The first time I went to Greece was 15 years ago. At that time I was studying in Italy and Greek classmates invited me to visit their homeland Corfu. After the first travel experience in Greece I travelled often to the Ionian Islands Corfu, Paxos, Meganisi and Kefalonia. In particular I was enchanted by the beauty of Lefkada. I visited the island three times in a row!
I was very positively surprised by the city of Ioannina, the surrounding Pindus Mountains and the untamed nature. Probably Epirus is still one of Greece’s best kept secrets.
My last trip brought me to Athens in the occasion of TBEX. It was my first time in the Greek capital. I read a lot about the city before. For a long time friends said to me „if you want to understand Greece, you must visit Athens too.“ They were absolutely right! Maybe Athens isn’t a classical beauty, but it is an extremely vital and vibrating city. Certainly, I visited the archaeological sites, but Athens is much more. It is a modern city with an amazing nightlife. In my opinion Athens could become the next Berlin for the art scene. Somebody said „Athens is the next big thing“. I totally agree with this statement.
The word filoxenia means much more than hospitality.
The small gestures have a big impact on me. For example, the helpfulness when I was looking for a veterinary while travelling with my dog in Greece. Many times,I was offered fresh fruits, homemade sweets, kumquat liqueur and many other things. Once, in a small village in the northwestern part of Greece, my Italian husband went inside a typical Kafeneio, asking for some information. Unfortunately, he did not return! I found him sitting on a table, drinking tsipouro with the locals. The word filoxenia means much more than hospitality.
Some years ago, in early springtime, I went to Porto Katsiki on the West Coast of Lefkada. Porto Katsiki is one of the most beautiful and photographed beaches in Greece. The typical postcard motif. To enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Ionian Sea in low season, when you have the place almost for your own, will remain an unforgettable experience for me. It is more than a marketing slogan to say: Greece is beautiful in all seasons.
I love all kind of vegetables and cheeses. Maybe the best food I tasted in Epirus. Someday I would like go to a Greek cooking school to learn how to make the mouthwatering homemade pies.
In Corfu it’s a must for me to buy Green Olive Soap at the traditional Pantounis Soap Factory. It is the best I have ever tried. From Lefkada, the air-dried salami and sausage. And not to forget the lefkadian lentils. When I’m on the island, I always go to Englouvi, the small village in the mountains, where the lentils are cultivated. The flavour and quality are unique. Certainly I love to have a look at the Greek jewellery. Unfortunately I cannot buy everything I desire.
There are many places in Greece I would like to visit or revisit. For sure I will travel to the Epirus again and I am planning a trip to Peloponnese and the tiny Island of Poros in the Saronic Gulf. I would like to visit the Aegean Islands Paros and Naxos. Another great desire is to visit the Island of Delos, maybe one of the most important mythological places in Greece.
