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Skoufaki
Patrino Carnavali
goat near the monastery
Achaia Clauss vineyard
Hello!
My mother, sister and I will be arriving in Athens on a Friday night and will travel onward to Patra the next day. We have decided to stay in the Plaka district (@ Hotel Nefeli) for the night before we leave for Patra the next day. I have been researching the best way to travel to Patra from Athens and have found many that recommend by bus and many say by train.
I understand that there is no direct train route to Patra from Athens. However, how difficult is it to reach the train that is needed to take us to Patra from the Plaka area of Athens? Could we get lost easily, misdirected, etc? I have a preference for the train so that we can have a more scenic view as we travel to Patra. Yet, if it will be a troublesome way to travel, than I would rather we start our trip with a little less hassle and take the bus.
Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Including, if the Hotel Nefeli is a decent accomadation for one night. Thank you!!
If you do not wish to pay for a taxi (your hotel will be able to order one for you) then am sure you will be able to take the Metro to the railway station very easily.
You will find signage is in English as well as Greek.
Athens Metro map here;
http://www.greek-tourism.gr/attiki-athens/metro-map.htm#
Nearest Metro station to Plaka is Akropoli. You will see that there is a Metro stop at Larissia station...I am guessing this is the station you will need, though am not 100% certain as the Greek railway website
http://www.ose.gr/ose/content/Home.aspx?d=39&rd=16685622&f=-1&rf=-1&m=-1&rm=-1&l=1
is not fully translated into English.
The bus is faster, less-expensive and comfortable. You can take the Green Line train from the Monastiraki Station in Central Athens to Piraeus and catch the bus there. These buses connect with the ferries that travel between Patras and Italy. Clik on one of the companies to see what they offer. http://www.greekferries.gr
Some of the ferry companies involved have their own buses and some will also have a pickup point in Athens. Blue Star ferries is one that offers this. http://www.greekferries.gr/bsf-en/bluestar_bus.htm
You can get the Metro (or taxi) from Plaka to Monastiriki, of course.
As brotherleelove suggested--the bus is quick and comfortable.
If you have to wait for your ferry in Patras you can leave your luggage at the train station right next to the ferry terminal and have a visit around the city all flat walking before boarding your ferry.It is a nice trip--I am not sure wether the train is any more scenic than the bus.
Brotherleelove is right, as usual. The bus is the way to go. I have gone this way many times on my to Kylini, and it's fast, scenic, and comfy.
Andrew is said to have been martyred by crucifixion at Patras that's why St Andrew is the patron of Patras.
Andrew had been crucified on a cross of the form called Crux decussata (X-shaped cross) and commonly known as "St. Andrew's cross". This was performed at his own request, as he deemed himself unworthy to be crucified on the same type of cross on which Christ was crucified.
The city extends from the shore up to the castle. It is divided into twp parts, the upper and the lower, whose layout, parks and plazzas give it a definite distinction.
-----The old city, at the foot of the castle, still has quite a number of attractive neoclassical houses, while the lower city has many mansions, such as those housing the Municipal Theatre, the Odeon, etc.
The Cathedral of St. Andrew, the city's patron, rises majestically above the lower city. To the left of it stands an older church built on the site of a Byzantine church that was destroyed by the Turks.
From the Trion Navarchon street leads to Psila Alonia - one of the most beautiful squares in Patras - a lovely spacious square with slender palm trees and a sun dial.
Patras possesses a fine archaeological museum, an art gallery and a printing museum.
Dominating the city from on high looms the ruined shell of castle, whose grounds have been transformed into a park. from here you have a view of the whole city and the sea beyond.
Carnival is a big thing in and around Patras. Many locals (incl. students) are involved in carnival groups and they work virtually throughout the year in order to produce the best possible result. Depending on the date of the Orthodox Easter (it is a moving feast and it doesn't always coincide with the Catholic/Protestant Easter) the Carnival period usually falls in late February or early March. At least three big parades take place: one for kids, one on the last Saturday night (called the on-foot parade) and one on the last Sunday afternoon, with impressive chariots. There are also several parties and other events, some open to "locals and special guests" only and some to all. It is during the Carnival days and especially the last weekend that Patras becomes a real tourist destination.
One of the nicest short trips near the city is a visit to Achaia Clauss winery. It is located on green hill 8km south east from the center. The buildings inside are a fine example of industrial architecture. Achaia Clauss was built in 1861 and it was the first winery in Greece. The winery was built by the german Gustav Clauss that came from Germany in 1854 to work in a german exportation factory of currant.
It products some of the most famous greek wines. The view is great from there but the most important reason to visit the place is to taste some famous local wines like the sweet Mavrodafni etc Last time we tasted a lot of them and I bought several bottle of fine white semisweet wine (I couldn’t find the same on stores, Mavrodafni is easy to find everywhere). The prices are low too.
As you enter by car the first thing you notice is the vineyards, then you will pass the castle like entrance and see the historic buildings, the bust of Clauss and you can tour the cellar for the huge wooden barrels that date back from 1873 (I wonder how is the taste of a wine of that era!). Most of our visit was inside Kava Daniliidis. There we tasted the wines and we bought some of them. The factory is open daily 09.00-20.00 (may-september 11.00-20.00)
Directions:Achaia Clauss is located at Petroto village, 8km SE from Patras. From city center drive up on Gounaris street, at the end follow Kalavriton avenue and after 3-4 km you will see a sign. You can also take bus N.7 from Patras at Ermou & Haralampi streets
On living Patras by car you absolutely must go to Kalavrita.Otherwise, you can try the finicular from the village Diacofto. The landscape is getting more and more mountainous because it becomes the ascent to the mountain.
It is recommended to chose the second possibility, the finicular which is clutching the rails with its 'teeth'.You'll admire the enourmes rocks and the trees hanging from the mountain. Kalavrita is the third one stop of the finicular.
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Address: Psathopyrgos Ahaix, Patras, 26504, Greece
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