Volos, The Most Beautiful City in Greece!

Hello readers!
I had a gleam concerning my hometown Volos today!
Just take a look at this foto....

Known as Iolkos in ancient Greece, Volos was the mythic home of Jason and his band of Argonauts. These days, Volos is a large and bustling university city on the northern shores of the Pagasitikos Gulf, and its function as the gateway to the Pelion Peninsula and the Sporades Islands draws travellers to the city.

Thanks to its privileged position at the foot of Mt. Pelion on the Pagasitic gulf, it is a good base for enjoying the sea, wooded slopes, and green valleys that surround it. As for the derivation of the word "Volos", which according to a Byzantine historian of the 14th century was called "Golos", there are several theories; the most widely accepted is that it represents a corruption of the Mycenaean Iolkos.

Founded in the mid 19th century, modern Volos is a cheerful , lively town, soundly laid out with pleasant broad streets. 

The waterfront is an ideal spot for a stroll. A modern coastal avenue bustling with life, it is lined with pastry shops, cafes and restaurants. 

From the suburb of Ano Volos, built upon the slopes of Pelion, the Pagasitic gulf and the town below take on another dimension. Volos harbour is particularly active. It is the main export centre of Thessaly and the scene of much commercial and passenger traffic bound for the Sporades Islands, the great ports of the Mediterranean, Syria, and other Middle Eastern cities.

You definitely must come for a visit if you decide to travel in Greece!

Not to mention the absolute beauty of the beaches in Pelion....

Pelion is one of the most wonderful and magical regions in Greece offering a perfect choise for holidays throughout the year. The beautiful Pelion peninsula is situated in the prefecture of Magnesia in Thessaly, Central Greece.

There are 70 villages in Pelion offering all the options depending on the season. From the mountainous villages of Portaria, Makrinitsa, Hania and the ski center of Agriolefkes, to the seaside villages like Agios Ioannis, Kala Nera, Afissos and Platanias there are suggestions throughout the year.

Also known are the wonderful beaches of Pelion offering crystal clear waters, golden and white sand, vegetation near the water and are perfect choices for the summer months.

With it's snow capped mountain, to it's sandy golden beaches, this is an area that you can visit any time of the year.

And don't forget that, the ancient Greek Gods chose Pelion as their holiday house and left Olympus for Pelion in the summer.

So, here I'am, still enjoying summer in my hometown, either by going swimming around it's beautiful beaches.....

Or by going for an icy-cold beer with friends....

...but if friends don't want to drink beer, we choose to go to one of the nundrends "tsipouradika" and drink our local drink, tsipouro, accombanying it with "meze"....

Travellers on their way to Pelion, students, mariners sailing the Aegean, or men and women on business, everyone stops here for the tsipouradika. You’ll find them in every corner of the city, picturesque and authentic.

At lunchtime they fill up with people and you too can take part in the local ritual. Spetsofai (sausages with peppers), wild artichokes, cuttlefish with wild fennel; more than 40 traditional mini dishes make their way onto your table, accompanied by the local drink, which is served in individual 25ml bottles. It is a culinary institution that dates back to the 1930s.

Sometimes though, a freddo capuccino is all we need....

Some of the Sightseeing in Volos:

• The Volos Archaelogical Museum (tel.: (0421)28.563): contains a rich store of finds from the Bronze Age, pottery of the 8th and 5th century BC, and 6th and 5th century sculpture. For example, its collection of Hellenistic grave stelai from Dimitrias is unique; their well preserved paintings are considered among the most important examples of ancient Greek art. 
• Municipal Gallery (tel.:(0421) 25.760): Housed in the Town Hall, it comprises a fine collection of paintings, sculpture, and engravings by modern Greek artists. Home of the folk historian Kitsos Makris (tel.:(0421) 23.778) with works by Theophilos, Christopoulos, Byzantine icons, wood carvings and pottery. 
• Pelion's old fashioned train: This little train which used to connect Volos with Milies has been put back into service over a short portion of the old urban line. It would be running on special occasions. 
• The churches of Agios Konstantinos, Agios Nikolaos, Metamorphosis and the chapel of Agia Triada. At Anakasia, the Theophilos Museum with frescoes by the great folk artist. 
• At Alli Meria, the Velentza bakery with wall paintings by Theophilos. 

Sightseeing in Pelion:

The beautiful peninsula of Pelion is perfect for both winter and summer holidays In Greece. Mountainous scenic villages, lush nature, amazing beaches and interesting sightseeing create the marvelous picture of Pelion. 

Makrinitsa, Milies, Vizitsa and Tsagarada are among the most beautiful villages of Pelion. In fact, in Milies, you can visit the marvelous church of Taxiarches dating back to the 17th century.

The most beautiful beaches of Pelion are found on the eastern side of the peninsula and are famous for their exotic blue-coloured waters. 

Such beaches are Agios Ioannis, Mylopotamos, Papa Nero, Xynovrisi, Agioi Saranta, Chorefto,Fakistra, Damouchari and others. 

Quote of this post: Visiting Volos, will remain engraved in your memory forever!