The Clean Monday long weekend is approaching and has us in the mood for a quick getaway.
This year, Clean Monday falls on February 23 and many will opt for a mini getaway to fly kites in the countryside, in the mountains, or by the sea. The years first long weekend is ideal for short escapes to places that blend natural beauty, Carnival tradition and local customs, great food and entertainment. From Northern Greece to Crete, weve gathered 10 destinations to suit every taste for an unforgettable three-day break.
Galaxidi
Elegant and romantic, Galaxidi is a favorite destination for short escapes all year long, as it harmoniously combines sea and mountain. The traditional settlement, with its stone-paved alleys and historic captains mansions that attest to the areas glorious seafaring past, is gorgeous. If youre in the mood for nearby excursions, you can visit Delphi, Itea, and Amfissa, where on the last Carnival Saturday night the legend of the stoicheio is revived. Clean Monday in Galaxidi means Alevromoutzouromata. A unique and particularly entertaining custom, whose beginnings date to 1801. Locals and visitors head to the marketplace, where smudging and flouring take place with soot and flour respectively. Tons of flour and soot are launched in every direction and everyone is painted in the colors of the game.
Ioannina
Like every region in Greece, Ioannina has its own Carnival customs. Rituals linked to the areas traditions, lost in the depths of centuries and revived each year in a special way. The Tzamales, a different custom with a long history, are a fine reason to find yourself in the pride of Epirus over the Clean Monday long weekend. In each neighborhood square, within a circle of sand, logs and small tree trunks are placed and a fire is lit that burns until Clean Monday morning. Around the bonfires, a big all-night revel is set with dance, wine, and warm bean soup. The costumed dance around them, in double and triple lines until the early morning hours. Neighborhoods thus compete to see which one will throw the best Carnival celebration.
Xanthi
No matter how many times you have been to Xanthi, its never enough. The wonderful Old Town, the traditions, the flavors, the colors and the aromas make Xanthi a special destination with much to offer the visitor. The Xanthi Carnival is the largest in Northern Greece and one of the most popular in the country. During this period, the alleys of the Old Town welcome thousands for revelry and festivity. Its central square becomes a place of gathering, entertainment and spontaneous parties, which include traditional dances and the revival of old customs. The Tzaros, an effigy of King Carnival, is burned in a great fire beside the Kosynthos River at the entrance to the Old Town, marking the end of the carnival events in a pandemonium of fireworks and merrymaking.
Naoussa
With a rich winemaking tradition, traditional neighborhoods full of character, historic sights, and wonderful countryside around the town, Naoussa offers unique experiences to those who love escapes with an emphasis on nature and flavor. Carnival in Naoussa is an experience you should not miss. The custom of Janissaries and Boules brings intense traditional color and creates a distinctive atmosphere in the town. Groups of men dressed in the traditional costume of the Janissary roam the streets and neighborhoods of the town dancing traditional dances to the accompaniment of zurna and daouli. The custom takes place on the first Sunday of Carnival and on Monday, continues on Carnival Sunday (in the afternoon a feast is held in the Alonia area with traditional meze and the famous Naoussa wine) and on Clean Monday.
Chalkida
A stones throw from Athens, Chalkida is always a lovely idea for a short escape that includes relaxed seaside strolls and good food. The citys waterfront, beginning at the Old Bridge and reaching the impressive Red House, is full of life, with restaurants serving fresh fish and select meze, as well as great bars for the evening. Dont forget to go up to Karababa Castle, on the hill above the city, to enjoy the wonderful view over the Euboean Gulf. The city slips into Carnival rhythms with its unique Sea Carnival. Floats, floating and suspended figures, and dazzling fireworks create a one-of-a-kind scene in the Euripus Strait, where North meets South and the sea currents mingle beneath Chalkidas sliding bridge.
Kalamata
With the sea shimmering at its feet and Mount Taygetos rising imposingly above it, the capital of Messinia is one of the most beautiful cities in Greece, ideal for escapes in every season. On Clean Monday a stroll along Kalamatas beach to fly a kite and food at little tavernas will make your long weekend unforgettable. Dont miss visiting the citys castle, a very atmospheric spot for a walk with unique views. In addition, the city of Kalamata is an ideal base for wonderful drives. Over the long weekend you can take short excursions to Messenian Mani, the villages of Taygetos, as well as to Pylos, Methoni and Koroni. Local gastronomy, with fresh produce, olive oil, and traditional recipes, makes the journey here even more enjoyable.
Skyros
Beautiful landscapes, authentic hospitality and good food await you in Skyros. The islands picturesque Chora is amphitheatrically built around the Byzantine castle that watches over the area. Narrow lanes and whitewashed houses climbing the slope compose a scene that strongly recalls the Cyclades. The central kalderimi, the Megali Strata, which runs through the whole Chora, is filled with lovelyshops, as well as cafés and ouzeris that serve local delicacies. Carnival on Skyros is an experience worth having. The islands Carnival custom requires the Geros and the Korela (a man and a woman dressed in traditional costumes) to take to the streets and lend their own color to the celebration. The alleys fill with the sound of bells and the spectacle is impressive.
Syros
Syros is a three-hour ferry ride from Athens and celebrates Carnival in its own way. Stroll among the neoclassical mansions of Ermoupoli and admire the Apollon Theater, built in 1864 on the model of La Scala in Milan. In historic Miaouli Square you will see the citys famous Town Hall, the work of architect Ernst Ziller, one of the largest and most impressive in Greece. For more picturesque walks visit Ano Syros with its narrow alleys, little shops and wonderful views. In recent years, the Syros Carnival Georgios Souris draws visitors from all over the country. It combines the charming contrasts of Ano Syros with the rebetiko tradition. The program is rich with events for all ages, with music and dance and parades.
Aegina
Aegina is just a breath from Piraeus and an ideal choice for nearby escapes with sea air. The ports colorful neoclassical buildings, horse-drawn carriages, fish tavernas and moored caiques create a nostalgic scene with something of an old Greek movie. Strolls along the port promenade with stops for ouzo meze and pistachio ice cream, excursions into the pine-clad interior toward Agia Marina, walks in Palaiochora, the islands medieval capital, a visit to the Temple of Aphaia (the view from this spot is enchanting), as well as relaxing over coffee and food in the traditional fishing village of Perdika, will pleasantly fill your time.
Rethymno
Both modern and traditional, Rethymno is a place full of beauty and contrasts, to be enjoyed in every season. The Old Town of Rethymno is a vast museum, while the regions hinterland generously offers an experience of authentic Crete. The Rethymno Carnival is one of Cretes most famous events and the third largest carnival in Greece (after those of Patras and Xanthi). Rethymnos Old Town becomes the ideal setting for a multitude of carnival events, culminating in the grand parades of the last Carnival weekend. On Clean Monday you can visit nearby villages, such as Armeni, where traditional customs are revived, or take an excursion to the historic Arkadi Monastery.
