A Crazy Hike to Dragon Houses on the Greek Islands
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- čas přidán 3. 05. 2024
- Exploring the little known Greek island of Evia, which is the second largest island in Greece and the sixth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. You can watch Part 1 here: • EVIA, Second Largest G...
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Music during the video (in order):
"Ermou Street" by George Prokopiou
&
"Remote Locations" by Edward Karl Hanson
&
"Origin Evolution" by Far Orange
&
"Between the Waves" by Chris Shards
Need some good music for your CZcams videos? I use and recommend Epidemic Sound. To get a free 30-day trial click here: share.epidemicsound.com/sSvpV
Video created by Gabriel Morris, who is the owner of all video or photo content. Filmed with a DJI Osmo Action: amzn.to/3gSi8rA
Gabriel is a traveler, outdoors enthusiast and travel writer who has been adventuring around the world since his first trip to Europe in the summer of 1990 when he was 18 years old. He is author of "Following My Thumb", "Gabe's Guide to Budget Travel" and several other books.
Disclaimer: Gabriel Morris is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to www.amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, Gabriel earns revenue from qualifying purchases.
Gabe you are a legend, one man show, one video every day, finding interesting sites, solving arising problems
34:40 is why I love Gabe's videos... Greece, magical landscapes, a goat herd, sunset, the music... moments of beauty, joy and magic. Safe travels!
Speaking of Dragons, If you do end up exploring Epirus this trip you must hike to the dragon lake of Smolikas, one of the most spectacular natural wonders ever.
Yes, AND the dragonlake of Tymfi mountain just across Smolikas mountain. And If Gabriel EVER does that region of Greece justice, he should 1000% do the Aoos gorge, and the Vikos gorge of Tymfi mountain, AND Tzoumerka mountains all around Epirus region. And that is just an example of Greece's true wild mountain sceneries. And the most beautiful is doing it in March-April when the mountains are white snow capped and with flowers and green pastures everywhere.
Zahorohoria are really beautiful
Omg ❤ Epirus is a must 🤌
I'm so excited for these Greek exploration series 😊
Sweet. 👍
Skyros is very special, almost Cycladic in its architecture. Skyros Town is a true labyrinth, and has a lot to offer.
The ferry from Kymi is absolutely the best connection, and it wonders me that there are not even space for a deck passenger. Even in the Easter.
Tuesday is also a holiday. Labour Day 1. of May has been moved because of the Easter.
Good luck !
By the way, you will need a motorized vehicle on Skyros. The harbour, Linariá, is about 20 km from Skyros Town and not close to any other places of importance.
i agree
You literally drove past some of the best spots in Evia. Shame as Nea Styra is beautiful and Nimborio beach is stunning.
4:35 It's a statue of a lignite miner ("λιγνιτωρύχος"). There used to be a lignite mine north of the town.
Big green lizard or tiny, baby dragon? Greece is magical and mystical as well as beautiful.
Skyros, great choice on a great time of the year, meaning the Orthodox Easter !!! Kali Anastasi!✨🙏
Google definitely needs to update their maps. They've told me to turn onto bumpy dirt roads so many times it's unbelieveable. It make me think of that scene from the Office where the GPS tells Michael Scott to turn right into the lake with his rental car and he turns right into the lake.
I haven't watched that show much but yeah, that's almost what it felt like. 😛
czcams.com/video/DOW_kPzY_JY/video.html
Ok ! ! ! Drone opportunities on top of that hill! 🍋
I wish i had a time machine and take a look at this area at that time. Gabe also looks in his element when he arived here. So many areas to explore in Greece. What a country!
❤❤❤❤❤❤
You made me put Greek islands into my bucket list.
I love it when gabe is cruisin and the hawaian guitar comes on
Damn those Dragon Houses are fascinating, the work it took to make them and how far and high theh are from the coast. I can't wait for my month in Greece. Check out Ioanna, Kastoria, family from those areas magical, beautiful nature.
SO FUN exploring Greece again with you. Seems so peaceful, I see why you love it so much. Wish I could wiggle my nose and be there. And, I just always love so much how you "talk" to all the animals you meet, like the goats...maa aa aa. aaaa aaa, And the kitties, meooowwwww. (and you silly goose, goats don't have antlers, they have horns). So cuuute! Glad you are enjoying yourself, you look really great, the long hair hippie vibe, and gorgeous shirt! Anyhoo, cheers from Portland, as always, stay safe and thank you for bringing the world to us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Amazing, intriguing content! Time stands still in beautiful Greece!
Thanks for the interesting content! I know it must be tempting to go to a paradise island and enjoy the beaches, but this is way more fun to watch!
I am surprised that you don’t slip or trip with wearing open toed sandals,in Scotland we use a dock leaf crushed to take the sting out of the nettle.loving your new adventures in the Greek Islands
In Greece we use vinegar to ease the skin irritation.And with the baby leaves of the plant we make also delicious filling for a pie with fillo pastry.😊
your shirt matched perfect with that beautiful day. thanks
Great series. I hope you will extend the 5 days and take us to this i teresting tour in Greece
I look forward to the rest of your Evia trip, and hope to see you explore some areas between Kymi and Vlachia. It really seems to have some gems for beaches along the mountain range.
Beautiful!!! All those goats ❤ A little bit of heaven.
Avoiding goat dung isn't heaven
Yes
@@basicinfo8786 terrible smell also
Hi Gabriel, great video, love your vlogs :) As for the Dragon houses they are estimated to be from the 5th century BCE and the Hellenistic times. The Dragon houses have recently been interpreted as religious buildings where ancient Greek deities were worshipped ( and not residents). Great job again, you inspired me to visit the Dragon houses which I have been meaning to do for years :D. Cheers!
It is not just the ruins you find in the hills of Greece but it is the wonderful views and lack of development that surrounds them. In the U.S. there would be fences and "keep out" signs everywhere.
Another fantastic and wonderful adventure from the amazing Gabe 😀✌🏻👍🏻
If you happen to be heading to Andros (or already there) I highly recommend visiting the Museum of Contemporary Art. There's a lot of famous Cubists work there as well as Surrealists like Miro. The museum was founded by shipowner and tycoon, Basil Goulandris, who was also born on Andros.
Greek sun!! Oh yeah!
🇹🇷
"Pre-Greek" is part of the amazing story of the Indo-European languages. Almost all the languages of Europe (including Greek) are related, and are related to Farsi (Iran) and Sanskrit and Hindi. One of the greatest discoveries of linguistics. The most widely accepted theory is that they originated north of the Black Sea, and migrated to other places. The (Proto)Greek speakers moved into that area at least 4000 years ago, maybe even earlier. The people who lived there before that were "pre-Greek". Quite likely the Minoans spoke an unrelated language, and were later merged into the Mycenaean Greeks, who produced the earliest known Greek writing (Linear B). (Whether or not the dragon houses are that old.)
14:50 Cool. Entering homes someone most likely inhabited, and abandoned so many many years ago.
We always look forward to the annual Greece videos lol.
For real though, seeing how often you can travel there without really repeating spots gives some perspective to how much there is do and see there.
Cool vid. Cheers!
I always wonder how you find your car again after such a crazy hike.😊
Great day of exploring. Loved those goats, so cute! The Dragon houses were interesting, hard to imagine how old they must be, fantastic that they are still standing. Thanks for another amazing adventure. 😊❤
Instead of waiting for the rain off, I decided to going on riding to the south
Mind spending the Easter weekend in Karystos, Marmari and the rest of South Evia; so many beautiful places to wander around, you'll be impressed. Enjoy!
Yes Gabriel, you should have gone to Karystos. Amazing place and the whole of the south of Evia is wild and worth exploring! Maybe in your next trip...
I did go to Karystos, see the end of the video. 😊
You are a legend!
I have to hand to you your route and trip is very unusual for utube or anything else,I did these places several times and it is nice to see someone else picking the same trails and Evia is unique the dragon houses great stuff enjoy bravo🇬🇷🍷🚘
24:49 The sign with the arrow reads >
......Between the Waves....... beautiful
Loved that music starting at the goat segment just finished off the video nicely.
Zeus chose you to promote Greece you are an Angel of Olympus ❤
Awesome video! Thanks for doing more Greek travel! My life goal is to retire there and I have less than 10 years to go! Happy Travels!
A captivating exploration of Evia island! Thank you!
nice gravel road gabe! lol classic
Another great adventure following the trail up the hill with all the markers. It was quite a hike over all the big rocks. You were lucky to see the goats that was a magical experience hearing all the bells on the goats. The dragon houses made of stones stacked on top of one another was interesting. I wonder how long they would take to build. Your greek adventures are awesome Gabriel!
Bit of archeological work 😂
Hi Gabriel, the island has a lot offer than many of the other islands that are basically a couple of smalll towns and beaches. You're right the mainland has much more to offer besides Athens there are many hidden gems.
Going to Athens tomorrow. Santorini on Tuesday. I took your advice about going to Greece in early May. Less crowded.
Excellent plan. 👍😎
You can make soup out of stinging nettles which is a very common weed which grows in the Mediterranean
Sounds tasty and painful.
We make them pie in Greece - τσουκνιδόπιτα
Hope you make it to Skyros - would love to watch that video! 🙂
(and love the driving music)
hate to be such a greek nerd/know it all but my guess is, all the goats you saw at 34:40 were one of the main reasons for the dragon houses, walls, paths, etc. shepherds don't get a hotel every night they get to some sort of shelter if possible. so for the past 10 thousand years shepherds could have been adding stones to all those out-of-the-way places you found. if there are two things you can find in greece it's olive trees and rocks. a great adventure.
Until today, there is no historical evidence or solid proof who and why have built the Dragon Houses. It could be christians, could be shepherds, could be anybody. The idea that they are ancient buildings is reinforced both by the antiquity of the architectural type, the method of wall construction, and the discovery of ancient remains and inscriptions. The high quality and the character of the finds excludes them as guardhouses or shepherds’ dwellings. Evidence points towards the interpretation that the dragon houses were religious edifices honoring some ancient goddess, or some local worship similar to that which is known to have been practiced on Mount Hymettos.
3:45 beautiful town
2:58 It's called Amarynthos. Right outside of the town between Amarynthos and Kallithea we have our own summer home!
GREAT VIDEO THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES, I WILL RETURN TO THE HELLENIC REPUBLIC. SALUDOS
Lovely adventure,greetings from armchair traveler in South Africa 🇿🇦 .One day........
As a reply to someone here in the comment section Ill put the post here as my own: Aside of the dragonlake on Evia. Also directed to you Gabriel: I highly recommend to visit the dragonlake of Tymfi mountain just across Smolikas mountain which also has a dragonlake. And If Gabriel EVER does that region of Greece justice, he should 1000% do the Aoos gorge, and the Vikos gorge of Tymfi mountain, AND Tzoumerka mountains all around Epirus region. And that is just an example of Greece's true wild mountain sceneries. And the most beautiful is doing it in March-April when the mountains are white snow capped and with flowers and green pastures everywhere.
@ Gabriel: for a in-cre-di-ble mountain, landscape scenery tour of Greece
*And if you stay in this region for over a week, I can recommend so many things to see and do there. You need a car first and foremost. But then I would recomment this route:*
*Lake Kerkini > Pozar hotsprings > Mount Olympus > Meteora, > Prespes lakes > Mount Tymfi + Aoos gorge + Vikos gorge + Dragon lake > Ioannina and lake Pamvotida + island on the lake > Tzoumerka mountains and also you can do an amazing 30km rafting here on the Arachtos river > Acheloos valley > lake Kremasta > Karpenisi + Evritania + mount Tymfristos with the road towards Proussos.*
Trust me Gabriel. You visit Greece almost only for the islands. And you visit some mountain destinations around the world for mountains. But if you visit and do this incredible route that I gave, you will find out a beauty of Greece that will blow-your-mind. Trust me. I have been to Greece 60 times in ways that is about a lot of mountain and geological scenery of the country
Thanks for the tips, I copied them and will keep it in mind. I've been to some of those places, climbed Mount Olympus in 1990 when I was eighteen and I've been to Meteora twice: czcams.com/video/2lY_8rnHJxg/video.html
@@GabrielTravelerVideos Hi Gabriel. Great to hear. yes. But the scenery in march for example is totally different. Also. Its the route taken that I put value at.
Meteora with the views of the snowy mountains around is wonderful. And same when mount Olympus is strongly snow covered. Its totally different.
And also. For example. When doing Prespes lakes when mountains are covered, its like as if youre in Mongolia. There are only 2 people per km2 living there. Very remote. As is much of the rest of the route
And if you pass Tzoumerka mountains as example, raft there, visit waterfalls like the double waterfalls, or the Rema marks waterfalls(almost noone knows these secrets), or Verliga springs. Are just random examples of just Tzoumerka mountain. Verliga is not for march period. As its still snow covered. But Its just an example.
And when you continue south from Tzoumerka mountains into nomans land and visit Acheloos valley, follow the river towards Kremasta lake whicg lake is green emerald and often like a mirror. Then from Kremasta go into Karpenisi > Proussos mountains region, you will see so much beauty and diversity. Even on a single day you will see scenery changing every hour.
I am telling you this to not just make you excited but also giving you knowledge on what I mean with the route. It will change your perspective on Greeces mountainous side 100%
Also. The starting point like from Kerkini lake in march with snow capped mountains, pelicans, and then water buffaloes there. And then to Pozar hotsprings. Towards mount Olympus is wonderful.
And from Mount Olympus there is a mountain road that leads to Vergina. Also famous for its archaeological site of tomb of father of Phillip II. But this mountain road is what I mean with varying sceneries.
Most of these roads the way how I intend them completely bypass highways. So. Truly mountain roads.
If you ever want a route planned out by me, a complete stranger, but one with really good intentions and honesty, then I can give you a maps route for inspiration.
And if you ever happen to do the route or parts of it, ofcourse I like to know how you experienced Greeces mountains in early spring.
I always enjoy your Greek videos ! The only place I been to in Greece is Corfu. Spent 4 great nights there. Keep up the great work Gabe
Have you ever been to Upper Peninsula, Michigan?
Have you checked out Samotrace island? It is really unique, I would love if you went there
Not yet, but it's definitely on the list.
That was great hike and what a beautiful place. Hate those wind turbines though. Pre Greek would be Cycladic or Mycenean.
Neither is pre Greek. Especially Mycenaean.
I think you should check out Rhodes. It’s a nice island of Greece that has a lot of castles and nice views! And I think underrated. I was there a few days ago.
Love this channel! High respect to you Gabe for all the travel videos!
I visited Rhodes in 2009. Thanks for watching. ✌️
A shaggy dog story with a view.
evia, when i was there didn't have many roads and no good ones. plus there was no bridge. a hint where you are now.. looks like coming over the mountain from Kifissia toward nea makri, but it could be anywhere on the east coast of greece.
No that's not Mt Penteli it looks like he's on an island.
I know it's impossible but would love to go medal detecting and see what I could find..
Come to Crete or go to Santorini or Hios (Χίος) those are my favorite,most beautiful places in Greece! If you come to Crete, I can show you the best places to visit!
I've been to Crete and Santorini but not Chios yet.
@@GabrielTravelerVideos If you like classic buildings, made of stone and the addition of tropical plants, in the already beautiful Greek country,then you'll LOVE Chios! it's a hidden gem for sure!!!
@@GabrielTravelerVideos Chios has the house of Christopher Columbus.
I'm belatedly catching up with your great videos after a long and beautiful Orthodox Holy Week and Easter! I don't know if you're still on Evia.
Just to say there is a potentially must see Monastery on Evia; the Monastery of St David Euboea. [Others are also available!] Here, a new Saint of the Orthodox Church, St Iakovos, was a priest-monk and Abbot until his ''repose'' in 1991. Many miracles are associated with him. The monastery was in the area of the terrible fires a few years ago. The fires suddenly stopped, just before they reached the monastery grounds....
The first place is Amarinthos..if you go on mountain it has a very wonderful place which calls Agia Kiriaki in tha village Kampia.
You have to go and another side of island.
At 3:55 I'd have thought of a pause for the milk of human kindness but speeding on I'm wondering where you initially heard of dragon houses? Dragon is the the totem of Drexel Univ. & we might have had a 15:00 meal of boiled stinging nettle to celebrate - it's most Nutritious but the gloves might help.
These stone buildings are really cool to see and imagine how long people have lived there. The 15:58 small shelf might work as an oven & be worth trying for a nettle spanikopita ala Drakospita? Lamb/goat and beans might work there too. I'm thinking of Craigslist for a motorcycle now but it's not so easy, is it?
When I read -
" Styra is the ancient city of Styra, a city mentioned by Homer's Iliad (Rhapsody B). Ships left from the ancient city state of Styra to aid in the rescue of Helen of Troy. "
Remember, MIT offers a free online edition of the Illiad - if anyone wants more free details.
" ... the captives from the Siege of Eretria were kept on Aegilia (which belonged to Styra) during the Battle of Marathon ... "
The grazing animals have kept the original tree forest canopy from returning for 1000's of years. I'd hope to find how greek islanders could study and practice what Alan Watson Featherstone has done restoring the Caladonian forests in UK by simply excluding herbivores for a few years of perimeter fences. It's amazing what comes back in just a few years when the trees can grow above the grazing/browzing teeth long enough. Such a huge 1443 sq miles island for only 191,206 population. Thanks for the views. 🌲😎🌲
I did a mainland greece roadtrip in April and had the same issues with google. Once i had to turn around on a small rural road, because the incline of the road was so steep, i would have shit my pants going up there. No way to turn around and no idea if the car would have made it. Was lucky that there was a sport to turn around before the incline.
One other thing i hated, were the dogs with no sense of self-preservation on the middle of the roads. Never seen that one the peleponese or the island.
If you have the time, i can recommend Meteora, truly magical place.
Yes, Meteora is spectacular: czcams.com/video/2lY_8rnHJxg/video.html
Hello Gabriel. From Evia (Kymi) you can visit Skyros Island. They are close
Anthony Bourdain! Rest in peace.
He was troubled, but unfortunately not a Saint. Yeah, unfortunate
@@BhutWhut That is what people admire the most about him: that he was a flawed person to begin with and he had so much respect for other cultures around the world. He is my (first) inspiration for travel.
@@KenMathTeacher in the end he was a coward, Kenneth
these boulders weigh tons and are cut with precision, who could have made such a building and how they were transported 😯😯
Give him the citizenship immediately..
Another Awesome Adventure Thank Gabriel 🙂❤👍
Looks like a proper 'Schnitzeljagd' as we call it in Germany 😂
Nice spot to Explore!
Hi Gabriel the islands south of the Peloponnese, which I assume you are referring to Kythira and antikythira can be reached by ferry from Athens too. It’s about 6 hour journey if I’m not mistaken but if you are doing a tour of the Peloponnese then the only way to reach them is from its south east side only. However you may return to Athens by ferry to save some travelling time.
I see, good to know.
You should go north west or east , off season cars are very cheap to rent
At the beginning it was Amarinthos, I think.
The only question left, when will you start a channel about building your own house on a greek island😂
Or a hut in India
Your explorer genes will not let you stop seeing what's around the bend😅.
Gabriel, the name of the small town you didn't know the name of, in the beginning of this video, was Amarynthos
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amarynthos
Thanks.
👍👍👍
Nice adventure Gabe ! 😊❤🇧🇦
Follow your thumb & Follow the arrows!
Woww beautiful 🍺🍺
🧡🧡🧡
you know GT humans are a lot like automobiles. if you break down in the middle of nowhere, AAA isn't going to pick you up or an ambulance. could be a summer house for zeus or someone hiding from zeus...this little trek is probably nothing more than a shepherd's path. a guy and his flock would probably get lost without the graffiti.
Cool thought;the ball cap you wore in this video reminded me of Tom Petty’s hat. Cool 😎
Pre-greek: Minoan.
Don't forget to visit kastelorizon this time mister Gabriel.
will you go to India again Gabe?
Hopefully not
It would be worth investing in a microphone for your camera or something
Gotta get up to that first windmill at least.
9:35 driverless cars in the future..
" Taking the fastest possible route "
Jumps of a water fall 😂
Those are not the most impressive Dragospito. For that you had to go to Karistos in the South of Evia Island, up Mount Ochi. There are also the Red Castle and the most amazing beaches.
If you see them, then you will know why it is called dragon houses. The mist from the mountain fills them and it looks like smoke from a dragon fire.
It s very quiet 😅
hello traveller evia is my island. you have go in north evia too. Skyros wow ! i was teacher there for two years ... thank you Gabriel
No one knows how and who built the dragon houses (Drakospita / Δρακόσπιτα). There is no mention about them in any ancient greek texts. Probably these are 3000 years old? Or even older? Its possible these are very ancient structures. There are theories of being sanctuaries, shelters during cataclysm, or places for astronomical observation.
corbeled ceilings at dragon houses and cyclopes building technique. sort of like Peru and Ecuador. or just some greek guy trying to make a tourist trap.
My Friend you must Taste the Goat Cheese(Katsikisio tyri)!!!