North EviaGreece

North Evia One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life: that word is love. --Sophocles

The region of north Evia is a particularly gorgeous and serene area, with the dramatic landscapes of pine forests and the blue-green waters of the Aegean. It's a place where you can easily relax and unwind from the stresses and hassles of the life you've left behind.

There are lots of delightful towns and villages that stretch across the whole region of Evia, many of which are an ideal base for your holidays and quite lovely for daily excursions.

Whether you're thinking of a holiday full of fun, with plenty to do or one of sheer relaxation, you can be sure that the northern region will provide you and your family with everything you need to have smashing holidays.

If you are one of those who enjoy the beach, there's a great choice to be found along the north coast of Evia. They're ideal for a good swim and building up a great suntan, and perhaps a game of volleyball.

The archetypal spa town of Loutra Edipsou has healing sulphur waters, which have been used extensively since ancient times. The most notable of 'skinny dippers' have included Aristotle, Plutarch and Sylla.

The town's steady growth over time has been connected to the vastly improving technology which is required to move vast quantities of water further from its thermal source. Benefiting from the improvements, the town now boasts two of Greece's most advanced hydrotherapy and physiotherapy centres.

There's also a good beach for a swim - Paralia Loutron - which is heated throughout the year from the thermal waters which spill into the sea...fantastic!

Well, after making it all the way to Evia, you will no doubt be wanting somewhere to sleep and eat, so I have listed a couple of our favourite places for you here.

The prices I have quoted pertain to the high summer season and low season rates are reduced by approximately 20%.

Hotel AEGLI - Edipsos, North Evia
Category / Stars:	3
Rooms:	58
Hotel Indoor Facilities:	Restaurant, Air Conditioned, Swimming Pool for children, Night Club, SPA, Bar
Hotel Outdoor Facilities:	Parking
Room Facilities:	Room Service, Television set, Fridge
Telephone:	2226-022215/6
E-mail:	-
Web site:	-
Prices:	Suites: Single room: €20,00 - €40,00 Double room: €25,00 - €60,00 Breakfast: €5,00 & €6,00
Meal:	-
Distances:	Airport: 140kms Town: Port: 150m Hospital: 22kms Beach: 15m
Comments:	This charming hotel is great value for money, and is now in the hands of the new owners, who I am told are very nice people, so I expect things to be as they always have been. The rooms with high ceilings are a generous size and very comfortable, and the lobby displays framed autographs of VIP's who have all been guests here, including Greta Garbo and Winston Churchill. This north Evia hotel also offers 20-minute hydrotherapy baths.

Hotel KENTRIKON - Edipsos, North Evia
Category / Stars:	4
Rooms:	50 spacious luxury
Hotel Indoor Facilities:	Restaurant, Air Conditioned, Swimming Pool for children, Night Club, SPA, Bar
Hotel Outdoor Facilities:	Parking
Room Facilities:	Room Service, Television set, Fridge
Telephone:	22260-22302
E-mail:	-
Web site:	http://www.kentrikonhotel.com/
Prices:	Suites: Single room: €42,00 Double room: €60,00 Triple: €70,00
Meal:	€25,00
Distances:	Airport: 140kms Town: In the town Port: 150m Hospital: 22kms Beach: -
Comments:	The Hotel Kentrikon is situated in the center of the old town, close to the spring fountain area, and the central park, next to the beach. The hotel was originally built in 1935 and depicted the glamour, charm and the style of this era. The Kentrikon Hotel was renovated and reconstructed very recently, providing a very modern service and selection of comfortable accommodation.

 

Greece is a country which is passionate about its food, and everything is available, from a simple gyro to full blown 'haute cuisine'. Most restaurants can offer something to suit your palate.

When Colin and I went on our very first trip to Evia we discovered a great little self-service restaurant called Captain Cook's (tel: 22260 23852).

We arrived famished and thirsty after a long day exploring the island. We filled ourselves with a hearty psaro-soupa (fantastic fish soup), yemista (stuffed tomatoes and peppers) and psari plaki (baked fish).

Captain Cook's is a popular seaside eatery, just 200m south of the port.

The seaside hotel which I mentioned a little earlier has an extension built to house the Taverna Aegli; their telephone number is 22260 22215. Main courses are avaialable for around €4,00 - €8,00. The last time we were there we got a few plates of freshly grilled sardines, stuffed zucchini flowers and wine for about €10,00 per head.

Getting Out & About

Bus

Buses run from the bus station which is located 250m up from the port, to

• Halkida which costs €9.20, takes 2½ hours and leaves daily at 16:00.
• Athens which costs €11.80, takes 3½ hours; there are three daily via Arkista.
• Thessaloniki which costs €21.30 takes 5 hours and leaves daily at 10:00 via Glyfa.

Ferry

The ferry (telephone number 22260 31107) runs from mainline Glyfa to Agiokambos and cost €1,50, takes 25 minutes for the journey and runs eight to 12 times daily. There is also a service from mainland Arkista to Loutra Edipsou, €2,40 and takes 40 minutes which operates ten to twelve times daily.

One of North Evia's most delightful little spots is Limni. Facing toward the sea, it's a labyrinth of white-washed houses and narrow lanes spewing onto a busy waterfront of cafes and an array of tavernas.

The town's cultural museum (telephone number 22270 31900) is just a hop-skip-and-a-jump up from the waterfront and features local archaeological finds along with antique looms, costumes and old coins. It has a small admission fee of just €2 and is open Monday to Saturday between 09:00 and 13:00 and Sunday from 10:30 to 13:00.

Having very few visitors it is well worth a day or so to stopover.

If you have your own transport, or if you enjoy walking, you can visit the impressive 16th century Convent of Galataki which is 8km southeast of Limni on a hillside above the road.

The fine mosaics and frescoes in its katholikon (main church) merit a look, especially the Entry of the Righteous into Paradise.

The convent is generally open from 09:00 to 18:00 daily, with a good taverna under the trees nearby.

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