NEW SELENI SUITES HOTEL AND AREA PRESENTATION 2014

TOTAL NUMBER OF SUITES 26
7 JUNIOR SUITES
2 JUNIOR SUITES FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED SPECIAL CARE
4 CONNECTING JUNIOR SUITES
4 PRIVATE JUNIOR SUITES
2 FAMILY SUITES
2 SELENI SUITES
1 PRIVATE SELENI SUITE
1 SUPERIOR SELENI SUITE
2 SMALL APARTMENTS
2 LARGE APARTMENTS
JUNIOR SUITES
A TOTAL OF 17 JUNIOR SUITES DOUBLE OR TWIN 35 M2 ONE ROOM ONE BATHROOM EACH
4 CONNECTING JUNIOR SUITES
2 JUNIOR SUITES WITH BATHROOMS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED SPECIAL CARE
All JUNIOR SUITES MAY ACCOMMODATE UP TO 2 CHILDREN UP TO 11 YEARS OLD
All JUNIOR SUITES MAY ACCOMMODATE ONE BABY COT
PRIVATE JUNIOR SUITES
A TOTAL OF 4 JUNIOR SUITES DOUBLE OR TWIN 35 M2 ONE ROOM ONE BATHROOM EACH
VIEW AT THE VILLAGE OF VYTINA NEXT TO THE ATRIUM LIBRARY - STRICTLY FOR ADULTS
FAMILY SUITES
2 FAMILY SUITES 70 M2 TWO BEDROOMS TWO BATHROOMS EACH
SUPERIOR SELENI SUITE
1 SUITE 110 M2 TWO BEDROOMS ONE SITTING ROOM THREE BATHROOMS
SELENI SUITES
3 SELENI SUITES 75 M2 ONE BEDROOM ONE SITTING ROOM TWO BATHROOMS EACH
Black & White Restaurant
BUFFET & A LA CARTE BREAKFAST
A LA CARTE MEALS
120 SEATS
CONNECTS WITH PELOPAS & HIPPODAMIA HALLS INCREASING THE CAPACITY TO 220 SEATS
Banquet Hall
CAPACITY OF 220 SEATED PEOPLE INSIDE 400 OUTSIDE
Seleni Lounge Bar
CAPACITY OF 200 PEOPLE INSIDE AND 200 OUTSIDE
CONFERENCE HALL
PELOPAS HALL
SEATS 80 IN THEATER CONFIGURATION
SEATS 60 IN CLASSROOM CONFIGURATION
CONNECTS WITH PLAYROOM (HIPPODAMIA HALL) INCREASING THE CAPACITY TO 120 SEATS
PLAYROOM
HIPPODAMIA HALL
HOME CINEMA
BILLIARDS
PC – WIFI
TABLE GAMES
GYM
EQUIPPED WITH CYBEX MACHINES FULL VIEW OF THE FOREST AND TOWN OF VYTINA
TV SET & EARPHONES
WC & SHOWERS , TOWELS, BATHROBES, SLIPPERS
KINDERGARTEN
EQUIPPED BY EARLY LEARNING CENTER
CHILDREN UP TO 6 YEARS ONLY
DAY CARE UPON REQUEST
EVENTS & RECEPTIONS
WEDDINGS
EVENTS & RECEPTIONS
BIOMATIC TRAINING
EVENTS & RECEPTIONS
HAPPENINGS
EVENTS & RECEPTIONS
CREATIVE SCHOOLING
EVENTS & RECEPTIONS
CLASSROOM TRAINING
EVENTS & RECEPTIONS
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
EVENTS & RECEPTIONS
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
EVENTS & RECEPTIONS
AUTOMOBILES EXHIBITIONS
EVENTS & RECEPTIONS
TOP MODELS SHOW
A DESIGN HOTEL
The Eames
Inspired
«La Chaise» Lounge Chair
The Eames
inspired
«Lounge Chair and
ottoman»
The Eames
inspired
Eiffel Chair
A DESIGN HOTEL
Jens Risom inspired
Lounge Chair
The inspired by Charles Édouard Jeanneret,
better known as Le Corbusier “Le Corbusier Chaise Longue”
A DESIGN HOTEL
Sori Yanagi inspired
Butterfly Stool
Gerrit Rietveld inspired
Zig Zag Chair
Poul Kjærholm inspired
PK20 Lounge Chair
A DESIGN HOTEL
Wall lamp LUCELLINO WALL,
Ingo Maurer, 1992
OH MEI MA WEISS
Ingo Maurer
DELIGHT wall lamp
Ingo Maurer
A DESIGN HOTEL
Zettel'z By Ingo Maurer
Ingo Maurer
Willy Dilly Lamp
Ingo Maurer
A DESIGN HOTEL
Pizza Cobra by Ron Arad
for iGuzzini
BaKaRú by Ingo Maurer
Fan lamp Blow for
Luceplan by Ferdi Giardini
A DESIGN HOTEL
Gyrofocus
Seminal Design, created by Dominique Imbert in 1968
Client List
AVIS HELLAS
S.C.Johnson Hellas LTD
CREDICOM
DELPHINI AGENCY LTD
P&G
EUROBANK
DIAGEO
PHILIP MORRIS INTERNATIONAL
AEGEAN BALTIC BANK
ERASMUS SA
AFEA SA
GLAXO SMITH KLINE
ABBOT/ABBVIE
LEROY MERLIN GRECE /SGB SA
BDF BIERSDORF
SCEP- SCIENTIFIC- CULTURAL EVENTS
SPRINT ADVERTISING AE
BEING ESSENTIAL CONSULTING SA
Confido Mcc Marketing Communication Consulting
ΜΕΤΡΟ Α.Ε.
ADRENALINE
COCA COLA
MILLENIUM BANK
BANK OF CYPRUS
MAΘISIS ΣΥΜΒΟΥΛΟΙ ΑΝΑΠΤΥΞΗΣ
ΚΑΥΚΑΣ ΑΕ
ΠΑΝΕΠΙΣΤΗΜΙΟ ΠΑΤΡΩΝ
ΠΑΝΕΠΙΣΤΗΜΙΟ ΠΕΛΟΠΟΝΝΗΣΟΥ
PAPERPACK ΤΣΟΥΚΑΡΙΔΗΣ Ι. ΑΒΕΕ
SANOFI-AVENTIS
ZEINCRO HELLAS S.A.
PEPSICO
LEAD SA TREKKING HELLAS
SUMMIT EXPLORING AE
EVEREST TRAVEL & CONGRESSES
HRG (Hogg Robinson Group)
IKON SCS
BRISTOL MYERS SQUIBB A.E.
FIAT GROUP AUTOMOBILES HELLAS
DET NORSKE VERITAS A.E.
ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΟΜΟΣΠΟΝΔΙΑ ΦΙΛΩΝ ΠΑΛΑΙΟΥ ΑΥΤΟΚΙΝΗΤΟΥ
ΚΑΙ ΜΟΤΟΣΙΚΛΕΤΑΣ (ΦΙΛΠΑ)
ONE TO ONE
ECOACTION
COSMOTE
SERVIER
ΕΚΠΑΙΔΕΥΤΗΡΙΑ ΚΩΣΤΕΑ ΓΕΙΤΟΝΑ
FIRST EVENT CONGRESS & TRAVEL
AMATHUS HELLAS SA
MERCEDES BENZ
CARLSON WAGON LIT
GOLDAIR
LINKAGE GREECE
A presentation of Arcadia
with the compliments
of
Seleni Suites Boutique Deluxe Hotel
Seleni Suites
Boutique Deluxe Hotel
Arcadia
Arcadia is traditionally considered the earthly paradise of the shepherd and carefree life,
the bucolic region of carelessness and absolute freedom. Thus, European countries after
the Renaissance, there was a phrase «Et in Arcadia ego» (I lived in Arcadia too) found
written in the table of Poussin "the shepherds of Arcadia" as the inscription on a tomb
shepherd in Arcadia. Since then the name of Arcadia, was associated consistently with the
happy life of the bucolic countryside, and contributed to the composition and
dissemination of the famous "the Arcadian ideal", "the Arkadism", which means a
contemplation and nostalgic reference to mythical Arcadian Shepherd Society, an
unrealistic dream of escape from the turbulent world of violence and exploitation and a
return to a timeless world of innocence and peace based on mutual love, pure cooperation
and courtesy play of its members...
Monasteries of Arcadia
at Loussios river
Kernitsa Monastery
Kandila Monastery
Aemialon Monastery
Chapels and temples
St. Fotini
St. Apostoles Leontarion
St. Apostoles Leontarion
Episkopi of Tegea
St Nickolas Karitena
St. Apostoles Leontarion
St George Piana
Map of
Arcadia
Map of Arcadia
Vytina
Towns & Villages
Vytina
Indisputably, Vytina, because of its central location, stands out in the center of the Peloponnese!
It is 44 km away from Tripoli. Vytina was a tourist resort since time immemorial. Earlier, when
“the mountain was the cure for tuberculosis”, in the summer months the small town was flooded
with people with a high income, who stayed in its very few hotels, but also in its rented rooms. It
is a traditional and very beautiful town, Vytina, with its houses built in the “style of Lagadia”…
Stone and wood, the iron of the chimney, and brick are the materials that the visitor meets when
visiting Vytina at an elevation of 1033 m, Vytina, which is made even more beautiful by the snow,
while engraved wood characterizes it. It would be an omission for a visitor to leave Vytina
without obtaining cheeses and pasta, honey and walnuts, teas , and wooden sculptures from
there. In particular, since time immemorial wooden sculptures were and are its trademark!
As you reach the square, you remain in ecstasy in from of Saint Tryphon, the stone church from
the beginning of the 19th century! Next to the central square, a stranger can visit the Library of
Vytina, with its noteworthy historical material, as well as its stone-built “Greek school” …
There is also the Foklife Museum, while he or she will walk under the arch of a row of completely
green trees! With Vytina as a starting point, it would not be a bad thing for the visitor to reach
the two crystalline springs of Kokkinovrysi and Alogovrysi! He or she can also visit Aspri Plaka (on
Mount Menalos)and the traditional settlements such as Alonistena, Lagadia, Magouliana, Pyrgaki,
Elati … Vytina, which flourished before the war and immediately after it, and has been forgotten
for over 30 years, rediscovered its color for tourism recently, and for this reason, thousands of
people visit Vytina every week.
Alonistena
It is the last one of the villages of the Municipality of Falanthos that you find shortly before you
set out for Vytina (by following the line Tripolis-Silimna-Davia) It is 25 km away from Tripolis and
10 km away from Vitina. Its elevation of 1200 meters gives it the first place in terms of snow.
Alonistena is the birthplace of Zampia Kostaki, mother of Theodoros Kolokotronis, and of
politicians as well! In the year 1715, it rose in revolution against the Turks, who burned it down
twice! On July 1, 1825, in Diaselo near Alonistena, a battle with the hordes of Ibrahim Pasha took
place (with the participation of Kolokotronis, Plapoutas, and Zaimis). The Greeks won!
It is a traditional village with one-story, two-story, and three story houses, made of stone with
wooden roofs and covered verandas and for this reason it was rightly judged to be a landmark
traditional settlement!
The many spring waters of Alonistena favor the growth of the plane trees, holly oaks, and the many acacias, as
well as the creation of gardens… the spring of Kefalovryso has its source below the small church of Saint
Nicholas; its waters are refreshingly cool! However, the springs on the road towards Vytina, Kokkinovrysi and
Alogovrysi, as well as the Spring of Les, Satanovrysi, and Xerkia… are springs with crystalline and refreshing
water! The church of Agia Paraskevi stands out in the center of the village; of course, it is not a very old building,
although it has been mentioned at least since 1742! After the Revolution of 1821, Alonistena numbered 1426
inhabitants (in 1828). Nowadays, it numbers approximately 200 permanent inhabitants who live from tourism,
but also in part from growing vegetables and raising livestock...
There are inns and restaurants...
Dimitsana
As we drive on the highway from Tripoli to Pyrgos, after Kambeas, we meet the settlement of
Karkalos; there, we turn right, and after 8 km, we enter Dimitsana, which is located at an
elevation of 960 meters at its lowest point and 1080 at its highest. If we wish to identify Arcadia
with its architecture, Dimitsana deserves to be used as a standard and a measure for comparison.
Today, the visitor, besides the two statues and the houses of Patriarch Gregory V and Germanos,
Bishop of Patra, should not omit a visit to the Ecclesiastical Museum, the Library, and the folklife
collection in the same building with the bones of Bishop Germanos and the saddle of Papaflessas’
horse... It would be an omission not to admire the Museum of Water Power that has been
created in recent years.
Dimitsana
Dimitsana is a place characterized by water, with very many sources and springs… the “lower spring” had its
beginning in antiquity, as did the other one, the spring of “Bahnas”, slightly farther away, the spring of “Mustafa”
and the spring of Kouris... The bridge of Makris, at the entrance to Dimitsana, is historic. The landmark buildings
include the house of the Spiliotopoulos family, who supplied the struggle for independence with gunpowder,
while some gunpowder mills continued to produce legendary gunpowder until recently.
The Lousios River, with its gorge, and the Monasteries of Filosofos, Panagia Aimyalon, and Timios Prodromos are
some of the places that are very easy to visit. Inside the town, the churches are examples of architecture, such as
that of the Savior (a single space with a cruciform roof), Vlahopanagia (a single-naved basilica), the Virgin of
Pournari, Saint Basil (a single-naved domed basilica), Saint Dimitrios, Saint George… this is Dimitsana, you see...
Lagadia
At an elevation of 1 km above sea level and on the road from Tripoli to Olympia, the traveler
meets the most picturesque principal village or town of Arcadia, the very beautiful Lagadia; a
model traditional stone-built settlement, perched on the slopes of the mountainous bulk of
Gortynia! The stone houses with two, three, and four stories are creations of the renowned
Lagadian master workers, who taught the skill of hewing and building with stone all over Greece!
The “Prize”, therefore, belongs to them and only to them! Tradition says that the people of
Lagadia are descendants of the master builders who built the Castle of Akova. All the captains of
1821 used them as the most skilled and experienced builders. They built from bridges and
churches to houses and springs, schools and towers.
During the Revolution of 1821, the history of the people of Lagadia is represented by the great Deligiannis
family, who gave everything to the struggle for independence for approximately 80 years! Lagadia was a
spiritual and commercial center for the area. At the beginning of the 20th century it reached 6,000 inhabitants
(the second city in terms of population in the Province of Arcadia after Tripoli)! The greatest sights of Lagadia,
besides the Deligiannis House, is the Metropolitan Church of Taxiarhes (1805) with its hewn stone bell-tower,
the Church of the Holy Apostles (1854), that of Saint John the Baptist (1808), which was built in 40 days, the
Virgin of the Furriers (1862)... The stone-paved alleys... and the many waters that flow from the springs
completely built in stone like those of Kaleas, Gianneiki, Panagias, Lefka, Agio-Stathis... all of Lagadia is a sight...
for this reason the tourist traffic never stops.
Karitena
The mountain village of Karitena, at the mouth of the Alpheios Gorge.
Topped by a Frankish fortress built in 1245. Later, during the revolution against the Turks, the hero Theodore
Kolokotronis again made use of this location, repairing the fortifications and building a house and a church
within the walls as his base.
Stemnitsa
Is the seat of the Municipality of Trikolona with five hundred permanent inhabitants that during
three-day weekends, as well as at Christmas time and during Easter, as well as during the summer,
reach 1000 and 2000 inhabitants! In the years of the Revolution of 1821, Stemnitsa was constantly
in the forefront, while during the Assembly of Kaltezes, it was chosen as the headquarters of the
first Senate of the Peloponnese!
The traditional architecture of Stemnitsa, the “eternal” Byzantine churches, as well as that of
Zoodohos Pigi (15th century), Saint Nicholas (14th), the Virgin of Bafero (12th), and Treis Ierarhes
(17th)..., the lordly houses and its picturesque cobblestone streets compose a unique, traditional,
architectural whole. The water-mills of Stemnitsa are renowned. Water- mills that operated one or
two centuries before the Revolution of 1821! Proof of this is the surviving mill of Tsagouros. Part of
the abudance of water flows through the very many stone-built springs.
From Stemnitsa, you can have a look at the panorama of Elatodasos (Fir-tree forest) on Mount Menalos, as well as
the serpentine, heavenly gorge of the River Lousios! In Stemnitsa there are inns that operate and combine the
village aspect with modernity- as well as taverns, cafeterias... The neighbourhood of Kastros is also worthy of a
visit, with its picturesque houses (the Roilos house...),as well as the mansion of Bournazos in the neighbourhood
of Agia Paraskevi that counts 250 years of life! We should not forget to lead the visitor to the Folklore museum
and the bell-tower of Agios Georgios (Saint George) in the central square. The renovated work of art that stands at
the centre of Stemnitsa is no other than the City Hall of Trikolona!
The Technical Secondary School of Jewelry of Stemnitsa is famous all over the world. In the town, there are
silversmith’s workshops spread here and there. The visitor can taste and buy… turnovers, kourabiedes, pasta...
It would thus be an omission, if the tourist that will reach Stemnitsa on the one hand will not visit the Lousios
gorge and on the other hand if the pilgrim will not come to burn a candle in the Byzantine monastery of Saint John
the Baptist!
Levidi
Built at an elevation of 860, Levidi is not only picturesque, but beautiful, from whatever side one
sees it. And the highest peak of Menalo is not far away.
The square is decorated by the statue of the national hero Anagnostis Striftombolas, who, with
70 men, defeated the Turkish army on April 14, 1821. He also fell during the battle, since he had
dedicated his life to the freedom of the fatherland, but the enemy did not pass.
Levidi is the birthplace of the father of the Republic, Alexandros Papanastasiou. A brilliant mind,
one of the reformers of modern Greece was the politician from Levidi who declared the first
Republic in 1924 and became its first prime minister. His government did not last long in the
climate of Greece’s division after its defeat, but in this brief time he managed to institute and
establish measures that remained definitively in the direction of a new agricultural policy. City
Hall, with its admirable traditional architecture, is on the square.
Very close to the square, the Papanastasiou Museum stands, where we see personal items, treasures, and
writings of the great politician. His brain is also kept there! Below Levidi, there is the beautiful chapel of the
Virgin, from the 11th century, with wonderful mural paintings from 1629. Levidi is an ideal destination for
winter excursions, since it is only 13 km from the Ski Area of Menalos, which is located within its administrative
boundaries.
Magouliana
Magouliana, the highest village in the Peloponnese, at an elevation of 1357 meters, which is full of walnut trees
and clear water flowing from the springs of the square with its famous plane tree, which is more than 300 years
old Hostels, restaurants, and coffee shops are available for visitors.
A beautiful and picturesque village, with buildings of traditional architecture, the work of the famous stone
crafters from Langadia. In the central square, there are Agios Dimitrios and Koimisi Theotokou, the latter built in
1838-1840. The sculpted wood iconostasis with the entire history of the New Testament carved in it, is one of the
most impressive in Greece and attracts the admiration of every visitor. The ruins of medieval Argyrokastro are not
far away. Fotakos, the secretary and adjutant of Theodoros Kolokotronis, was born in Magouliana; in his memoirs
he describes the life, action, and work of this great general in detail.
Nymphasia
The village of Nymfasia is beautiful and idyllic, with the church of the Holy Trinity at its center. At the end of the
village “where the Nymphs bathed”, we proceed to the historic Monastery of Kernitsa, one of the oldest
monasteries of Gortynia. The imposing Monastery of Kernitsa is from the 12th century, on a height, at whose foot
the Mylaonas River flows, whose water, together with that of the other ancient river, the Maloita, crosses the valley
in the area. Fotakos describes the monastery as “an asylum of people and a safe for things” during the years of
Turkish rule. It also functioned as a secret school and was destroyed many times.
The monastery took its name from the medieval city of Kernitsa, which was located southwest of the monastery in
the Argyrokastro mountain range, northwest of Vytina. In the cliff below the monastery, there is a cave that
functioned as a monk’s refuge, and the icon of the Virgin Mary was found there! To the southwest, the monk’s
refuge of Sfyrida - stuck inside the great cliff, surrounded by fir trees, was a refuge for the local inhabitants.
It maintains considerable mural paintings. It is now a dependent monastery belonging to Kernitsa and celebrates on
August 23.
ANCIENT SITES
Orchomenos Ancient Theater
Orchomenos Ancient Theater
Ancient Gortis
Karitena Castle
SIGHT SEEING
Hydropower Museum, Dimitsana
SIGHT SEEING
Capsia Caves
SIGHT SEEING
Sanatorium
SIGHT SEEING
Libovissi
Activities
TREKKING
MOUNTAIN BIKING
RAFTING
HOT DOG
KAYAK
HORSE BACK RIDING
HIKING
CANYONING
ARCHERY
ATV/QUADS
Activities
RIVER TREKKING
& SWIMMING
MOUNTAIN BIKING
RAFTING
HOT DOG
KAYAK
HORSE BACK RIDING
HIKING
CANYONING
ARCHERY
ATV/QUADS
Activities
TREKKING
MOUNTAIN BIKING
RAFTING
HOT DOG
KAYAK
HORSE BACK RIDING
HIKING
CANYONING
ARCHERY
ATV/QUADS
Activities
TREKKING
MOUNTAIN BIKING
RAFTING
HOT DOG
KAYAK
HORSE BACK RIDING
HIKING
CANYONING
ARCHERY
ATV/QUADS
Activities
TREKKING
MOUNTAIN BIKING
RAFTING
HOT DOG
KAYAK
HORSE BACK RIDING
HIKING
CANYONING
ARCHERY
ATV/QUADS
BIRD WATCHING
Lake Taka (8 km East of Tripoli), which the Ornithological Society of Greece
features as one of the most important areas in the country for birds, is a
spring station for a large number of migratory birds. There you will have the
opportunity to meet Bitterns, Egrets, Terns, glossy ibis, etc. and there have
been recorded even imperial eagles.
This swale is essentially a freshwater area of 2650 m2, discharging at the
foot of the hill of Kravaris.
Because it is a short distance from Tripoli, it lends itself to a lovely cycling
excursion. It runs through flowery fields with apple and cherry trees in the
spring. The path around the lake is about 10 kilometers long, and in some
places the road is unpaved.
Ε4 THE EUROPEAN PATH
The E4 path starts from Gibraltar and through France Switzerland - Austria - Hungary - Romania, Bulgaria and it
crosses Greece from one end to the other, through
Githio it continues to Crete ending in Zakros. Its total
length is about 6,000 km of which 1600 kms are driven
in Greek territory.
Vytina - Shelter Menalo: From Vytina we follow the path
to Levidi and passing through forest roads, we arrive at
the shelter (6 hours trekking).
Local Products
Silversmiths
The school of silver and gold crafting was founded in Stemnitsa, in the early 70’s.
Students are taught to design and craft jewelry according to the traditional ways
of the region. It is worth seeing the imposing two-storey traditional school
building, at the entrance of the village. At the village of Stemnitsa you will find
many shops that sell the creations of students and graduates of the school, in
traditional or modern styles, at very attractive prices.
Wood and Clay
All settlements on Mount Menalo since their foundation, took to woodcarving
which constituted a tradition and a main source of living. Carvers from this
region offered famous artworks of Byzantine ecclesiastical tradition, and
sculpted temples and church furniture.
Woven fabrics & Embroidery
The art of weaving is exceptionally renowned in
Arcadia which is famous for its textiles.
Continuing this tradition, women of these
regions produce today, individually or
collectively, their artwork.
Local Products
Liquer “Nothing”
It is a liqueur produced and bottled in the heart of Arcadia,
in Tripoli, since 1949. This liqueur, that has spread almost all
over the world, began as a response to those who sit at a
cafeteria and when asked what they would like to order,
they answer "nothing, thank you." Thus the sense of
humour and ingenuity of distiller Nicholas Biris made him
invent this liquer and name it “Nothing” and it is served to
those who give that answer.
Arcadian Pasta
This delicious Arcadian Pasta is made of fresh milk which is
abundant in the region, flour and eggs of free range hens.
The area is full of traditional workshops, where you can buy all
kinds of pasta or take your own ingredients there and have your
own pasta made. To this mixture, you can add other ingredients
for a more distinctive flavor, like carrots, spinach, etc.
One of the best local dishes in Arcadia, is coq au vin with hand
made noodles.
Local Products
Honey made of Fir Trees
It is a rare variety of honey, extracted from a honeydew from the fir
trees of Mount Menalo. Product is protected by designation of origin
and has received many awards in international competitions for its
distinctive taste. You'll recognize it by the glistening amber color (like
melted toffee cream) and the fact that it never crystallizes, as it is less
sweet than other types of honey.
Do not forget to try it on dairy products such as fresh sheep's yogurt
and goat white cheese.
Apples “Delice”
In the early 20th century a Repatriated Greek-American named Pilafas
brought to his village, Strigou of Tegea, seed of apples coming from upstate
New York, from a rare variety of apple from the 19th century called golden
russet.
He crossed fertilized this variety with a local one generating Delicious
apples (or Pilafa Delicious: product designation of origin). In Arcadia today,
there are approximately 1500 acres of these apple trees, producing over
1000 tons per year.
You will easily find them in farmers markets and grocery stores all over
Greece.
Local Products
Herbs and aromatic plants
Herbs and plants, celebrated for their medicinal properties identified by
Hippocrates himself, grow in the land of Arcadia, in their purest form.
Mount Menalo and Mount Parnon are natural reservations protected by a
European Ecosystem program called Natura 2000.
Making one hiking trail in these lush pine and fir paths, you may collect your
own oregano , mountain tea, chamomile, sage, lavender, rosemary, and
burning bush. If however you are tired with the thought to collect yourself,
in souvenir shops and groceries will find the entire botanical treasure.
Dairy Products
If you find yourself in a mountain village of Arcadia late spring, early
summer and see smoke spurting from a rustic backyard, do not rush to call
the firebrigade. Chances are that people are cheese-making, all smiles,
around a large bronze cauldron full of steaming fresh sheep's milk! Run up
to watch the magical process of turning milk into cheese, and the
remainder skimmed milk into mizithra , a fresh local type of aromatic
cheese which is eaten right away, contrary to feta cheese which requires
months to mature. The same process can be monitored in many dairies in
the region, following almost the same standard (slightly more
industrialized), but most impressive quantities ... The local dairies are
supplying stores throughout the county with high quality dairy products
from sheep milk, goat milk, or their combination. Try yogurt, butter,
mizithra, gruyere spicy or sweet and of course feta cheese.
Local Products
WINE ROADS
The region has very strong winification. Main variety in
the plain of Mantinia is moschofilero variety recognized
since 1971, designation of origin, exporting a large
amount to Europe. It gives excellent labels, white or
rosé. It has a delicate flavor with characteristic idiomatic
freshness and bright acidity. Other varieties grown are
Asprouda and Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon
Black, Chardonnay, Gewurztaminer, giving both white
and red wines. Most wineries are open to public and
offer guided tours and wine tasting.
Local wines may be found in all liquor stores and
supermarkets in Athens - even abroad. In Arcadia, all
liquor stores, souvenir shops, pastry shops and of course
the restaurants and taverns, to complement traditional
dishes they recommend local wines.