We have just returned from a 2 week holiday on the Pelion peninsula, and have found somewhere as beautiful as our beloved Corfu. The scenery is stunning with some really lovely villages. It may not suit everyone as it is a very undeveloped area, and there are not a lot of facilities such as watersports, so those who like activity holidays probably shouldn't go to this area.
One thing that we did notice was how quiet it was, particularly in the tavernas in the evening, indeed there were rarely more than 2 or 3 table in use at each taverna, which we were told was due to the Greeks who would normally frequent these places being themselves very short of cash and so are staying at home.
Message posted by Viv D on 22 June 2010 at 4:31pm - IP Logged
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I love the Pelion and it is underdeveloped and it is still possible to find a beach all to yourself!!
And it is not all about beaches, inland the scenery is stupendous with waterfalls and lovely villages. There is a tiny railway and even a winter sports centre!!
To top it all the people are friendly and welcoming
Message posted by orchardlane on 22 June 2010 at 7:01pm - IP Logged
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Oh that sounds perfect, I have wanted to try out the Pelion for the last 4-5 years as it seemed like such a quiet, beautiful undeveloped area. I even looked into and enquired with Ionian Holidays about staying in Damouchari or Afissos. Pete, where abouts did you stay, I would be really intersted to know if you visited either of those resorts and what observations/recommendations you'd make.
Message posted by SusieH on 22 June 2010 at 7:03pm - IP Logged
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Hi all, thanks for the replies. We stayed at a very small place called Pounda Paou, we went with Ionian and Aegean Island holidays, who were very efficient by the way.
Damouchari is a small village with a few apartments, a hotel and a few villas, there are a couple of tavernas. It was indeed where some scenes from Mama Mia were filmed (including jumping off the jetty, and the arrival of the 'fathers') Although be aware that the jetty was built for the film and then removed. There is a lovely long beach there as well.
Afissos is quite a busy little resort (especially on a Sunday when it is absolutely packed with Greeks!)There are some nice tavernas, a handful of shops and a reasonable beach.
I always hesitate to recommend places, as tastes differ so much, and what suits one doesn't suit another, but I will say that virtually anywhere in the Pelion is going to be very quiet with beautiful scenery, we preferred the Pagasitic gulf side of the peninsula to the Aegean side, although the beaches were sandier on the Aegean side.
As SusieH said, it isn't only the coast that is beautiful, the scenery inland is fabulous and very dramatic at times, another beauty of the area is that it is relatively small and most of it can be covered in 3 or 4 day trips from wherever you are are staying.
Message posted by BBB on 23 June 2010 at 9:41am - IP Logged
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BBB
We had a holiday in Horto in the Pelion in 2002 and loved it for all the reasons above. Traditional, holidaying alongside the Greeks with very little English spoken and luke warm food etc. Not touristy at all in those days, no pools, no sunbeds on the beach. We really liked the simplicity. It was the first year that Kosmar had offered Pelion and we flew to Volos, a small military airport in those days. Just a shed and we took our own luggage off a trolley. We went on a trip to the hanging mountain villages and another boat trip to Trikeri the smallest Greek island.
There is still a company called Houses of Pelion that offer accommodation and transfers from Volos and Skiathos, which is just off the coast. Also Jacoline's Small Hotels in Greece have several recommended accommodations in the Pelion region.
We shall be docking at Volos on a cruise later this year.
Message posted by pete b on 23 June 2010 at 9:08pm - IP Logged
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Volos airport is still best described as quaint, the arrivals hall is about 20 feet square, and has the shortest luggage belt I have ever seen, it runs down part of 1 wall and then just stops, so you only have about 12 ft to grab your bag before it hits the wall!
Departures is a bit more civilised and despite there being 2 flights going out, so probably about 100 or so people, there was room for everyone to sit down, either inside or under cover outside.
There is a smart new terminal which was apparently built several years ago, but never finished.
Message posted by SusieH on 24 June 2010 at 12:17am - IP Logged
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The only airport which is even more quaint is the one on Syros, another military place, there arrivals and departures is the same room - a tiny thing. No shops or anything that but that just takes the island hoppers to Athens. There is however a periptero next to the shack for a cuppa LOL
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