Hi from Avliotes (Agios Stefanos) as I live up the hill in the village I suppose we are fortunate to be able to visit the resort by car in 6-7 mins drive during the winter months.
El Greco is open mornings 09.00 - 15.00 and then in the evenings, George has a lovely tree for Xmas decorated. Serving coffee's cakes and drinks a fav of ours especially on sunny days.
The Three W's with Xanathos and Margarita's is also open again for drinks and darts matches there is a team and league and all well supported.
Tasty Corner open for weekend snacks as is Town Pizza.
The cake shop and mini market plus the new supermarket in the centre also open for bread and supplies including fresh local veggies.
Just up the hill towards Arillas is Nikos who owns Golden Market and this a fab place on sunny days you can still outside here as we did yesterday with sun streaming over the Pergola. Situated almost within 50 metres of the Arillas Brewery.
Now up in the village Avliotes we have a few more options as well, Landos Coffee shop, The Cake shop almost next door and then across the road Ilias Taverna serving food during the evenings and various 'Specials' at the weekend.
The lovely Meze bar just up the hill from the Old post Office serves drinks and mezes 7 days and evenings weekly.
Of course the village is as lovely in winter as it is during the summer.
The minimarket, bakery, chemist and shops are all open in winter as this serves the local community.
As many of the owners have their homes in Avliotes you find many of them here or alternatively down in San Stefanos during the winter months.
Walks along the beach or through the olive groves especially the past 12 days or so when daytime temps have been around 16c - its chilly in the evenings though so heating is needed for the long nights.
Many people have Olives so this is another winter job, although the crop is best every 2nd year. You can smell the olives pressing as you pass the various presses.
Thankfully Christmas is not so OTT as UK and although most houses are decorated the children go from house to house on Xmas eve singing as they also do again New Year and then on the 12th day being 6th January. Some people eat turkey but mostly it is lamb for Xmas dinner special Christmas cookies and bread. Gifts are normally exchanged on New Year. Many of the men enjoy playing cards on New Years eve through the night. A special walnut cake is made for New Years eve with a lucky coin and is cut at Midnight on the 31st. On the 6th January is Epithany (Theofanos) and the lads train for a dip in the sea to be the winner to retrieve the Holy Cross from the local priests around the island. Leading up to this the local priest goes from house to house blessing each home with Holy Water....
Well a small taster of some of what happens for now......
Winter is fab and tonight being the longest night we now start counting up again towards summer 2014 from tomorrow.
Wishing all a Healthy and Happy Christmas
Topic: Christmas in San Stef (Read 14021 times)