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About Pilio | The village Afetes
About Pilio The chosen mountain of the twelve gods of Olympos -according to Greek mythology- stands at 1624m high, with a natural forest North West of Volos. There are 24 traditional villages built on the mountain. The old houses are all built with thick walls from stone, according to the traditional Pilio style. The roof of the houses, together with all the squares and roads of the villages, are built with a grey-green stone, known as "Plaka Piliou". This stone together with the flowers, trees and the old earthenware jars make a unique sightseeing. All around the mountain, an observer can see forest from huge oaks and plane-trees. The mountain is full of running waters and waterfalls. The Aegean Sea can be seen from the eastern steep side of Pilio that ends in beautiful beaches, either rocky or sandy, like Milopotamos, St. John, Labinou, Kalamaki, Neohori, Siki, Paltsi and Ksinovrisi. On the west side of the mountain the observer can see peaceful beaches in the Pagasitikos bay, like Kala Nera, Afisos, Lefokastro, Horto and Milina. Pilio has a unique combination of sea and mountain, great tourist facilities, natural beauty and tradition. This makes it a good place for vacation all year around. The guest can walk on small trails around the mountains. Walking there the observer can find stone bridges, old churches and monasteries. During the winter period, there is a snow centre named Agriolefkes, offering tracks for beginners or experts. During the summer there are a number of summer sports available in most of the beaches. Additionally the visitor can even participate in the olive processing or do horse riding on the mountain and by the sea. There is
also an old train available named "Mountzouris" that goes around the mountain.
In the villages, the guests can find traditional Greek restaurants, and many
tourist shops. The guest can also try "Tsipouro", a kind of wine that according
to mythology was the drink of the Gods, or try the traditional sweets of Pilio. Afetes is a peaceful village of Pilio, about 300m above sea level. Its is located 27 km. from Volos by the main road, about 25 minutes away by car. According to the legends, its name is after the fact that Hercules was left there during a trip, when Iasonas decided that he was too big and heavy for his boat Argo. The name Afetes is similar to the word 'Afino' which in Greek means leave. The village houses are spread around overlooking the Pagasitikos bay. The main characteristic of the village is the three stone bridges, over the three rivers. These rivers offer a unique sightseeing, with the running waters, the birds and the sounds of nature. The visitor can walk around the traditional roads of the village, the five old churches, or go down a little trail for a 20 minute walk to the beach Abovos. Additionally in the village there is an old olive oil factory worth seeing. The village is full of life throughout the year, since many different festivals and celebrations are taking place every season. The traditional “pilioritikos” weddings, flying kites or “barouties” for the successful cooking of the roast meat on the old oven of the village are some of the most well known festivities. In winter time the snowing mountainsides and the tang of burning wood all around the village that is coming from the fireplaces and the old stoves, create a sensation. The visitors can enjoy the calm atmosphere of the village and the snow-white landscape without worrying about possible snow-bound, since in every case the city of Volos is only 27 kilometers away. Additionally the village is only twenty minutes away by car (from two central routes) from the noisy touristic villages of Milies, Vizitsa and Pinakates. During spring time the place becomes paradise with the colorful wild flowers and the fruit-bearing trees, mostly apple- and pear-trees, that blossom on the mountainsides. At the same time the village gardens that are in flower are coming to add color at this magnificent landscape. Camellias, hydrangeas, and gardenias are the main flowers that the visitor can admire all around the village. This lovely atmosphere combined with the local carnivals and festivals gives the opportunity to the visitor to have pure fun. Summer season is also amazing with the cool breeze and the luxuriant vegetation that in combination with the beautiful Aegean beaches (Kalamakiou, Labinous, Sikis, Ksinovrisi, Paltsi etc and the beaches that are located in the coast of Pagasitikos create the perfect conditions for unforgettable holidays. Autumn
is marked with the alternation of colors and the preparation of the earth for
the winter time. This is a time of pure mystery and an opportunity for the
observer to find some time to search deep within himself. |
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