Viotia is a meat lovers' paradise, particularly when it comes to grilled meat and on the spit. This includes all the Greek favourites such as Paidakia (lamb cutlets), Kokoretsi (lamb intestine wrapped with offal, grilled on a horizontal skewer), Kontosouvli (big pieces of pork grilled on the skewer) and various Sausages. You may also come across a variation of Kokoretsi called Gardoubakia which is roasted in the oven. The meaty cuisine of Viotia also features more western recipes that have found their way in the last century or two to local tables, such as Coq au Vin and Fricasee. You might want to try the Rabbit Stifado, boiled goat and lamb Kleftiko as well.

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Winter sees more hearty dishes as vegetable soups, bean soups and the like, while fish features highly in coastal regions. Try the fresh fish in the tavernas by the sea such as Alyki, Agios Nikolaos, Ai Yiannis and Saranti. Overall, the villages of Thisvi offer many traditional dishes to sample.

Vegetarians will revel in the local herb pies, cheese pies and pastries, as well as tiganopsomo (fried kind of bread/pie). Local cheeses are heavenly, especially the light formaela of Arahova, as well as others called shanotiri and opsimotiri. The latter is made with sheep's yoghurt that's been aged with salt for three days. Olive oil, local wine and the anis-based raki drink are also on offer. The wines coming from the Askri vineyards are excellent, while Distomo is particularly known for its excellent raki.

Try Kalderimi Taverna in Arahova for traditional Greek recipes, country pies, local meats and good wine. Oddly, this traditional restaurant is actually located under the telephone exchange building (OTE), some 30 meters below ground.

Another good traditional tavern is Arhontiko in Kiriaki with many local specialties including mouthwatering appetizers, salads and hot dishes made with local products (+30 22670 51900).

O Zachos restaurant in Livadi in a beautiful stone building and complete with a fireplace offers a specialty of deer cooked with prunes (+30 22670 32159).

Head to the small Tsokanis Farm in Melisochori (+30 22620 98825) to sample some of the more authentic products of the area. In Distomo visit the traditional bakery of Christina Baba for some real baked delights. While passing through the old town of Thiva you can stop by the Thiva Women's Cooperative (+30 22620 80433) and visit the workshop to sample and buy local products. In Aliartos the workshop of Evaggelia Antoniou (+30 22680 23308) has a showroom with local products that you can also sample.

This mountainous area offers numerous possibilities for mountain climbing. You can head directly to the refuge for mountain climbers at Gerondovraho at an altitude of 1,900 meters.

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About 50 different climbing routes between the 4th degree of difficulty to the 10 degree, up to a height of 70 meters, can be found in Krya in Livadeia. Zemeno on Parnassos also offers climbing routes some 10 kilometres away from the town reached by a dirt road, with climbs that are as high as 400 meters. There is also a climbing area in Antikyra at Konstantina, with several different routes available.

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The most common destination for Athenians and closest to Athens, Mount Parnassos offers two independent ski centres at Fterolakka and Kellaria. It is only a two-hour drive from Athens, which is why it can get very busy during the peak season.

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The resorts are ideal for both advanced skiers and beginners, with 23 ski runs and courses almost 25 kilometres in length. There are 13 of the 16 downhill ski runs designated blue for beginners, ranging between 600 meters and 4,000 meters long. The three remaining ones are black and for professionals. Overall there are 13 ski lifts in the area, as well as skiing and snowboarding schools, shops, etc.

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Weaving is an integral part of Viotia's customs. The Astradenis Weaving Workshop in Lafistio (+30 693 7111081), which processes farm products, has a weaving showroom and is open to the public.

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Another traditional weaving workshop of Katina Panagakou can be found in Arahova (+30 22670 31743). It also processes farm products and is open to the public. Enquire about the training courses they have as well.

There are windsurfing opportunities on many beaches of the Gulf of Corinth, such as Agios Nikolaos, Alyki, Antikyra and Sarandi.

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Viotia or Boeotia as it is known in classical literature has a wealth of sites that aren't well known by visitors, perhaps because they are not as intact as other more important sites in the country. Boeotia of today and yesterday is home to Thebes, made famous by the Theban plays, as well as other less known sites such as Orhomenos, Gla and Thisvi, among many others.

Viotia is mountainous, wild and sparsely populated compared to the rest of the country. Nature, therefore, is everywhere.

Even Livadia, the capital of Viotia, has its fair share of natural attractions. The Erkyna river crosses through the small city and gives it much character, dotted with historical buildings, stone benches and old bridges. The area called Krya is attractive nature-wise and represents the exit of the gorge. It features the springs of Lithi and Mnemosene (Forgetfulness and Memory). Seek out the stone theatre and the Bridge of Trihino.

Near Davlia in Mavroneri there are the springs of Agios Ioannis, designated a natural area by the Centre of Biotopes and Wetlands. Near the camping site of Lapathia there are fir-laden forests and a robust ecosystem with rare fauna and flora.

Apart from the hikes around Mount Elikonas and Parnassos, other natural places to marvel at are the olive groves and vineyards of Xironomi not far from Thisvi, between Elikonas and the Corinthian Gulf. Near Xironomi lies the area of Donakes where Narcissus saw a reflection of himself in the spring of the nymph.

On the way to the picturesque mountainous village of Agia Triada with is fir trees, in Agios Taxiarchis Pontzas, there is a nature filled area with crystal water worth visiting. The many small lakes around the area take shape due to the abundant waters in winter. Visit the forest of Koronia for long walks, springs and recreational areas.

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Another area full of fir trees lies in Arvanitsa between Agia Ana and Kyriaki, located right between the two highest peaks of mount Elikonas. Also interesting is the dried-up stream and resulting gully of Aimon.