From behind the rocky crags completely hidden from sight, Samothrace Chora has been taunting me, calling me. This protected view is a real asset to a small island that needed to hide itself away from pirates back in the days of yore. The freshly harvested wheat fields reflect a glorious golden light. The only sound…
My hosts left for Alexandroupoli on the Adamantios Korais early this morning. On the wooden table outside the door of my room is a plate full of pomegranates that Mr Giannis has picked from his orchard. A perfect accompaniment to the yoghurt and honey that I’d purchased for my breakfast. I’m not sure but I…
Rightyhooo then – a quick photo-dump of some of the images of Xanthi that I haven’t yet had a chance to include in the previous posts. Here are photos of the former home of composer  Manos Hadjidakis, the old town hall, the Church of St Vlasios, Muzaffer Bey Mansion – and more. Xanthi has been…
Today the clouds have lifted to reveal a much brighter outlook than yesterday. My first mission is to take advantage of this break in the weather and walk along the Path of Life, a picturesque park running parallel to the Kosynthos River. The trail is about 6 kilometres long and the entrance is a short…
I am fast sailing past the halfway mark of my stay in Xanthi. I must admit that I have spent most of my time wandering around the old town admiring the architecture and the atmospheric alleyways. However, this morning I did attempt a trip to the nearby town of Komotini, the capital of the regional…
One of the top things to do when in Xanthi is visit the House of Shadow. It sits right in the heart of the Old Town so you can’t miss it, especially with its two muppet-style characters taking pride of place at the front of the building. When I say building, I mean art gallery…
This morning I will be heading off to Xanthi. My bag is packed and my bus ticket has been purchased – all good to go. As I fling open the curtains to my room I’m taken aback by the sight below me – I’d completely forgotten that today is Saturday – and that means market…
Although it’s 19 years since last in Kavala, the place feels very familiar. There are a couple of landmarks that I want to re-visit, the first being the Lighthouse of Kavala. It sits at the very tip of the peninsula, just beyond the House of Mohammed Ali. As I’d just left the museum it made…
On my daily walks to Panagia, Kavala’s Old Town I liked to swing by the House of Mohammed Ali which so far has been closed. If you are planning a visit, the museum is open from Thursday to Sunday 10:00-16:00 so make sure you time it correctly. Approaching the house from the main road that…
After my visit to the very interesting Museum of Hellenic Refugees, I follow this up with a visit to the Tobacco Museum. Kavala was the most important tobacco processing city in the Balkans. The soil and climate in and around Kavala were ideal growing conditions for tobacco. At the time of the Ottoman occupation, Turks…
I awoke this morning with a sense of anxiety as it dawned upon me that I only had one more day in Kavala. I had a mental list of things that I wanted to see and do and just didn’t have the appetite to do it all in a rush. If I’m going to visit…
How to make the most of three days in Kavala? In addition to everything that Kavala city itself has to offer, two things at the top of ‘must see’ list was visit the archaeological site of Philippi and the town of Drama. Both lie on the same bus route so today I’m going to kill…
