Volos and Pelion mountain are not more than 2 hours far from my hometown but I did not really know the region. I had gone once for holidays with my family when I was 9 and a couple of times with my school during winter. This time, I went with F. I was eager to show him Greece; it was his first time in my country and I wanted to show him not only my region but also our life. It was a wonderful holiday, even I experienced it as if it were something different and exotic.
We spent three days at Volos and four at Agios Ioannis. Agios Ioannis was supposed to be the most touristy place but, to be honest, it was very calm - at least when we were there. Anyway, we hadn't chosen it for the parties but because from there we could go on foot to 3 different beaches (Agios Ioannis, Plaka, Papa Nero).
I wish I could describe the beauty of Pelion without repeating cliches and sounding cheesy, but I can not; I suggest you to google it and look at the photos. All I can say is that there are several stories of the Greek mythology that take place there. I also think that some scenes of "Mamma mia" were filmed in Pelion (the rest, was filmed at the islands nearby).
Things to know and things to do:
- Go to a tsipouradiko (most of them are located at the port of Volos). The tsipouradika are taverns where you drink tsipouro. You order the tsipouro and the waiters bring you small portions of food (mezedes). Usually it's appetizers, salads, fish and seafood. One of the things I personally love is the surprise on what they will bring next. Obviously, the more you drink, the more and better the food.
- Go to bouzoukia. Those are like clubs, with live folk-ish greek music, lots of dance and people throwing flowers to the singer and to each other. In general, go out! For coffee, for drinks, for food, everything. It's a part of the Greek life you should not miss.
- Get a car in order to manage to visit as much of Pelion as you can, both beaches and villages. Pelion is a beautiful, beautiful mountain, full of green and traditional villages and beaches with clear, blue-green waters. There is also a small train that gives you a tour at Pelion, but the timetables are not so convenient. (We didn't use it)
- There are ATMs only at the main villages, so don't leave Volos without money. At, Agios Ioannis, for example, there was none. And, remember, prices in Greece are as high as in western Europe.
More information you can find here (right now the site is under construction, hopefully it will be ready soon) and at Wikipedia, too. By the way, the beaches in the photos here are: Fakistra (ph.2), Mourtias (ph.3-4), Vromoneri (ph.5-6), Milopotamos (ph.7-8), Papa Nero (ph.9), Plaka (ph.10), Agios Ioannis (ph.11-12).
