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Loutra Aedipsou |
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Lying in the northwestern Evia, the spa of Aidipsos overlooks the tranquil waters of Gialtra Bay from the foothills of the mountain Telethrion. The alternation of land and seascape create a natural and colourful work of art. The crystal clear sea "the blood of Greece" and its briny shores invite you to prolong your days. In the background the Telethrio, the mount of peaceful silence, aborns Aidipsos with its shadows. Today Aedipsos is a modern seaside and spa resorts capable of accomodating 80.000 people. A large number of hotels, pensions and privately owned rooms meet the demands of the visitors. At the same time a great variety of restaurants, grill rooms, taverns, cafeterias and ouzoshops are available. In traditional coffe shops you can find authentic Greek patries and honey puffsloucomades. The large wellestablishe hotels on the seafront offer a high qualitiy service. From early in the morning people can be seen relaxing on the beaches enjoying the crystal clear sea and stimulating their sensen with the light, sounds ands smalls, exhilarating memories which they will carry back home. In this town the happy lauther of the young does not interrupt the thoughts of the more pensive visitors. The traditional boat rides are well combined with other contemporary seas sports such as water skiing, wind surfing and sailing. In the evenings people promenade under the eucalyptus and pine trees on the seafront, and later fill the cinemas, discos, bouzouki and other entertainment centers. Theatrical performances and concerts cater for other tastes. |
Historical background In the Roman times, Scylla, the general, left his traces in Aedipsos. It is said that in the hot springs of that place he was cured of the out woch had tormented him. His "cave", the style of the thermal bath of that time, and the historian, Stravonas, confirm his presence. According to many historical references of that period, Aedipsos was a cosmopolitan baths, entertainment and enjoyment. The historian, Plutarch, notes "the village of Aedipsos on the island of Euboea is a place for pleasure and entertainment, full of elegant buildings and entertainment centers providing luxurious stays". The marble inscribed plaques from that distant past, wich can be seen today in Aedipsos, relate the history of the Emperor Adrian, Markus Aurelius and others, and sthe statue of Jullia Domna displays her fascinating beauty. Both mortals and immortals became blissful when enjoying the beauties of the place and the pleasures of the place and the pleasures ot its well-organised society. Times came and went. In the Middle Ages lords passed through and after them came Constanine the Great followed vy Theodosius, each in turn seeking both pleasure and cure. Three thousand years have passed but hte history remains firmly in our minds and the scenes from that time retain its tradition. In the years after the First World War Aedipsos flourished once more. It is the period when spas became internationally popular. In the hotel lounges one could meet international personalities of that time, famous actors, artists, writers, statemen, politiciand and successful enterpreneurs and shipwners. You coyld get a glimpe of Prince Edward and Mrs. Simpson secluding themselbes from the public eye and Prime Minister Venizelos enjoying a break. In this cosmopolitan environment the picturesque, inhabitants lived alongside enjoying their lives to the full in the small taverns and coffee-shops. These people, living in the shadows of the rich and famous, are vividly described by the Greek writer, Loudemis in his famous book "Adieu Life". Later Aedipsos hospitates the shipping magnet Onasis, the Father of Victory Winston Churchill, the great Maria Callas and the glamorous Greta Garbo. Chefs catered for the most delicate plates in the luxurius hotel restaurants. "They were the high hest paid chefs of that time" says the writer L. Nackou. Some of the most beautiful hotels and villas standing in aedipsos were built during that time, such as the Thermae Sylla Spa, the Heracleon, the Ai Piyaid, the Ethnikon, the Kriti and the villa of Pneumatikos. |
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