Wednesday 24th September 2025 – Paralia Glyfa, Greece

Another bike ride today. I started by heading for the nearby monastery of Panagia Eleousa but, rather than taking the main (very quiet) road, I decided to take a back road from Glyfa. The back road turned out to be a track and I should have turned back. My folding e-bike is definitely not designed for off-road cycling and, although it was possible to cycle on most of the track, there were many sections where the gravel and sand meant that I had to push the bike.
The monastery is quite intriguing as it has a tower in the centre, which was obviously designed for safety. The entrance to the tower is 3 or 4 metres above ground level and would only have been accessible by a ladder. The monastery is not a tourist venue and is only open for religious visits for a couple of hours each day. In its grounds is a small, locked shrine that covers the narrow entrance to a cave. Apparently, the cave has stalactites and stalagmites and is now considered to be a sacred place.
Back on asphalt, the going was much easier and I headed towards my goal – Machos. I was a little concerned as I descended a very long hill as I knew that it will feel like a much longer hill on the way back. Turning off the main road at Vartholomio, I followed the winding, minor road through olive and citrus groves to reach Machos. My idea was to see a small rural village and have a snack in one of its three tavernas or its café. However, one taverna was no longer in business, another, although obviously still operating, was closed and the last taverna, with a very old sign outside, looked dubious. I went in and asked but it was closed, possibly permanently. The café may have been open but there were no customers and it looked unlikely that they would supply any food. Back then to Vatholomio where I found a snack bar on the main road. Suitably refreshed by a wonderfully cold beer and a Greek salad, I was ready for the climb back up the hill, made much easier by the power of the e-bike.
I had spotted on a Google maps that there was a small harbour just along the coast from the campsite. Jane had walked there earlier and I called in on the way back.
Photos: The Panagia Eleousa Monastery with the tower visible above the wall; The sacred cave of the monastery; A valley near Glyfa – the 3 (or possibly 4) storey building must have fantastic views including ones of Zakynthos that you can see in the distance; The small harbour; The beach at the campsite with the lights of Zakynthos in the background.