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Around Meteora
Lake Plastiras is a man-made lake, built in 1959 when they dammed the Tavropos or Megdova River. The lake is at an altitude of about 3000 feet and supplies all of Thessaly with hydro-electric power and drinking water.
There are two beaches for swimming at Pezoula and Lambero.
Bikes and mountain bikes can be rented as well as horses near the village of Kryoneri.
The trails around the lake are quite beautiful and and forested with pine and wildflowers in the spring. The restaurants at the lakeside villages serve local trout. Contact Fantasy Travel for more info on kayaking, river rafting, mountainclimbing, jeep tours and adventure travel in Meteora and around Greece
The modern city of Trikala is built on the site of Ancient Trikki, the birthplace of Asclepius, the god of healing.
The Litheos river passes through this agricultural city and is crossed by 10 bridges, five of them for pedestrians only. There are a number of fortresses in the area due to it's strategic importance.
Near Trikala is the small village of Pyli, entranceway to the narrow pass which connects Thessaly and Epirus and the bed of the Portaikos river.
Also nearby is the Pertouli snow skiing center and the Tria Potamia area which is popular with kayakers who ride the waters of the Aheloos river. Unfortunately there are plans to build a big dam here so before you set out with your kayaks you may want to contact your travel agent and make sure there is still water in the river.
The two closest villages to Meteora are Kalambaka and Kastraki and these are where most people stay..
The name Kalambaka comes from the Turkish word Kalembak which means beautiful fortress.
The Cathedral of the Dormition of the Virgin, a three-aisled basilica built in the time of Justinian and rebuilt in 1309 by Andronicus Paleologus is worth the visit.
The town itself was destroyed by the Germans in World War Two so it is pretty modern. Nearby is the Theopetra, a cave inhabited from Palaeolithic times.
The village of Kastraki in the shade of the rocks of Meteora is a popular destination for the rock climbers who can walk out the door of their hotel and be climbing in a few minutes.
It's a great place to take walks to and from. Because of the popularity of Meteora this little town can get pretty busy in the summer.
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