Arachova
Only 160
kilometers from Athens, Arachova is perfect for Weekend escapes.
Considered by many
as the Queen of the Greek villages, Arachova stands ageless on the mountain
slope. Arachova did not become one of the most popular destinations by chance,
the idyllic scenery, vivid night life, delicious local cuisine, and graphic
cobblestone alleys are the areas trademarks. This village is the perfect match of
traditional folklore and trendy life style.
Mountain Set up
Graphic and
beautiful in its Amphitheatrical set up, full of stone-built houses and steep
small alleys, prepare to be amazed by the spectacular Panoramic view.
Venture in the
outdoors, starting from the bridge of Arachova and take a step back to enjoy
the breathtaking view. Then, make your way to the town Clock which the locals
call “e ora”. In the old days around 1895, this was the bell tower of the nearby
church. This was the case till a local monk took the initiative and raised the
money to turn the tower into a clock. During that time, this was considered
quite radical as the locals did not use clocks for their everyday life.
Take a walk at the
main street where most of the shops are situated. Apart from the bars, restaurants,
and cafes, you will be surprised to find trendy clothing-accessory boutiques. Here you will also find unique souvenirs
collections like Shepperd’s crooks.
Let yourself be
lost in the maze of its upper town cobblestone alleys which the locals call
“kalderimia”. Soak in the scent of the flowers which decorate the village
houses and experience smells coming out of the local kitchens where the housewives
prepare the family’s next meal. Head uphill through the small neighborhood
alleys, all the way up to Ai Giorgi church where a rewarding experience awaits
for you. The best view of the whole village!
If you like having
your meal at the busiest spot of the town, head to the main square and enjoy
your brunch. Most shops here offer hearty western brunches under the relaxing
lounge music.
Food Experience
As for the food
experience, well, Arachova has dozens of restaurants to choose from. Many
recipes are traditional and go back decades, some of them are even run by the
third generation and have a history of almost 100 years. The decoration of
these restaurants is filled with folklore and memorabilia that take you back in
time. Traditional Barbeque dishes made by home grown stock, melted cheese
delicacies and fresh vegetables, delicious legume recipes, are only a fragment
of the local dishes that you may enjoy in Arachova. For a western taste, head
to the main square and take your pick between the all day restaurant-bars for a
more fine dining experience.
Besides the
taverns & restaurants, save an early noon for a siesta at Papaioannou
square. Take your pick from the various traditional “ouzeri” cafes for some local
savory appetizers and Tsipouro drink distilled from local grapes. Then head to
a local pastry for a taste of the traditional Arachova sweet called Rozie
(almond paste mixed with rose water and sugar powder). It is certain that when you leave Arachova,
your scale will not be happy!
Night Life
Arachova’s goes
hand in hand with nightlife. After your long day, it would be wise to take a
relaxing break at your hotel before the sun sets. After Arachova illuminates
for the night activities, it is time for your evening venture. Explore the
village center and pick one of the cozy cobblestone bars. You may either relax
in a laid-back wine bar or choose a more lively bar for dancing till the late
hours.
Parnassos Ski resort
Every year, skiers
set their appointments at Parnassos mountain, or the “balcony of Parnassos”
like some folks call it. If you come unprepared, not to worry, the area is
filled with Winter sport accessory shops that either rent or sell Ski &
snowboard equipment & apparel.