McArthurGlen
Shopping is always an attraction throughout your holidays and particularly when you find a place that combines great bargains with top brands and exquisite setting. McArthurGlen Designer Outlet in Athens is the ultimate shopping destination in the Greek capital and you are encouraged to visit the stores, so as to benefit from wonderful discounts. You will find your visit an excellent experience, since there are many different options for your entertainment in the area, besides shopping.
At the outlet, you will be able to choose what you buy among well over 100 leading brands on the market at a global scale. Restaurants and cafés will offer a great break in between your shopping spree, while there are numerous events for you to enjoy. Kids will love it there, as there is an adventure playground and a funfair, especially designed to meet the needs of your precious ones. It is located in Spata, within great vicinity to the airport and superbly located in a quiet, yet central place. From Avra Hotel, you may get to the outlet really easily, either using the public means of transportation or driving at the modern, ample highway.
Unless otherwise stated at the specific time of your visit, McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Athens is open from Monday to Saturday. The opening hours allow you to schedule your visit smoothly, since you can get there from early in the morning at 09:00 till late in the evening (21:00 on workdays and 20:00 on Saturday). Organize your visit to the outlet, not only to dive in the most spectacular sales in Athens. This is also a great meeting point and a remarkable place for relaxing, hanging out with friends and enjoying yourself!
Attica Park
Nature can be fascinating and a trip to Attica Zoological Park is the best proof of that! Located in the suburb of Spata, this is a park that will host the whole family for a day full of excitement and great adventures. Having opened its doors to the public back in 2000, Attica Zoological Park boasts a wide variety of animals in a vast area surrounded by nature. Among the highlights of the park, we find the dolphinarium and the live shows with dolphins and sea lions that you can attend. If you feel like discovering the depths of wildlife, this is the place to be in Athens!
You will admire the colorful birds and the rare species of animals of the park, as well as the eternal sunshine of Athens. The weather is temperate and therefore a day out in the open air is always lovely. Feel free to ask for the seasonal exhibitions and special events held in the zoo, so as to make the most out of your visit there. You can feed the dolphins or get close to some of the most impressive animals of the animal kingdom. Being part of the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the place is well preserved and carefully divided into sections for your convenience.
Especially travelers with children will find Attica Zoological Park a great experience. Kids will be able to discover a wonderful way of having fun alongside nature. The wonders unfolded before your eyes will make a visit there worth experiencing, since the park includes a unique spectacle – and is really close to Avra Hotel in Rafina!
Daily Excursion at Andros
One of the picturesque islands of Cyclades is definitely Andros. If you are searching for a cruise to a nearby island from Rafina, Andros is the perfect destination. The ferry will take you to the island of Andros in approximately 2 hours and you will get the opportunity to explore a magical place, where tradition meets elegance and style. The hospitable locals and the marvelous recipes, the historic sights and attractions, the splendid beaches will all capture your heart and offer you a special day to treasure!
Reaching the port of Andros, you may have a cup of coffee or enjoy the local delicacies of the island at one of the cafés by the sea. From then on, you may get a taxi and head to the points of interest in Andros. Batsi and Kipri are two of the finest places to visit, as well as the Archaeological Museum and the Nautical Museum at Chora. If you want, you can head to the secluded beach of Achla for a wonderful swim. The Monastery of Panachrantos is another great landmark of the island, located in Chora. Tasting the traditional recipes of froutalia (an omelet with sausages and potatoes) and stuffed goat, almond cookies and kaltsounia (sweet pastries) is certainly a highlight of your stay in Andros.
As the sun is setting, it is time to go and leave the mesmerizing island of Andros. Returning to Rafina by boat after sunset is an experience worth living. With the cool breeze on your hair and the endless blue surrounding you, you feel excited and totally content.
Beaches
Enjoy swimming and water sports in the finest beaches of Eastern Athens. In Rafina the beaches are mostly sandy and long, inviting guests to dive in the refreshing waters and have fun. If you are looking for a watery treasure in Athens, Rafina will amaze you with the friendly and accessible beaches that cover all tastes and desires. So, get your bathing suit on, wear your sunglasses and suntan lotion and off you go for a wonderful day at the beach!
Just a breath from Avra Hotel, Rafina beach boasts the perfect setting for families and friends, romantic couples and sea adventurers. Walk on the silky sand and soak under the sun of the Mediterranean, play rackets with your friends or dive and explore the sea bed. This is an experience to remember, since it combines the serenity of an oasis with the easy, undisturbed access to the hotel and the other major attractions of Rafina. Ble Limanaki and Kokkino Limanaki (meaning the Blue and Red Harbor) are also exceptional options, when it comes to swimming and sunbathing. These beaches are pebbled and more secluded, providing a shelter to those who are in search of privacy and utter relaxation. Marikes is another sandy beach, which you may visit for equally sparkling waters and inspiring surroundings.
Rafina is a lovely place to be, with some of the most spectacular beaches that invite you to explore and enjoy. Select the beach of your preference and relax there, overlooking the sun and the marvelous skyline, as the gentle waves fondle your feet and offer the most intoxicating melody to your ears…
Marathon Tomb & Archaeological Museum of Marathon
At the battle of Marathon, the Athenians suffered significant losses. Although they won, 192 Athenians died trying to defend their city from the enemy. Their bodies lie there, at the awe-inspiring Marathon Tomb or else known Tomb of the Athenians. On the Marathon plain, the tomb is 9 meters high and has been the place where the Athenians paid tribute to their dead every year. This is one of the monuments that you will see, after reaching Marathon. Immense respect to the ones who gave their life for what they believed in, ever since antiquity.
Near the Archaeological Museum of Marathon, we find another tomb. This time, it is devoted to the Plataeans who gave their life for the same cause during the battle of Marathon. At the museum, of course, you will get the opportunity to find more details about this prestigious battle in history. The museum has been operating since 1975, after the discovery of some important excavations. With the help of the locals and a Greek-American benefactor, the museum was built and now holds a rare collection of findings to display. Pottery and marble works, offerings to the dead and the imposing Trophy Room compose the interior of the museum. There is a lot to see and admire, taking a glimpse at the glorious historic past of Greece.
Explore Marathon and the beautiful scenery, while at the same time finding out more about the historic meaning of the place. Visit the significant sights and attractions, for a journey to Greek history. Within small distance from Avra Hotel, this is the perfect excursion to schedule!
St. Efraim Monastery
In Nea Makri, a sacred place for pilgrims is indisputably that of St. Ephraim Monastery. The body of a relatively new Saint has been revealed in this place, after the illuminated dreams of a nun. Ever since, people have prayed there and have honored St. Ephraim, by building this monastery. Every year, many travel from all over Greece and abroad to pray and ask for a miracle, since the Saint was believed to perform miracles throughout his life. This is definitely a place of sacred significance, a place where people find peace and serenity.
The body of the Saint is placed at the monastery of the Annunciation of Theotokos, located at the Hill of Amomon in Nea Makri. The scenery in the wider area is inspiring and peaceful, with trees all around and with the fresh air filling your lungs. Whether you are a believer or not, you will feel rejuvenated and hopeful as soon as you reach the site. Nobody can argue that this is one of the oldest monasteries in Attica and holds a special place in the hearts of the locals. The story of the nun that discovered the body of St. Ephraim is shocking, as a series of dreams have indicated the exact place where he would be and his actual name.
It is worth paying a visit to Nea Makri and the Monastery of St. Ephraim at the Hill of Amomon. It will give you the chance not only to pray and ask for divine consult, but also to enjoy a place of amazing natural beauty. An uplifting excursion you should not miss out on, during your stay at Avra Hotel!
Temple of Artemis
Located in the ancient area of Vravrona, the Temple of Artemis reminds us of the significance that the Gods of Olympus had to the Greeks. Worshiped as the Goddess of nature and hunting, women and child birth, Artemis was among the Gods that lived on the Mount Olympus and determined the faith of the people. So, a sacred place for paying their tribute to her was needed. The Doric style of the temple depicts the awe-inspiring atmosphere, with the people feeling closer to Artemis throughout their prayers and sacrifices.
The Temple of Artemis was built approximately in the 4th BC century. The ruins of the temple are still found in the area, alongside the sanctuary of Iphigeneia and other sights of great importance for history. The Archaeological Museum of Vravrona hosts a lot of the exhibits that have been excavated in the area. Many others have been transferred to the Museum of Acropolis. Still, it is a great experience to visit Vravrona and the Temple of Artemis, as well as the museum for the richness of its collection. Nature is lovely in Vravrona and you will find a small river streaming nearby for you to enjoy, along with the rich greenery and the sunshine of Athens.
History in Greece is depicted on every stone. The magnificent Temple of Artemis is a fine example of the architectural wonders that the Greeks performed, as well as an eloquent proof of their devoutness. Take the tour to Vravrona and the Temple of Artemis, so as to feel the spirit of ancient times surrounding you.
Lake Marathon
Imagine a vast area filled with water, underneath the Athenian sky and the bright sun. This is Lake Marathon, an artificial lake that has been created back in the 1930s for supplying the city of Athens with water. Ever since, this lake has become the landmark of Marathon and attracts the interest of travelers from all over the world. Especially the fact that it is located in such a historic place of Athens adds to its distinctive elegance and style. So, if you are interested in finding out more about Lake Marathon, schedule a visit and explore its uniqueness.
The crest of the lake is really high, reaching 227 meters above sea level and offering an awe-inspiring setting. It is considered one of the top wetlands in Athens and the wider area of Attica. Lake Marathon is located approximately 45 kilometers from the center of Athens and is within close distance from Avra Hotel in Rafina. Of course, at the moment of its construction, the lake signified the transition to modern Athens. From then on, water supply became much easier for the Athenians.
Besides everything else, the surrounding area of Lake Marathon is absolutely breathtaking. Nature is blooming, while the scenery is marvelous. The endless blue of the water from Lake Marathon and the bright sky fascinates the visitors. Organizing an excursion to Marathon, a stop at the lake to admire the dam and take pictures is necessary. And when you visit the site, be sure to remember that at the foot of the construction there is a replica of the Athenian Treasury Temple, which is located in Delphi.
Explore Marathon and enjoy a trip out in the open, with the wonders of nature and the magic of the water!
HOTEL AVRA
3 Arafinidon Alon, Rafina, Attica, Greece
Tel.: +30 22940.22780-83
Fax.:+30 22940.23320
Email: hotelavra@gmail.com
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