Northern Pelio

Today we take a tour of the mountain villages on the west coast.

We climb up through wooded hillsides .

 

 

Stopping off at Vizitsa to walk around this preserved village settlement.

 

 

Many of the Mansion houses have been restored and have an elegant style.

 

 

They all have lovely stone roofs and decorated facades with shuttered windows.

Being on a hillside the steep cobbled cart tracks link the mansions.

 

 

The next village is Pinakates.

 

 

Climbing ever higher up the hillside we get some stunning views of the gulf.

 

 

We arrive at Agios Georgios with its stone built church and also a large monastery above.

 

 

To reach our next village we have to drive down into Agria and then climb up another valley to reach Drakia.

 

 

Drakia has a very pretty square which is dominated by a huge old Plane tree said to be over four hundred years old, or four thousand depending on the translation from the Greek.

 

 

The road from the village climbs steeply and we are soon into Beech trees which cover the slopes of Mt Pelio.

 

 

From Hania we turn left to visit another traditional settlement called Makrinitsa which overlooks the harbour town of Volos which was the home of Jason of Argonaut fame.

 

 

This delightful village is a little touristy but it is pleasant that there are no cars allowed.

 

 

The church of Agios Ioannis is in the square.

 

 

Desperately looking for a café which was open we descended three flights of stairs to an Hotel reception which turned out to be open.

We had a very nice coffee and cake break.

 

 

The following day we head east to discover the beaches on the Aegean side of the peninsular.

 

 

On this side the slopes run straight down into the sea and the roads are very convoluted.

The area seems to be a popular tourist destination and the first beach we arrive at is Papa Nero.

The temperature is climbing and the sea beckons, even Rob managed a swim at last.

 

 

Round the corner is the pretty resort of Agios Ioannis with a shingle beach and crystal clear water, as were all the beaches round here.

 

 

Heading away from the coast we pass through the small village of Kissos.

 

 

And head on up to the Pelion ski resort which we were told only had a one month season usually. This winter was exceptional and they were open for three months.

 

 

From here we re-joined the road down to Drakia passing Beekeeping heaven. This seems to be the main product of this area with hives at every turn.