Category: Uncategorized

Perhaps it’s the excellent climate, perhaps the fertile ground, perhaps the blessed sea that is so generous and also facilitates communication with other places. Perhaps, it’s all these things together, an ideal combination that has helped Argolida be at the center of civilization for millennia. And if today Porto Heli, Ermioni and other regions of Argolida belong to the top vacation destinations in Greece, nine thousand years ago, the people of the time chose Argolida to build their homes.

This is what Greek and Swiss archeologists will explore from August until September; as described by Ethnos, they will be at the cave Frahthi in Argolikos bay and the moor of the valley in order to discover traces of a neolithic civilization that flourished around 7000 BC. The cave itself had been inhabited for even longer, perhaps even since the Paleolithic Era. The scientists will be looking for clues which will reveal that the area hosted the oldest known village in Europe.

The cave was not so close to the sea then. The water levels were much lower and that was advantageous towards the creation of coastal settlements. Because of the rise of the water levels, however, there is too much mud now and this will make the excavation more difficult, but the archeologists are determined to find the truth. Besides, the cave has given us great findings in the past, like the skeleton of a man who lived 8 to 10 thousand years ago, as well as other artifacts.

 Argolida Hotels – AKS Porto Heli

Built centuries ago within the rocks, isolated and peaceful, Avgou Monastery is one of the most important sights in Argolida. If you are on vacation at some of the coastal towns of the region, like Porto Heli, it is definitely worth considering an excursion to Mountain Avgo and the valley of the River Rados (also known as Sellas torrent), through forest and dirt road, far away from civilization.

The architecture of Avgou Monastery keeps the byzantine tradition of building the cloisters by digging in the rocks and this makes it even more imposing. It is not known when its construction began, but its hagiographies and its murals in the oldest section date back to the eleventh century, while other sections were built later. Records of the monastery exist after the seventeenth century. So, for almost a millennium now, monks have been coming here to this magnificent place to seek contact with God.

Today the monastery doesn’t host any monks, but there are services in the church a few times a year. The visitors, however, are numerous, especially during the summer months of the year, when Argolida receives thousands of holiday goers. Those who wish a change of pace, to come into contact with nature, as well as Greek history and tradition, should include Avgou Monastery in their activities.

Our Hotel Receptions in Porto Heli can give you detailed instructions on how to get to Avgou Monastery from AKS Porto Heli and AKS Hinitsa Bay.

Argolida Hotels – AKS Porto Heli

One of the most impressive sights in the Peloponnese, hidden among its imposing mountains, is the temple of Apollo Epicurius, found in Bassae of Figaleia, on Mt Kotilio. Its erection is placed at the end of the fifth century BC and it is said that its architect was Iktinos, who, along with Kalllikratis, had designed the Parthenon. Built on a barren rock, lonely and magnificent, the temple was considered by Pausanias to be one of the most beautiful temples in the Peloponnese. UNESCO declared that it is a World Heritage Site as early as 1986. Today a roof has been placed above it to offer protection, but the visitor will surely feel the awe that the ancient Greeks felt when they worshiped their gods there. There are also some impressive myths that are connected to the temple of Apollo Epicurius. One of them says that the foundation is built in such a way, with a gradient and other architectural innovations, that the temple can revolve and follow the north star. It is perhaps no accident that it is one of the very few temples with a north to south orientation instead of an east to west, like the majority of ancient temples. We can’t know if the myth is true, but we are certain that the ancient Greeks hid a lot of secrets that we still haven’t discovered, even today. Peloponnese Hotels – AKS Porto Heli

Aghios Aimilianos is a cape quite close to the beautiful and cosmopolitan Porto Heli, a small settlement with generous natural beauty in its seas, its beaches and inland. This, and its proximity to Athens, is the reason why, the rich and famous have chosen Aghios Aimilianos to retreat from their hectic lives. The name of the settlement is taken from the chapel that is preferred by the residents of the general area for their most important moments, like weddings and christenings. A walk around the settlement however, as well as a drive to the outskirts will bring you next to luxurious villas and magnificent summer dwellings that belong to ship owners, factory owners, and also actors and singers, from Greece or abroad. The green forests end where the waves break and that’s where dozens of small beaches hide, private or otherwise. In the water, in small harbors and marinas, there are sailboats and speedboats. If someone isn’t informed, he might imagine that this landscape belongs to the French Riviera or Monte Carlo, but it’s Aghios Aimilianos, near Porto Heli. A short distance away you can find the Costa beach, one of the most known and crowded beaches of the region. From there you can cross the narrow sea to Spetses, if you so wish. Hotels in Peloponnese – AKS Hinitsa Bay

It combines mountains and sea, wilderness and beautiful cities, ancient civilization and modern living. The Peloponnese has all these elements that make those who live there proud and all the rest wish they could visit. Most people know that it took its name form the mythical king, Pelops, but how many know his impressive story? Pelops was the son of Tantalus and at a young age he was cut into pieces by his father who wanted to serve him as a meal to the gods, to see if he can fool them. The Olympian gods, however, saw through the plot, besides Demeter who managed to eat the left shoulder. The gods punished Tantalus to always stand in water and under delicious fruits, without being able neither to drink nor to eat (that’s where the word “tantalize” comes from) and ordered Clotho and Hephaestus to bring Pelops back. The ivory shoulder that Hephaestus made passed on to Pelops’ descendents, since all of them had a white mark there. Poseidon took Pelops under his protection on Mt Olympus and taught him how to ride the chariot, but Zeus expelled him because of his father’s behavior. Bach to “Earth”, Pelops wanted to marry Hippodamia, but her father, Oenomaos challenged him to a chariot race, in order to kill him. Pelops won by plotting with Myrtilus, whom he killed, though not before Myrtilus had the chance to curse Pelops himself and his descendents. Atreus was the son of Pelops and his family occupied a big part of what is now known as ancient Greek tragedy and is an integral piece of the Greek identity. That is why the Peloponnese is such an important part of the Greek soul. When its roots are so interesting, how can the place itself not be magnificent? Peloponnese Hotels – AKS Porto Heli

Our hotel, AKS Minoa Palace, built around one of the most beautiful beaches of Heraklion, has borrowed its name from the legendary king of Crete, Minos. How much do we really know, however, about Minos? Who is the man behind the myth? The palace of Knossos shows beyond any doubt that there reigned a glorious civilization, but the facts that Minos was the son of Zeus and that the fierce Minotaur resided within the labyrinth are of course figments of our imagination. Nevertheless, things are a bit more complicated than we think, especially since the archeological evidence are inadequate and scientists can’t say for sure what the truth is. They suspect though that the word Minos for the Cretans is equivalent to the word Pharaoh for the Egyptians; it indicates the title not the person. A different version says that Minos was the most celebrated among the leaders of the Minoan civilization, so his name was consequently a title for his successors. Finally, there is also an assumption that since the Minoan civilization was a matriarchal society, the husband of the queen became the war chief, also known as Minos. Crete is a blessed and beautiful island and it is no accident that this illustrious civilization flourished there so early. The vast seas, the fertile lands and the natural beauty took good care of its inhabitants then, just like they do now. Crete Hotels | AKS Minoa Palace

What do Sean Connery, Hugh Grant and Prince Alexander of the Netherlands have in common? They have all chosen Porto Heli to spend their summer vacations or to invest in a summer house, so they can enjoy the sun and the sea, the forests and the peace and quite that only places like Ermioni and Porto Heli can offer.

It is no accident that Porto Heli is called the Greek Riviera. A quick glance at the magnificent settlement, the beautiful small port and the marina, the surrounding forests and also the ancient history which runs through it, is enough to convince anyone that Porto Heli is an ideal vacation destination. That is why famous Hollywood actors, members of European royal families, as well as important businessmen and shipowners from Greece and abroad have chosen it as their haven. The secret of course lies in the planned and reasonable tourist development that doesn’t dilute the identity of the region, but also allows the visitors all possible comforts and conveniences they desire. If one considers the easy access to Athens and beautiful areas in the Peloponnese and Saronikos bay, Porto Heli easily justifies the choice of its famous holiday-goers. Peloponnese Hotels – AKS Porto Heli

Porto Heli is not only famous for its beaches, the nice shops and cafes, its beautiful natural surroundings. The area, due to its excellent climate and its advantageous position, has been inhabited since the ancient times, which means that there is an abundance of ancient monuments and ruins.

The most important sight in Porto Heli is the town of Halieis (town of fishermen), founded in the mid fifth century BC and destroyed 250 years later. To visit it, however, you will need to love adventure, since the ruins are currently covered by shallow waters. On the frequent sunny days, the crystal clear waters, for which the beaches of Porto Heli are famous, will allow you to admire the ruins of the ancient town. But if you really want to get familiar with them, you will have to acquire diving equipment and swim among the remains of history. Luckily there are various companies in Porto Heli that can help you experience something unique such as the underwater ruins.

The excavations in Halieis were going on for many decades during the second half of the twentieth century and there are some impressive finds that saw the light of day because of them. Part of the excavation also took place on land, since there are pieces of the walls still visible.

Porto Heli can also become your base of operations for other important ancient monuments in the area. Troizina and Epidaurus, for example, are two locations that will take you back in history and can be found a short drive away from this beach town.

Peloponnese Hotels – AKS Porto Heli

A few minutes from Porto Heli can be found the town of Ermioni, a picturesque place that brings the Greek islands to mind and warmly embraces the visitor with its impressive architecture and its relaxed pace. The beaches of Ermioni, the sights and the natural beauty make the town ideal for a quick trip, especially if you are at Argolida on your vacation.

Whether you take a walk at the port of Ermioni or drink coffee and have lunch in one of its cafes and restaurants with the magnificent views, the sea breeze as well as the peace and quiet will win you over immediately. If you wish to swim there are various beaches at Ermioni to choose from: Kouverta, Maderi, Petrothalassa and finally Bisti, that borders a wonderful pine forest. Wooded areas and impressive natural formations are quite prominent in the region. Go to Katafyki, a gorge a bit outside Ermioni, Fragthi cave and Thermisia lake.

A beautiful time to visit Ermioni is Easter. During Easter Sunday the Burning of Judas takes place in the port. The locals burn an effigy of Judas, made of flammable materials. The spectacle is breathtaking, since many boats that come from other little ports around Ermioni participate with torches.

Ermioni has been inhabited since the ancient times because of its excellent position and its climate. Being really close to other beautiful cities in Argolida, like Porto Heli and Nafplio, it is ideal for a quick trip for a meal, a drink or a swim.

Peloponnese Hotels – Ermioni – AKS Porto Heli

One of the major benefits of vacationing in Argolida is the ability to go on daily excursions to magnificent places, each time choosing a different setting. If you want beaches, you will go to the cosmopolitan Porto Heli, which will after all be your base of operations, or Tolo; if you want forests, head to the impressive mountains of Argolida; and if you want to see ancient sites, Epidaurus sounds ideal. Ancient Troizina (or Troezen), however, combines all of the above. Hidden within a wooded environment and really close to the coast, Troizina, from which Theseus embarked on his adventures, and its ancient site is a place that is waiting for you to discover and explore. The site itself is massive, since there are the ruins of the Hippolytus sanctuary, a sanatorium, a theater and a stadium; there is also a church built in the sixth century AD. The Palace of Theseus is also of note, formed in the ancient years but completed during the Middle Ages. The area around the ancient site of Troizina might not be famous for its beaches, but there are some nice little beaches around that you need to look for. But if you want some Greek island flavor, then you will take the ferry or the boat to Poros and visit the sea there, drink a cup of coffee or have your lunch. Peloponnese Hotels | AKS Porto Heli