Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
platía, the finest being
Ayía Paraskeví
, shaded by reputedly the heftiest plane tree in
Greece - about a thousand years old, and requiring eighteen men to encircle it - and
Taxiárhes, with a tree nearly as large and a four-spouted fountain from 1909. More
Taxiárhes botanical prodigies are found at the
Serpentin Garden
(visits by appointment
only,
T
24260 49060,
W
serpentin-garden.com), a hillside Eden featuring many
heirloom roses and other rare plants.
Moúressi
here are more
hotels
and
tavernas
in
MOÚRESSI
, 3km northwest of Áyios Stéfanos.
An excellent short stroll, very useful for reaching the beach or completing a loop via
Áyios Ioánnis, is the 45-minute descent to Damoúhari; look for the sign-posted start of
the trail on the bend in the road just past the minimarket/newsagent.
Mylopótamos
From Taxiárhes Tsangarádha, a ninety-minute path, or a 7km hairpin road, snake down
to
Mylopótamos
and its two attractive if hugely popular pebble coves, with afternoon
shade from caves and overhangs. The pair are separated by a naturally tunnelled rock,
with a music bar just above.
3
Limniónas Beach
Southeast of Mylopótamos lies the attractive Limniónas
beach
. You can arrive on foot
from Mylopótamos, but most people get there via Lambinoú village (no reliable
facilities), from where a paved road leads 3km down past the restored eighteenth-
century
Lambidhónas monastery
, sporting fine frescoes over the doors. Scenic
Limniónas
has a fresh-water shower but no other reliable amenities. There's a romantic,
out-of-the-way hotel option here (see p.228).
ACCOMMODATION NORTHERN PELION
A great accommodation pleasure of the Pelion is staying in one of the many traditional mansions, a number of them now
beautifully and authentically restored. The northern part of the peninsula is especially rich in these architectural treasures,
but if you plan on visiting out of high season, be sure to contact the owner well in advance. If they are not expecting guests,
they may be in Vólos or even Athens.
Xenonas Stefania
T
24260 23666,
W
stefania-zagora
.gr.
Families should head here for air-conditioned studios
with full kitchens, fireplaces and t
errac
es. Lots of extras
available, such as drinks and games.
€60
MAKRYNÍTSA
Arhondiko Pandora
T
24280 99404,
W
pandora
mansion.gr.
Just before Platía Bráni, about 300m along on
the right, the spacious large grounds behind the gate
include a café-restaurant serving meals in a lovely
courtyard. Each of the seven rooms and suites are unique
and tastefully appointed, a
s you'd
expect from an architect-
owner. Breakfast included.
€150
Arhondiko Repana
T
24280 99067,
W
repana.gr.
Along the pedestrian-only street, this is one of the finest of
the traditional mansions in the Pelion, its rooms edging a
bit toward twee b
ut t
he best value here. Great views.
Breakfast included.
€70
HOREFTÓ
Hagiati
T
24260 22405,
W
hagiati.com.
Near the
quieter, south end of the shoreline road you'll find this
excellent beachside hotel. There's off-street parking, a
spacious garden bar, wheelchair access and
fridg
es in the
comfortable sea-view rooms with balconies.
€55
Ì
La Dhelfinia
T
24260 23644.
Toward the north end
of the beach, this large establishment, just metres from the
sand, is a popular and very reasonable
mayireftá
taverna,
with grills at weekends. Choose from an extensive menu
and expect portions big enough to share (€10-20).
Daily
lunch & dinner.
ZAGORÁ
Ì
Arhondiko Gayanni
T
24260 23391,
W
villagayannis.gr.
This property is a gorgeous three-
storey mansion dating from 1770, all impeccably restored,
with beautiful gardens, ample parking, genial hosts, large
rooms with antiques and
woo
d-beamed ceilings, and
copious breakfasts, included.
€70
ÁYIOS IOÁNNIS
Anesis
T
24260 31123,
W
www.hotelanesis.gr.
Set
back from the street so quieter, but still handy to the beach,
