It was a nice ride up on a perfect spring day. Of course we always love to go up to the mountains and have been doing so for years. But this time it felt different, we slowed down a bit and looked around. And we ended up discovering the beauty of the road trip on the way to the village.
… lots of twists and turns.
I should point out that I have not been compensated in any way for this post. We literally stumbled upon this idyllic hotel and were enchanted.
The interesting thing is that this little hotel is nestled between the road and the Vouraiko River. Beyond the river, and parallel to the river and the road, is a train that snakes up to the mountains with the final destination Kalavryta.
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I’m sure you are all bored with my mountain pictures.
So instead lets look up! God was putting on a show just for me and my camera. I always say that the sky is the best canvas for God’s artistry.
A #SoCloseToAmazing moment if there ever was one.
I am so happy you were able to join me and allow me to share a little bit of my reality with you all.
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What a gorgeous drive. Everything about it is pretty and the sheep blocking the road is priceless.
Do you find that since you started blogging that you look at things differently. Appreciate a pretty landscape more etc?
Yes Leanna. Since I picked up a camera I am always noticing things that I didn’t notice before. The lens helps you focus and concentrate on things you would not have seen otherwise.
What lovely scenery!
Thank you so much, I had no part in it.. I was just lucky to be there.
Great pictures Mary! I’m so glad that you gave me a reminder about enjoying the trip that leads you to the destination!
And since you also live here you know exactly what I mean about finding hidden treasures along the way.
beautiful sights you seen on your road trip. Love the sheep on the road.
Those sheep are always running around, especially when you are in a hurry. Lucky for us we took our time.
Thsnk you for photos of your lovely drive. The mountains, grass, pasture lands, and sheep remind me of the south island of New Zealand. The hotel is fascinating and the movie projector would have caught my eye as well.
That was quite the surprise in the middle of the countryside.
You live in the most enchanting part of the world. The views are absolutely stunning, your traffic is a whole lot more pleasant than the kind I encounter and I adore the fact that there are still hidden treasures along the way. Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us. It was a bright spot in my day filled with the usual surroundings!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Kim. I also like your surroundings a lot. We used to drive to the north end when I was a teen and spend our summer vacations there. I have many fond memories.
Super beautiful photos.
Thank you so much Patrick!
A lovely trip Mary! Thank you for sharing all these beautiful and inspiring photos – I enjoyed the post immensely!
We are all adventurous in my family and use the weekends to go on road trips and explore the country.
That is wonderful Maya. I encourage everyone to do road trips. Weather a short trip or long.
Gorgeous photos. Looks like some beautiful scenery to drive through.
Oh it was incredible. I drove my husband crazy making him stop every so often.
Wow! What beautiful country ~ can see why you like to go there ~ Wonderful scenic photography and love the sheep and dog ~ ^_^
The countryside is teaming with life. And there is never a dull moment or corner.
What a beautiful trip… so many interesting things to look at and your pictures are lovely.
Thank you so much. I really treasure these short trips.
You got an excellent dose of discovery. An old camera and a chess set? Who would have thought of funding that? Like the sheep pictures. Some of the mountain pictures remind me a bit of California.
I tell you Ruth, I had to stop in my tracks when I saw that old camera. And it was taller than me.
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.
Thanks for joining us at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2017/06/shades-of-purple.html
Thank you! I was lucky that the weather was so perfect.
Gorgeous photos. Though I’ve never been to Greece I feel that you capture it beautifully. Thank you for sharing at Snickerdoodle and come by my blog to see your post featured at this week’s Snickerdoodle party.
Thank you so much Sharon for your kind world. If I can make anyone wish they were there, or feel as if they are a part of the landscape then I am truly happy!
I enjoyed going on that road trip with you!
Mary your photos are beautiful. My hubby and I take a road trip every weekend exploring and looking for an adventure. I cant imagine anyone being bored with your photos. They are like a road trip right without leaving home. Lovely
What a beautiful road trip. Thanks for sharing your photos.
What a beautiful village. It’s not always the destination, but the journey is equally wonderful.
Don’ t you just love stumbling across such places!! Your scenery is gorgeous and really reminds me of my own New Zealand countryside, complete with sheep traffic jams!
Thanks for sharing this gem.
I’m so glad you linked up at ‘My Corner of the World’ this week!
My Corner of the World
Beautiful views from your trip – lovely images!
Gorgeous views and I love that old railroad car, or I think that’s what it is. Thank you for linking up today.
The shadows of the sheep, subtle though they are, are my favorites.
…what a gorgeous trip, thanks for taking me along. Such amazing sights along the way!
Mary, I LOVE all your mountains and sheep!!! I don’t think any of us who read your blog ever tire of seeing Greece and all its wonders. The hotel looks lovely! I hope you get to stay there someday soon. happy to share. <3
Hugs,
Barb 🙂
It’s been quite a while since I’ve taken a road trip that wasn’t a rush from Point A to Point B. I know there are lovely scenes I’ve been missing along the way. Thank you for sharing the beauty you encountered.
Here is a long and funny story- I found this post via a link party on SITS and thought it looked like a good one. Then I click on it and there you are! Why haven’t I commented on your blog lately? And where have you been on mine? I kid!
But for real, why did your blog fall off of my radar. Then that made me sad. So here I am. It’s good to be back. 🙂
a while ago, during one of my holidays in Greece, we visited a very old village in the island of Thassos. I took a lot of pictures (you already saw some of them in my article about design ideas to steal from Greece), and it was one of the most memorable trips I took in your country. It is seems so real to see old houses and yards, with rocky stairs and built-in terraces… Some of them have not ever been renovated, and you could see multiple coats of paint on their doors and window frames. And there was a dog that was sitting on a balcony, with the head out through the wooden parapet, and he was so old and not moving at all that you could have said that he was as old as the village itself… I think i still have the pictures somewhere. Later, one big storm hit the village and some of the people were evacuated because of the landslides. I have never returned there, but I hope to get back sometimes and eat the best lamb chopsticks in the world…
What a sweet picture you just painted Gabi. There are images that stay with us for the rest of our lives. I get that too especially from my childhood memories that were from my village.
I too hope you have the opportunity to come back to Greece.
I love road trips and discovering quaint villages and towns. This is a beautiful place and the drive there was beautiful! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Thank you Jann for joining me.
It looks so tranquil Mary I would love to visit and your pictures are gorgeous
Thanks so much Amber. I had the best time.
Thanks for the free vacation. Your pictures are so wonderful, until I feel as though I am there to.
Thank you Ivory, that is truly the best compliment!
I love these pictures you post. They always make me feel as though I am there
Thanks so much Ivory. If I can achieve that then I have done well. 🙂
I’m so glad you and your husband stopped and smelled the roses, Mary, and that you shared the photos as well. What an interesting, and beautiful trip, and what a lot of cool things you discovered. Thank you so much for sharing with the Hearth and Soul Link Party. I’m featuring this post at the party this week. Hope to ‘see’ you there! Have a wonderful week ahead!
Oh how fun Mary! Your photos are beautiful! I love road trips, and it’s even more fun when you run across something special like this unusual but beautiful hotel. Sometimes when we go see my girls we leave a day earlier then scheduled just so we can take our time and stop at places on the way if we want. Thanks for the road trip tour.
I am so happy you all liked it. When I first saw the pictures I didn’t think I’d e able to convey the beauty of what I saw.
That was a lovely road trip, Mary. What an idyllic spot for a hotel! Nothing but peace and quiet. We also have to stopon the road for sheep and sometimes cows. 🙂
Have a great weekend!
xo Julia
I’m happy to hear that you also have these fun traffic jams. How can one not smile at the sight of them?
What gorgeous photos, Mary!!
The traffic is just horrendous, ha ha!! Too bad you couldn’t get a little wool for my knitting as they were going by!
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Haha Jodie. That traffic… sometimes they don’t go across the road but walk in the middle and you are stuck following behind.
Oh wow! No, I am NOT bored in the least! I love your discovery. And I am smiling at the thought of sheep waiting for the light to change to green.
Just as soon, as you finish your visit at my house, I am following you back to yours!
🙂 gwingal
Haha Nikki. those sheep like to take over the country side, like they own it! Just imagine!!
Beautiful – the story, the pictures, the message! Thank you, Mary. I needed this today ♥
Aww thank you dear friend. We are so busy running around all day between the blogs and all the other obligations we have – and you know no one but us has any idea just how hard it can be. I needed this too, so when the hubs said we should go, I jumped at the chance.
As I scrolled through all of this beauty, I kept sighing and “oh my” ing! I always enjoy your posts, but this one was breathtaking. So glad I stopped by today 🙂
Thank you so much Cheryl. I think this one is special because of the light. It was a nice day but not too sunny, there were some clouds which helped to defuse that bright light we normally get.
So beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing these wonderful photos!
Thank you Helen for taking the time to visit.
That literally felt like I went on the road trip with you guys Mary. That scenery is so stunningly beautiful and if I could sit in traffic like that everyday I would be happy
Thank you Michelle, I think that has to be the highest compliment.
So pretty! How fun to stumble upon such a picturesque hotel.
We literally stumbled onto it. Because you can barely see there is anything from the road.
What a wonderful day out! And I love the cross-traffic. We might get the occasional raccoon crossing the road but I’ve yet to see a flock of sheep or cows!
I love seeing the beautiful environment of a world not my own. The mountains are so handsome. We’re quite flat where I am, gentle hills being the biggest climb. These are magnificent, as was that lovely hotel!
I know we have a reputation here in Greece for our beaches. But Jeanie I think the mountains are just as breathtaking. Thanks for stopping by.
Surprise discoveries are always the most rewarding simply because we have no ‘expectations’. That hotel is certainly in a lovely location, perfect for taking in the gorgeous mountains that surrounds it.
You mentioned you headed to your husbands village. Does that mean it is where he grew up?
xxx
Here in Greece everyone has more than one village. It usually means the origins of the parents. In my husband’s case it was the village his father was born. His mother on the other hand was born in a village that is on the other side of the bay. And they met in the town where we live.
Lucky for me, my parents both came from the same village and that is where I was born too.
Yes, my husband boasts numerous villages!! Haha!
“Life is a journey, not a destination” – oft repeated, but your road trip personifies this quote! Your photos are gorgeous as always, they are a story without words. Thank-you for taking me along on this adventure through part of your gorgeous Greece.
Ellen you have no idea how much I appreciate your sweet comments. Thank you so much! <3
In the mid-80’s I was fortunate enough to spend an entire summer in Greece. What a wonderful time I had and the memories I still hold dear! The sights, the people, the food! Oh did I mention THE FOOD?!?!? The best on the planet! I envy you living there!
Thank you so much for your sweet comment Kathy. It truly us a wonderful country to live in. Now if only we could correct our little economic problem we would be in paradise.
Oh Mary, Your photography captured this area perfectly. It makes me want to go on a road trip with you to see this fabulous area. Thanks for sharing parts of Greece that many of us will unfortunately, never see in person!
Carol thank you or your sweet comment. You know me always trying to show you the things off the beaten beaches.
What beautiful lodgings! That barn red accented by the stone facade is so pretty. I bet, if your destination were further than two hours, you might have been tempted to stay here for a night to really enjoy the views and accommodation.
Happy weekend, Mary!
Poppy
You are absolutely right Poppy. Who wouldn’t want to stay there.
I love joining you on these trips, it’s almost like being there. Keep them coming! #MySundayPhoto
Thank you so much for your sweet comment!
Hi Mary, beautiful photos as ever! Greece is too beautiful not to stop and explore if you have the time. My favourite photo has to be of the sheep crossing the road en mass.I have had to slowdown for sheep crossing the main road over here, and it’s silly things like that that make my day.
I remember being fascinated by a giant chess set on the sea front in Athens when I was younger. In the evening we would stop and watch people having a gme.
xx
There is so much to see Debbie. All we need is a bit of time from our hectic schedules. I also love to stare at the rocky mountains. So many colors and shapes. It is never boring to look at nature.
What a beautiful place to explore, I love these little hidden Greek villages. #MySundayPhoto
Oh you’ll be able to explore plenty of them. Are you down here yet? I hope you have a wonderful time.
Perfect road trips include stopping to ask, “What’s this?”
Thanks for sharing yours.
Thanks Michele, we had lots of fun and made a furry friend!
Your country is beautiful and so are your photos. I live in New Mexico so it’s quite a contrast!
Oh yes I can imagine. I have been watching Better Call Saul on TV. I believe it is filmed there. It is definitely quite a contrast.
I always enjoy your photos and commentary Mary, so I was far from bored. Yes it is fun to take a break and see something different and “smell the roses.” I often don’t take time to do that either. Loved the old camera and that old car, whatever it was. It would be fun to stay in that old hotel. I bet the inside was just as enchanting as the outside.
Florence if you click on the link I believe there are some photos of the interior of the hotel.
I throughly enjoyed the road trip you took us on. I travel Greece through your eyes. It is a beautiful country. It would be great to stay at that hotel. I wonder what the story is behind the movie camera. Do you think the hotel was shown it a movie?
You know the owner is a lover of cinematography and so he has decorated the whole hotel to depict different movie scenes. That would be a fun hotel to stay in.
Mary, what a lovely way to spend a day! Greece is so beautiful! Most of us never get to see the mountains, only the sea in brochures. What special and unique treasures you found that day! Wish I were there! Thanks for sharing!
I have to admit that before I moved here I never appreciated the mountains either. I was born on an island and although my village was in the mountains it still never registered that there were that many mountains in Greece.
Wow, the images are stunning! I love road trips too and it’s been a while since we did one. Your post has inspired me! Picture perfect Mary!
I;m happy to hear that Carolann. It was only for the day but it was still worth it.
Enjoyed the trip with you and your photographs are beautiful what a peaceful quiet place Mary can I ask which Island?
Mary the location is on the mainland of Peloponnese. The Peloponnese is connected to the mainland of Greece by the Corinthian Canal. But it is a large piece of land and not considered an island. It is on the north end. If you look at a map and type in Kalavrita you will get an idea of where we were.
Thanks for taking us on your road trip, it is amazing what we see when we slow down a bit. Those mountains are quite fascinating and the Master Artists put on a wonderful show.
Kathleen
Oh He always does, never disappoints.