Alcyonides
Alcyonides are the gifts of mighty Zeus and Aeolus, the ruler of all winds to humans. In the heart of winter when cold grips nature, Greek mythology offers us a story full of love, sorrow and divine intervention. It is the myth of Alcyone, a beautiful princess who gave her name to the warm and sunny winter days that temporarily interrupt the cold and frost, the so-called “Alcyonides days.” Alcyone was the daughter of Aeolus, the king of the winds and Enarete.
She married a young and handsome man and they lived happily near the sea, somewhere in ancient Greece. Their love was so great that when her husband drowned in a shipwreck, Alcyone threw herself into the sea out of despair, wishing to unite with him even in death. The gods of Olympus, moved by their immense love, decided to transform them into birds.
Thus, they became halcyons, a type of seabird. However, Alcyone continued to mourn her lost husband and every year, during the winter, she tirelessly built a nest on the seashore to lay her eggs.The fierce winter winds, however, destroyed her nest every winter and her eggs were lost at Aegean Sea.
Alcyone, deeply despairing, turned to mighty Zeus for help. Zeus, saddened by her harsh fate, ordered Aeolus, her father, to restrain the winds for fourteen days each winter, so that Alcyone could hatch her eggs in peace. Since then, these fourteen days of calm at sea and sunshine in the winter have been called “Alcyonides days.”
They are the days when all of nature takes a small breath, the days when Alcyone, according to the myth, builds her nest and hatches her eggs. This archaic Greek myth reminds us of the power of love, the comfort we can find in nature, and the kindness of the gods. It is a story that teaches us to appreciate the small moments of joy, even in the darkest periods of our lives. The number of Alcyonides days and the details of the myth vary in different versions. However, the basic concept remains forever the same.
Alcyonides: Warm winter days
The weather in Greece during the winter months (December, January and February) is relatively mild but may be unpredictable with rains adding a unique charm to the Greek landscape. Greek climate varies significantly depending on the region. In Southern Greece and the Islands you may expect daytime temperatures between 10-18°C (50-64°F), with winter rains and plenty of sunny intervals making it comfortable for exploring the outdoors, leisurely walks and even outdoor dining.
In Northern Greece and mountainous regions, the weather is cold and temperatures may drop below freezing, especially at night. Snow is common in mountainous areas, with snow-covered peaks that create picturesque winter landscapes. Expect much colder daytime temperatures in comparison to Southern Greece so dress warmly enough.
In case you decide to travel to Greece during wintertime, rest assured that the Halcyon days will be there, patiently waiting for you. They will bestow warm and sunny days, perfect for your excursions to the breathtaking places of Greece. I hope that the Alcyonides will bring as much serenity to your heart as they do to the deep blue waters of the Aegean Sea.
Alcyonides: Northern Greece tours
If you are planning to travel to Northern Greece, either by airplane or via cruise ship, as most of my guests from U.S.A and Canada do, you may organize all your day trips from Thessaloniki to various worth visiting locations, with us!
Enjoy the Alcyonides days in the heart of winter and get the most out of your Northern Greece sightseeing tours. Welcome to Thessaloniki day trips, where we take you beyond the beaten path to explore the less-traveled, yet utterly amazing sites. Our carefully prepared day trips offer adventurous travelers the chance to discover the secret wonders that lie off the mainstream tourist radar. Immerse yourself in the local culture and traditions as we lead you through Greek history, to breathtaking natural landscapes untouched by mass tourism and to local taverns that serve Greek authentic, traditional cuisine. For more info on our tours, please click here
Your chauffeur and local guide
Michael E. Nalbantis is both your private driver and local guide for all your Thessaloniki day trips. Thessaloniki born and grown, English speaking and a Google maps local guide level seven. Also available licensed tour guides for archaeological sites and museums upon request at an extra cost.
Limited availability
As of limited availability, none of my tours is available in any booking platform, worldwide. For more info (availability – rates) on our day trips from Thessaloniki, please click here or simply contact Michael at +306976888113 WhatsApp available
SKG Thessaloniki Airport pickups & drop offs, also available upon request.