Down the path

No trip to Thassos (because that’s where you can find such amazing views) is complete without a visit to Alyki. Alyki is the biggest archaeological site on the island – a whole peninsula which was used as a stone quarry for hundreds of years, as well as a small town next to it. The town, the temples as well as the quarries are very well preserved and are definitely worth a visit. The whole peninsula is part of the archaeological site and people made sure to supply tourists with paths, loads of benches and a few rest areas. You can get down to the water where the marble quarries used to be (Thassos is the biggest exporter of marble in Greece) but you’ll need sneakers for that. In the recent fires in September this year, Alyki was missed by the fires by pure luck - a few skeletons of burned-down olive trees can be seen at the gate of the peninsula showing how close the flames were to this place. The story behind the shot: This is the view from the path that leads youa way from the quarries – it circles the whole peninsula. Alyki and Thassos in general is one of the few places in Greece where you can see pine trees on the beach. The view is truly exotic. Because of the marble rocks beneath, sea water looks surreally blue and crystal-clear. Alyki beach, you can see it in the shot, is a very nice place. For those who don’t want all the walking around, there are a few tavernas by the water. Photoadvice: To get good images of Alyki, you’ll have to visit it around noon because that’ the time when the sea is at its bluest, because sunlight falls directly from above. You’ll need a wide-angle lens (it’s difficult to capture it all in one shot) or you’ll have to stitch panoramas. Set aside at least an hour or two for this place – it is worth it and you deserve to enjoy yourself to the full. ATTENTION! Marble rocks are REALLY, REALLY slippery, especially close to the sea. Because of hundreds of years of usage and marble cutting, the sea can be shallow on one side of the rock and very deep on the other so don’t try to climb the rocks with flip-flops, it’s for your own good!

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