Politismos eMagazine | Travel
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Koroni: Motherland to the Koroneiki Olive!

09.10.2016 in Arts & Culture, Gastronomy, Travel

Koroni: Motherland to the Koroneiki Olive! Koroni is a town that was founded in ancient times, is the motherlands to one of Greece’s better known olive varieties, the “Koroneiki”, and a launching site for Russian meteorological rockets, from 1972 to 1989! Koroni (or Corone) is in the municipal unit of Pylos-Nestoras, one of the 6 municipalities of the regional unit of Messinia in the Peloponnese. It is nestled in a hill, below the impressive Venetian Castle of Koroni, to the southeast of the Messenian Gulf. Along with its counterpart, the town of Methoni with its own castle, the towns were of prominent…

Mount Athos: The Holy Land of Greece

09.09.2016 in Arts & Culture, History, Travel

Mount Athos: The Holy Land of Greece The heart of Byzantine splendor still beats on the steep slopes of Mount Athos. The “Holy Mountain” and the “Garden of the Virgin Mary” are some of the names given to Mount Athos over the years, a place which the Virgin Mary had chosen to be her garden on earth. In antiquity the entire region was called Ακτή (shore), and according to legend, the sea god Poseidon once killed a giant named Athos here using a massive piece of stone; the deceased’s name then given to the whole peninsula.   Mount Athos lies…

Saint Anthimos of Chios

09.09.2016 in Arts & Culture, History, Museums, Travel

Saint Anthimos of Chios In our home, we have a photograph of Saint Anthimos of Chios. That’s right, a photograph. We also have icons of the blessed Saint. But the photograph to me always made so much more of an impression, it was so much more personal, as if I could reach out and kiss his hand, just as my grandmother, and even my father, had done only decades ago. The saints I learned about growing up where sainted almost two thousand years ago, but Saint Anthimos, was canonized not even 25 years ago…   Born Argyrios Vagianos on the…

Fall, In Love with Greece

09.09.2016 in Travel

Fall, In Love with Greece Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun; Conspiring with him how to load and bless With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eaves run;   John Keats, To Autumn   Most people identify Greece with golden, sandy beaches and the warm, salty breezes of the Aegean and the Ionian Sea ─exclusively associated to none other than the magical summer months. There are, however, (at least!) three more months that are worth considering when making travel plans to the land of the Olympian Gods: September, October and November, namely the Fall…

St. Nektarios: The Saint of the 20th Century

09.09.2016 in Arts & Culture, History, Travel

St. Nektarios: The Saint of the 20th Century Teacher, writer, reverend father…. Saint Nektarios tended and cared for those who heeded his teachings, and even those who did not. Though he lived a life faced with many challenges, the Church today reveres his life and many contributions.   If asked what St. Nektarios means to me, I would answer much more than just the fact that we have the same name…   Born as a premature baby, weighing just a bit over three pounds, I was critically ill, and my parents prayed. They prayed and promised to name me after…

Delphi: Journey to the “Navel” of the Earth

01.08.2016 in Travel

Delphi:  Journey to the “Navel” of the Earth    Few places can boast the energy that Delphi delivers to its visitors! The navel (“omphalos” in Greek) of the Earth, the place where Ancient Greeks sought consultation from the oracle Pythia (the “priestess”). She was the channel through whom the gods would communicate with their people.  Her ambiguous prophecies delivered to priests for translation…    When the Temple of Apollo in Delphi was built, a rumor was spread that the god Apollo was living inside his sacred plant, a laurel bush, and through the rustle of its leaves, he prophesied of things to…

Just across the bridge to LEFKADA

01.07.2016 in Travel

Just across the bridge to LEFKADA    Lefkada, an Ionian island on the west coast of Greece, graced with an amazing 73 mile coastline of azure blue Mediterranean waters…    I have always envied Lefkadians (I’m a Kefalonian myself)!  For me and all other fellow Ionian-islanders, who happen to live elsewhere, it’s usually played out like this:  “Hey, let’s go visit mom & dad this weekend” – “Ok, sure”  Check weather forecast – make sure ferries run   Book tickets – check weather forecast – make sure ferries run  Start packing – check weather forecast – make sure ferries run   Drive-drive-drive –…

Once Upon a Long Long Time Ago…Dinosauria Park, Crete

01.06.2016 in Travel

Once Upon a Long Long Time Ago…Dinosauria Park, Crete   You’ve read the books, seen the movies, now it’s time to walk amongst these great creatures, and where better to see them than on the great island Crete!   Dinosauria Park in Heraklion, Crete is located just minutes outside the city and a must-see location when traveling with youngsters. Children of all ages can wander out about the outdoor park, explore the caves, and experience these masterful beasts in as they would have been out in nature.  The Museum also offers an exciting 5D and 7D cinema experience (at additional…

The Next Chapter in Discovering Crete: Travels in the West from Chania to Rethymno

01.06.2016 in Travel

The Next Chapter in Discovering Crete:  Travels in the West from Chania to Rethymno  There are many reasons to visit Crete – the marvelous beaches, the unique landscape and a noteworthy cultural history that can be seen and experienced in countless attractions throughout the island. Chania and Rethymno are visited by millions of tourists who want to enjoy the beauty of the nature, indulge in Cretan gastronomy and take in the rich history of these popular cities.    Chania: Venetian Architecture & Romance  Chania is situated in the furthest west part of Crete, a romantic city with Venetian buildings reminiscent of days gone…

Welcome to Crete! Welcome Home!

01.06.2016 in Travel

Welcome to Crete! Welcome Home!   After a long day’s drive through the mountain ranges of Crete, we stopped at a small village cafe to grab a coffee before we made our way to our hotel. We could never have anticipated the experience that followed… the people we met, the bonds we made.    As we made our way to a table under a large shade tree, the cafe owner greeted us with a warm smile, a handshake and pat on the back, asking where we were from after he noticed the “rental” name on our car.  Before we could…