became known to the ends of the world and gained glamor and great fame. The tobacco warehouses that survive to this day are characterized as architectural "behemoths" which narrate the old glories and the economic prosperity of the city and the region.
Steni Evia
Oxygen doses!
Steni is one of the most famous winter resorts in Greece. One of the most picturesque villages of Evia, built on the outskirts of Dirfi, the highest mountain of Evia, 30km. From Chalkida.
The former community of Steni has 1.280 inhabitants, is the seat of the Municipality of Dirfion and consists of three settlements. Pano and Kato Steni, and the almost abandoned settlement of Pyrgos (Skounderi). The center of the village is the paved square from where narrow paths start and branch to the last end of the densely built village. Inside the square there are picturesque fountains with plenty of running water. Many large plane trees cast their shadow over the picturesque cafes and traditional taverns.
You will not miss the snow here, dear traveler! Because just 8 kilometers from Steni we meet the Mountain Shelter, where you can stay and from there start your excursions!
If you belong to the gourmets and at this point Steni will satisfy you completely. With the many taverns and the Christmas sweets, which leave no one complaining.
Source: cosmos.gr
Basically I put it more because it had Xanthi otherwise I would not put it out here and the most intense color and font size if you do not paint your place is not possible