7429 Greece 2020 Peloponnese.qxp 23/11/2019 14:51 Page 98 Greece | Mainland | Peloponnese 98 | Sunvil 020 8758 4758 www.sunvil.co.uk 7429 Greece 2020 Peloponnese.qxp 23/11/2019 14:51 Page 99 Greece | Mainland | Peloponnese Delphi Patras Loutraki ATheNS Peloponnese Corinth Olympia Mycenae Epidavros The Peloponnese was named by Lonely Planet in Nafplion Tolon 2016 as the ‘the best place to visit in Europe’ with Tripolis good reason because, whatever your interests, the Mystras Sparta vKalamata Peloponnese offers huge scope for a holiday. You Pylos Chrani Kardamili Methoni Stoupa Gythion cannot do more than scratch the surface of this vast Finikounda Aghios Nikolaos Itilon Monemvasia peninsula on one visit, which is why so many return. Gerolimenas The southernmost part of mainland impressive remains at ancient north is taken over by a harsh, arid, opportunity. A twin-centre holiday Greece, the Peloponnese is Messini – but also has fewer visitors, almost lunar landscape. Here you makes the diversity even more technically an island itself, separated and so its gentle rolling hills, seaside find a traditional, virtually untouched accessible. from the mainland by the Corinth hamlets and uncrowded beaches region known by the haunting title of Canal. Surrounded by exceptionally have retained much of their “deep Mani” that offers spectacular clean, shimmering seas, the heavily traditional qualities. Called “the views to the hiker and those who indented and twisting coast contains Garden of the Peloponnese”, the prefer “off the beaten track”. Peloponnese Information glorious beaches that match those south west remains devoted The peninsula is large and varied Getting to the Peloponnese on any of the islands – and mostly primarily to agriculture and fishing, enough to cater for multiple Saturday flight Gatwick or Manchester to Kalamata for the south and without the accompanying crowds. with tourism having an impact in interests: a quiet, relaxing time by only a few areas, and this primarily Heathrow or Manchester for the Inhabited since pre-history and rich superlative beaches; an exploration north. Then by coach or taxi – see in Mycenean, Classical and Byzantine limited to high season weeks. of the mass of ancient sites that are resort description pages. For flight sites, the Peloponnese is the Otherwise, resort villages like Chrani concentrated in the Peloponnese; details see page 270. We can also birthplace of Greek mythology. The and Finikounda go about their daily Byzantine churches, hidden painted arrange odd durations and tailor business in a friendly, unhurried made holidays via Kalamata or Athens north of the peninsula contains the chapels and Frankish castles; hiking - please enquire. greatest concentration of ancient manner. trails with stunning views; an island Multi-Centre Options sites anywhere in Greece – Corinth, Down the spine of the central rock fortress at Monemvasia, edging Any south Peloponnese resort with Epidavros, Mycenae, Olympia and peninsula of the Mani rises the north- against the sea; even a cave system any other. A week in the north Tyrins, amidst a host of smaller sites south mountain range of Taygetus. It at Dirou that is navigated by means (Tolon or Nafplion) combined with a that seem to be just part of the towers over coastal Kalamata to the of gondola-like craft. week in the south is possible on a tailor made basis with a car. landscape. In the north-east, the west and central Sparti to the east. Similarly you can relax entirely by a excellent beach at Tolon provides Halfway down Mani’s rugged beach and take excursions, or hire a Car & Motorboat hire See pages 268-9 for details. the perfect base from which to western coastline, pretty Kardamili car and really get to grips with the explore these historic glories. and family-friendly Stoupa are ideally rich diversity of the peninsula – there Representatives Based in Chrani, Stoupa and Tolon. The south has fewer sites – notably located for further exploration. just seems so much to see that it Byzantine Mystras and the Gradually, the lush greenery of the feels almost neglectful to miss the 020 8758 4758 www.sunvil.co.uk Greece & Cyprus | 99 7429 Greece 2020 Peloponnese.qxp 23/11/2019 14:51 Page 100 Greece | Mainland | South Peloponnese Our chosen areas lovely Marathi beach which is only accessible Messinia Chrani from the sea. Buses run west to Methoni and Transfer time 45 minutes Pylos and there are a couple of taxis but for Chrani is a quiet seaside hamlet with a long further exploration car hire is recommended. uncrowded beach and memorable views A booklet of walks in the area is available across the gulf to the mountainous Mani locally. For a beach-orientated holiday in opposite. what is still an unspoiled area, Finikounda is hard to beat. Halfway down the inner side of the fertile, rolling Messinian peninsular, it is a good base from which to explore. Medieval Koroni, its Pylos, Gialova & vast fortifications still intact, lies some 12 kms Methoni to the south; whilst to the north a string of seaside villages – the largest being bustling Transfer time 60 minutes (by comparison!) Petalidi 6 kms distant – Pylos is an historic and stylish small town at means there is plenty of variety within a short the top of the Messinian peninsular on its bus or taxi ride. Up to 6 buses daily run western side. It has one of the best natural between Koroni and Kalamata. harbours in Greece – Navarino Bay, site of the Chrani comprises one mini-market, a famous Turkish defeat in 1827. Some 16 kms café/snack bar, a low-key garden bar and half to the north is Homeric Nestor’s Palace, a dozen good tavernas. It has a lovely artifacts from which can be viewed in the shingle/sand beach which stretches for half a impressive new Pylos museum. mile and has three beach-bars towards its The seaside hamlet of Gialova is just 6 kms to northern end. All around are trees, shrubs the north and known for its fine sandy and flowers: it remains green here even in beaches which stretch for some kilometres, high summer. including superb Voidokilia, one of the best There is an adequate bus service between in Greece just a 10-15 minute drive away. Kalamata and Koroni running through Chrani, Homeric Nestor's Palace is close by. but to make the most of the area car hire is a For such a small place Gialova has a wide good idea. Koroni, Finikounda, Methoni and choice of tavernas and a number of quite Pylos are all within an easy drive, as are some smart cafe/beach bars as well as a mini- truly stunning (oft deserted) beaches. market and a bicycle hire shop (bike is a good way to get around as the area is largely Finikounda flat). The whole area is now a nature reserve noted for its bird life and unique species of Transfer time 90 minutes chameleon. Blessed with superb beaches, Finikounda is The neighbouring small town of Methoni at the prettiest seaside village of the Messinian the south western tip is dominated by its peninsula. Being at the southern tip it is also impressive fortress stretching into the sea. the most remote, although busy for the high Evidence of past visitors includes the season period. The three golden, uncrowded remnants of a Venetian cathedral and a beaches here are of coarse sand (with some Turkish bath within the castle walls. fine shingle outcrops) and shelve into a turquoise sea. In season some dozen good tavernas, known for their fresh fish, offer good dining choice and there are a number of small village shops, cafés and bars. Some nightlife there is, especially in peak, but for most of the year the village is low-key and relaxed. A popular boat trip ran last year to Methoni and various off-shore islands, as well as to Al fresco dining, Zoe Hotel, Gialova Chrani Finikounda 100 | Sunvil 020 8758 4758 www.sunvil.co.uk 7429 Greece 2020 Peloponnese.qxp 23/11/2019 14:51 Page 101 Greece | Mainland | South Peloponnese restaurants above the exquisite small harbour Mani Kardamili here are the perfect place from which to Lakonia Transfer time 60 minutes watch the boats come and go. Pantazi beach Designated as a village of special beauty, is a 15 minute walk to the south, its wide Monemvasia Kardamili is in the upper (outer) part of the stretch of sand/shingle shaded by trees. 3 hours drive from Kalamata central Mani peninsula. It is an upmarket little The vast fortified rock of Monemvasia, with place of great appeal to writers, artists, Deep Mani & sea to three sides and reached only by a walkers and nature-lovers. narrow causeway, is one of the major With the peaks of the Taygetos range Gerolimenas attractions of the Greek mainland. Sometimes behind and a sparkling blue sea to the front, 2-2½ hours drive from Kalamata called 'the Gibraltar of the East' (for obvious Kardamili occupies a privileged spot on this An hour's drive south from Stoupa and reasons), this remarkably preserved medieval spectacular stretch of coastline. Either side of Aghios Nikolaos and you are in deep (inner) town should not be missed. the road through the village (which can be Mani. Here the landscape changes from lush Monemvasia is about a third of the way busy in August) Kardamili has some seven or and fertile to arid and lunar. The change is down the east coast of third 'finger' of the eight good restaurants, several bars/cafés, dramatic - almost as though a border has Peloponnese. Founded in the 6th century the and a number of small shops. It has its share been crossed - but the landscape has a town was the commercial port of Byzantine of tower houses, now deserted – just walk mesmerising beauty.