2020 is turning out to be a pivotal year, for virtually every single human being on the planet (not to mention fauna, flora, the sea and air amongst others). Tight travel, movement and social distancing protocols have seriously hindered our way of living. No partying, no bars or clubs open past 12, strict rules on group gatherings. Hence, people are looking at alternative modes of entertainment. And staying at home Netflix and chilling just won’t cut it any more, no matter how much 80’s nostalgia they try stuffing down our throat. The need for exploration is bubbling up like evil goo in the sewers of New York (ha). Good weather is still a luxury we can afford, so where to go? Weighing in at 2,260 years old, boasting of a temple to the Goddess Artemis and a 15th century Byzantine church, featuring a stalagmite riddled cave, incredible beach, lush green farmland including olive trees, vineyards and a Natura 2000 protected wetland, we give you Vravrona.
The undisputed champion of chronically under-rated destinations in the Attica basin is only a 38 kilometer distance from Athens. Yet it might as well be in the other side of the world for the amount of attention it gets. And what is it after all? Its only a 4th century BC settlement with prehistoric evidence that was part of the mythical 12 city district that king Thesseus united under Athenian umbrage. Never mind the awesome tales of chthonic priestesses, totems and deity worshipping festivals culminating in long processions to the Acropolis.
We could go on about the lush green valley that gets flooded by the river Erasinos turning it into a natural habitat for several avian species. And of course there is the small matter of the awesome secluded beach right next to it, looking into the Euboean gulf. We won’t even mention the neat little museum housing all the artefacts found around the site.
No, we won’t wax lyrical about it. Come check it yourself and see how the cookie crumbled in the place they call Vravrona.
