#Kastoria is a beautiful city in the middle of the beautiful Lake Orestiada in #WesternMacedonia, Northern #Greece. It's best known for its trove of Byzantine churches and its once-thriving fur industry, which until recently had been driving its economy. Today, however, Kastoria’s other wonders are slowly getting more attention! In this video, we'll help guide you with planning your trip to this severely underrated destination in #Europe! USEFUL LINKS: Travel Insurance for Schengen Visa: https://www.thepoortraveler.net/travel-insurance-schengen-visa/ EUROPE ON A BUDGET https://www.thepoortraveler.net/2019/11/europe-budget-backpacking-trip/ Additional footage/images licensed via Shutterstock and Adobe Stock.

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Welcome to Captivating Kastorya!

Hey there, poor traveler!

We are Vins and Yosh.

We didn't expect we'd get to see Kastorya

and this side of Greece,

but we're endlessly thankful that it happened.

And in this video,

we'll share with you some tips

so you could fall in love with it

the way we did.

Before we begin,

if you haven't yet,

please take the time to subscribe to this channel

and click the bell icon next to it

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The term Kastorya can refer to two things.

One is the regional unit in Greece called Kastorya.

Think of it as a prefecture.

But its capital city is also called Kastorya.

In this video,

we'll be using it mostly to refer to the city.

Kastorya is part of the region of Western Macedonia in Northern Greece,

near the border with Albania.

You'll find it in the middle of the beautiful Lake Orestiada.

In pictures, it's easy to assume that it's on an island,

but it's actually set on a promontory

sticking out into the water.

The city is best known for its trove of Byzantine churches

and its once thriving fur industry,

which until recently had been driving its economy.

Today, however, Kastorya's other wonders is slowly getting more attention,

opening it up to tourism.

No surprise there really because it is brimming with attractions

that may or may not be quintessentially Greek,

but worthwhile all the same.

The official language is Greek.

And yes, Greece has its own alphabet,

which can be intimidating at first.

There's a bit of a language barrier,

but you'll find locals who can speak English well

and street signs are written both in Greek and English,

so going around isn't a problem at all.

The time zone is UTC plus 2 or Eastern European Time.

Daylight saving time is observed from the last Sunday in March

to last Sunday in October,

pushing it an hour ahead.

So depending on the time of the year,

it's 6 or 5 hours ahead of the Philippines, Singapore, and Malaysia.

The official currency is the Euro.

And when it comes to modes of payment,

cash is still the most common,

but credit card payments are accepted in some establishments.

Power sockets are Type F, which also accepts Type C plugs.

And oh, Greece is party to the Schengen Agreement,

which means travelers from most countries including the Philippines

need to secure and present a Schengen Visa to enter.

We'll be discussing the Schengen Visa in our future videos.

The nearest airport is the Castoria Airport Aristotle,

located in nearby town of Argos Orestiko.

But it only serves a limited number of domestic flights,

mostly from Athens.

By limited, I mean flights are not available daily.

If you find a flight that matches your schedule,

then it is the fastest way.

Otherwise, you'll need to look for another gateway,

and the closest international airport to the airport is Argos.

You'll need to look for another gateway,

and the closest international airport is in Thessaloniki,

which is 145 km away.

Since we came from Manila, we had to connect in Athens.

Here, we caught a domestic Sky Express flight to Thessaloniki.

Our host family had us picked up at the airport,

so we didn't need to worry about a transfer.

But if you're taking public transportation,

here's what we gathered from each agency's official websites.

From the airport, take bus 01X,

which will take you to the Macedonia Intercity Bus Station,

operated by KTEL.

There's a bus every 20 to 25 minutes from 6.10am to 10.40pm.

Travel time is 50 to 55 minutes.

Double-check the schedule at this website.

And then, catch a KTEL bus bound for Castoria.

There are only 5 to 6 journeys per day.

The earliest bus is scheduled at 9am,

and the last bus leaves the station at 8.30pm on most days

or 9.30pm on Friday and Sunday.

This schedule might change, so double-check by visiting this website

and click itineraries outside the prefecture.

Travel time is roughly 3 hours.

If you're coming from Athens,

the fastest way, as mentioned, is by taking a flight to Castoria Airport.

But aside from flying, it's also possible to travel by bus.

From Athens to Castoria, there's one direct bus a day.

And it's scheduled to leave at 9.30am.

Travel time is 12 hours and 30 minutes,

which stops in Lamia, Larissa, and Kozani.

The fare is €48.50.

Another option, albeit much more complicated,

is to board a bus straight to Kozani, which will take 7 hours,

and then catch another bus to Castoria, which will take 75 minutes.

But you'll also have to take into consideration the layover waiting time

because buses are few and far between.

Total travel time might still equal the direct bus depending on your timing.

We visited Castoria in May, which was ideal in many ways.

The weather was pleasant and the temperature very comfortable.

And because the peak season wasn't there yet,

the prices were also very friendly.

We also got to witness the glorification ceremony in honor of St. Sophia,

an important and newly proclaimed saint in the Greek Orthodox Church.

It happens every May 6 here at the 700-year-old Moni Panagias Kleisouras.

But every local we met told us that Castoria is a year-round destination.

May is a shoulder month leading to summer, which is the busiest season,

so expect direct flights from Athens to resume operations

and accommodations to be slightly pricier,

but still incredibly affordable compared to other touristy destinations in Greece.

Castoria Prefecture is home to the biggest music festival in Greece.

For a few days in the summer, usually in August,

all roads lead to Nestorio, a small village home to this site,

where 50,000 music fans gather.

It's called River Party because, well, it's a massive party by the river.

But while we were walking around,

we could imagine how pretty the city would be in autumn.

Trees line the lakeshore and deciduous woods cover many of its hills.

And in winter, Castoria is said to be a wonderland.

The lake freezes over.

A small ski resort also attracts adventurers, especially beginners.

A wild winter festival also erupts from January 6 to 8.

It's called Ragout Zaria.

Forgive me if I'm mispronouncing it,

but I'll probably murder many Greek pronunciations in this video,

so there.

This festival is a celebration in honor of Dionysus,

the ancient Greek god of wine, festivity, pleasure, and ecstasy.

First, let's be familiar with the geography of Castoria.

As mentioned, Castoria is cradled by a peninsula jutting out into Lake Orestiada.

It's almost completely surrounded by water, save for its western part.

The easternmost tip is crumpled with limestone peaks.

While the city also covers parts of the mainland,

its heart and soul lie here, near the Neck.

It's a small but hillous city,

but you can traverse it on foot from coast to coast, north to south, or back.

So anywhere in the city is within easy reach no matter where you stay.

That said, there are three remarkable hotels that we have visited.

The first is Hotel Orologopulo.

Built in the 19th century,

this 250-year-old mansion has been transformed into a 9-room hotel

that mixes modernity and history.

The look and feel remain very cozy and traditional,

but the amenities are quite modern.

It's located in the Dolce area near Dolce Square,

in the southeastern side of the city proper, which is very convenient.

Around the area are restaurants and cafes,

and even the lakeside is just a quick stroll away.

A room costs around €89 per night, inclusive of breakfast.

And mind you, they serve really really good breakfast.

My teammates, Vince and Ces,

couldn't stop talking about the small but tasty selection,

especially the cold cuts, local cheeses, and cakes.

The service was also impeccable.

Cideris, the property manager, made sure we were equipped

with all the info we needed to know about the area.

We'll be providing links to this incredible hotel

and the other lodges I'll be mentioning in this video

so you could easily find them.

Just check the links in the description or the pinned comment.

Not too far away is another building with great historical value,

Vergula's Mansion, one of the oldest hotels in the city.

Like Orogopulo, this was constructed around 200 years ago.

As soon as we set foot in the property,

we were greeted by its owner and his picturesque garden,

adorned by various flowers and collectibles from around the world.

And as you let your gaze wander,

you'll immediately notice its incredible setting.

Vergula's Mansion is perched on a cliff overlooking the lake,

offering one of the best views in the city.

We didn't actually spend the night here,

but its current owner toured us around

and shared with us that the place has sentimental value to him too.

Turned out, when he was in grade school,

this was his boarding house and it gave him a lot of good memories

that when an opportunity to buy it presented itself, he grabbed it.

He took us to the hotel's cross-shaped basement,

where it became apparent that it was built on a rock.

Remnants from its early days still remain,

like this niche with a water jar used for washing in the olden days.

For the longest time, this niche was covered within the wall

and was only rediscovered when he had the room renovated.

A stay here costs €81 a night, inclusive of breakfast.

The third hotel in the city center we'd like to show you is much more luxurious.

This is Esperos Palace Luxury and Spa Hotel,

located outside the peninsula but still close to key attractions.

While the first two I mentioned were more homey and cozy,

Esperos is very modern, elegant, and grand.

Housing 54 spotless and spacious rooms, 14 of which are suites,

each filled with many conveniences you'd expect from 5-star properties.

From anatomical beds to fragrant toiletries to bathrobes,

it embodies the best that Castorian hospitality has to offer.

Even the restroom near the lobby is just so fabulous.

And oh, this grey marble was imported from Crete

while this gorgeous white marble is from the Kozani region.

At its core is this roomy and naturally lit restaurant area

with a stellar winterfellish tree sculpture as its centerpiece.

It's a naked tree.

Well, almost, because it only has one leaf.

One single leaf and eagle-eye diners can spend a few minutes spotting it.

The menu is mostly Western.

The bestsellers are its gigantic burgers, ranging from 9 to 13 Euro,

the priciest of which is this Esperos burger,

composed of a massive 200-gram patty with bacon, cheddar,

cucumber, pickles, arugula, tomato, and a fried egg,

slathered with remoulade sauce.

Pasta dishes are also popular, ranging from 7 to 11 Euro.

Our hosts highly recommended the spaghetti with salmon and lemon sauce

and penne with broccoli and smoked pork belly.

The Greek salad and Florina peppers were also remarkably fresh and delicious.

These three are the properties that our hosts and other locals we talked to

sang the highest praises for.

But there are more options.

For budget travelers, you'll find pocket-friendly inns

for as low as 40 Euro per night for a double or twin room.

If you wish to attend the River Party music festival

or explore the Nestorio area and you're looking for a more luxurious retreat,

consider the 4-star Afkos Gramos Boutique Hotel Resort,

which overlooks both the Aliak Monas River and the Gramos Mountain.

Each room is well-appointed and it also houses a restaurant

serving sumptuous traditional Greek fare

and a terrace that allows a fantastic view of Nestorio.

Kastoria is a great addition to your Greater Balkan Tour too.

If you're crossing the Greece-Albania border from Kastoria

and you're looking for a place to spend the night,

consider Crystal Resort in the idyllic border village of Krista Lopihi.

Each room here is spacious.

It also has a restaurant where you could fill up

before you continue your journey across the region.

Kastoria is not particularly known as a foodie destination,

but it should be.

Out of all the places we visited,

this is where we had some of the best meals

that graced our palate in the Balkan region.

Every single ingredient,

from the much bragged about Florina peppers

to the succulent lamb chops, is high-quality

and its freshness is undeniable.

We'll be creating a separate video discussing

how to make the best Florina peppers

in the Balkan region.

We'll be creating a separate video

describing the dishes we tried.

But here's a quick rundown of the places

you shouldn't miss while in the city.

Starting with...

This quaint mansion converted into a restaurant

also has a romantic courtyard for alfresco dining.

Its menu is composed mainly of traditional local dishes.

From the sarmades, which are pickled cabbage

stuffed with minced meat and rice,

to Kastorian butter beans,

baked with herbs, carrots, and tomatoes.

To Bajos, which is brine cheese prepared Saganaki-style.

Here at Paliya Poli, it's served with fried egg.

Its Kraneja salad is also refreshingly good,

made up of arugula, spinach, lettuce, and dried tomatoes,

doused with cranberry sauce,

and topped with pomegranate and crab apple slices.

It's the right blend of veggies and fruits

elevated by a bit of sweetness.

This resto is located just across the street

from the lake shore,

so you could easily take in stunning views

after your meal.

Speaking of stunning views,

it's hard to rival the vista offered here

at Prophet Elias or Elias Lounge Cafe.

Perched on a hilltop,

it has comfy couches stationed by the glass walls,

allowing an unobstructed view of the entire peninsula.

It has everything you want at a cafe.

Aside from the spectacular view and a gorgeous location,

it also serves rich coffee and tasty dessert.

We were able to try its strawberry, cookies and cream,

and classic hot chocolate versions.

It also fosters a relaxing atmosphere.

It was so quiet during our visit that if I had more time,

I would have spent the entire afternoon here

with a book on one hand and a cup of coffee on the other.

If you prefer something easier on the pocket,

this €1 kebab place might be just the spot for you.

Yes, €1!

Here, many of the skewered items cost only €1 per steak,

like this pork kebab, chicken kebab, and sausage.

These fries and tzatziki sauce also cost €1 per order.

But you wouldn't know when you taste it

because they're all perfectly cooked,

so juicy and not dry at all.

Our host also took us to this humble eatery owned by his aunt Anna,

roughly 20 minutes from the city center.

It's a bit out of the way,

but it was our favorite meal in our entire stay in Castoria,

mainly because we adore home-cooked meals.

It serves traditional Northern Greek or Macedonian dishes,

but somehow, these plates had more soul.

We started with this pita, which was filled with cheese,

and it was so good we could have ended the meal right then.

Its armadas or cabbage rolls were the best we had tried.

A bit more sour than usual, but really really tasty.

This dip is made of smashed walnut with eggplant,

similar to hummus but better.

We were also served three types of salad.

This eggplant salad was my fave,

but this Russian salad was also fantastic.

And while I normally don't enjoy beets,

this beetroot salad with yogurt and walnuts was surprisingly delightful.

It was earthy and creamy.

This cabbage salad was also very refreshing.

Not sure what this is called,

but the cabbage was said to be soaked for many months

and mixed with bell peppers, celery, and dill.

We've also tasted many versions of bajo before,

but this one, while slightly oilier,

was also flakier, crispier, and a tad saltier,

which was perfect for me.

And these were just the appetizers.

For the main course, we were served a smorgasbord of grilled meat,

but the standout was the pancetta, which was smoky and perfectly cooked.

So were these meatballs.

They were so tender and not dense at all.

We could actually feel the meat bits and didn't taste processed,

if you know what I mean.

This sausage isn't the usual either.

It was made with wild boar meat, so it was gamey,

but they used the fatty parts,

which reminded us of longganisa or Filipino sausages back home.

Our lunch here was certainly one of the most unforgettable,

not just in Greece, but in the whole Balkan region during our trip.

As a small, quiet city, Kastoria isn't too big on nightlife.

But you could still find some spots to let loose a bit and grab a drink.

One of them is Nautical Hall, which is set by the lake.

It offers a wide selection of drinks,

from wines to beers to its signature cocktails.

Its bar show is also pretty good but slightly costlier than other restaurants in the city.

Don't forget to go out to the terrace for a view of the city lights

reflected on the peaceful lake below.

Kastoria is packed with attractions that are worth your time and energy.

From its limestone caves to countless hilltop viewpoints,

to Neolithic sites, to Byzantine churches,

Kastoria will keep you busy.

And we'll discuss them all in our next video.

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