If you have read our previous travel article about the winter destination named Kalavryta you might already know that its most famous attraction is without hesitation the historic Diakopto-Kalavryta Railway. The railway was originally built in the late 19th century to transport the mining goods away for further processing. During the course of its history it has been adapted to please the eyes of the tourist. Indeed, the 22-km long rack railway, drives along the fabulous Gorge of Vouraikos, where you will be able to glaze at impressive rock formations or waterfalls, go through tunnels carved through the rocky hills, as well as follow the river Vouraikos, that flows down from the city of Kalavryta to Diakopto where it merges with the Korinthiakos Gulf.

There are three trains per day on weekdays and five trains per day on the weekends and a one-way trip will last roughly one hour. One hour, during which you will be able to enjoy one of the most spectacular cogwheel trips. Be sure to get early enough at the train station as the trains are usually fully booked, especially during the holidays. It is also possible to walk down along the tracks and gorge or to stop in the middle of the train trip at a picturesque village called Zachlorou and walk the rest of the way (13 km) to Diakopto.

Once arrived at Diakopto (sometimes spelt Diakofto), the first monument you will see is the old steam locomotive No 8003, which served the route for over 70 years for a cumulated total of 2 million kilometres. More modern but also retired trains that served this railway in the past can also been seen, for example the train called by the locals Odontotos (greek word for having teeth) because of its cogwheels and composed of two wagons with a diesel engine in between. Diakopto itself is a small town of roughly 7000 habitants in the municipality of Achaea and is located at the Korinthiakos Gulf at sea-level.

You can read more about the Kalavryta destination on the Hellas Holiday web site as well as search and book your accommodation in Diakofto or Kalavryta. Be sure not to miss this fantastic trip with the Diakopto-Kalavryta cogwheel train; it is a great experience!

During our stay in Kalavryta we spotted quite a few goats around the region, especially while driving through some hills. The goats were either having some “snack” at the side of the road, crossing the roads wildly or even climbing down the rocky hills with impressive agility and speed. Watch the video below and see what the goats of Kalavryta are up to!

Located at 758 m elevation in eastcentral Achaea in Greece and only 2.5 hours by car from Athens, Kalavryta is the perfect winter destination for relaxation and winter sports. Kalavryta is well known for its ski centre located in the east of the town, on the highest mountain of the region, Mount Aroania also known as Mount Chelmos (2341 m). The ski centre, which is only 30 minutes drive from the town of Kalavryta, offers 7 lifts and 14 slopes ranging from very easy (green slopes) to very difficult (black slopes).

Another famous attraction in the region of Kalavryta is the Diakopto-Kalavryta Railway, which is a 22-km trip of a bit more than an hour duration, driving you through caves and beautiful rivers, water falls and peculiar rock formations on its single line narrow railway. This little cogwheel train will bring you down to Diakopto, where you will be able to enjoy the nice view to the Korinthiakos Gulf, as well as Mounts Vardousia (2495 m), Giona (2510 m) and Parnassos (2457 m) in the background.

But that is not all; the surroundings of Kalavryta, smaller mountains covered with fir trees and pine trees, and valleys of platanus trees, offer many small picturesque villages, such as Planitero, which are undoubtedly worth a stroll. In Planitero, the local restaurants have their own trout, salmon and sturgeon hatcheries, where you can can taste fresh fish. Last but not least, the Cave of the Lakes in Kastria, will amaze you with its stalactites and stalagmites, formed over thousands of years, and its clear blue lakes, which are the result of rain and snow melting through the hill. A short guided tour in the Cave is offered.

You do not even need to worry about finding a hotel room suitable for you, as there are almost 30 hotels, hostels, guesthouses and apartments dispersed around Kalavryta. Hellas Holiday has made your job even easier by providing you with a list of accommodations in the region of Kalavryta, as well as a map of Kalavryta with accommodations.

The yearly Aegina Fistiki Fest is all about the small and green culinary nut named pistachio. During these four days of festivities in September, the port of Aegina transforms itself to accommodate culinary degustations and competitions, concerts and theatrical performances with popular artists, as well as various exhibitions involving the famous local nut. The Aegina Fistiki Fest gathers yearly around 30,000 people.

Nowadays, the most characteristic crop of Aegina is definitely the pistachio. Pistachio trees were imported in the early 20th century and now inhabit most of the surface of the beautiful Saronic island of Aegina. The climate and soil of the island proved to be ideal for pistachio trees and with the time the culture supported the local economy of the island. That is why, since three years, Aegina has started to celebrate the pistachio nut with Fistiki Fest.

The diverse exhibitors at Fistiki Fest will delight you with with a wide palette of delicacies all featuring the pistachio nut in some form. If you get the chance to pass by this festival, do not miss the green pistachio liquor; it is tasty and refreshing at the same time. But that’s not all, exhibitors also include local honey of exceptional taste, handmade ceramic pottery in many different colors and patterns, and handmade jewelery. The festivities go on all whole day long, and include concerts or other kinds of entertainment during the evening.

Also noteworthy is the pistachio dessert competition, which takes place the last day of the festival, usually a Sunday. For that event, a jury composed of chefs and connoisseurs from the Hellenic Chef’s Association assemble in order to taste various traditional or eccentric creations all including pistachio nuts. Watch the video above or photo gallery below and catch a glimpse at a member of the jury commenting on one of the desserts.

For more information, visit the official website of the Pistachio Festival.

Situated in the north-east side of Aegina between Agia Marina and Souvala, the small village of Vagia is known for its traditional fishing port and its islet, which is at swimming distance from the beach. The beach is surrounded by beautiful pine trees of various sizes, which will make your stay at the beach even more enjoyable providing you with some shade. The beach of Troulos is also located nearby.

Vagia has sufficient accommodation facilities, hotels and rooms to let as well as taverns and cafés along the sea-side, where you will be able to relax and enjoy fresh sea food in all quietude. Furthermore, Vagia offers easy access to archeological and historical sites and is a great starting point to explore the island.

Vagia is the ideal place if you are looking to avoid the crowd without being far away from other villages or historical sites on the beautiful island of Aegina.