Car & Van Hire - Almiros Magnisia

Almiros Magnisia is a small town best known for its proximity to the airport. You'll find a number of things to explore in and around the town, starting with the Archaeological Museum of Almyros. As you might expect from an archaeological museum in Greece, this is a real treasure trove of history, with artefacts that date all the way back to the Neolithic period. Here, you can see exhibits from every period of the Greek Golden Age, all the way through to the days of the Roman Empire.

Bird watchers will have a great time in Almiros Magnisia, as it's a hotspot for migratory birds. Pack your binoculars and head out to the Kouri forest, just 2 km from the town centre. As you walk through the wooded paths, keep an eye out for the birds, which include swans, herons, ibis and spoonbills. In this charming woodland paradise, you'll feel like your cares are a thousand miles away.

With car hire in Almiros Magnisia, you can head out to Mount Othyrs. Lovers of Greek mythology may already know that this mountain is regarded as the birthplace of the elder gods, as well as the home of the Titans and the site of many divine battles. There are several hiking trails around the mountain. If you're looking for natural beauty, don't miss the Zerelia Lakes, two vast circular lakes. In fact, these natural wonders are craters formed when a meteorite crashed into the Earth around 10,000 years ago.

You can use your car or van hire in Almiros Magnisia to visit the ancient city of Halos, said to be the birthplace of Achilles. The original Halos was razed to the ground by Macedonian invaders in 346 BC. New Halos was built around 50 years later, but it did not last long. In 265 BC, it was fully abandoned after an earthquake. Today, it is an intriguing archaeological site. Several houses have been unearthed, as well as the ancient citadel and the cemetery. There's also a later Byzantine fortress, built centuries after the fall of the original Halos.

While in the Thessaly region, don't miss the chance to try out the local cuisine. Thessaly is known for its cheeses, which go far beyond basic feta. Try kasseri, a semi-hard sheep's cheese with a taste that is slightly reminiscent of parmesan, or manouri, a creamy fresh whey cheese. For something heartier, opt for kouneli stifado, a lightly spiced rabbit stew traditionally served with crusty bread.

As Almiros Magnisia is a very small town, there's no need to worry about traffic. You may occasionally find jams going to and from the airport, but nothing serious. In summer, it might be harder than usual to find a parking spot by the nearby beaches. However, this is not one of Greece's most popular tourist destinations. You'll never see as many cars here as you would elsewhere in the country.

The roads around Almiros Magnisia are mountainous, and driving in the Greek mountains is always an adventure. You can expect narrow roads, some of which are quite poorly maintained. Hairpin bends, and tight twists and turns are very common. You'll find that many local drivers honk their horns when turning in a blind spot as a courtesy to alert any oncoming vehicles. Overtaking is often difficult, so if you find yourself stuck behind a slow-moving vehicle, you'll probably just have to sit back and take it easy.

Always take Greek rural roads slowly, and watch out for hazards. Mopeds and motorbikes are very common in rural Greece, often ridden by youngsters with little regard for the rules of the road. You're also likely to find yourself sharing the road with a variety of animals, including stray dogs and livestock. Sheep and goats are a particularly common sight. Sheep will generally vacate the road quickly, but goats do not appear to fear cars. If you honk your horn at them, they may react aggressively. Instead, it's better to wait it out and let them cross the road at their own pace.

Some petrol stations in rural Greece close early. All are closed by 23:00, but some close as early as 20:00 and don't re-open until 08:00. Keep this in mind when planning your trip. Always carry cash to pay for petrol. Not all petrol stations accept cards. Carrying cash is generally a good idea when you're travelling in rural areas, as card payments are still rarely accepted in most businesses like shops and restaurants.

One quirk of driving in Greece concerns roundabouts. In this country, drivers entering the roundabout have right of way, rather than the drivers already on them. When in rural Greece, it's common to see other cars speeding or engaging in other dangerous behaviours. Keep a cool head, and don't be tempted to join in.