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MEETINGREECE
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CENTRAL GREECE
The railway transport lines that can be found in the Region are:
The harbor of Volos, constitutes the main harbor of Central
Greece and connects the region, as well as the rest of the country
with the Sporades islands (Skiathos, Skopelos, Glossa and
Alonnisos).
The region is directly linked to the rest of Europe through the
International Airport of Nea Anchialos located in a small distance
from Volos and Larissa. Until recently, charter flights link the
region and bring tourists to the wider area, mainly in Pelion and
Meteora. The new infrastructure includes a brand new terminal
ready to serve 1500 passengers per hour.
S PORADE S I S L ANDS
Skiathos
The earliest information about the history of Skiathos comes from
the “Travels” of an anonymous writer, previously thought to have
been the geographer Skymnos of Chios. According to the writer
of “Travels” then, the island was inhabited in prehistoric times by
the Pelasgians, a pre-hellenic tribe which came down from
Thrace. The local traditional architecture of Skiathos, which is
today continually disappearing, does not have a strict island
character. On the contrary, it is a combination of a traditional
mountainous village and an island village, with neoclassical
elements. In the island visitors can admire many religious
monuments and churches and can visit the writer’s Alexandros
Papadiamantis house. More than 30 beaches, with crystal clear
blue waters, surrounded by pine trees which are spread
everywhere on the island, are reachable by boat and/or by car as
well as enjoy the numerous beaches (with blue flags).
Skopelos
Skopelos is the largest of the islands which comprise the
Northern Sporades island group. Skopelos is also the name of
the main port and the municipal center of the island. According to
mythology, Skopelos, was founded by Staphylus, one of the sons
of the god Dionysos and the Princess Ariadne of Crete.
Historically, in the Late Bronze Age Skopelos, then known as
Peparethos (–) or Peparethus, was colonised by Cretans who
introduced viticulture to the island. The main port and municipal
center of the island (Skopelos or “Chora”) is situated in the bay
on the northern coast. The island of Skopelos is also noted for its
architectural heritage the famous Cheese Pie and the sun dried
Blue or Red Plums. Recently, a huge boost to the island’s tourism
was given after the success of the Mamma Mia that was filmed in
Skopelos. The island is served by commuter hydrofoils and
ferryboats from the ports of Volos Magnesia and Agios
Konstantinos, Phthiotida on mainland Greece which also allows
connections to and from Alonissos and Skiathos. In summer
there is a ferry to and from Thessaloniki and Kymi in Evia.
Skopelos has one main road which links the three main villages
by coach several times daily. There is a heliport in case of
medical emergencies.
Alonissos
The Alonissos of today was given this name during the first years
after the liberation of Greece and is not the same with the ancient
Alonissos. The island during antiquity called Ikos, while the
Alonissos of the ancient Greeks, was probably the neighbouring
island of Kyra Panagia, to the North. The Northern Sporades are
one of the prime breeding areas of the Mediterranean Monk Seal
(monachus monachus) an endangered species. In the area of
Alonissos, in 1992, the first National Marine Park of Greece has
been established.
E V I A
Evia is the second largest Greek island in area and population,
after Crete. The narrow Euripus Strait separates it from Viotia in
mainland Greece. Like most of the Greek islands, Evia was
originally known under other names in ancient times, such as
Macris and Doliche from its shape, Ellopia and Abantis from the
tribes inhabiting it. It is believed that Evia, was part of the
mainland, and has been separated from it after a severe
earthquake. The two main cities of the region are Chalkida and
Eretria, which were Ionian settlements from Attica. The bays of
Chalkida, according to historians, are the place where
Agamemnon’s fleet has detained by contrary winds. Also, in
Chalkida, the place where the strait is narrowest at only 40m, it is
called the Euripus Strait. The extraordinary changes of tide which
take place in this passage have been a subject of note since
classical times. At one moment the current runs like a river in one
direction, and shortly afterwards with equal velocity in the other.
One of the most important people, who were born in Evia, is
Georgios Papanikolaou, the inventor of Pap smear, a test that
helps in early cancer detection.