March 25th is a prime opportunity for a short escape from the bustling city, fumes and everyday life, for a few moments of relaxation and rest away from the shadows.
In fact, this year the National Anniversary falls on a Monday, giving us a three-day period that is just what we need for an excursion to one of the many beautiful parts of our country.
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Mountainous Arcadia is an ideal nearby destination for these days. It is in nature, away from the fast pace of the big city, with good food and unique places to explore.
In fact, it is inextricably linked to the Greek Revolution as it is the birthplace of great fighters of 1821 such as Theodoros Kolokotronis, Palaion Patras Germanos etc. with many events and special events especially for that day.
The beautiful mountain villages of Arcadia such as Dimitsana, Stemnitsa, Vytina etc. are a magnet for tourists from all over Greece and beyond.
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Read on Iefimerida.gr what you will see and what to do during the three days of March 25th in the villages of Orini Arcadia, but also where you will eat and drink.
Dimitsana
Dimitsana is a real, hanging gem, with many famously calling it “the balcony of Mountain Arcadia”. It combines rich history, natural beauty and magnificent Arcadian architecture.
It is only 2.5 hours from Athens, making it an ideal destination for a weekend or three days. It is located at an altitude of 946 meters, with a wonderful view towards the plain of Taygetos and over the gorge of the Lousios river, while the fir-covered Mainalo is just a breath away.
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Picturesque stone houses with orange tiled roofs, cobbled streets, winding alleys, smoking chimneys, stately guesthouses and traditional taverns make up the wonderful, Arcadian setting.
Where to go and what to see
Make a stop at the historic Library of the School of Dimitsana, where more than 35,000 books are housed, in the house of Palaion Patras Germanos and also of Gregory V. Among the attractions, the legendary clock of Agia Kyriaki, the emblematic stone bell tower of the village stands out.
A special experience is the Hydrokinesis Museum. It is an open-air museum, unique in all the Balkans, that takes us back to the pre-industrial era.
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With water as a driving force, it represents the functioning of the watermill, the water mill, the tannery and the gunpowder mill, while the walk in nature listening to the gurgling of the water is unique. During the Revolution, historic Dimitsana was the most important gunpowder supply center.
The area also has many monasteries worth visiting, such as the Eimyalon Monastery, the Philosopher’s Monastery, which housed the Secret School, and the Holy Forerunner Monastery, which is impressive and wedged into the rocks and seems to literally hang.
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To see it, it is worth the difficult descent down the path. The monks will wait for you with a treat: Greek coffee, pretzels and donuts. The view from the balcony is unbeatable.
Photo: Iefimerida.gr/Konstantina Voulgareli
Then you can continue to the Lousios river gorge, one of the most beautiful gorges in the Peloponnese. In addition to hiking and walking along its banks, you can also find activities such as rafting, canoe-kayaking, climbing or mountain biking.
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Where to stay and where to eat
Choose to stay in one of the many beautiful guesthouses, such as “Archontiko Deligianni”, at the entrance of Dimitsana. It is a stone-built family mansion, with wonderfully decorated and cozy rooms. The breakfast is delicious, traditional, homemade and handmade and is served in the warm living room, where the fireplace dominates. The fig jam is divine! The owners are kind and always available for any help and information.
The options for eating in Dimitsana are many and good. You will find everything from classic traditional taverns to modern bistros, cafes and bars that stay open until late.
At noon it opens to eat at the “Kapelio of the Immortals”, with an unobstructed view of the Lousios gorge. Try the pancetta-braid, teropitari and caper salad, while gazing at the green landscape.
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In the “Tevthis” tavern you will find excellent mezekliki and juicy wild boar, while in “Drymonas” delicious rooster with lasagna.
If you want something more modern, you will find it at “Ta Pano Kato”. The all day cafe-bar bistro is cozy and modern and you can find everything from comfort food like pasta, risotto and pizza, wine labels and some cocktails. A little next door, is “R4”, the ultimate evening hangout of Dimitsana with imaginative cocktails and finger food next to the fireplace.
For Greek coffee and divine baked goods (must try the orange pie), “4 seasons” is the romantic cafe with the beautiful, Parisian decoration that you must visit. At “Aroma Square” you will find delicious donuts and comfortable seats, while at “Cafe Antika” you will drink coffee and drinks with a rockier mood.
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Photo: Iefimerida.gr/Konstantina Voulgareli
A little outside of Dimitsana, towards Karkalou, it is worth stopping at “Lathos”. This is a spacious stone tavern in the middle of nowhere with generous portions of meats (if you’re a big party go for the sizzling stable steak in front of you!), perfectly paired with draft wine. Before you rush to go there, know that it is only open on the weekend.
For milk pie in Stemnitsa
Apart from Dimitsana, a one-day trip to Stemnitsa is ideal. It is only 15 minutes by car and you can combine it with a walk in the surrounding, equally beautiful Arcadian villages.
First stop at the Monument to the fallen, Heroon and the Castle of Stemnitsa. From there the view of the village is shocking. Next to it, there is a very old orthodox church, Panagia Bafero.
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Going downhill, you will come to the central square of Stemnitsa, the square of the First Peloponnesian Senate. There you will find all the traditional cafes and taverns of the village. At the “Senate Cafe”, opposite the bust of the “old man of Moria” you will drink the most delicious Greek and taste a delicious galaktobourek made from local milk as well as other sweets such as baklava and orange pie. Its interior, with its wooden tables, old photos on the walls and grandma’s wood-burning stove, will take you back in time. You can play board games, cards and of course the traditional backgammon.
Coffee stop in Vytina
Returning to Athens, make a stop at Vytina, the largest and most famous village in the area. In the central square you will find many cafes and taverns, which are full of people at the weekend.
A beautiful Lilliputian shop is the Espresso Bar, perfect for coffee and drinks, decorated with Italian-style bottles, exuding an urban essence.
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For food, the perfect choice is the “Red Jars”, a tavern with a fireplace and local specialties. From local products, it is worth buying Vytina honey, jams, spoon sweets, nuts, cheeses, etc.
Before you leave, take a stroll down the ‘Love Road’, a lovely, romantic drive smothered in trees, countless plane trees and maples.
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Photos: Shutterstock
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