Sunday is the best day to engage in a fulfilling and relaxing activity, or something that may be tiring but ultimately rewarding, where the achievement compensates for the effort and energy spent. In the summer, I always prefer to go to the beach because I love it there. As summer ends, the mountains become a better option. Today was one of those days when I wanted to visit a mountain spot despite the hot weather—it was around 35 degrees Celsius. Heat-wise, it would have been better to go to the beach, but I also wanted to visit a particular place with a really beautiful walking path in the forest. However, I was torn between the mountains and the beach, and because of this indecision, I arrived late, so the temperature was quite high. Even though I couldn't walk the forest path, I had a relaxing morning visiting one of the most beautiful churches I've ever seen. The church offers a stunning view, and I spent some time there enjoying a coffee and reading a book, allowing my mind to completely wander.
The church is named Saint Paraskevi.
The original church was built around 1500, but the village and parts of the church were burned twice—once during the Greek War of Independence in 1821 when the Ottomans ruled the area, and a second time when the Germans invaded Greece in 1943. Despite these setbacks, the villagers rebuilt it each time, making it better than before.
What I loved most about the place is that there's an open space for children to play, and with the mountain paths nearby, many families visit. They have even built an outdoor library where you can either read a book there or exchange an old one for a new one that you haven't read yet.
Laugh
Love
Dance
Dare
Live
Sing
This is the road leading to the forest path it is called the path of love and wishes.
The views
After the beautiful morning, it was time to eat, so I visited a butcher's tavern that serves some of the most amazing roasted meat you can find.
They had also recently renovated the interior, and it was really beautiful.
To end my day in the best way, I decided to have dessert. I chose a cheesecake with Madagascar vanilla and Crema Antica gelato.
Next time I will go there earlier and walk the whole path.