Tempi Vale is situated in the area between the mounts Olympus and Kissavos (Ossa), and is run by the river Pinios. The river flows through the mountains and the valley, to finally flow into the Aegean sea.

Some historians have argued that in the distant past Thessaly was an enormously big lake, which literally split in two after a huge earthquake and emptied its waters into the sea. The result was the formation of two mounts instead of the one that was previously there, with the vale of Tempi in between.

According to a myth, the god Apollo was in love with Daphne, the daughter of Pinios (Peneus). In order to prevent Apollo from catching his daughter, Daphne’s father turned her into a plant (daphne means bay in Greek) that is very common in the area. It was in this same valley –according to the myth- where the Greek god Pan used to chase the dryads and the nymphs.

Information:

• The area includes two mountains: Lower Olympus and northern Kissavos, which are divided by the vale of Tempi.
• Very close to Tempi we find the river Pinios estuary, an area of rich biodiversity and ecological value.
• The place is all green whereas on the site there are various springs that lead to the river.
• Tempi Vale is a migratory bird refuge while aquatic trees growing from inside the river, plane forests and rare flowers on the rocks compose an idyllic landscape.
  

Infrastructure:

• There is not much infrastructure in the area regarding accommodation. The visitor can find a few small guesthouses and hotels in Rapsani and Ampelakia.
• In almost all villages visitors can find taverns to eat.
• Highway E75 passes through Tempi.
• Rapsani station is the railway link of the area.
  

The area of Tempi offers:

Suggestions:

• Visit Agia Paraskevi (Saint Paraskevi) and see the church within the rock and the holy water springing from the cave.
• Go down Pinios river on one of the special Greek riverboats, departing from Agia Paraskevi.
• Visit ‘dristella’ or ‘nerotrivi’, water from nearby springs creating a whirlpool, where housewives wash woolen bedclothes and covers even today.
• Drink wine from Rapsani vineyard, a deep rubi-colored wine with a soft taste that is the combination of three native grape varieties (Xinomavro, Stavroto and Krasato).
• Ride a 4X4 vehicle to visit the stone country church of Agioi Theodoroi just outside Rapsani, in a forest of centenarian oaks.
• Visit Georgios Schwarz mansion in Ampelakia.
• Taste delicious lambchops in a tavern on the square of Ampelakia.
• Walk through the traditional village of Krania and admire the view of the river Pinios estuary, Kissavos and the endless coast.
• Contact one of the alternative tourism companies of the area and go rafting on Pinios waves on the descent Vernezi, or canoe on the calm waters of the Pinios estuary.