As a lake we can recognize the body water which is surrounded by land. Lakes around the earth’s area vary greatly in size, depth and also in the elevation in which are located. Most of the lakes contain fresh water from rain, melting ice, snow and rivers or streams and they have shape like a big bowl. In the Greek area there are a lot of lakes separated in two categories: the natural lakes and ponds. The most of them are located in the mainland and below we quote for the future visitors some information, history, myths, characteristics and good reasons why should visit lakes in Greece.
Trichonida Lake
Trichonida is the largest natural lake in the Greek territory with extent 96.5 km². Its creation is the result of many geological rearrangements and this process estimated to took part 15-20 million years before. It is a warm lake with water temperature from 4° to 25° degrees Celsius depending on the season. The Trichonida Lake is the home for 140 bird species, the 30 of them are endangered. Also the entire lake area is rich in amphibians, reptilians and rare flowers as waterlilies, cyclamens, gladiolus and beautiful orchids. The lakeside vegetation includes plane trees, eucalyptus, willows, poplars and citrus trees whose flowers can befuddle you during the spring.
When the human and the nature join their forces in harmony, the result is simply irresistible. This is one of the Greek ponds which gains your love from the first look. Wherever you stop you can admire the beautiful view. Travelling in the mountainous Agrafa villages combined with the countless sights of the lake will be for you an unforgettable experience. This lake is 325 kilometers far from Athens and 250 kilometers far from Thessaloniki, so it’s quite easy to visit the place even for short holidays. The Plastira Lake is an attraction for thousands of tourists, all the seasons as why offers a dream beauty and plenty of impressive places. In the area you can find religious monuments with great cultural and architectural interesting, monasteries, museums, the dam, the botanical garden, the mountain lodge of Agrafa, canyons and points with breathtaking view.
Accommodation: in the entire area you can find both luxuries hotels with pools and spa services as well traditional guest rooms completely congenial with the landscape. Whatever you choose it’s sure you will find the ideal shelter for some moments of rest and relaxation away from the city stress. The whole area hosts traditional and hospitable villages, some of them very popular and some others unexplored and mysterious. The only you have to remember is that each one has its own beauty and secrets to reveal.
Food and drink: the kitchen of the area is famous for its unique flavors and the pure ingredients which uses. The high nutritional value combined with the flavor, creates dishes that can excite even the most pretentious tastes. Combine your trip with a lucullian meal at the restaurants and the traditional eating houses of the area and joy the magic view in a warm traditional place.
Activities: you have a wide variety of activities to choose for your entertainment as climbing, riding, walking, canoe kayak, fishing, swimming, sharpshooting and cycling. Also, you can take a walk to the local stores and to buy for you and your friends traditional products as feta cheese, gruyere, honey, spoon sweets, wine and many folk art products.
Why visit: because your visit to the Plastira Lake will be an excellent and unprecedented experience which you will want to live again. Visit this area anytime and feel the magic of the Greek nature to deluge you. Joy the local hospitality and taste original flavors.
Pamvotida Lake or Ioannina’s lake
Pamvotida lake is the second oldest in Europe also known as the Ioannina’s lake. The gorgeous lake is located between the mountains Mitsikeli and Tomaros. The lake is home for rare flora and fauna species and is protected by the European treaty Natura 2000.
Two things characterize this lake: the peninsula on which is built the Ioannina’s castle and the lake’s island, one of the few residential lake islands and maybe the only without name. It’s an extremely beautiful landscape and everyone deserves to joy a walk around its shores.
The Pamvotida Lake is very close contacted with the legendary story of one beautiful girl from Ioannina. According to the tradition, in the years of the Turkish possession, this Greek girl named Frosini was the daughter of a good and respectful family of the town but was very independent, liberal and smart something was completely opposite with the background of these years. She felt in love and had a love affair with Muhtar-pasha the son of Ali-pasha, the Turkish ruler of the area, although both of them were married. When the Muhtar’s wife knew about this illegal affair asked from Ali-pasha to give back justice. The same night Ali-pasha got into the Frosini’s house and arrested her with violence. With her, where also 15 ‘’disreputable’’ women. They were prisoned in a church near to the Pamvotida Lake and Ali-pasha suffering from compunctions waited for 3 days until someone of the town should want to save them, but nothing happened. So he took the difficult decision to kill them. When was night, Ali-pasha and his men closed the women in sacks and threw them into the lake to drown. After this, Ali-pasha recognized his mistake and asked to throw into the lake 6.000.000 kilos sugar to be the water sweet to drink Frosini… a tragic story for love, passion and death.
Tourism around the area: the town of Ioannina is a full of life town, attraction for many tourists during all the seasons of the year. There are a lot of historic places and museums to visit for a cultural entertainment and also many activities as lake tours, canoeing and water skiing. If you visit the lake don’t miss the chance to taste the delicious local sweets and flavors of the lake like eels and frog legs.
The secrets of the Pamvotida Lake, well hidden in the morning fog, wait you for a trip in the nature, the legend and the history.