Mount Athos, a unique experience for travelers

Mount Athos, known also as the Holy Mountain, is located in northern Greek region of Macedonia and represents in fact a 50 km-long peninsula. The highest elevation is featured by the Athos Peak which is 2030 m tall. The region is host to about 20 orthodox monasteries, 10 convents and many caves accommodating the monks. If having the opportunity to step on the territory, you’ll find there a lot of icons of the Virgin Mary as the site is dubbed as the “Garden of the Virgin”.

It is pretty well known that women are not allowed to go to Mount Athos, while men who visit the area need a special permission.

However, it is possibly for daily visitors to embark on a cruise and enjoy the surroundings on board of a ship that sails on a certain distance from the shore. The trip lasts more than 2 hours and the vessel departs from port Ouranopolis 2 times a day around 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tickets can usually be acquired while boarding the ship.

About half an hour into the cruise, the first monasteries start to come into view. They look impressive being either large, close to the sea or high on steep mountains. It is worth visititing Simonos Petras monastery which sits on a hill that offers an amazing view of the scenery nearby. The vessel then sails in the proximity of the monasteries of Dohiariu, Xenophon, St. Panteleimon, Xeropotamou, Grigoriu, Dionisiou and others.

The water around Athos Peninsula has a stunning dark blue color, and the atmosphere is reigned by a deep silence reminding of the monks prayers that seem to rise above this holy ground.
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The highest mountain peak is located in the end of the peninsula where the cruise boat goes round before preparing for the return trip.

On the way back, tourists can enjoy the magnificent display offered by the dolphins. They are quite joyful as they swim around of the cruise ship doing spectacular jumps and swimming belly up. Such a show can span up to 30 minutes before the marine mammals disappear into the blue water of the sea.
I forgot to mention that the cruising ship has an area with air conditioner and all the way we were accompanied by some playful seagulls which I fed on bread crumbs.

For those who haven’t done it so far, it is highly recommend to plan a trip to the “Center of Orthodoxy” which provides travelers with an experience full of spirituality, beautiful scenery and pleasant surprises.