Experience Greece by train: A 2-week rail itinerary

Kalavryta is renowned for its historical and cultural value, particularly its monasteries. It earns its place on the itinerary thanks to its picturesque mountain character: stone houses, red-tiled roofs and small squares, all set within a lush landscape of fir forests, gorges and the peaks of Mount Helmos.

Kalavryta is also the terminus of the Odontotos rack railway, one of Greece’s most scenic train rides. For many travellers, this ride alone justifies a visit to Kalavryta.

Greece’s capital since 1834, Athens is considered the cradle of western civilisation, with remnants of its glorious past scattered around every corner of its urban vastness. Few capitals in the world carry their past so visibly, and fewer manage to integrate it so naturally within modernity.

Kalambaka sits on the edge of the Thessalian plain, directly beneath Meteora, where 6 monasteries built between the 1300s–1500s still stand atop towering sandstone pillars. The name Meteora translates to “suspended in the air,” a phrase that feels as precise as it is poetic for this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Volos has something to offer every season: it boasts multiple beaches with crystal blue waters for an unforgettable summer holiday, while the guesthouses up in snowy Mount Pelion are ideal for a winter getaway.

I hold a soft spot for this city due to its vivacity, which revolves around the waterfront promenade. And, as a self-proclaimed foodie, I can tell you that food culture here is central, especially the city’s tsipouradika, traditional taverns where small plates of delicious food arrive non-stop with orders of Volos’ famous tsipouro.

Take it from a biased local who misses his hometown every day: just one casual stroll by the waterfront is enough to make you fall in love with Thessaloniki. The nostalgia spilling over the weathered façades, the cool cafes and bars springing out of every corner, and the laid-back energy of the locals lure you in imperceptibly like the quiet pull of the Thermaic tide.

Founded in 315 BC, Thessaloniki carries a dense historical record – Roman infrastructure, Byzantine churches and Ottoman-era traces unfold harmoniously within a compact urban core.

Thessaloniki’s identity is inherently cultural. Universities, festivals and a strong dramaturgical and musical scene infuse the city with an intellectual undercurrent. Not to mention that the food here is superb, with Thessaloniki becoming Greece’s first UNESCO city of gastronomy in 2021.

The love for my city stems from how it combines a plethora of things to do without ever feeling too busy, chaotic or overwhelming. The Thessalonian motto is “chalará,” loosely translating to “keep it chill,” and it defines the rhythm of everyday life.