"Porto Carras" - греческая легенда ХХ-го века. "Porto Carras" is a Greek legend of the 20th century.

In the early 60s of the twentieth century, the Greek millionaire and hereditary ship owner Janis Karras, traveling on his own yacht to St. Athos, took refuge in one of the bays near the town of Neo Marmaras during a storm. Fascinated by the local views and inspired by his salvation, a few years later, Mr. Karras bought these lands from the monastery of St. George and built his summer residence here. Whether the millionaire bought the land "with a long-range vision" or whether a fruitful idea was born during a friendly drinking party by the fireplace in the company of Salvador Dali is unknown. However, after a dozen years, these swampy deserted places have changed beyond recognition. The resort, which opened its doors to visitors in 1977, revolutionized the tourist world of Greece, and perhaps the whole of Europe. . It was not just a hotel or a sanatorium, but a whole small town with its extensive infrastructure: golf courses, nine kilometers of beaches with 25 bays, 450 hectares of vineyards and an olive grove, its own winery, a casino with a staff of a thousand people, a helipad and a luxury harbor with 180 (now 315) seats, surrounded by boutiques, hotels and restaurants. Today, few people are surprised by such complexes, but in the middle of the twentieth century, Porto Carras was the first and only resort of this type, and therefore unique. It is not surprising that all kinds of celebrities flocked here to rest - from Rockefeller to Francois Mitterrand, and in 2003 (already in the 21st century) the European Union summit was held in Porto Carras. Perhaps you will not only be able to relax on the local magnificent beaches, but also run into some "star" in a bar, because rest in Porto Carras is now classified as "luxury". Although, to tell the truth, after the death of a millionaire, his offspring slightly faded. Furniture and buildings of the hotels have lost their former gloss, the view of the harbor is spoiled by unwashed windows, and on the reduced architectural model of the resort, the inscription: "Vasya, 2012" is scratched in centimeter dust. There are four hotels on the territory of the resort: Meliton 5 *, Sithonia 5 *, Village Inn and Villa Galini - the same summer residence of Janis Karras, in which he lived and received guests of honor. "Villa Galini" is now the "holy of holies" of Porto Carras - especially honored guests stay here. And the villa building itself, designed "in the monastic style", has long been recognized as an architectural monument. The resort administration offers its guests a variety of entertainment: tennis school (court rental 1 hour / room - free of charge), horse riding and cycling, diving, SPA center (the largest in Europe); there is animation for children and adults, casinos, bars, etc. Many hiking and cycling routes have been developed for walking around the vast territory of the resort. You can explore the resort by riding a free train that will take you to the winery, which annually receives, among other things, international prizes for its products. . In the winery you can taste wines for free and buy your favorites. "Porto Karras" is located two kilometers from the tourist town of Neos Marmaras, every hour a boat departs from the Meliton hotel (2.5 euros). For all-inclusive guests, soft drinks and local alcohol at lunch / dinner are free of charge. In the hotel "Sithonia" mini-bar is paid. Only two bottles of mineral water are provided free of charge upon arrival. You will also have to fork out for the Internet - 5 euros / hour or 25 euros / week. Please note that the Wi-Fi access password is issued only to one computer, so if you have several devices, you will have to connect them one by one or pay extra. Beach towels are not allowed to be left on the beach on sun loungers - take them to the room, the maid will change them in the same room (you must throw them on the floor). In "Porto Carras" there are water slides (at "Sithonia") - for an extra charge. The beach is small-pebbly, beautiful, with a gentle entry into the water. By the way, Odessa residents will be pleasantly surprised when they enter the Meliton Hotel, in the lobby of which there is a steel tree with forged birds - exactly like in the Athena shopping center on Greek Square in Odessa, only a little smaller : ) . It is clear to the naked eye that not the best times have come for "Porto Carras", however, the creator of the resort was a solid person, built with soul and for centuries, so his brainchild still boggles the imagination. Staying here, you will not only get a beautiful even tan, but also get in touch with a real living legend created in the past century. I wish you all a pleasant holiday!