It’s the time of the year when everyone has planned their Christmas and New Year’s holidays throughout Europe. Whether travelling outside of Greece or spending it in the country, seasonal amusement parks and ski resorts are on top of the list for choosing a destination, according to market watchers.
Drama, in the northeast part of the country, and Trikala in central Greece, are among the two top choices for Greek holiday-makers. Drama hosts a colorful and well-know Christmas village called Oniroupoli – Greek for city of the dreams. Drama has reported almost 85% occupancy, reports state.
While in Trikala, kids will be amused by the “Mill of the Elves”, one of the largest theme parks in the country, with festive activities, playgrounds and a list full of musical and theatrical events revolving around Christmas.
The secretary general of the national hoteliers federation, Angelos Kallias, told AMNA that the availability in these areas will not cover the increased demand this season.
Other well-known destinations are Kalavrita in the mountainous northeast Peloponnese, which also has popular ski resort and picturesque surrounding villages, as well the Parnassos mountain range, with its equally popular ski resort and the village of Arachova, in south-central Greece. Mount Pelion, in the central Greece prefecture of Magnesia, is another destination that that’s recording 80% occupancy this year, according to AMNA.
Other destinations are the mountainous Zagorohoria villages in northwest Greece, a designated Unesco world heritage site in the province of Epirus. Tzoumerka is another such popular alpine destination in Epirus.
Equally mountainous Arcadia in the central Peloponnese has also reported significant demand this season, according to the president of the Federation of Travel Agencies, Lysandros Tsilidis.
Overseas destinations
Italy, Spain and London are amongst Greeks’ top foreign destinations this holiday season. However, other large European cities such as Vienna, Budapest and Paris are also popular, with the most important criteria being Christmas markets.
According to Tsilidis, both Italy and Spain are setting records as destinations for Greek travelers this season.
