DAILY SECRET

presents
Dive in and discover some of the best-kept
travel secrets Greece has to ofer
Every perfect traveler always creates
the country where he travels.
At least according to Nikos Kazantzakis,
one of Greeces most celebrated authors.
It was with that in mind that we created
Secret Routes: our curators went
of the beaten track to bring you some
of Greeces best kept secrets
- but now, you get to forge your own path.
So, ready to be the perfect traveler?
The journey begins
Weve picked our favorite secrets from fve destinations:
Athens, Thessaloniki, Crete, Kefalonia & the Peloponnese.
Its time to start exploring.
Athens
Secret Route No1
Europes oldest capital city is not just about the Acropolis.
Athens can teach you how to think, how to fy, how to treat
your eyes and your stomach - simultaneously - and,
how to believe in magic. Ready to learn?
I know that I know nothing. Know thyself. To be or not to be.
Ok, that last quote might have been slightly out of place (sorry,
Hamlet) but we were on a roll here. Inspired by our surroundings,
we were strolling the grounds like an ancient Greek philosopher
- minus the toga. We were at Aristotles Lyceum, you see: the
archaeological site next to the Byzantine Museum where the
famous philosopher used to converse with his students. Summer
hats on (that sun burns you know), we were enjoying a diferent
type of history lesson; walking among the monuments, just like
any disciple of the Peripatetic School. In the end, tired from
all that analytical thinking, we decided to rest on the lawn for a
spell. What do you know that you know?
P.S. You can access Aristotles Lyceum (from 8am - 8pm) from
the entrance on Rigillis, or from the Byzantine Museum.
Info
Location:
Rigillis
& Vasilissis Sofas
Secret Route No1
Aristotles Lyceum
The Philosophers Stone
stop no1 athens culture
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Im like a bird, I only fy awaaaaay. Nelly Furtado couldnt have
said it better. Also, when were nervous, we turn to pop anthems
for consolation. See, we were literally fying - soaring high above
the Athenian coastline. Apart from comforting songs, the legend
of Icarus might have come to mind too, but fortunately there was
no risk of our wings being melted by the sun; we were packing a
motor. After hearing about MotorFly, the frst company in Greece
specializing in powered paragliders (or paramotor) set up by Haris
Christopoulos, we decided to give it a try and take fight. Just one
phone call and a few prayers later, we were cruising above the city,
riding in one of the worlds smallest aircrafts. Join us and lets take
of into the skies - we wont tell if you start singing.
P.S. Wanna get high? Theres no need for a pilots license; just call
the MotorFly team to book a lesson.
Info
Telephone:
+30 210 3467674
Secret Route No1
MotorFly
Up in the air
stop no2 athens adventure
DAILY SECRET
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The sacred rock of the Acropolis. The Odeon of Herodes Atticus
theater. Our gaze was locked forever on their splendor... Until,
suddenly, we heard the polite cough of the waiter at Attikos
Mina. Ah, yes, wed actually come for dinner, but we just couldnt
take our eyes of the stunning view from the restaurants roof
terrace. Serving delightful traditional Greek cuisine with a
hint of Corfu favors, owners Mina and Vassilis have created
an authentically homey atmosphere. Deciding to focus on the
splendor of our food for the rest of the night (lamb with lemon
sauce = work of art), we enjoyed our al fresco summer dining in
the heart of the city. See you under the stars.
P.S. Its a famous haunt for actors and musicians who pass by
after a performance at the theater, to dine and drink in the view.
Info
Location:
7 Garibaldi St.,
Acropoli
Telephone:
+30 210 9215256
Secret Route No1
Attikos Mina
A feast with a view
stop no3 athens gastronomy
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The Lady of the Lake ofering Arthur the Excalibur. The Loch-
Ness monster. When we heard rumors about a magical lake in
the Athenian Riviera, our imagination started running wild. But,
as it turns out, reality was far more enticing. Lake Vouliagmeni
was indeed full of surprises: thermal crystal clear waters (coming
from natural springs at a depth of 100 meters), a caf-restaurant
serving delicious cocktails, chill-out music reverberating around
the rocks, dim spotlights lighting up the water. As the sun set in
the water, we made a sacred vow to return to this place the next
morning - bathing suit and all (we heard theres also a fsh spa).
See you where the magic begins.
P.S. During the summer months, theres also a stage where you
can catch live jazz, swing and bossa nova performances.
Info
Location:
Vouliagmeni
Telephone:
+30 210 8962237
Secret Route No1
Lake Vouliagmeni
A night to remember
stop no4 athens drinks
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Thessaloniki
Secret Route No2
Captivating history. Wild nature. Glorious food. Sometimes you
just dont know what to choose; especially if youre in Greeces
second largest city or in its surrounding area. Good news is,
you dont have to: weve picked the best of everything for you.
According to our estimations, by the time we got to the seafront,
wed have a PhD in history. With each step we made, a new
historical event seemed to suddenly pop into our head. There
wasnt any magic involved though: it was just that wed gone
for a stroll with the team from Thessaloniki Walking Tours.
Wed chosen the route Four squares and four stories, and our
tour guide/art-historian, Giorgos Featham, regaled us with a
colorful account of the stories behind the four main squares of
Thessaloniki. We had no idea they were so loaded with historical
details! Get your walking boots on; on a clear day, you may also
get to see Mount Olympus.
P.S. The history walk starts every Sunday at 10:30 at the White
Tower. See you there, fellow historians.
Info
Location:
The White Tower
Telephone:
+30 2310 810226
Website:
thessalonikiwalking
tours.com
Secret Route No2
Thessaloniki Walking Tours
Walk and learn
stop no1 thessaloniki culture
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Yarr, me hearties! We loved impersonating pirates. Ever since
reading Robert Louis Stevensons Treasure Island, we were
hooked on tales of buccaneers and buried gold. So when we
heard about Caf Bar Arabella, a galleon with more than a few
stories to tell, we couldnt climb aboard quick enough. A moving
historical monument, Arabella has sailed in the waters of the
Mediterranean, the coast of Africa, and the Black Sea - she was
even used as a minesweeper during WWII. These days though,
she carries pleasure-seekers (like us) on cruises, allowing them
to take in the magnifcent views, while serving up ice-cold beers,
drinks and cofees. Time to set sail.
P.S. When shes not cruising around the Thermaikos Gulf (from
11am-3.30pm), Arabella can be found moored next to the statue
of Alexander The Great.
Info
Location:
Monument
of Alexander
The Great
Telephone:
+30 6987221040
Secret Route No2
Caf Bar Arabella
All aboard
stop no2 thessaloniki drinks
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Vroom, splaaaaassh! As the jeep ripped through the stream, it
felt like we were in the middle of an Indiana Jones flm. And
this wasnt so far from reality. While we werent exactly hunting
for ancient treasures, the nature surrounding us was a treasure
in itself. Wed joined one of Nikitas jeep safaris, which tour
through pine forests, olive groves and waterfalls. His dream
was to show the world the unique combination of mountain
and sea hidden in Halkidiki - and we were more than thrilled
that it had become our reality. So, grab your best safari hat and
book your trip. Indy would approve.
P.S Dont forget your bathing suit: Nikitas will take you to
swimming spots even the locals havent heard of.
Info
Location:
Kassandra
Telephone:
+30 23740 23290
Location:
safari-hellas.com
Secret Route No2
Safari Hellas
The call of the wild
stop no3 thessaloniki adventure
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Nothing was set in stone. Least of all, our dinner. And we werent
just saying this from a philosophical stand point. See, wed come
to Duck Private Chefng: a cute little restaurant in Pylaia, where
there was no menu, and our imagination was allowed to run
wild. Stephanos and Ioanna, the friendly owners, informed us of
the ingredients they had that day (vegetables from their garden,
fresh fsh from the market) - then, it was up to us to let them
know what wed like to eat. And indeed, some time later, we were
enjoying a red mullet carpaccio that was out of this world! Time
to make your own destiny. Or, you know, your own dinner.
P.S. Too tired to leave the hotel? Just call them - they can probably
deliver to your doorstep.
Info
Location:
3 Chalkis St.,
Pylaia
Telephone:
+30 231 5519333
Secret Route No2
Duck Private Chefng
So long, and thanks for all the fsh
stop no4 thessaloniki gastronomy
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Peloponnese
Secret Route No3
This is Sparta. Well, among other things. The Peloponnese,
birthplace of the Olympic Games and the Mycenaean
Dynasty, hides many secrets - from Byzantium ruins and
scenic villages, to endless olive groves.
We had to hurry. The sun would set soon. We left our trusty
steed (ok, our car) at the parking lot, and started making
our way up to the mysterious abandoned city perched
on the mountainside. It wasnt an easy feat: after all, this
was the Mystras castle (a UNESCO site) we had set out to
explore - and the way to its 1249-built Acropolis was windy,
cobblestone, and overall not for the faint hearted. Feeling
more like a valiant knight with each step, we finally reached
our destination - and were rewarded with a glorious prize.
As the sun set, a warm, orange light washed over everything,
making the Spartan valley below look like a field of gold. Now
you know what your quest is.
P.S. The Archaeological Museum there will give you a deep
insight into the rich history of the area.
Info
Location:
Mystras, Sparta
Telephone:
+30 27310 83377
Website:
odysseus.culture.gr
Mystras
Knight and day
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Secret Route No3
stop no1 peloponnese culture
It was time to get to the heart of the matter. Like, literally.
To do that, we took the narrow path and crossed the small
wooden bridge, until finally, we reached our destination.
Polylimnio (in greek many lakes) is a surreal, hidden
paradise: imagine 15 small, green lakes and waterfalls
surrounded by olive groves and vineyards that only recently
have been opened to the public. We already knew which lake
to dive into first: Kadoula, named after its heart-like shape.
If you want to swim, dive in from the rocks above, explore
the waterfalls or, you know, ask your sweetheart to marry
you on the spot (seriously, can you think of a more romantic
place?), here you can do that to your hearts content.
P.S. The Polylimnio waterfalls are just a 40-minute drive
(32km) from the town of Kalamata.
Info
Location:
Voufrada,
Messinia
Secret Route No3
Polylimnio
To your hearts content
stop no2 peloponnese adventure
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We were promised a lesson from an expert who was
outstanding in his field. And a tasty one, at that. It was mid-
afternoon after all, and an all-day swimming session had
given us quite an appetite. Let the Octopus Teacher satisfy
your hunger might have been the strangest dinner invitation
wed ever heard, but we complied and sat down at the quaint
little tavern at the port of Neapoli to get educated and fed.
Octopus cooked in every way imaginable was on the menu
- and we couldnt get enough (if only we had eight bellies).
Ready for a tasty education?
P.S. Dont forget your camera. Youll want a photo of all those
octopuses hanging out to dry in the sunshine.
Info
Location:
122 Akti Voion St.,
Neapoli
Telephone:
+30 27340 22077
Secret Route No3
The Octopus Teacher
A tentacle-izing experience
stop no3 peloponnese gastronomy
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Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how we wondered what they were.
Ok, the city lights down below, were of course Kalamata. As
for the sky full of stars above, all we could do was indeed
wonder. We were perched up high at Kastraki-Meteoro,
our last stop of the day where we were told we could grab a
cocktail with a view. And what a view indeed! Sitting at our
table inside the quirky caf-bar (which is a tasteful copy of
the medieval castles of the area), we looked down at the lights
below, reflecting on another day full of amazing experiences.
Whether its a classic cocktail or fine Peloponnesian wine
youll take to complement the view, dont miss it.
P.S. Let the music play! Theres also a carbon copy ancient
amphitheater where you can enjoy live music.
Info
Location:
Verga, Kalamata
Telephone:
+30 27210 41745
Website:
kastraki-meteoro.gr
Secret Route No3
Kastraki-Meteoro
A castle in the stars
stop no4 peloponnese drinks
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Kefalonia
Secret Route No4
So much more than Captain Corelli and his Mandolin.
From an unspoiled village, to a restaurant hidden within
a hotel that seems to be frozen in time, this leafy island
paradise has quite a story to tell. Start reading already.
Wes Anderson would eat his hat if he saw this place. We
could very easily imagine Ralph Fiennes as M. Gustave saying
Welcome to the Grand Budapest Hotel, before ushering us
to the majestic interior. Inside the hotel George Molfetas,
everything seemed untouched by time: the walls, entrance,
and lintels, even the furniture, had been kept in perfect
condition - just as it was in 1895 when the building was
constructed. Totally in awe, we made our way to the dining
room, where the restaurant Possada (meaning formal table)
was waiting to entice us with traditional recipes passed down
from generations of Kefalonian grandmothers. Come dine in
a dwelling that time forgot.
P.S. Want to cook like a Kefalonian? Combine your stay at the
hotel with cooking lessons in traditional Mediterranean cuisine.
Info
Location:
Falakrata
Telephone:
+30 26710 84630
Secret Route No4
Possada Restaurant
The Legend of 1895
stop no1 kefalonia gastronomy
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Raucous laughter. That was the response we got when we
asked the locals how to get to the island. It wasnt meant as an
insult though: it was just that Assos, the small island that had
caught our attention from the moment wed opened the map of
Kefalonia, wasnt an island at all. Assos was actually a peninsula,
joined to the main island by a narrow strip of land - and a good
thing that it did though, cause we were able to drive there ( its
30 km from Argostoli). After exploring the picturesque island,
we visited the impressive Venetian castle which was used as a
prison - and thought to ourselves that with a view like that, we
wouldnt mind so much being imprisoned here. Trust us, you
wont want to leave either.
P.S. Road trip alert! On the route to Assos, youll pass by many
beautiful beaches -Myrtos being the most famous of them.
Info
Location:
Assos
Secret Route No4
Assos
No mans an island
stop no2 kefalonia culture
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We took the road less traveled by. And that, had made
the difference. Especially since we were carrying a beach
umbrella, mats and other accessories, while trying to keep
a steady fooding. Our destination was Kako Langadi, but
several hidden coves we came across on the way, called out to
us like the Sirens - seemingly urging us to give up everything
and dive into their waters. When we finally arrived though,
the sight of the golden sands and brilliantly blue waters
brought on a tinge of sweet amnesia. We totally forgot about
the rough path, and dove straight in to the crystal waters.
Believe us, its worth it.
P.S. If you love diving and snorkelling, youll find many caves
in the surrounding rocks, to explore to your hearts content.
Info
Location:
Kako Langadi
Secret Route No4
Kako Langadi
Two roads diverted in the woods
stop no3 kefalonia
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adventure
Come fnd me in Kefalonia the message read. In our minds, at
least. In reality, the bottle wasnt hiding a rolled-up piece of paper
inside: it was flled with white Kefalonian Muscat. Just its aroma,
made us want to beam ourselves directly to the vineyard where it
was produced. Luckily, the Charitatou Estate welcomes visitors
with open arms: when we arrived, we were greeted by almost
the whole family - the fourth generation of wine producers, all
living there, just as their ancestors did. The best part? August
was the month of vintage, and the delicious aroma of the grapes
just meters away intoxicated us. Come fnd us in the countryside.
P.S. The estate is open to visitors all year round, to tour the
vineyards and partake in wine tasting sessions. Call the number
below to make an appointment.
Info
Location:
Kladata
Telephone:
+30 6973232170
Website:
ktimaharitatou.com
Secret Route No4
Charitatou Estate
Message in a bottle
stop no4 kefalonia drinks
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Crete
Secret Route No5
Everything youve heard about this place is true. And then some.
While in Crete, youll feel the full force of a Greek welcome -
as well as discover exotic beaches, drool-inducing dishes and
traditional tunes that will melt your heart.
Forget 50 Shades of Grey. By our reckoning, we could see at
least 50 shades of blue - all of them equally mesmerizing. Wed
been told about the pristine white sands of Balos lagoon, but
we couldnt believe how multifaceted the waters were around
here. And thats only the half of it: from the footpath down to
the beach, we could also see the two islets, Gramvousa and Agria
Gramvousa, forming a protective perimeter behind Balos. It was
picture perfect. And when we fnally reached our destination, a
dip in the heavenly saltwater was enough to convince us wed
found paradise. Ready to join us?
P.S. To get to Balos you can drive the 52km from Chania or take
a caique from Kissamos. Dont forget your camera (and maybe
two memory cards).
Info
Location:
Balos, Chania
Secret Route No5
Balos Lagoon
Paradise Found
stop no1 crete adventure
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It looked like a long way down. But we couldnt go back now.
Staring down the abyss of St. Anthonys gorge from our table at
Drimos Tavern was quite intimidating - but we had promised
ourselves we would get the full experience. Thankfully, our
waiter reassured us we were safe, so we proceeded to order a
hearty meal of traditional lamb cooked in the antikristo way
(i.e. the healthiest and juiciest way possible). Afterwards, we
ventured a brisk walk around the grounds, which also boasts a
small zoo. Join us - just dont look down.
P.S. On the way to Patsos (just 18km from the town of Rethymno),
you can also pass through Prasses village and the famous Dam
of the Rivers.
Info
Location:
Patsos
Website:
taverna-drimos.gr
Secret Route No5
Drimos Tavern
Dining on the edge
stop no2 crete gastronomy
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The scene resembled Geppettos workshop. But Pinocchio was
nowhere to be found. Instead, we were witnessing frst-hand the
magic hands of Iranian instrument maker Mazdak Ferydooni.
His workshop at Labyrinth Music in Houdetsi, near Irakleio, was
a sight to behold: the quirky tools and beautifully carved wooden
shapes, were laid out in front of us like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.
Mazdak constructs traditional Cretan instruments such as the
laouto, lyra and mandolin, as well as repairing instruments from
the famous lyra player Ross Dalys collection. Come and marvel
at the most delicate or arts.
P.S. The center also runs various exciting music seminars. Follow
the events page of the website on the right for the full schedule.
Info
Location:
Houdetsi
Telephone:
+30 2810 741027
Website:
labyrinthmusic.gr
Secret Route No5
Labyrinth Music
(Instru)mental
stop no3 crete culture
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Once upon a time, in the 16th century, there was a medieval
monastery called Santa Maria della Misericordia (also known as
Charles Abbey). But this was not the beginning of an ordinary
tale: this happy ending included cocktails. See, when the Turks
occupied Chania in 1645, the monastery was turned into houses,
but now it was completely restored to its former glory - with a
twist. Apart from an exhibition space, downstairs there was an
incredible bar that served cocktails until late, accompanied by
live music. Safe to say we drunk happily ever after. Be sure to try
the strawberry daiquiri, it will make you say Ave Maria!
P.S. And theres more. The monastery also hides a sculpture
workshop studio and a hairdressing salon.
Info
Location:
Chatzimichali
Daliani St. 22,
Chania
Telephone:
+30 28210 50172
Secret Route No5
Charles Abbey
Amen to that
stop no4 crete drinks
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