Molyvos Castle, Lesbos, Greece
It’s worth all the steps up to the Molyvos Castle. Besides the view, you pass a lot of shops on the way up.
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It is pleasant enough up in the hills, and it gives you the chance to see a bit of rural life – goat herders still practicing their craft, olive groves clutching the rocky outcrops.
But most that come to this island come for the beaches and the bars. And there are plenty of both. On the 42 square kilometers (16 square miles) that is Skiathos, there are some 90 beaches. We are doing our best to count the bars!
The travel poster beach is reputedly Koukounaries. We didn’t get there but they say it is an idyllic ribbon of golden sand with the sea on one side and a lagoon on the other. They also say that in summer it is covered in tourists, umbrellas and beach chairs, the latter two for hire; so if you are looking for a quiet life, try one of the other eighty-nine beaches.
The main town on the island is strung between two hills. Climb the steps of the Eastern hump to the little restaurant that enjoys a great view over the harbour where the ferries and flying dolphins dock on route to Skopelos.
Skiathos has an airport, so summer brings the package tourists looking for a good time and a sunburn. But if you can get here out of season, you’ll get an idea of why Greeks are so laid back and content, and live till they are ninety-eight.
It’s worth all the steps up to the Molyvos Castle. Besides the view, you pass a lot of shops on the way up.
Mytilini, the capitol of Lesbos is situated on a harbour that is circled by shops, houses, restaurants, churches and a huge castle.
Ypsilos Monastery sits on the top of an extinct volcano. Originally built in 1101 it has had a few reconstructions since.
You can see Australian native animals at The Healesville Animal Sanctuary – an amazing place a couple of hours drive from Melbourne in Victoria, Australia. Here you will experience up-close encounters with a range of Australian wildlife, including kangaroos, dingoes, koalas, birds, snakes, and the strange platypus.
The Stick Shed in Murtoa is a second World War grain storage area so unique that it has pride of place on the Australian Heritage Register. Who would have thought there would be a forest of mountain ash trees in the Wimmera.
Lake Tyrrell, Victoria’s largest salt lake. The lake is famous for its sky reflections when it is filled with water (it’s called a sky mirror) so the best time to visit is during the July/November period.