Successful holidays are those that truly help you to “break” from the daily concerns, work, obligations, problems, everyday life.
They make you get away and pick up memories with all your senses. To experience new beautiful places. Meet amazing people. To learn and appreciate.
Such was the case with our just 3 day holiday in Lake Plastiras, Greece.
Lake Plastira started as an option of necessity (unfortunately, the islands for us in the summer season are out of reach, both because of the cost of ferry tickets and the general cost of accommodation and food).
So with Tatiana, we looked for alternative destinations.
We had heard the best about Lake Plastira. Except that all the experiences came from winter visits. After all, the area is registered in the public consciousness as a winter destination. Snow, cold, fireplace.
Fortunately we didn’t follow the beaten path.
We decided to go to Lake Plastira for a summer holiday.
With this decision, we became richer in everything!
Sakis – Traditional tavern Prosilio in Neochorio of lake Plastiras, Greece
Sakis
Sakis, together with his wife Dimitra and their two children, run a traditional café/ tavern in Neochori of Lake Plastiras, Greece.
The tavern Prosilio, in Neochori of Lake Plastiras, Greece
If no one has told you about it, it may go unnoticed. Especially, when the surrounding area has many large taverns. Nothing says the bond that you will subsequently acquire with this place and these people.
The view of lake Plastiras from Prosilio
The view from Prosilio is amazing
The view to the mountain from Prosilio
But what wins you over and makes you want to go again and again, is the family atmosphere, the delicious really homemade food combined with friendly prices.
Sakis serves a group of fellow travelers who came for their morning coffee
At Prosilio you are not a customer, you are a guest.
Sakis and Demetra cook a few good meals every day.
While we were there we tasted, peasant chicken with mushrooms, braised tenderloin, soutzoukakia of Dimitra, tasso kebab, roast lamb, goat stew, eggplants a la prosilio, homemade tsipouro!
The homemade dessert was always a pleasant surprise. But we singled out the walnut pie from the hands of Dimitra.
Yes, we ate quite a lot. The holidays are not a good time to diet!
Sakis is smiling, communicative, eager to solve any questions and guide you in exploring the surrounding area, pointing out routes.
Dimitra is the pillar of the shop. A good cook, a good person, always smiling and ready for a chat.
After the meal, your table will turn into a tourist headquarters. Special tablecloths help in this. Using them, Sakis and Dimitra will inform you about the history of the area and suggest routes and tourist attractions.
Where can you find the tavern Prosilio at lake Plastiras, Greece for good food and a warm atmosphere?
Click on the image to see the location on Google Maps
Mr. Dimitris – Lake Plastiras Botanical garden
The entrance to the botanical garden at lake Plastiras
Mr. Dimitris Papantonis, the soul behind the botanical garden
In Lake Plastira there are two hidden treasures. The Botanical Garden and Mr. Dimitris Papantonis who maintains it.
Talking with Mr. Dimitris Papantonis
The Botanical garden of lake Plastiras is a place where you can see all the plants of the local flora. From uniquely beautiful trees like the Spruce, to herbs like the famous sea buckthorn (hippophaes).
Spruce tree
Everything is planted and alive. So the look of the garden changes depending on the season you go.
The garden was created thanks to a Leader project. But once the money from the community grants ran out, the garden was in danger of being lost and falling into disrepair.
Fortunately, however, Mr Dimitris Papantonis was responsible. A simple man who loves and cares for it. Thanks to him, the botanical garden of lake Plastiras is alive, organized, well-kept and unique.
Entrance costs the symbolic amount of 1 Euro.
You will be greeted by Mr. Dimitris and given a booklet listing all the plants you will encounter on your tour among the paths.
Inside the garden, next to each plant is a sign with a number.
By referring to the leaflet, you can learn about the plant and its properties.
Mr. Dimitris is engaged in tending the garden every day. Pruning and weeding. The botanical garden is an integral part of his being. He loves and aches for what he does and it shows. You can ask him anything you want. He is a real mobile library.
For example, we learned from him that the balsam plant, also called sword grass because it was used to treat sword wounds.
You can also taste teas and buy herbs at very low prices.
Visiting the botanical garden of Lake Plastira and meeting Mr. Dimitris is one of the things to do when visiting Lake Plastira.
Where is the lake Plastiras, Greece Botanical garden located?
Click on the image to see the location of Botanic garden on Google Maps
Mrs. Anthi – Guesthouse Anthemio at lake Plastiras, Greece
Guesthouse Anthemio in Neochorio of lake Plastiras
Following suggestions from friends, we stayed at the Anthemio Guesthouse.
Mrs. Anthi
The guesthouse Anthemio is maintained by Mrs. Anthi and her husband Mr. Makis.
The room was large and with very good traditional furniture. Useful for winter guests, is the fireplace and the comfortable sofas around it.
View from the balcony
Sunrise to lake Plastiras from the balcony of Anthemio
The guesthouse has a good view of the lake. It faces east, so you can enjoy the sunrise over the lake.
Like everywhere else we went, you feel like a guest here and not a customer.
In the garden of Anthemio you will receive your breakfast
The breakfast included in the price is prepared by the hands of Mrs. Anthi.
In the beautiful garden, you will taste homemade cheese pies, bread, cakes, eggs and honey of their own production.
In the evening, you will have a friendly chat and if you meet Mr. Makis, you will taste his homemade tsipouraki.
At Anthemio, you are and feel like a guest!
Oh, and for the internet addicts, the guesthouse has Wi-Fi connection in all rooms. They happened to bring the equipment the first day we went, so I made the arrangements.
I hope Ms. Anthi will take note of the other tips I gave her about using the Internet.
Where is the Anthemio guesthouse located in lake Plastiras, Greece?
Click on the image to see the location on Trip Advisor
Nearby excursions from lake Plastiras
Based at lake Plastiras you have the opportunity to visit many interesting places.
Apart from the final destination, I must emphasize that the routes are of unique beauty. The routes to your destination will be equally important and beautiful and will be unforgettable. Unfortunately, words are poor to describe the experience and the beauty of the landscapes you will traverse.
Lake Plastiras dam
Following a magical route through the forest, you can visit the dam of lake Plastiras. Read carefully the large metal sign that is discreetly placed in the area, which reads:
“IN THIS PLACE THE GENERAL NIKOLAOS PLASTIRAS
IN THE YEAR 1925 CONCEIVED THE IDEA OF THE CONSTRUCTION
A DAM FOR THE CREATION OF THE ARTIFICIAL
BULL POND. IN 1959 THE INSPIRATION OF
OF NIKOLAOS PLASTIRAS BECAME A REALITY SIX YEARS LATER
YEARS AFTER HIS DEATH BY THE THEN
BY THE DEATH OF HIS DEATH AFTER THE DEATH OF HIS DEATH
SINCE THEN THE ARTIFICIAL LAKE HAS GIVEN EVERY YEAR TO
TO THE NATIONAL SYSTEM OF THE DEI THREE HUNDRED MILLION
KILOWATT-HOURS OF ELECTRICITY AND ITS WATERS
MAKE UP TENS OF THOUSANDS OF ACRES.”
Trikala, Greece
You can visit the very beautiful city of Trikala.
We were impressed by the friendliness of the inhabitants.
In Trikala, we singled out two places: The river that runs through the city and the castle with its clock.
The river is clean and lively. In the river you will find many fish, swans and ducks.
Access to it is easy. At regular intervals there are stone stairs that lead you to its banks. On its banks there are clean and tidy benches where you can sit and relax.
Near the centre of the town is the castle. In it there is a beautiful shop (called “Fortress”), where you can drink your coffee or taste excellent dishes.
Going up to the clock (inside there is a small museum with pictures of Trikala and exhibits), you can see the whole city of Trikala from above. It is worth doing!
Meteora, Greece
A few kilometers after Trikala, there is Kalambaka and Meteora.
There are cases where too many words are poverty. That is why see the following photo.
Mountaineering shelter of Agrafa, Greece
A few kilometers above Neochori you can visit the Mountaineering Refuge of Agrafa.
The shelter is located at an altitude of 1400 meters. Neochorio is located at 900 meters.
The route through the forest is magical. Everywhere trees and greenery. You can hardly see the ground.
On the way we met a walker who was climbing vertically. The photo is impressive. Do you know him? If you know him, tell us who he is so we can send him the photo?
As a conclusion
Would we go to lake Plastiras, Greece again for a summer holiday?
With both hands raised, we say YES!!!
Tags: PLASTIRAS LAKE
