Category Archives: Greece

Aegean adventure continues

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One of the great advantages of an Aegean cruise (on the GetAway 2027 agenda) is you usually get a chance to spend some time in Venice, Montenegro and Croatia. Stops in Kotor and Dubrovnik after some time in Corfu add a chance to experience beautiful scenery, ancient cultures and the heritage of the region. Thinking about a jaunt to the Greek islands including Montenegro and Croatia? GetAway Travel advisors are ready to chat with you about our 2027 adventure, or scheduling something sooner for you.

Cruise itineraries likely include stops in Milos and Kalamata and then on to the island of Corfu. Then travels to Montenegro and Croatia.

Corfu, Greece’s castle city

 Corfu, off the Northwest coast of Greece, has a cultural legacy honed by years spent under Venetian, French and British rule. But, it also has a legacy documented by tales of gods and heroes. Corfu, in mythology, was the home of the Phaeacians, the generous race of people who gave a ship-wrecked Odysseus a ship to he could return to Ithaca.

Paleokatstrista bay Corfu

The island name in Greek is “Kerkyra.” Kerkyra was the nymph who was the daughter of river god, Aspos. Sea god Poseidon became smitten with her and brought her to the island.

Corfu’s capital is the only city in Greece flanked by two castles, the Old Fortress and the New Fortress. They are placed strategically to ward off invaders. The city is the site of Greece’s first university and the first Greek Theatre and Opera House.

Corfu town, Old Fortress

Old Town and the Old Fortress are a UNESCO World Heritage site. Narrow passageways and streets in Old Town lead visitors to what is one of Europe’s largest public squares with a fabulous walkway that was once reserved for just the aristocracy.

St. Spyridon Bell Tower, Corfu

St. Spyridon has the tallest bell tower in the islands as well as relics of St. Spyridon. Inside there are wonderful icons and the ceiling decorations are stunning. Achilleion began its life as the summer home of Elsabeth of Bavaria, the Empress of Austria. The Neoclassical palace was designed by Italian architect Raffaele Caritto. The interior is a museum and the exterior includes fabulous gardens with decorations and sculptures.

Paleokastrista monastery Corfu

The Paleokastritsa Monastery dates back to the 13th century. The monks on site cultivate olives and press their own olive oil which is for sale.

Paleokastrista monastery mosaic of Jesus

There are groves around the island offering tours as well as some boutique wineries which offer tours.

Museums? Oh yes. There’s the Archeological Museum with items from ancient cities around the island, the Byzantine Museum of Antirouniotissa with rare icons and frescoes as well as other ecclesiastical items. The Asian Art Museum is one of the island’s more impressive museums. It is housed in the Palace of St. Michael and George. Just outside the city you can visit the Folklore Museum of Acharavi, the Sea Shell Museum and the Music Museum.

Ancient Greek temple in Corfu

Embrace the drama and cats of Kotor

 Stunning is the only way to describe Kotor, Montenegro. A gorgeous coastline bracketed by majestic mountain ranges greets visitors. The scenic bay is almost like a fjord and Europe’s deepest canyon, the Tara River Canyon is in Kotor’s Durmitor National Park. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the canyon is 4,300 feet deep and 51 miles long.

Tara River Canyon

There are tunnels carved into the cliff sides.They were built by the Yugoslav army as hideouts for submarines.

Founded by the Romans, the city was an important commercial and artistic center renowned for its goldsmiths as well as its schools of masonry and iconography.

Kotor, Montenegro

Kotor’s medieval Old Town features well-preserved Venetian architecture. Indeed, the area is a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Natural and Culture Historical Region of Kotor was designated a site because of the way the historic structures in the area stand in harmony with the mountains.

The walls around Kotor are still largely standing, although you can’t walk on them. The gates are an impressive sight in themselves.

Cats Square is near the North Gate. Lots of cats congregate and sun there, but they are all over the area. They are supposedly a sign of good luck since they have survived earthquakes and sieges and keep the rat and snake population under control. There is a Cat Fountain in Cats Square and a Cat Museum which details the history of the feline preoccupation by Kotor residents.

Kotor Cathedral

The Tryphon Cathedral, a great example of Romanesque architecture, is dedicated to St. Tryphon. Inside the cathedral are amazing frescoes and a Sacred Arts Museum. You can’t miss the Church of St. Nicholas. This Serbian Orthodox Church was built between 1902 and 1909. It has a large cupola and two bell towers with black domes topped with golden crosses. A mosaic of the Serbian flag is over the main entrance. Inside there is art, icons and silver pieces on display.

The “Pearl of the Adriatic”

 Dubbed “The Pearl of the Adriatic” because of its stunning Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture, its fabulous Mediterranean scenery and its temperate climate year-round, Croatia is a great place to visit. Ships dock at Dubrovnik’s port. The city is stunning. Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has well-preserved medieval architecture. Who can resist an area illuminated by real lanterns at night?

A recent addition to the port area is the Dubrovnik Brewing Co. It offers IPAs, lagers and great pub food.

The city walls offer panoramic views of the area. Think charming streets, amazing historic architecture and the stunning Adriatic coastline and that’s Dubrovnik.

It will likely look eerily familiar because the area was used during the filming of Game of Thrones as well as some Star Wars movies.

Onofrio’s fountain, Dubrovnik

Old Town, in addition to being the home of great cafés, restaurants and boutiques, is also home to Onofrio’s 16-sided fountain as well as the Orlando Column, depicting the legendary knight.

Orlando’s Column

The Rector’s Palace is where the symphony performs, but it also is a museum featuring exhibits of firearms and weapons. The statue of Marin Držić is near the palace. Considered the Shakespeare of Dubrovnik, rubbing his nose is supposed to bring you luck.

Rector’s Palace, Dubrovnik

So many intriguing options for adventure if you are considering an Aegean area cruise. Your travel advisor at GetAway Travel can help you sort out your options. Ready, set, sail! We can be reached at:  (262) 538-2140, e-mail: sue@getaway.travel or paul@getaway.travel

Explore the wonders of the Aegean

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Milos

Just imagine, a leisurely cruise on the Aegean Sea visiting sunny Greek Islands. Each island has its own personality and each adds a new chapter to your wonderful travel memories. Spend time in Athens where a visit is like traveling through time. It is a city rich with ancient landmarks and historic sites. Enjoy the charming canals and romance of Venice. Visit the Pearl of the Adriatic. And if that’s not enough — take a little extra time to explore the fabulous Veneto region of Italy.

Join GetAway Travel on our Aegean adventure with some additional time in the Veneto region, or let us plan your own exciting getaway.

Start in Athens and then on to Milos

 The Cyclades are a group of islands in the Aegean Sea and Milos is in the southwestern-most part of the island group. It is between mainland Greece and Crete. It was created by volcanic activity between 2 and 3 million years ago. It’s that volcanic activity gives Milos the nickname “Island of Colors.”

Milos in the Cyclades islands

This beach paradise (70 — yes, 70) also has pink and orange cliffs and each of the beaches has a different color palette, whites, grays, pinks and various sand and pebble colors. The colors are a result of the original volcanic activity and mineral formations. One of the most photographed beaches is Sarakiniko Beach because the volcanic activity created a moon-like landscape here.

Plaka is the capital of Milos and its located on a hill so you can enjoy the gorgeous sunsets. There’s lovely little boutiques and souvenir shops and, the Sand Museum. There’s sand samples from all over the world and you can even look at them under a microscope.

Nearby are the colorful fishing villages. The whitewashed homes are built into the cliffs, but each has a uniquely colorful garage door where the fishing boat is parked. Living space is on top of the sea-level garage.

The cliffs and surrounding rock formations created the Kleftiko Sea Caves. Kleftiko comes from the Greek word, “thief.” The caves and formations were the perfect place for pirates to hide, store their treasure and conceal their boats so they were ready to attack ships on the Aegean Sea.

The Church of Panaghia Korfiatissa was built in 1810 of materials from abandoned churches. Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, it offers spectacular views of the area. The elegant church has relics of saints, and some interesting gilded wooden screens with icons.

Ypapanti of Christ or Panaghia Thalassitra church Milos Greece

There are numerous other churches on the island. The Church of Panaghia Thalassitra is the most photographed church on the island. You can see 17th century paintings from the famous hagiographic workshop of Skordilidon, a wooden temple and the coat of arms of the Duke of Naxos.

One of the three most important catacomb sites in the world is in Milos. It is estimated that up to 8,000 Christians could be buried in the catacombs here that were discovered in 1844. They were difficult to build because they were practically carved out of volcanic rock. Only partially excavated, you can still view family tombs and floor graves as well as what is referred to as the “Tomb of the Martyr.” There is an altar there and services were conducted in the catacombs.

On a path nearby is the site where the Venus de Milo was discovered in a niche by a farmer in 1820. She was promptly packed up and moved to the Louvre, but a replica is there and another replica can be viewed in the Archaeological Museum of Milos in Plaka.

On to the island of olives

 Let’s talk olives. Kalamata olives, grown on Kalamata, are smooth, meaty, tasty wonders of nature. They are great in Mediterranean dishes, but are equally at home gracing your charcuterie board. The island provides just the right soil, moisture and sun mix for the olives.

Kalamata Olive Tree

Don’t pass up a chance to tour an olive grove here. It will be a fun and insightful as well as delicious experience. You can learn about olive oil production from cultivation to tasting, have guided tours of ancient and modern olive mills and do some quality tasting. The oil fro Kalamata olives is considered one of the finest of the extra virgin olive oils. It is buttery, spicy and fruity.

Port in Kalamata

But Kalamata is not just about olives. One of Greece’s chief ports, it has a great history.

The Benakeion Archeological Museum has artifacts dating back to the Roman Period. The Modern Greek Art Gallery has paintings, sculptures and carvings.

Spend some time in King George Square. There are fabulous coffee shops and the nearby pedestrian walkway has shops, boutiques and cafés.

Kalamata and a view of the Messinian Bay

The Kiriakou Mansion is now home to the Folklore & History Museum. It houses relics and exhibits from the 1821 Greek War of Independence. The Railways Park museum has exhibits of old motorcycles and railway wagons.

The Castle of Kalamata is a 13th century citadel built over the ancient city of Pharal. The impressive arched entrance features two carved lions and you can get great views of the city and sea beyond.

Historic Church of the Holy Apostles, Kalamata

The Church of Ypapanti is the first church to be built outside of the castle walls and residents began settling around the church. It has twin bell towers, grand domes and the icon of the Virgin of Ypapanti is inside. The Church of the Holy Apostles is a gorgeous church built in the Byzantine period.

Almyros Beach, Kalamata

One of the island’s neoclassical mansions houses the Victoria Karelias Museum of Traditional Greek Costumes. There are 80 complete traditional Greek outfits from the 19th century and beyond. Uniforms, weapons and military objects from the 1821 Greek Revolution to the Balkan Wars as well as WWI and WWII are exhibited at the Kalamata Military Museum.

Mountains just outside of Kalamata

An upcoming blog will detail what awaits travelers to some of the other Aegean destinations. But you can certainly talk to a GetAway Travel advisor now about joining our 2027 group, or booking a trip of your own! We can be reached at:  (262) 538-2140, e-mail: sue@getaway.travel or paul@getaway.travel