The mountain massif covered in beech forests, ideal for gentle walks, dominating to the south of Olympus and to the north of Pelion divided from it by Mt Mavrovouni, is Kissavos. Another interesting place is the forest of Polydendrio on Mt Mavrovouni, declared a National Park by the European Union, being rich in fauna while the vegetation is very diverse, with oak, beech, fir and chestnut trees.
Legend holds that Argos, the builder of the mythical ship the Argo, logged the timber a little further down from the northeast corner of the Prefecture of Magnesia, next to the villages Keramidi and Veneto.At the foothills of Mavrovouni and north Pelion lies Lake Karla or ancient Voivis, which was one of the largest in Greece until it was drained. It had a rich ecosystem and sustained many village populations. Today a great effort is underway to recreate the lake ecosystem so as to revive it, even if to a smaller size. Luckily, its former biodiversity is being restored. Another hidden part of Thessaly waiting to be discovered…

Program Identity

Code: GREX02

Description: A lake is reborn: Kissavos-Lake Carla-North Pelion

Category: Rural/Serenity

Type: Tour in the nature, Ecological tour, Greek mythology

Area: Kissavos, Pelion, Lake Karla-Thessaly

Duration: 4 days / 3 overnights

Accommodation: In a 4 star hotel

Board: Halfboard (dinner)

Traveler Type: Ecologist

 The services included in the program:
1. Transfer by bus/mini bus from airport of Thessaloniki or Volos airport or another upon request to the hotel and return (days 1 and 4).
2. Transfer by bus/mini bus from hotel in Larisa to Kissavos and Mavrovouni and return to the hotel (day 2).

3. Transfer by bus/mini bus from hotel in Larisa to North Pelion and Lake Karla and return to the hotel (day 3).
   4. Three (3) nights in double standard room.
   5. Three (3) breakfasts.
   6. Three (3) dinners.
4. Disposal of a hotel meeting room for the group’s briefing (day 1).
   8. Disposal of a hotel meeting room and audiovisual material for presentation (day 2).
   9. Escort (days 1, 2, 3, 4).
   10. Guide – Archaeologist for the presentation of the region, the myths, legends, and archaeological finds (day 2).
   11. Visit and tour in Museum of Karla and the lake by assigned ichthyologist of the Lake Management Authority (day 3).

A TRAVELER’S EXPERIENCE

The myth of Itavros (Bittern), whose strange cry could be heard in the surrounding area, passed from one generation to the next, our companion told us as we approached the area, and made us feel excited from the first moment we arrived, as though we were a part of the myths and legends.
It is a gift from God to meet, next to Pelion, Olympus and its well-hidden corners. We were impressed by the landscape of Eastern Thessaly, Kissavos, Mavrovouni, North Pelion, and the points of the never-ending view of the basin of Karla and the big blue of the Aegean Sea.
A wish was uttered from our lips as our tour ended, that the pre-existing ecosystem of Karla be restored even partially, to secure the future “sustainability” in the management of the soil and water resources, as well as the rich bird fauna of the lake and the fauna of the wider region.