We are in the midst of a bucket list adventure traveling Europe for a year and have already completed 6 months we wrote an article in the Citizen Times about Asheville’s French Sister City and now we wish to let the readers in on a small mountain gem in central Greece It is no wonder that Karpenisi is Asheville’s Sister City There are more than 100 families in Asheville of Greek descent with 80 percent having ties to the mountain area of Karpenisi Many arrived just after World War II due to the devastation caused by Germany’s occupation of Greece Asheville has been enriched by these wonderful immigrants who mostly made their living in the restaurant business — from the Apostolopoulos’ Mediterranean Restaurant in downtown which is the oldest one still in operation to some now-closed restaurants such as Athens Some still in operation include Apollo Pizza we enjoyed many meals at these restaurants but never realized the connection with the Greek ownership we decided to stay seven weeks in Greece and it has been nothing less than fantastic they are struggling under economic hardships political unrest and an influx of refugees from the Middle East but they are a determined people that will prevail We have seen protests against the economic reforms the EU and Greek politicians are introducing including several tractor-blocked roads As travelers who don’t speak or read Greek Many road signs are in English and Greek and where they are not we have been able to find someone who speaks English even in remote areas Probably our biggest difficulty is with menus written in Greek only but many restaurants now have dual language menus children in Greek schools are required to start learning English from kindergarten to insure that almost all young folks are at least bilingual The Greek countryside is absolutely beautiful with a coastline that is both rugged and breathtaking with stunning blue-green clear water while the coast enjoys pleasant weather reaching the 70s The Mediterranean climate encourages orange lemon and olive trees and a large variety of vegetables to produce in abundant amounts The Aegean and Ionian seas supply bountiful amounts of squid there are trout farms fed by clear mountain streams and valleys full of sheep is an area very similar to Asheville’s in topography and has a tourist-based economy Our mid-winter timing did not allow us to see the valley in spring abloom with yellow flowers covering the mountain slopes or taste the delicious figs and nuts that are harvested in the fall the area was named a UNESCO Research Site for being one of the most environmentally clean locations in all of Europe Karpenisi is considered to have “a zero pollution rate.” Karpenisi boasts the reputation as the "Switzerland of Greece" for its many large fir forests and ski areas There are many biking and hiking areas to explore rivers for kayaking and rafting and the natural beauty of its fir forests We were able to see organic local honey unfiltered and unprocessed a small trout farm where we bought our "catch of the day" for dinner and a local meat processing plant The three Vrekos brothers who own the meat processing business recently expanded their current operation into a modern refrigerated building with state-of-the-art equipment investing around $1 million and employing 11 local staff They get their meat products from small local farms where the animals are raised naturally without hormones or antibiotics Their expansion has been a boost to Karpenisi’s economic development Their products are sold throughout Greece and the EU Mayor Nikolaos Souliotis made us aware of the economic issues that effect Greece and the Karpenisi area He is working on ways to reduce youth unemployment and stop the migration of young people moving to other countries for employment The town is also working on creating economic opportunities for entrepreneurial ventures by offering incentives and funding for new business development the town secured a $4 million bond to create a more pedestrian-friendly downtown with larger sidewalks and brick-lined streets Mayor Souliotis said that “a big recreational park just outside the town will soon be completed It will be a place where locals can organize events and sports opportunities for youth.” We thought the people we met in other parts of Greece were warm and friendly but Karpenisi has raised the bar to an incredible level The generosity of the people here with their time and home-made products is amazing on its own When one factors in the economic hardships it defies the imagination that strangers can be treated like family No wonder there is a such a strong link between Asheville and Karpenisi You can follow the adventures of Sandra and Larry on their blog at sandraandlarry.wordpress.com Marinated beef stew casserole with wine and citrus The Vrekos brothers give patrons recipes to use for the fresh meats they purchase and shared this one with us: Place citrus and potatoes on the bottom of the oven-proof casserole dish Bake uncovered at 400 degrees for 45 minutes stir ingredients and add water (or broth) and adjust spices as needed This is the latest for our series on underrated destinations, It's Still a Big World If it seems like everyone you know spent time in Mykonos and Santorini in 2022 A whopping 33 million people visited Greece in 2019 and this year’s count is expected to exceed pre-pandemic numbers That bright blue Mediterranean water and whitewashed Cycladic architecture would stir up FOMO in the best of us I’ve never been to the Greek islands so I can’t tell you what you’ll miss if you opt out but I can tell you I just spent some time in the mountains of Central Greece instead I had never heard of Evrytania before my friend announced that she would be getting married in its capital city I really had no idea what to expect when planning for this trip except that Karpenisi would be cooler than Athens where the temps were nearing 100 degrees Fahrenheit toward the end of July but you’ll also want a cardigan or a sweater,” my friend advised A quick geography lesson before we dive in: One-fifth of Greece is made up of islands Santorini and more recently popularized Naxos But the country is actually divided into six main regions—Central Greece being one of them you’ll find Evrytania (where there are 184 villages) a mountainous region that some people like to call the Switzerland of Greece thanks to its milder climate and opportunities to ski and participate in other snow sports in the winter So even if a three-and-a-half hour drive northwest of Athens doesn’t sound right up your alley Stop halfway for a little stretch and have lunch seaside; you can even take an energizing dip in the water before getting back on the road The sister city to Asheville (yes Karpenisi’s topography and weather patterns have been compared to North Carolina’s many times but maybe that’s just because they’re more familiar to me a model for environmental cleanliness in Europe and beyond It’s a place where you just want to stop for a second and breathe it all in The car ride to Karpenisi and its neighboring village Megalo Chorio isn’t too bad albeit with some twists and turns similar to a West Coast road trip probably annoying to everyone else) could not stop exclaiming that Central Greece—with its fruit trees hilly vistas and copious vineyards—reminded us of California “This feels just like Topanga Canyon,” I’d squeal I stayed in Megalo Chorio (translates to “Big Village”), not far from Mount Timfristos (also known as Mount Velouchi)—a popular ski resort Greek travelers like to visit in winter You can see the constellations and the Milky Way at night My first evening in town I even witnessed two shooting stars while sitting on my hotel balcony Grape vines decorate the front yards of solid stone homes and olive trees line most streets English is hardly spoken in the villages so communicating is a challenge faced beautifully with body language and some variation of sign language we were handed a pen by a local shop owner and attempted to draw our questions in order to find out what time his store closed I’d definitely consider Forest Suites next time as it had a pool with sweeping forest views and a little outdoor bar where guests helped themselves to cold drinks out of a cooler similar to other European cities like San Sebastian What really sold me in Evrytania was being able to spend full days exploring on foot stopping every now and then to feast on 6€ carafes of wine you can schedule horseback riding excursions or you can check out the kafenios (Greek coffee shops) and pubs of bordering villages Hop in the car for adventures that are a little further away like hiking trails There’s a beautiful monastery within driving distance Once you get on the road, stop at Tavern Drosia en route from Athens to Karpenisi It’s a low-key outdoor restaurant on the coast with an absolutely gorgeous view Maybe even download Duolingo for the drive It would benefit you to learn essential Greek words beforehand “Can I pay with a credit card?” is another good one I learned how to say “chestnut” (kástano) once I started wandering through the villages which I’ll admit isn’t the most useful translation to remember but the homemade chestnut butters sold locally are quite delicious Full disclosure: I thought it was cashew and had to look up the translation Which brings me to my next point: Do say yes to trying every sample that’s offered to you in every single shop raw honey or stone fruit jams or mystery shots poured from hand-labeled bottles Carve out a full day or two to explore nature narrowest parts of the Pacific Coast Highway both in beauty and in I’m-not-gonna-make-it factor Do pack Dramamine or gum or ginger candies (whatever works) for the car rides Learn the country’s etiquette (bikinis are for the beach shirts and shoes are required everywhere else) and a traditional Greek dance if you attend a party or wedding Savatiano is one of the oldest grapes and is grown in Central Greece; Assyrtiko is probably the most common Greek grape and is found all over the country I most certainly would have if I’d stayed longer you will definitely fall in love with the kitties Quite a few big and lazy dogs around town that mostly minded their own business I felt so safe and I’m sure it could be the most zen solo trip but you’ll probably also want to share driving responsibilities with someone and have a friend along who can convince you the water’s not that cold when your body all of a sudden stops working the moment it’s your turn to jump in a waterfall Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here Allison is a bicoastal and bilingual writer whose work has been published in Vice In “Evriti,” a traditional new grocer with a modern aesthetic that also functions as a workshop for local products and creative people sell all the sweetness and history of the local land for its rich fruits that give birth to its trees and fields united us under the umbrella of a common vision,” Stefania Kokotini founding member and communications manager tells me of the Social Cooperative Enterprise “Evriti” To use the local recipes lost in the depths of the past prove that Karpenisi’s reputation does not deserve to be limited only to its prosperous livestock tradition by hand: from the first stage of harvesting and transporting the fruits to the workshop (70% of the raw materials come from the fields of the cooperative members and the forest) to the prepping and cooking and “Each job is completed with dedication and rhythm like a home craftsperson,” Stefania said She stands by the importance they give to the seasonality of their materials which determines the choice and quantity of products “with 50 small producers and ten beekeepers The award-winning jam and chutney that oozes tradition the Apricot jam with wild mint and hibiscus as it was awarded the Golden Mediterranean award while the Koromila jam with nutmeg enjoyed a similar response the production of Koromila was surprisingly high.” for both sweet and savoury breakfasts,” she tells me and urges me to try it with cold meats Beyond that, other jam products also claim their own fans: Citrus jams such as those with orange and chocolate Equally popular are jams with strawberry and mint, chestnut, rum and chocolate, persimmons and cognac, or quince, clove, and ginger There are more than twenty choices for the chutneys here “In some villages,” Stefania tells me “they choose the vegan version of the traditional stew that replaces the meat with the chestnut everything else remains the same: The tomato juice or the vinegar that goes into a classic stew anyway.” even the spoon sweets do not lack inspiration “Inspiration and love in grandma’s old recipes,” adds Stefania who jokingly tells me: “If you knock on the door of a house here in Evrytania the woman who opens it will offer you four things: walnut quince—here it is made with walnut instead of almond—stone cherry as in the workshop we even make carrot or grapefruit” on the initiative of the members of Evriti a celebration is organised in Megalo Chorio a culinary bridge between the town and Istanbul “This thought of ours,” Stefania tells me “started from an attempt to highlight an important part of Evrytanian history and how it has been linked for centuries to the culture and civilisation of the East.” the first immigrants arrived from Evrytania in Constantinople “they inevitably brought with them urban elements of Turkish culture opening up new horizons in the region’s Istanbul and Evrytania continue their shared journey through the streets of history through festival gatherings that bind tastes “And what are you preparing this year?” I am asking with interest the celebration will take place in Kerasochori in parallel for the young to learn and the old to remember” info: Megalo Horio, tel. 22370-41441, https://evriti-megalohorio.gr/ Loukia Chrysovitsanou is a columnist for Olive Magazine READ MORE: Vaso Panourgia – The woman behind the only bookbindery in Ioannina This piece was written for Greek City Times by a Guest Contributor Please sign in with your Snow-Forecast account details below Create a free account to receive instant Snow-Alerts and save your favourite resorts on your personal MySnow page Karpenisi Weather (Next 3 days): The snow forecast for Karpenisi is: Light rain (total 3.0mm) Winds increasing (light winds from the WSW on Wed night fresh winds from the WSW by Thu afternoon) Several North American ski areas that are still open plan to celebrate the unofficial Star Wars Day tomorrow The above table gives the weather forecast for Karpenisi at the specific elevation of 2030 m. Our sophisticated weather models allow us to provide snow forecasts for the top, middle and bottom ski stations of Karpenisi. To access the weather forecasts for the other elevations, use the tab navigation above the table. For a wider view of the weather, check out the Weather Map of Greece Click here to read further information on freezing levels and how we forecast our temperatures Overall 3.9 Based on 37 votes and 13 reviews Overall: 3.9 Based on 37 votes and 13 reviews This is a relatively small resort with great potential and it has a wide range of slopes from beginner to difficult and some off-piste thrown in Snow conditions tend to be surprisingly good given the geographical latitude it lies at It is situated in a very mountainous area in central/western Greece with beautiful forests and a has a strong regional character Views from the slopes are really impressive Here comes the "but": the resort suffers from an old lift system and sometimes an erratic schedule of days when it's open vs closed; suffices to say that in February 2018 a group of us visited the resort twice during the month the snow conditions were average and the resort was open but the lifts leading to the challenging pistes were not operating In late February 2018 there was a lot of snowfall That resulted in excellent snow conditions but the resort remained shut at least 2 days after the last snowfall despite the fact the road had been opened and there was abundant sunshine No credible reason was given and even the staff at the hotel where we stayed at were surprised With some investment in the lift system and an improvement in the management of the resort one can but hopeful that Velouchi / Karpenissi resort will realise its full potential and develop into one of the best in South Eastern Europe For that to happen management and the local government have to apply persistent efforts and understand the gem they have got in their hands Read 12 more reviews of Karpenisi or submit your own View detailed snow forecast for Karpenisi at:snow-forecast.com presided by Metropolitan Georgios of Karpenisi followed by a planned celebration in the courtyard of the Church of the Holy Apostles Metropolitan Georgios emphasized the importance of these events organized by the Holy Metropolis in honor of those pure and blessed clergymen who zealously ordained the Church as they were par excellence clergy of their time Afterwards the Metropolitan of Karpenisi congratulated the rapporteur and all the participants of the event and in the end delivered a blessing and a commemorative “honorable mention” to the relatives of the honored clergy the Patriarchate of Jerusalem solemnly celebrated the Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women... Archbishop Elpidophoros of America celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Monastery of the Theotokos.. it was announced that two Roman Catholic institutions in Bavaria have decided to jointly.. A car once used by Pope Francis during his 2014 visit to Bethlehem is being transformed into a mobile.. the Monastery of Saint Vlash in Albania hosted a festal Divine Liturgy on the.. Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece presided over the festal Great Vespers at the historic.. (function() { window.mc4wp = window.mc4wp || { listeners: [] cb) { window.mc4wp.listeners.push( { event : evt callback: cb } ); } } }})(); © 2023 OrthodoxTimes.com - All rights reserved Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website These cookies do not store any personal information Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website and festive charm that make Greece a stunning year-round destination like no other sunlit islands and turquoise seas might come to mind but the mainland in winter offers a completely different charm and lush green landscapes thrive under crisp skies and the aroma of hearty stews and “rakomelo” fills the air while cozy fireplaces offer a warm retreat This is Greece as you’ve never seen it – tranquil From hiking gorges to skiing snowy slopes or relaxing in rustic lodges mainland Greece has something for everyone Here are 8 must-visit destinations to experience its winter magic Recently celebrated for its exceptional cultural and natural value Zagori showcases breathtaking scenery and timeless craftsmanship often likened to UNESCO World Heritage landscapes Hikers can explore hundreds of kilometers of trails winding through ancient forests and into the Vikos Gorge – officially the deepest gorge in the world relative to its width Snow-covered peaks invite adventurous exploration with backcountry skiing offering a unique challenge for experienced mountaineers and Tsepelovo offer boutique accommodations and traditional tavernas serving hearty pies often dubbed the “Winter Mykonos,” for its alpine charm and cosmopolitan flair is a chic mountain town that draws both weekenders and international visitors Perched on the southern slopes of Mount Parnassos this picturesque village is a favorite winter destination a UNESCO World Heritage Site only 8km away makes Arachova a fantastic base for exploring one of the ancient world’s most iconic landmarks Imagine strolling through the ruins of the Temple of Apollo and then retreating to a cozy café in Arachova for a steaming cup of mountain tea Greece’s largest and most modern ski resort it is a top choice for winter sports in Greece the Florina region is a tranquil winter escape that feels like a step into another world Surrounded by snow-capped mountains and the pristine Prespes Lakes the town of Florina enchants visitors with its serene beauty and cultural depth the town comes alive with twinkling lights and the comforting aroma of woodsmoke from chimneys lining the Sakoulevas River Approximately two and a half hours by train from Thessaloniki drawn to its atmospheric streets and historic charm Must-visit spots include the Contemporary Art Museum and the Florina Art Gallery which showcase the town’s vibrant creative spirit Traditional tavernas and cafes serve hearty local fare perfect for warming up after a snowy stroll Be sure to try “punch,” a local winter drink served warm the stone-built village of Nymfaio is perched at 1,350 meters on Mount Vitsi often blanketed in snow in the winter months offers breathtaking views of the Florina valley and is home to the renowned Arcturos Brown Bear Sanctuary dedicated to the protection of Greece’s wildlife Stroll through cobbled streets illuminated by festive lights and savor local specialties like roasted meats and stuffed Florina peppers in cozy tavernas Nestled at the foot of Mount Helmos in the northern Peloponnese and winter sports just 2.5 hours from Athens explore the historic Holy Monastery of Agia Lavra Don’t miss the scenic “Odontotos” cog railway connecting Kalavryta with Diakofto through stunning gorges the Cave of the Lakes features cascading pools while Planitero’s forests offer streams and hearty Peloponnesian dishes like slow-cooked lamb and sweet preserves Nestled on the shores of Lake Orestiada and surrounded by snow-dusted mountains Kastoria is a captivating winter destination in northern Greece Renowned for its fur trade history and Byzantine heritage Explore the historic neighborhoods of Doltso and Apozari where cobbled streets wind past snow-covered stone mansions and more than 50 Byzantine churches with stunning frescoes The serene Lake Orestiada becomes magical in winter perfect for lakeside strolls or boat rides while the nearby Grammos and Vitsi mountains offer skiing featuring dishes like fasolada (bean soup) Winter visitors can enjoy the festive Ragoutsaria carnival a unique three-day celebration blending pagan and Christian traditions No winter trip to Greece is complete without a visit to Metsovo a charming mountain town nestled on the slopes of Mount Pindos and views of snow-capped peaks make it a picturesque winter escape Metsovo delights culture lovers and foodies alike or sip on Katogi Averoff wine from its renowned mountain winery Local tavernas serve hearty Epirote dishes like kontosouvli and savory pies with wild greens or mushrooms Metsovo is a great base with nearby Anilio and Karakoli ski centers offering beginner-friendly slopes plus options for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing Don’t miss cultural highlights like the Averoff Gallery or the Tositsa Mansion’s Folk Art Museum Known as the “Mountain of the Centaurs” in Greek mythology Pilio is a stunning winter retreat in Southeast Thessaly This lush peninsula combines picturesque villages making it enchanting year-round but especially magical in winter the “Balcony of Pilio,” offers breathtaking views of the Pagasetic Gulf while Portaria charms with cobbled streets and boutique stays boasts a rich literary history tied to Rigas Feraios with their historic squares and snow-dusted plane trees Adventurers will love the Agriolefkes Ski Center at Hania while hikers can explore serene trails through ancient forests and over stone bridges cozy tavernas serve hearty dishes like stewed rabbit and handmade pasta paired with local wines and tsipouro Nestled in the rugged mountains of Evrytania often called “Little Switzerland,” offer a unique Greek winter escape Megalo Horio enchants with stone-built houses and stunning views of the Karpenisiotis River valley especially magical under a blanket of snow making both villages ideal for exploring the area renowned for its serene location and beautiful frescoes Adventurers can ski at Velouchi Ski Center or hike trails through gorges and fir forests Karpenisi is a must-visit Greek winter wonderland This article appeared in Greece Is (www.greece-is.com) Enter your information below to receive our weekly newsletters with the latest insights opinion pieces and current events straight to your inbox The Archbishop visited the East Frangista and the summer camps of the Holy Metropolis where he spent plenty of time with the children The Archbishop’s visit will be completed today with the Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Holy Apostles in the village 180 km from Athens and 370 km from Thessaloniki Pistes and lifts: 23 slopes for all levels (including four competition-certified and four novice slopes); 17 ski lifts (seven aerial Facilities: Two chalets (one in Fterolakka and one in Kelaria) with two snow bars and food and drink available at an elevation of 1750 m and 2280 m respectively equipment rental stores and equipment maintenance services Cost: Day pass €35 on weekends and holidays it’s the largest and most popular ski center in Greece 290 km from Athens and 370 km from Thessaloniki Pistes and lifts: 17 slopes for all difficulty levels (this year two off-piste free-ride runs and snowboard snowparks The “Thisseas” and “Takis Fleggas” slopes are illuminated and often host night-skiing events There are five lifts (four aerial and one 80-meter surface lift) Cost: Day pass €18 on weekends and holidays 240 km from Thessaloniki and 350 km from Athens Pistes and lifts: Seven slopes and one five-kilometer cross-country route; five lifts (three aerial Highlight: The only ski center where skiers can enjoy views of the sea from nearly all the slopes Mt Athos and the island of Limnos from the summit 260 km from Thessaloniki and 370 km from Athens Pistes and lifts: Three easy/medium slopes one also available for night skiing; three lifts (one aerial as it’s located just off the Trikala-Arta National Road 155 km from Athens and 460 km from Thessaloniki Pistes and lifts: Two slopes (one very easy Highlight: It is the closest ski center to Athens and is ideal for beginners Pistes and slopes: 13 slopes (including two black one suitable for night skiing and one that’s among the biggest in Greece) Cost: Day pass €28 on weekends and holidays a two-seater chair lift that takes you to the more challenging slopes 165 km from Athens and 650 km from Thessaloniki Pistes and lifts: Six slopes (including one black and one black-red) as well as cross-country routes; three lifts (two surface and one baby lift) Cost: Day pass €16 on weekends and holidays Highlight: Economical and easily accessible 200 km from Thessaloniki and 400 km from Athens Pistes and lifts: Seven slopes (from easy to medium difficulty); five ski lifts (one aerial Cost: Day pass €13 on weekends and holidays Tip: Two additional ski centers are in operation nearby – Teleferique at Karakoli with two medium slopes and one aerial lift (four kilometers from Metsovo) with six slopes 225 km from Thessaloniki and 535 km from Athens one for children and a snowboarding snowpark); two lifts (one surface and one baby lift) Highlight: The unique view over the Lake Kastoria from the summit Waiting times are also usually short; within an hour one snowmobile route; six lifts (three surface Cost: Day pass €20 on weekends and holidays Highlight: You’ll reach an elevation of 2480 meters with the “Kremasi” lift the highest point accessible via ski lift from a ski center in Greece 230 km from Thessaloniki and 420 km from Athens Pistes and lifts: 24 slopes for all difficulty levels (including two of Olympic standard); seven lifts (two aerials Highlight: The quality snow offers an alpine ski experience Snowboarders particularly love the virgin snow on off-piste routes Location: Papa Horafi in the Pierian Mountains 100 km from Thessaloniki and 470 km from Athens Pistes and lifts: 10 slopes for all difficulty levels (one for snowboarding and one for sleds) several off-piste routes; five lifts (one aerial Facilities: One snow bar at the top of the aerial lift Cost: Day pass €14 on weekends and holidays Highlight: The view of Mt Olympus from the aerial lift 200 km from Thessaloniki and 570 km from Athens Pistes and lifts: 12 slopes for all difficulty levels (one Olympic standard 5,5 km and 6 km); five lifts (two aerial and three surface Facilities: Two chalets (one with rooms for overnight stay) Highlight: The two long slopes that begin at an elevation of 2000 meters and terminate at the village of Pisoderi (ski-in/ski-out) 100 km from Thessaloniki and 520 km from Athens Pistes and lifts: 18 slopes for all difficulty levels (four slopes for children) off-piste routes for snowboarding and two cross-country skiing routes with forest sections; 11 lifts (one aerial Highlight: The easy access and the two cross-country routes N.B.: Prices for visitor passes applies to those who want to ride the aerial lifts This article first appeared in Greece Is (www.greece-is.com) .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for NJ.comCuban frita burger No need to hop a flight from Newark Airport to try foods from around the world; you can just work your way through the far-ranging menu at the Chit Chat Diner in Hackensack The stylish restaurant, which bends if not breaks most diner "rules,'' is among the ten finalists in our N.J.'s best diner competition Along with a group of hungry Munchers on the Munchmobile I paid it a visit on the last day of our finals round We'll also have a Readers' Choice winner, which we'll announce Thursday at 3 p.m.; you can vote for your favorite diner until 11:59 p.m Pete Genovese interviews Milena the manager in a Periscope video (Alex Remnick I NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) there was plenty of eating on our last day of judging The Chit Chat's sprawling menu made our usual ordering process -- two breakfast two lunch and two dinner items -- more difficult than ever we may have spent more time trying to decide what to order than actually eating filled with the unlikely trio of provolone Another bold breakfast item: the coconut-crusted French toast that Zoi said he would "sing for.'' Desserts with creamy coconut custard covered with light cream and toasted bits of coconut "really took the cake,'' he added called the onion soup here the day's best the Pad Thai Chicken Egg Rolls "a perfect portioned appetizer,'' and the Tex-Mex meatloaf sandwich "soft and tasty.'' But his favorite item was the pastrami tacos with their "perfect amount of seasoning and very savory.'' Gary Moro admired the "bold'' peanut sauce accompanying the Pad Thai chicken egg rolls the "very tender''  meat in the beef stew and the "delicious'' Tex-Mex meatloaf sandwich Desserts were "wonderful,'' with the peanut butter pie and cheesecake his favorites Why this diner can win it all:  An expansive menu that is unmatched among Jersey diners; it seems like every nation of the world is represented Lively staff and clientele; we saw everyone from construction workers to state troopers Peter Genovese may be reached at pgenovese@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @PeteGenovese or via The Munchmobile @NJ_Munchmobile. Find the Munchmobile on Facebook and Instagram. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, (updated 8/1/2024) and acknowledgement of our Privacy Policy, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 1/1/2025) © 2025 Advance Local Media LLC. All rights reserved (About Us) The material on this site may not be reproduced except with the prior written permission of Advance Local Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site YouTube's privacy policy is available here and YouTube's terms of service is available here Ad Choices \n m_gallery = \"njs_best_diner_chit_chat_diner\";\n m_gallery_id = \"19394808\";\n m_gallery_title = \"N.J.\\'s Best Diner: Chit Chat Diner\";\n m_gallery_blog_id = \"8001122\";\n m_gallery_creation_date = \"Tuesday 6:17 PM\";\n m_gallery_permalink = \"http://photos.nj.com/8001122/gallery/njs_best_diner_chit_chat_diner/index.html\";\n m_gallery_json = \"https://blog.nj.com/photogallery/8001122/19394808.json\";\n m_gallery_pagetype = \"embed\";\n m_gallery_type = \"photo\";\n <\/script>\n Gallery: N.J.'s Best Diner: Chit Chat Diner Anti-fascist group KEERFA on Wednesday expressed outrage over the arrest earlier in the day of lawyer Takis Zotos for spray-painting over graffiti in support of neo-Nazi party Golden Dawn who has acted as a representative for the prosecution in the ongoing trial against the party was on holiday with his family at his wife’s home village when he spotted the pro-Golden Dawn slogans spray-painted on a wall along the highway leading into Karpenisi in central Greece “I saw the fascist slogans at the entrance to Karpenisi as a challenge,” Zotos said in an announcement following his arrest for spray-painting over the slogans “It is infuriating that the municipal authority had not erased it We should not tolerate the descendants of Nazis dirtying our walls with Nazi symbols in martyred towns.” KEERFA said that Zotos’s arrest was “unconscionable” and accused the Hellenic Police (ELAS) of harboring neo-Nazi elements within its ranks Zotos was released from custody on Wednesday but still faces charges of destroying public property The relics of the Martyrs were transferred from Saint Raphael’s birthplace with the permission of Metropolitan of Karpenisi at the request of Pastor of Krendis and the Archieratic Commissioner of Agraia-Agrafa The official reception was held by Metropolitan Georgios of Karpenisi and a number of pilgrims came to Krendis from various parts of Evritania A liturgical procession was then formed towards the celebrating Church of St where the Archieratic Vesper was held along with the Blessing of the loaves (artoklasia) There followed a Sacred Prayer to the New Saints Raphael the Feast of the Translation of the Sacred Relics of Saint Nektarios a Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Metropolitan Georgios of Karpenisi assisted by the Evritian (Archdiocese) Archimandrite Nektarios Kotrotsios who is serving in the Archdiocese of America and by a number of clergymen of the Metropolis of Karpenisi After Nafplio and the Final Four of the championship the pulse of wheelchair basketball was transferred Atlas and Dodekanisos claimed the title of the Greek Cup The players of both teams offered a beautiful spectacle which they received from the hands of Harris Perdikis and Thanasis Viglas but because we feel how close they are to us Let’s not forget that Karpenisi hosts the National team every summer A big thumbs up to Atlas for winning the Cup but also to Dodekanisos for participating in the two finals She may not have been able to claim one of the two titles she claimed until the end but she’s had some great wins throughout the season for the fact that he came back from a … final four disaster even stronger but the individual awards of Zach Blair (MVP of the final) and Tasos Konstantinopoulos (first scorer of the final) did not go unnoticed Both were honored by Aris Tassios and Christos Kaloudis while the Cup was given to the winners by Harris Perdikis The International Day of Persons with Disabilities is celebrated every year on December 3rd and OSEKA and its clubs organize awareness and promotion activities for The Federation of Greek Basketball Players’ Associations (OSEKA) had a meeting with the Minister of Health The IBC Ioannina club celebrated the International Day of Persons with Disabilities by hosting students from the 3rd Primary School of Ioannina (Maroutsio) at their The president and the board of directors of HWBF extend their congratulations to Mr Konstantinos Siahos for his election as president of the HSFPD Discovering the wild nature and the simple architecture of Evritania The Evrytania region in central Greece is an imposing landscape of restless The region’s people needed to tame this rugged stone-dominated territory to make it inhabitable Evrytania is like a perpetual exchange between the people who forged the area into shape and the grand overall setting is the starting point for a Mount Tymfristos route with lots of bends leading to the Velouhi ski resort or for an elevated view of the city and the Potamia area A road from Karpenisi also leads to the village Megalo Horio via a relatively unknown route passing by Fragista Karpenisi is a friendly place with hospitable character and a big square pedestrianised streets and a series of appealing café-bars A sign placed at the square by the municipality declares Karpenisi is a location of authentic living Visiting the exceptional Evrytania Cultural History Centre (+30 22370 80217, kipe.gr) is a must Interactive and fully equipped with state-of-the-art digital means this museum immerses visitors into the history of the land stretching from prehistoric times to the modern era situated just a few kilometres beyond Karpenisi has preserved most of its traditional stone character currently without its collection of photographs by emblematic Greek Resistance photographer Spyros Meletzis still remains filled with memories of the struggle by Greek fighters during World War II The big square with the restaurant-café as well as unique guesthouses and the Agios Athanasios church create a setting that reminds of the atmospheric films of the late award-winning director Theo Angelopoulos The route covered by the Karpenisiotis river crossing the Potamia valley between the Kaliakouda and Helidona mountains faces Neo Mikro Horio and Palio (Old) Mikro Horio at the opposite Mount Helidona slope can be reached by taking turns off the main road heading towards Megalo and Mikro Horio quieter and possess the classic combination of stone-paved square with church is the most popular village choice for tourists visiting the wider Evrytania region Megalo Horio is big in terms of choices offered it is a small place that can be walked from top to bottom in twenty minutes Megalo Horio has resisted architectural alterations to satisfactory degree offering classic plane-tree beauty upon entry as well as houses rising like towers at the village slope It gradually transforms into a village wall A trail beginning from Megalo Horio’s parking area leads towards Kefalyvryso and a ravine with small bridges for a setting of running waters The special galaktoboureko (semolina custard baked in filo) at Galaktoboureko Tou Karveli (+30 2237041339) with a terrace and windows facing the slopes opposite the village a workshop selling a wide variety of sweet preserves all produced by the Evrytania women’s cooperative (+30 2237041263) Ergastirio Karipis (+30 2237041265) is another workshop selling sweet preserves All these shops are on the main road in the Megalo Horio area Visitors can always expect to find two or three shops here during weekdays offering replica settings of older professions including a shoemaker’s corner with authentic work uniforms the impressive mechanism of the old village clock Call to check if the museum is open before visiting a succession of tavernas are situated side by side on the main road Trout is a main menu item at all these eateries which is no surprise given the abundance of local trout farms Fresko (+30 2237041215 / +30 6972915084) is open to the public for tours of the facility Neo Mikro Horio and Palio (old) Mikro Horio resulting from a landslide in 1963 that split the village Mikro Horio into two Both are quieter than the aforementioned villages Palio Mikro Horio offers greater charm as it has retained many authentic architectural features It features an old village tap with a large plane tree leads to plane trees and a small seasonal lake formed in the late-autumn and winter months The two villages offer tavernas with good food fireplaces and wonderful surrounding nature Heading towards the spectacular Proussos Monastery the Potamia valley gives way to a deep gorge a much-photographed towering rock over the road dug out at the bottom for the road to pass It is a marvellous complementary feature to the overall setting of snowcapped mountains The rugged setting is softened by the sound and view of water while passing by Dipotama the point where the Karpenisiotis river merges with the Krikellopotamos river to form the Trikeriotis river Small amounts of rain make this stream ideal for rafting Heavier rainfall creates treacherous conditions that do not enable contact with the water enjoy observing the water flow through the arched bridges an easy trail leads to Mavri Spilia as well as a renowned gorge horse riding and cycling in the area contact Trekking Hellas (+30 2237025940) Bookings with the company are required a week in advance is a large compound built up against the gorge’s towering rocks established a shrine at this location in the 10th century and lit a torch that burned continuously The torch (pyrsos) gave the monastery its initial name when it was built at this location in the 12th century the monastery underwent a series of name revisions that settled with its current name in 1845 when the nearby village was also renamed Proussos Worshippers are drawn to the monastery’s chapel built inside a cave as a place of refuge for an icon of the Virgin Mary this miracle-working icon reached the location in 829 AD from the Panagia Prousiotissa monastery in Proussa a dispute over the use of religious images in the Byzantine Empire during the 8th and 9th centuries The icon is believed to have been painted by St The murals are superb and the atmosphere is profoundly divine Before heading back down towards the monastery an accessible trail runs through dense nature and under the road to reach a renowned charcuterie workshop Visitors may taste aged charcuterie produced at this facility Visitors may also sit at a kiosk alongside a small river running by the charcuterie facility for relaxation to the sound of running water and view of falling yellow plane tree leaves Evrytania is a location of authentic living Panathinaikos shall continue its preparation in Karpenisi The team will take off tomorrow morning and will return to Athens on the 29th of August Jonas Maciulis is to join the delegation on Monday (August 20) The Greens are waiting for Derwin Kitchen’s paperwork and all necessary actions to be finalized in order for him to be able to travel and live in our country The first few days of training will not include Sofoklis Schortsanitis who is getting married in Corfu and will travel to Karpenisi immediately after fortunately have many options for a short break in one of the many picturesque villages of Greece Perfect for winter trips as they can offer a closer contact with nature as well as the opportunity to do many different winter sports such as skiing Ellines.com team chose five Greek villages which are very popular in the winter months: Papigo is one of the 46 villages of the residential the rich vegetation of the region and the unique ferocity of its landscape always draw a lot of visitors from Greece and abroad that are built at the foot of Astrakas under the imposing towers and the fabulous Drakolimni Papigo has a tradition of exceptional hospitality and a particular way of maintaining the land-planning and cultural organisation of the local society Arachova is one of the most popular winter destinations in Greece due to the ski center and due to the fact that it is situated very close to Athens Although contemporary culture tends to flatten the particular folklore of the region the town maintains some local customes and indeed demonstrates them at celebrations take place on 23 April Portaria in Pelion (Pilio) is one of the most beautiful interesting and unique traditional villages in this entire region of Central Greece impressive traditional mansions and winding cobble-stoned paths Portaria is surely one of the few places where you can find tranquility and beauty right in the heart of Greece is a very popular destination for visitors situated at 1350 m elevation in the densely forested Verno mountains The village is protected by the Hellenic Ministry of Culture in order to preserve its architectural integrity The Environmental Centre ARCTUROS is active in the area and manages an environmental protection center for brown bears and wolves one-and-a-half kilometres from the village Karpenisi has all of the elements to satisfy a visitor’s every preference It is located in a mountainous area of exceptional natural beauty The traditional architecture has been maintained to a sufficient extent It has a ski resort and is a popular destination It is called Switzerland of Greece for the resemblance with the mountainous country and its beauty Send us your comments and suggestions with your favorite Christmas destinations in Greece at info@ellines.com and in our Facebook and Twitter accounts Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" © 2025 ellines.com © 2025 ellines.com, all rights reserved Greece's largest artificial lake is probably also the most beautiful arranging to exact place and time that suited us And like I usually do I picked a model that wasn’t only comfy I like a smooth ride especially for roads that I’m not familiar with but also fuel efficient (not only good for the environment but the pocket too) It took us just over 3 hours to reach Karpenisi This is the largest town of a region called Evritania and is very popular with Athenians thanks to its picturesque architecture and the awesome mountainous landscapes that surrounds We payed a visit to the Historical and Cultural Museum of Evritania with interactive digital exhibits that took us on amazing journeys through the history and geography of the region and donning our VR goggles dived down to the lake bed and visited the long vanished church of Episkopi We found out that the construction of Kremasta Hydro-electric dam in the 1960s was a turning point in the electrification of Greece the Tauropos and the Trikeriotis rivers have been supplying the power plants of Kreamata for decades now and rather surprisingly the dam itself was constructed using earth and gravel rather than concrete with a total volume of 8.13 million cubic metres The water resevoir created by the dam has made the largest artificial lake in the in Greece Quite pertinently in a time of shifting energy needs and values it’s an important source of electricity and water for a significant part of part of Greece were submerged under the waters of the lake moving to either to nearby settlements or major cities such as Athens and Thessaloniki and some moved abroad built in the 8th or 9th century and an old stone arching bridge were lost under the new lake Months before the area was dammed and flooded the original frescoes were taken to Athens where they are now on display at the Byzantine and Christian Museum through a landscape of unique beauty and a fun We reached an ear-popping 1,200 meters above sea level on mount Tymfristos we were able to enjoy the wild mountains scenery steep gorges and deep ravines with gushing rivers We crossed an old iron bridge over the river Megdova and we had to stop to take some snaps of this cool old bridge also taking the oportunity to have a little rest Dotted with green islands and mountains that rise up behind the calm water to the side of the lake We took another (longish) stop for more photos of these awesome views The next highlight of our trip was actually crossing the Episkopi Bridge (which is named after one of the submerged villages) which crosses from Evritania to Etoakarnania We drove over the bridge as slowly as we coukld to see the shades of the blue and green that alternate on the water’s surface and the jaggedy moutains reflecting on the lake There are no villages near Lake Kremasta and the fact that the dam is made of earthy materials and not concrete means that it makes a better ecosystem and habitat for a multitude of species fish It was designed by the civil engineer Aristarchos Economou and won international awards back in the day The most striking feature of this part of the trip was the nature and water After crossing the main bridge we continued south where we came across another little bridge that passed over the river Krikeliotis We had been told that this part of Evritania had lots of traditional villages Fidakia village is nestled on the forested slope of Heliodona We had to leave the SUV that we rented from Avis in the parking lot The houses ( mainly two-storey) have lovely little yards full of flowers and the alleys are all spotlessly clean We found out that Fidakia was a village that suffered from mass emigration – people left mainly to the USA in the 1950s and 1960s But the people who came from there spoured their money back into their old community and thus this beautiful mountain village is so well maintained Fidakia is the starting point of a wonderful little hiking trail to Tsagaralona the view to the lake and the bridge of Kremasta was probably the highlight of the whole excursion We headed back to Karpenisi to bed down for the night and the next day back to Athens to catch our flight It was really handy that we had arranged to give back our Avis rental at the airport We’ll definitely be back and definitely go on another road trip renting a car from Avis Road trip to Meteora and the Mountains of Trikala: A Route for all Seasons Road trip to gorgeous mountainous area of the Peloponnese Road trip to the Fokida region’s south: Mythical Delphi, superb beaches, classy Galaxidi At least two villages were flooded near Lamia on Friday after the river Spercheios swelled due to heavy thunderstorms Online footage showed locals trying to protect themselves and their homes from the rising waters as streams overflowed their banks and barreled through the villages of Styrfaka and Lygaria the floods threatened to paralyze traffic on the road (E952) between Lamia and Karpenisi Officials advise drivers to avoid the area Winter enthusiasts in Greece can find some of the country’s best ski resorts at Parnassos These destinations are perfect not only for skiing but also for various outdoor activities throughout the year Thousands of vehicles gather every winter weekend in Arachova and Livadi With breathtaking views extending to the Corinthian and Euboean Gulfs Parnassos attracts ski lovers who closely follow weather forecasts with the first official ski facilities at Fterolakka It opened in 1977 under the administration of the Greek National Tourism Organization (EOT) The two connected resorts are serviced by 23 ski slopes of varying difficulty The resort features a three-story chalet offering panoramic views visitors can find a private ski center at Gerontovrachos The region offers activities such as hiking Known for its picturesque clock tower and famous local products like woolen textiles and Formaela cheese Arachova is a prime destination for both leisure and fine dining Located in the plateau of Velouchi (Tymfristos) at an altitude of 1,850-2,200 meters the Karpenisi ski resort features 18 slopes including two dedicated to snowboarding and five lifts the resort also offers snowmobile rentals and mountaineering routes leading to Seidani Nearby attractions include Karpenisi’s historical sites and charming stone-built villages like Koryschades located at an altitude of 1,430-2,005 meters is a favorite among experienced skiers and athletes including the highly challenging “Filippos” black run and the FIS-certified “Aristotelis” slope for international competitions The resort also offers a snowboard park and numerous facilities such as a lift bar a nearby historic town known for its lush surroundings and archaeological sites including Aristotle’s School in ancient Mieza from beginner-friendly slopes to advanced pistes and discover the most beautiful villages near ski destinations Follow en.protothema.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news See all the latest News from Greece and the World, the moment they happen, at en.protothema.gr The phone of local officials in the village of Fourna has been ringing nonstop from people responding to the priest and teacher’s call for families to relocate offering them homes and employment to keep the village “alive.” Stefanos Kostopoulos and Vasiliki Emmanouil are the first family to make the big decision to live permanently in the village located at an altitude of 840 meters and surrounded by fir trees The two parents spoke to protothema.gr about how they made the decision to become residents of Karpenisi and how warmly the locals received them “I saw the advertisement on Facebook we immediately agreed to change our lives for the better We spoke with the priest Konstantinos Dousikos and came to the village living peacefully and harmoniously with our children There are still four children in the middle school and two in the elementary school Every beginning is difficult and requires patience and we will start our new life,” says Stefanos who has completed a course in hairdressing Our decision to come here was made for the good of our children and what I would like to say is that anyone interested in supporting our efforts is welcome.” According to residents who are actively contributing to this initiative in addition to the first family with six children that has moved to the village two more families are expected—one with four children and another with seven There are sponsors already helping with food and services and anyone who would like to help is welcomed priest Konstantinos Dousikos feels very happy with the outcome and now over 100 families are seriously interested in coming here I wanted to cry because I knew what would follow The authorities and the region have committed to helping us The advertisement published about a month ago received a great response and positive comments “From a village in Evrytania near Karpenisi A village in Evrytania is looking for one (or possibly more) families with children who want to move to the village and enroll their kids in the schools It is located 40 kilometers from Karpenisi Free housing and work (at least for the husband) is provided along with assistance with initial expenses from the whole village Dazzling examples of rich Hellenistic goldsmithing and jewelry making are showcased in the exhibition titled “Art in Gold: Jewelry in the Hellenistic Era,” which opens today at the Benaki Museum of Greek Culture The exhibition brings together valuable objects from its own collections along with pieces from 30 other Greek museums The aim is to introduce visitors to Hellenistic jewelry intricately crafted gold jewelry was used to adorn women’s bodies and clothing these pieces were believed to possess protective properties while others were offered as votive gifts to deities The exhibition includes impressive gold necklaces and earrings with intricate miniature designs and jewelry-making tools from the 2nd century BC These artifacts transport visitors back to a flourishing era where the art of jewelry-making was at its peak the exhibition highlights precious jewelry from the “Treasure of Thessaly / Karpenisi,” crafted in a prominent Macedonian workshop of the 3rd-2nd century BC naturally captivate the audience’s attention Visitors can also gain insights into the crafting of Hellenistic jewelry through five animation videos that showcase the making of five selected pieces from the Benaki Museum another video documents the three-year experimental process of reconstructing part of an elaborate Hellenistic gold diadem The exhibition also bridges the past with the present by featuring contemporary creations from eight Greek and international artists