City Tour Kalamata Kalamata -Historical center of Kalamata (23rd March square and old town) -Castle of Kalamata -Cathedral ( Ipappanti Church) -Open Market of Kalamata (Agora) -Monastery of St. Konstantinos and Eleni -Main square -Verga area (with panoramic view of the town) -Port of Kalamata Prices 2 adults 50€ (25€ per adult) 5 adults 125€ (25€ per adult) 3 adults 75€ (25€ per adult) 6 to 8 adults 150€ 4 adults 100€ (25€ per adult) If there are kids up to 12yo please inform us 1 Kalamata town The natural beauty of Mes- sinia with the indented shores, sandy beaches, forested mountains and fertile valleys, coexists with significant ar- chaeological monuments. Ka- lamata, the capital and central port of Messinia, is situated at the site of ancient Farai. Fol- lowing independence from the Turks and thanks to the exploi- tation of the fertile Messinian lands (producing olive oil, rai- sins, figs etc), it developed into a wealthy urban centre and a significant port. It is located 238 km SW of Athens. Walking around The point of reference par excellence in the city of Kalamata is the leg- endary “castle of Isabeau” where the renowned International Dance Festival takes place annually. It is amphitheatrically constructed on the site of the Farai acropolis offering a bird’s eye view of the city. Constructed in the 13th century by William Villehardouin, it under- went subsequent additions and conversions by the Venetians and the Turks. Nowadays, it is an ideal open air venue for theatre, music and dance shows. No less beautiful is the exquisite Palia Poli (Old City) at the foot of the Castle. The wider region boasts the Metropolitan Panagia Ipapanti church (1873), the patron saint of Kalamata celebrated on February 2nd, the 12th century Kalograion Monastery with the renowned silk weaving workshop, and the Byzantine church Agioi Apostoloi (13th century) with the brick enclosed masonry. The area is the hotspot for the city’s youth, for it is the beating heart of the nightlife in Kalamata and by no means will it be still! Near-by destinations -The beaches at Verga (8 km E), Mikri Mandineia (10 km SE), Avia (12 km SE) and Kitries (17 km SE), which in recent years have developed into resorts with significant tourist facilities and a vibrant nightlife in the summer. -The small town of Messini (11 km NW) with the Byzantine church of Agios Dimitrios, the prominent Municipal Mansion (1870) and the Τ. Katsoulidis – Museum of Carvings. -The mountain villages on the Western slope of Mt.Taygetos, on the road to the city from Sparta, which is one of the most beautiful roads in Greece. 2 Events -The revival of the impressive “saitopolemos” (dart-war) cus- tom at Easter, on the eve of the Resurrection (Western Beach Kalamata – Old Abattoirs). -Cultural events, theatrical per- formances and concerts at the Castle amphitheatre during summer. -The Carnival events with the traditional “gaitanaki” (may- pole dance) in the city’s central square. -The International Dance Fes- tival in summer (www.kala- matadancefestival.gr). -The International Documentary Festival. -The major carnival in Kalamata on the last Sunday of the Carni- val (Apokries) with the custom- ary happenings culminating in “the hanging of the old lady” on Ash Monday. -The horse racing events at the town of Plati (16 km NW) on Eas- ter Monday. 3 Day Trip Day Ancient Messini Ancient Messini -Tour to Arcaeological Place of Ancient Messini and Museum (about 2,5 hours). Prices 2 adults 130€ (65€ per adult) 5 adults 250€ (50€ per adult) 3 adults 165€ (55€ per adult) 6 το 8 adults 270€ 4 adults 220€ (55€ per adult) If there are kids up to 12yo please inform us We will pick you up from your Hotel and in less than an hour we will be on Ithomi Hill where Ancient Messini located. During our trip we will adjust our trip to your wishes and needs. You will also have the oportunity to enjoy the scenery and learn about the myths, tranditions ans secrets of the area. The remains of this vast ancient city are at least as extensive as those of Olympia and Epidavros, yet Ancient Messini receives only a fraction of their visitors. Picturesquely situated on a hillside below the village of Mavromati and still undergoing excavation, the site comprises a large theatre, an agora, a vast Sanctuary of Asclepius and the most intact and impressive of all ancient Greek stadiums. 4 The first construction you come across is the large amphitheatre, re- constructed for contemporary use. The path leads past the Fountain of Arsinoe building, which supplied the ancient city with water. The exten- sive columned remains next to it are the agora (marketplace) with the treasury in its southwest corner. The Greek general Philopoemen was held prisoner by the Messinians here in 183 BC and dispatched to the other world with poison. Beyond is the Sanctuary of Asclepius, the spiritual centre that lay at the heart of the ancient city, consisting of a rectangular courtyard fringed with Corinthian columns. This extensive complex was centred on a Doric temple that once housed a golden statue of Ithomi. The modern aw- ning west of the temple protects the artemision, where fragments of an enormous statue of Artemis Orthia were found. The structures to the east of the asclepion include the ekklesiasterion, which looks like a small amphitheatre but once acted as an assembly hall. Nearby are the remains of a Roman villa, the steel roof protecting the mosaic remains. Head downhill to the large stadium, which is surrounded by a forest of columns. You can see where the Romans closed off part of the athletics track, turning it into a gladiator arena. On the left-hand side, near the arena, are the VIP seats – the ones with backs and with lion paws for legs.On the right-hand side, near the intact gate of the enormous gym- nasium, are round holes in stone slabs – ingenious Roman public toilets positioned over a now dry stream. After the archeological place we can visit the museum which is very small. After we can make a small stop at the village for a coffee and we can return to your hotel to enjoy your afternoon swim in the sea. 5 Day Trip Day Ancient Olympia -Transfer from kalamata to Archaeological place of Ancient Olympia (about 125km / 1h45min) -Tour in the Archaeological place of Ancient Olympia and museum (about 2 hours) Prices 2 adults 140€ (70€ per adult) 5 adults 275€ (55€ per adult) 3 adults 180€ (60€ per adult) 6 to 8 adults 300€ 4 adults 240€ (60€ per adult) If there are kids up to 12yo please inform us The place where starts the Olympic Games We will start from your hotel and in less than 2 hours we will be in the western Pelloponissos and specifically in Olympia. During our trip you will learn everything about Olympia and the area generaly. The history of its foundation began in 776BC , when three Greek kings, decedes to turn the interest of their soldiers to something else other than wars. But the Olympic ideals of the ancient Greeks, the excellent preparation of the organizers and the massive participation of athletes made these games become the most famous and important event of the ancient world. We will let you at the entrance and let you browse at your convenience, 6 as long as you want. From the first building that you come across, you will be ovelwhelmed by the energy of athletes who once used them. The ancient gymnasium of the Palaestra were the place where the athletes used to practice before the games. Immediatelly after you will find the Workshop of Pheidias, the laboratory in which one of the Seven Wonders of the World , the golden statue of Zeus was created. LEONIDAION, WAS Olympian’s hotel and hosted dis- tinguished guests of the Games from 330BC. The Temples of Zeus and Hera will leave you speechless with the mag- nificence of their architecture. Entering the ancient stadium through the Crypt, you will feel the egony of the athletes who were taking part in the games in front of thousands og spectstors. You will have the opportunity to be photographed at the point where, even today, the lighting of the Olympic flame take place. The museum of Olympia, one of the largest and most important muse- ums of Greece, will make you feel the pulse of these times, the splendor and magic of the Olympic idea. We will wait for you at the exit of the museum and we can visit modern Olympia with the tradition souvenirs shops and restaurants. 7 Day Trip Day Pylos – Methoni Pylos – Methoni -Transfer to Pylos (about 55km/1hour) -Sightseeing in Pylos (Castle and surrounding area) Prices 2 adults 140€ (70€ per adult) 5 adults 275€ (55€ per adult) 3 adults 165€ (55€ per adult) 6 to 8 adults 290€ 4 adults 220€ (55€ per adult) If there are kids up to 12yo please inform us This trip start from your hotel and crossing streets filled with olives and orange trees but also with tranditions , for about an hour , we will reach the hill in front of Pylos. From up there you will be able to see both small and large islands. At the southern end of Sfaktiria island you will be able to admire the ruins of a fortification wall built by the Sartans , in 425BC, durind the Pelopon- nesian war. The picturesque town of Pylos will welcome us soon. We can enjoy our coffee at the town’s main square.