Tour of the Peloponnese

After breakfast, we’ll start our day with a brief tour of the Achaean capital, taking in the city’s main landmarks, such as King George I Square, Meizonos Street and Riga Fereou Street, the restored lighthouse, and finally the impressive church dedicated to the city’s patron saint, Saint Andrew. The church was grandly inaugurated on September 26, 1974, featuring one large dome and 12 smaller ones symbolizing Christ and the 12 Apostles, with a capacity estimated at 7,500 people. We set off for the “Valley of the Gods,” as the area of Ancient Olympia has been called. One of the world’s most important archaeological sites, it attracts thousands of visitors every year. It is located in the beautiful valley of the Alpheus River, where the most renowned sanctuary of ancient Greece flourished, dedicated to the father of the gods, Zeus. In addition to the Sanctuary of Zeus—with its temples and buildings directly associated with worship—the archaeological site includes various structures built around it, such as athletic facilities used for the preparation and staging of the Olympic Games, auxiliary buildings—both utilitarian and administrative—as well as structures of a secular nature.

The transitions continue; leaving behind the “ancient spirit, the immortal,” we head to the vibrant, youthful city of Kalamata. The capital of the prefecture of Messenia, built at the foot of Mount Kalathi (on the outskirts of Taygetos) and in the heart of the Messenian Gulf. In the city known as “Pharae” according to Homer, and also as “Marseille of the Morea”—as Kalamata was described in the late 19th century—we’ll have the opportunity to visit the Cathedral of the Presentation of Christ, the Archaeological Museum, the Municipal Railway Park, and the Church of the Holy Apostles—a site of particular historical significance, as it was there, on March 23, 1821, that the thanksgiving service for the liberation of Kalamata was held. With some time to spare, we head to Sparta, the “city of heroes.” Neoclassical buildings, boulevards, squares, pedestrian walkways, and green spaces, museums, and archaeological sites adorn Sparta, giving visitors a sense of simplicity and delight. We check in at our hotel [www.maniatishotel.gr], located in the city center, and after lunch, we’ll take a stroll through the city.

We’re enjoying our breakfast and are ready to leave. We’ll be heading to a true wonder of nature: the Diros Caves. The Vlychada Cave (one of three caves in total— the other two being Alepotrypa and Katafygi) is one of the world’s most remarkable caves, estimated to be 2 to 3 million years old! Beneath the austere landscape of Mani, nature—with unparalleled artistry and patience—has carved a wonder beyond imagination… snow-white stalactites and stalagmites, sparkling crystals adorn every corner, creating an unparalleled spectacle! Our next stop is Areopolis, the historic capital of Inner Mani. A well-preserved settlement with tower houses, a large square featuring the statue of Petrompeis Mavromichalis, and the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Holy Archangels, which dominates the historic March 17 Square." and as we stroll around, we’ll have time for coffee and to sample a “thick” Mani-style pie, Lalangia, and Sarafiolia!

We’re saving the best for last—a “Mani-style” experience—and we’ll visit the beautiful port town of Gythio. In the “Land of the Gods,” as Pausanias called it, we’ll have time for a stroll along the waterfront, the obligatory coffee break, and then head back to Sparta for our final stop of the day: the castle town of Mystras! It literally “lurks” nearby—it’s very close, almost right next to Sparta—and transports us back to the Byzantine Empire… Stone-paved alleys lined with fortresses, churches, monasteries, palaces, and mansions take us on a journey into the past. A stroll through its stone-paved alleys is a journey through history that we’ll never forget. A visit to the Cathedral dedicated to Saint Demetrius is a must; it was here that Constantine Palaiologos was crowned emperor, the only emperor to be crowned outside of Constantinople. Arrival at the hotel.

A hearty breakfast to recharge our energy, and then we set off for the enchanting Byzantine castle town in the southeastern Peloponnese. How can one describe Monemvasia, Ritsos’s “stone ship”!!—the birthplace of the great poet. We’ll become the protagonists of a medieval fairy tale with stone-built houses, Byzantine churches, and beautiful Venetian mansions! In Monemvasia, also known as the “Gibraltar of Greece,” you don’t even need a map! Follow the cobblestone streets and let yourself be swept away by the magic of the history of a settlement that once “hosted” all the emperors of Byzantium! With Ritsos’s house, the Church of the Coming Christ, the Church of Chrysafitissa, and the Archaeological Museum as landmarks, strolls through the castle’s narrow streets are steeped in the colors of the region’s heroic past. Free time. We leave the dreamlike castle town behind and head for the beautiful city of Nafplio. A stately city with a rich history that you simply cannot help but love. A beautiful setting that captivates me no matter how many times I see it. We’ll tour the most important sights, such as Syntagma Square, the Church of Saint Spyridon (where Ioannis Kapodistrias was assassinated), the Church of St. George (with important icons and frescoes, such as the copy of da Vinci’s “The Last Supper”), Three Admirals Square with City Hall, the Government House (or “Palataki”), as well as Philellinon Square. We recommend, as an optional activity, a ride on the tourist train that operates in Nafplio; it’s a unique way to tour the city and a fun experience for visitors of all ages. It departs from the city’s port and is especially popular with children, but it’s also a great option for adults, since in just half an hour you can see the city in a unique way. The tour is over!! We’ll have time to explore the main pedestrian street of Vasileos Konstantinou with its countless shops, Staikopoulou Street with its many little taverns, and Psaromachala, the oldest neighborhood, inhabited since the early 13th century. A friendly tip!! Look for “The Italian” [Antica Gelateria di Roma], which offers handmade Italian gelato and sorbet in various fruit flavors, or try “Mouhalébi” and a traditional cream dessert from the “Retro” dairy. Transfer to Tolo and check-in at our hotel.

We’ll enjoy a nice breakfast at the hotel and then head out for a cruise! You can spend your time in Tolo or join us on an optional excursion—a cruise to the two beautiful islands of the Saronic Gulf. Our first stop is cosmopolitan Hydra, the island with a rich maritime tradition and superbly preserved architecture. We’ll visit the Tombazis Mansion [now a branch of the School of Fine Arts], the historic home of Lazaros Kountouriotis, which has served as the National Historical Museum since 2001, the Cathedral (17th century) with its marble bell tower, as well as the Hydra Historical Archive-Museum, which impresses visitors with a unique exhibit, the silver urn containing the embalmed heart of Admiral Andreas Miaoulis. Free time to wander through the village’s narrow streets and enjoy a coffee at the picturesque harbor. Next stop: Spetses, another important naval power during the War of Independence of 1821. We’ll visit the house-museum of Bouboulina, the home of the island’s first governor, Hatzigiannis Mexis, Dapia, the old fort-harbor with its heavy cannons and exquisite mosaics made of round pebbles, while a little further on, the iconic Poseidonio building—with its classical architecture—stands imposingly on the waterfront, a landmark of Spetses. If you’d like, you can take a tour of this beautiful island in a horse-drawn carriage. Late in the afternoon, we return to the hotel for dinner and some free time to wander through the narrow streets of the area.