"The light of Greece opened my eyes, penetrated my pores,
expanded my whole being."
- Henry Miller-
expanded my whole being."
- Henry Miller-
Monemvasia is truly a magical and romantic Byzantine castle town.
It was cleverly built into the side of the rock so can only be seen from one side.
Located in the southeast Peloponnese, it dates back to the sixth century AD,
and is the longest continuously-inhabited castle town in Europe.
A causeway connects Monemvasia’s Old Town (Kastro) to the mainland
and the modern village of Gefyra.
This is the only way into Monemvasia by land,
thus giving the town its name meaning, 'One Way."
There are no cars in Kastro,
though cars can drive all the way up to the castle entrance to drop off passengers.
What a beautiful place to relax with a cold drink, look over the ocean,
enjoy a good meal and watch the sunset!
It was cleverly built into the side of the rock so can only be seen from one side.
Located in the southeast Peloponnese, it dates back to the sixth century AD,
and is the longest continuously-inhabited castle town in Europe.
A causeway connects Monemvasia’s Old Town (Kastro) to the mainland
and the modern village of Gefyra.
This is the only way into Monemvasia by land,
thus giving the town its name meaning, 'One Way."
There are no cars in Kastro,
though cars can drive all the way up to the castle entrance to drop off passengers.
What a beautiful place to relax with a cold drink, look over the ocean,
enjoy a good meal and watch the sunset!
We met our local guide for a tour of the old town.
Entering through the fortress gates, our journey through time began.
We wandered through the narrow cobbled streets,
and admired the beautifully restored stone buildings.
Entering through the fortress gates, our journey through time began.
We wandered through the narrow cobbled streets,
and admired the beautifully restored stone buildings.
Greek Cooking Class!
Another example of the unique and fun activities you get to participate in on a RS tour!
Plus, our instructor was hilarious!
Another example of the unique and fun activities you get to participate in on a RS tour!
Plus, our instructor was hilarious!
Best Tzatziki ever! Recipe 1/2 kg yogurt 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 1 tsp sea salt 1 tsp vinegar 1 tsp lemon juice 1 large cucumber, grated 3/4 cup good olive oil Add salt to grated cucumber. Mix. Wait 10 minutes. Squeeze moisture out with hands. Add garlic and remaining ingredients, Can add 2 tsp fresh dill if you wish. |
Learning how to make authentic Greek Baklava!
I was thrilled when I was able to help prepare baklava! My favourite and I've made it since!
I was thrilled when I was able to help prepare baklava! My favourite and I've made it since!
Baklava
1 box phyllo pastry, thawed 1 and 1/2 cups butter, melted 1 and 3/4 cups walnuts, toasted and finely chopped 2 tsp cinnaomon or cinnamon sticks 2 tsp sugar Syrup 1 cup water 2 and 1/2 cups sugar 1 tsp lemon juice 1 lemon rind, sliced Syrup - in a small pot combine water, sugar, cinnamon and lemon rind. Bring to a boil, simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. Must pour cool syrup over hot baklava at the very end after it has been baked. Remove cinnamon stick and rind. In a bowl, combine walnuts, cinnamon and sugar. You can add some mastika liquor if you wish! Assemble baklava in a greased (butter) 10 x 11 pan. Line pan with 1 sheet of phyllo and brush the top lightly with melted butter. Repeat until you have used 5-6 of the phyllo sheets. Sprinkle some of the nut mixture over phyllo sheets. Wrinkle 1 phyllo sheet to create hills and hollows. Sprinkle with walnut mixture. Sprinkle with butter. Continue in this manner, wrinkly each sheet and sprinkling nut mixture and butter mixture, untill all phyllo except for 5 sheets are used. Top with final sheets, one at a time, sprinkling each with butter. Cut top layer of baklava into 8 parts. The cut each part into 2 diamond shapes but do not cut diamonds through to edges. Reheat and pour all remaining butter over top. Bake at 300 F for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and immediately pour COOLED syrup over top. Cool before eating. Freeze individual pieces in cupcake liners. ENJOY! |