Alternative holidays for this summer and enchanting “hidden” destinations

As long as the majority of the world is crowded into some very popular destinations, the search for a few days of vacation and even on a budget seems like a utopian scenario.

But the reality is different even for the most “difficult” month in Greece, namely August. As the hoteliers report, our country has many possibilities for someone to spend their holidays and enjoy nature and their baths, to relax and escape from everyday life, without having to spend too much money in a period that due to high demand the prices are increased.

In many regions of Greece there are destinations that combine mountain and sea or other activities in nature and are an excellent choice.

As emphasized by Aggelos Kallias, Secretary General of the Panhellenic Hoteliers’ Federation (POX) speaking to the Athenian-Macedonian News Agency, “the mountains provide the solution for relaxing holidays and affordable prices ranging from 50-100 euros for a double room. There is the choice of the sea at close distances, the rivers and other kinds of experiences such as cycling, gastronomy, etc. In general, however, there are many opportunities in areas such as Thrace, the Peloponnese, Pieria and the islands of the North Aegean»

The fact that the Greek still chooses to go on holiday mainly in August creates a big problem, according to the General Manager of POX, because the occupancy rates are very high and it is difficult. “We need to change our philosophy and generally consider other solutions where we can rest cool and economically.”

According to Mr. Kallias, there were mountainous destinations where in the summer occupancy exceeded 70%, such as Zagoriathe Pelionthe Arcadiaand the Peloponnese in general, however, this year the traffic is somewhat reduced.

It should be noted that of the specific hotels, around 40% remain open during the summer months, i.e. around 800 units.

“This year, the situation is not so good in general, because while we have an increase in arrivals of around 14% overall, the hotels will “close” the year with a drop in turnover of around 7%, as even though the prices have gone up, the operating costs are too very high and leave no margin for profit. Let’s add here, that in the last 8 years, 50,000 hotel beds were made, while short-term rental accommodation is estimated at 800,000, and this creates another issue for the hotel industry”, explains Mr. Kallias.

In Epirus, the possibility that someone will come to an option that will “compensate” him is even greater this year, since as pointed out by Spyros Sourelis, president of the Hoteliers’ Union of Ioannina some traditional markets were lost or reduced, such as Israel and central European countries and so the occupancy averages around 30% except for some weekends and of course August 15th which so far hovers around 60%. “The most touristic areas are the Metsovo, the Jumerkathe Konitsa and Zagorochoria where one can enjoy a few days of vacation at prices starting from 50 euros for a double room. There are also many who choose Ioannina and from there make excursions to Syvota, Parga, I predicted while of course there are also last minute ones. The mountain may not have a sea, but it has rivers and possibilities for rafting, hiking, etc., which are an excellent choice”, notes Mr. Surelis.

Accommodations starting from 50 euros and hotels from 80, combining mountain and sea can also be found in the area of ​​Kalavryta, as reported by Konstantinos Dafalias President of the Association of Hoteliers & Tourist Accommodations of Kalavryta.

“For us, the occupancy rates are not high at this time, except at the weekends which reach around 60% and given that only 40% of the accommodation remains open at this time. However, the area is a very good choice as the visitor can bathe nearby and sleep at night in the cool, without air conditioning. The sea is about 30 km away, as its beaches are nearby Aegialialike the Puntathe Akrata etc. but also the Intermittent. Also, one can take the cog and go down Diakopto as an excursion. In addition, there is also the possibility for religious tourism, where one can visit its monastery Agia Lavra and Great Cave the oldest monastery in Greece.

Combined can visit the Cave of the Lakes and the waterfalls in Brigadier Generalthe Ano Vlasiaits area Klitoriasas well as its sources Aroaniou river located in the village A planet in a sycamore forest. THE Slingshot and the below Zachlorou they are also very beautiful traditional villages. But apart from the area of Kalavryton and Trikala Corinthia is an interesting option that combines mountain and sea, as the beaches of Xylokastro are nearby.”