Educational and cultural tours in Volos and in Pelion

A visit to Volos and Pelion is a great idea, especially if you are interested in educational and cultural tours. I can suggest you these educational and cultural tours which are perfect for visitors of all ages and especially for children and teenagers:

The soil of Dimini 

 The tour includes a visit to the neolithic settlement of Dimini or to the Athanasakeion Archeological Museum where the children will learn everything about the ceramics production of Dimini. Then they will visit Tsalapata Bricks and Rooftiles museum where they will see how soil was used for the production of bricks and rooftiles. The last stop of our tour will be at  a potter's workshop where they children will discover that the art of pottery is the same over time...

Discovering the ancient and modern industrial history of Volos

The tour will include a combined visit to the Athanasakeion Archeological musem of Volos and  Tsalapata Bricks and Rooftiles museum where the children will discover the ancient and modern industrial history of Volos

In search of tradition, nature and industry 

The tour will include visits to the Natural history museum of Volos, the silk museum housed in the silk factory of Ekmetzoglou brothers and the Centre of Enviromental Education in Makrinitsa where the children will be introduced to the tradition, nature and industry of Volos and Pelion

The little train of Pelion makes a stop at the Olive and Oil Museum

The children will visit  Olive and Oil Museum in the Pelion village Ano Gatzea where they will learn how to make olive oil and soap. Then they will visit the traditional village of Milies where they get the chance to travel by Smudgy, the little train of Pelion.

Travel and taste the local products of Volos

They say that the local products of each place contain the secrets of its history and culture. You may wish to experience the following "Local products tour" during your stay in Volos and in Pelion:

The visitors who will choose this tour will have the chance to taste the local products of Volos and Pelion. They will visit Agria, a small seaside village where they will have a tour at EPSA soft drinks factory in Agria. The 90 years factory is worth visiting because it was build according to traditional Pelion architecture. The visitors will learn the history of the factory and of course they will drink EPSA lemonade! We will then travel to the traditional village Milies. Milies is a popular tourist destination all year round. In Milies we will visit the church of the Archangels (built before 1741), the folklore museum and the Greek Enlightenment Library of the village. We will have lunch at a local restaurant where we will taste Pelion specialties and the famous Pelion spoon sweets (fruits boiled with water and sugar) have been a welcome treat to guests in the villages of Pelion for many centuries. We will then take Smudgy, the Little Train of Pelion from the railway station of Milies. This unique train was designed in 1895 and connected Volos and Lechonia and later Volos and Milies. The constructor of Smudgy was the Italian engineer Evaristo de Chirico, father of the famous painter Giorgio de Chirico.  The journey through the forests of Pelion will offer a magnificent and rewarding view!

http://epsa.gr/%CE%B7-%CE%B5%CF%84%CE%B1%CE%B9%CF%81%CE%B9%CE%B1/

Places in Volos where you can relive the Argonautic Expedition

Volos is the ancient city Iolcus and Jason's hometown. The fascinating myth of the Argonautic Expedition has survived over time and it has been passed from one generation to the other...No matter how old you are, I am sure you find the search for the Golden Fleece charming and you wish you had the opportunity to be one of the heroes of the Argonautic Expedition. In that case, I 've got good news for you, since there are places in Volos and in Pelion strongly associated with the Argonautic Expedition. So, if you wish you to walk in Jason's footsteps, you should visit these places in Volos and in Pelion:

• Dimini: The Mycenaean settlement that was discovered in Dimini has convinced many archeologists that ancient Iolcus was located there. Thus, it is possible that Jason was born in Dimini's megaron (palace)
• Portaria and Makrinitsa: The Centaurs, mythical  half men and half horses creatures lived in the caves of Portaria and Makrinitsa. Jason was taught there by his teacher, the wise Chiron who kept him hidden to protect him from his uncle, king Pelias
• Anavros: Jason lost his sandal in Anavros  when he helped the goddess Hera (who was disguised as an old lady) cross the river
• Pefkakia: Archeologists claim that the port of Iolcus was in Pefkakia (i.e. it means pine trees in greek). Argos, Jason's cousin, used timber from the area to built Argo. So, it is very possible that the Argonautic began from Pefkakia. The maritime tradition still exists, as many locals are mariners, fishermen and shipbuilders
• Argo: Argo, Jason' ship and Volos'emblem is at the port of Volos ready for another adventure...
• Afyssos: The beautiful Pelion beach Afyssos was named after the Greek verb "αφίημι" which means to leave. It's where the Argonauts were forced to leave Hercules behind, because he was too heavy and Argo was about to sink!

Walking and sightseeing at the port of Volos

 The port of Volos day and night

 The port of Volos is the perfect place for a city walking tour! It is full of people strolling up and down, riding a bike or drinking coffee at the popular coffeeshops. So, why don't you begin your visit to Volos from the port?
Based on my experience as a tourist guide in Volos, I would suggest the following walking tour for you...

• Athanasakeion Archeological Museum:There is no better starting point than the museum where you can learn everything about the ancient history and myths of Volos!
• Anavros beach: Exiting the museum, the first thing you notice is the beautiful and closeby Anavros beach
• Agios Konstantinos (Saint Constantine) Church: This magnificent church is the perfect setting for a wedding or a baptism
• Papastratos' tobacco warehouses which house the University of Thessaly: This building may be the landmark of Volos as you will see it in every postcard and guidebook to Volos
• Argo: You should not forget to take a picture of Jason's ship which according to the myth travelled to Colchis
• Pefkakia: From the port of Volos, you get a nice view of Pefkakia (pine trees), the place where Argo was built
• Achilleion cinema theatre and the Bank of Greece: These neoclassical buildings are perhaps two of the oldest and most impressive buildings of Volos
• The fishermen's boats: Take a look at the fishermen selling fresh fish to locals and tsipouradika-owners
• Conservatory and the University library: Another two beautiful neoclassical buildings which used to be banks
• The Church of Transfiguration (Metamorphosi): Your tour may end here, in front of the worth visiting church of Transfiguration

During your walking tour, please don't  forget to make a stop for a coffee break at one of the many coffeeshops of Volos. Of course, when you finish your walking and sightseeing it's time to taste tsipouro and local appetisers!!!

Makrinitsa: The balcony of Pelion

It was 1934 when Eleftherios Venizelos, one of the most important Greek Prime ministers, visited the famous village of Mount Pelion, Makrinitsa, and called it "The balcony of Pelion". Since then, 80 years have passed, but the view still remains charming and tempting! Ask the visitors who admired the view from Makrinitsa and they want to come again...

P.S Take a good look at the pictures and you 'll see the beautiful cruise ship Queen Elizabeth

A Queen has come to Volos

This summer was a summer full of cruise ships for Volos! On Wednesday Queen Elizabeth, one of the world's biggest and most luxurious cruise ships, came to Volos port. Around 2,000 tourists had the opportunity to see our city's beauties. I had the pleasure to guide a very friendly family from Mexico. Together we went on a private tour and they had the chance to admire Makrinitsa's panoramic view of Volos and the Pagasitic Gulf. The members of the Mexican family walked around the village, they took great pictures and they tasted EPSA lemonade, baklava and karydopita (Greek walnut cake with syrup). They boarded Queen Elizabeth wih great memories and with the promise to come back sometime...

The fishermen's boats: One of the nicest spots at the port of Volos

 If you want to taste fresh fish in Volos, just go to  the local fishermen early in the morning....

What to taste in Volos? Because travelling is a matter of tastes...

The legendary tsipouradika of Volos

Everyday, no matter how early or late it is you 'll see locals drinking tsipouro in the legendary tsipouradika (small restaurants around Volos that serve tsipouro with traditional seafood appetisers). Have a drink with them and you 'll never forget Volos and its tsipouro!!!

 The famous EPSA soft drinks

Source:http://epsa.gr

It all started with EPSA in 1924 when the Kosmantopoulos brothers established their company "Agrias Refrigerator Company",  EPSA. They invited a German engineer to invent the secret lemonade recipe. Since then  many things have changed, but not the awarded glass bottle of the company and its refreshing soft drinks. 

Top 10 places to see and visit in Volos

 

If you come to Volos for just one day,  please don't forget to visit Volos' top 10 places:

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• Volos Town Hall designed by the architect D. Pikionis and inspired by the Pelion mansions
• The Railway Station designed by the Italian engineer Evaristo De Chirico who was the father of the famous painter Giorgio De Chirico
• Giogio De Chirico' s art center
• Saint Nicholas' Church: The town's  cathedral  and a popular meeting place for everyone in Volos
• The Conservatory: A beautiful neoclassical building near the Church of Transfiguration (Metamorphosi) which housed the National Bank of Volos
•  Argo, Jason's ship in the port of Volos
•  Achilleion, a cinema and theater in the port of Volos
• The University of Thessaly (my university!) housed in the  warehouses of tobacco industry Papastratou
• Athanasakeion Archeological Museum where you can admire findings from the neolithic settlements of Sesklo and Dimini and the burial steles from Dimitrias
• Tsalapata Industrial Museum: A bricks and rooftiles factory in the Old City of Volos (Palia) with is an excellent example of the industrial history of Volos

The revival of Argo's journey

 

Jason requested his cousin, the shipwright Argos, to construct a ship which would take him to Colchis. Argos used timber from the forests of Pelion and with goddess Athena’s help, he managed to built “Argo”. In 2008 with the help of Volos Municipality and the Scientific Institute "Navdomos" Institute for  research of ancient ship building and Technology, Argo was rebuilt and a group of modern Argonauts sailed fom Volos to Venice.

It followed the reverse route of 1200 nautical miles that covered according to the myth on its return, with equal technical difficulty in distances, time and circumstances with the mythical journey.

From Greece to Albania, from Montenegroto Croatia, to Slovenia, up to Italy, Argo revived its myth and returned safely to the port of Volos ready for another journey.

Details of the Argo Project

2002 Initiation of experimental program

2004 Initiation of experimental construction

Detection and collection of Pelion timber, Centaurs mountain

Usage of tools dated in ancient times

Construction of the keel

Compiling lateral parts

2006 Construction completion  

Launching the ship

2007 Pilot voyages

2008 Journey from Volos to Venice

The Argonautic Expedition: The journey begins from Iolcus (Volos)

 

Jason and Medea by John William Waterhouse (1907)

Jason was the local hero of Iolcus (the ancient name of Volos).  He was the son of  Aeson, the king of Iolcus. His uncle, Pelias overthrew his brother and claimed the throne for himself. Jason's mother, Alcimede sent him to the Centaur Chiron to get educated. Jason stayed hidden in Pelion until he reached adulthood.

Many years later, Pelias was holding games in honor of the sea god and his alleged father, Poseidon, when Jason arrived in Iolcus and lost one of his sandals in the river Anauros while helping an old woman cross (the Goddess Hera in disguise) the river. Hera offered her help to claim back the throne of Iolcus. When Jason met his uncle, he asked him to bring back the Golden Fleece from Colchis in exchange for the throne. Jason happily accepted the quest.

Jason asked his cousin to construct Argo, the ship that took him and a group of heroes to Colchis. After a number of adventures, Jason and the Argonauts made it to Colchis, which was ruled by Aeetes. Medea, the powerful sorceress and daughter of Aeetes, fell in love with Jason and helped him bring back the fleece to Iolcus. Jason became the king of Iolcus, he married Medea and they ruled together for many years!