Kardamili lies approximately at the center of Outer or Messinian Mani. Here the architecture is striking, with tall, narrow houses, sturdy structures with thick walls and few windows built of local, pastel-colored stone and tiles or grey slate. The landscape matches the buildings for grandeur: forever dominating the eastern skyline is the massive, rocky ridge of Taygetus (2407 meters), snow-capped until late April. Its higher foothills, deprived of water by underground channels and caves in the porous limestone, are dry and lunar in appearance. But towards the coast, the rivers re-emerge to feed fields of crops and olive groves.
In spring buds offset the brown and white of the higher ground to dramatic effect. Olives and olive oil, packed in Kalamata (the county capital), are the biggest and proudest export of the region, with local honey and figs also boosting the economy. Some unusual cheeses, such as the creamy "sfela," are the fruit of the huge goat population, while further south farmers gather salt.
The magnificent Byzantine fortress of Mystras lies on a sharp, conical hill. Separated into three parts-the Kastro (fortress), upper town and lower town-this historic settlement used to be the Byzantine capital of the Peloponnese, and indeed the last Byzantine civilization.
In spring, the southern Peloponnese turns into a carpet of flowers, with wild iris, orchids and anemone opening the show in March/April; daisies, spurge and valarium complete the scene. In autumn graceful cyclamen, snowdrops and several species of crocuses abound. Wild herbs (oregano, basil, and thyme) scent the hillsides throughout the year.
Much of the land you walk through is cultivated, usually with olive and citrus groves, and the odd banana or palm tree. At higher altitudes (starting just above Anavriti), there are pine and fir forests, with stands of majestic black pine.
Hunting has driven many animals and game birds away from Taygetus, as in the rest of Greece, but you may still see many of the birds, buzzards and occasional goshawks, bee-eaters and kingfishers. Rock Nuthatches are common on the ruins of Mystras. Of the region's huge population of butterflies, the two-tailed pasha is perhaps the most spectacular; and, of the land fauna, various lizards, tortoises and the occasional badger cross your path.
Accommodations are lovely, casual and comfortable with private bathrooms. The food is typically Greek and is incredibly delicious.
Your Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Athens. Arrive in Athens International Airport, where your English speaking Trekking Hellas guide will be waiting for you. There is one major transfer from the airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” to the hotel, which is conveniently located in the heart of Athens. Settle to the hotel. In the evening meet with your guide for a short walking tour of Athens and enjoy dinner in a traditional Greek tavern in the old part of Athens, in Plaka.
Day 2: From Athens travel to Olympia. After breakfast, half day sightseeing tour of Athens. Visit Acropolis, the Parthenon and Panathinaikon Stadium, the stadium where the first Olympic Games were held in 1896. Early in the afternoon, we depart to Olympia (4.5 hours). On our way, we will stop to admire the famous Corinth Canal; a wonder of the world cuts the mainland Greece off from the Peloponnese Peninsula and is one of the 3 waterways on earth only. The Canal cuts the Isthmus of Corinth in a straight line 6.346 m long. Canal width is 24.6 m at sea level and 21.3 m at bottom level. Continue to Olympia settle to our hotel and enjoy dinner. O/N in Olympia.
Day 3: Archaeological site of Olympia and travel to Dimitsana. In the morning, we will meet our professional guide who will walk with us back in time in the archaeological site of Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games. Apart from the archaeological site of Ancient Olympia, we will visit the recently renovated archaeological museum, the Museum of the Olympic Games and the monument of Pierre de Cubertin. After lunch we will drive towards the center of the Peloponnese, in the region of Orini Arcadia. On our way we will make a small deviation to visit the ancient sanctuary of Epikourius Apollo in Vasses (a temple constructed by Iktinus - the architect of the Parthenon himself). Settle to the picturesque stone village of Dimitsana and in our cozy stone guest house. Overnight in Dimitsana.
Day 4: Hike in Loussios Gorge and travel to Kardamlyli. An easy downhill hike offering a beautiful combination of history with nature. We will walk amongst trails of dense vegetation going parallel and criss crossing the Lousios River. We visit monasteries that appear to be literally hanging from the cliffs and end the trek at the archaeological site of Ancient Gortys. This is one of the most stirring of all Greek sites as it is based along the rushing river known in ancient times as the Gortynios. After this hike we will drive to the seaside village of Kardamyli in the Messinian Mani. Overnight Kardamyli.
Day 5: Discover the foothills of Mt. Taygetus. Kardamyli is a picturesque village by the sea under the western majestic slopes of Mt. Taygetus, a mountain with very interesting hiking trails amongst olive groves, Byzantine churches and stone castles houses dating back in time. In the evening we will have time to stroll in the beautiful village and relax in the cafes overlooking the sea. Overnight in Kardamyli.
Day 6: Travel into the deep Mani – olive oil tasting - Cape Tainaro. Today we will enjoy a scenic drive along the Mani peninsula in a route with wonderful views of the sea. We will pass via beautiful villages rich in history, with beautiful Byzantine churches and amazing landscapes of olive groves. We will stop to an olive press, where we learn about the process of olive oil making and do some olive oil tasting. We continue our drive to deep Mani to the fish village of Gerolimenas. In the afternoon we will walk to Cape Tainaro the southernmost area of the continental Europe and admire the sea from the lighthouse. After our trek we return via the settlement of Vathia to our hotel for our overnight.
Day 7: Cape Maizapos – Gythio - Arna. Another beautiful trek in Cape Tigani (saucepan due to the shape of the area) with ruins of the castle that was built by Frankish Guillame de Villeardhuin. Continue to the fish harbor of Gythio and settle to Arna village in the southern foothills of Mount Taugetus.
Day 8: Visit Mystra and the Olive Oil Museum. After our homemade breakfast we will depart to Mystra Byzantine citadel. We will have a lot of time to walk amongst the ruins of the castle that was built initially by the Frankish and prospered during the Byzantine era. Amongst the citadel we can visit many byzzantine churches with well-preserved fresco’s, a monastery where a few nuns still live there, the museum of Mystra, the despots palace and the Frankish castle on the top offering stunning views of the valley of Sparta and Mt. Taygetus. After lunch we will visit the Olive oil museum and depart for our trip back to Athens.
2008 Dates: April 19-26, May 24-31, July 5-12, September 6-13.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
$3,695 per person, shared.
$300 single supplement.
Price Includes:
- 7 nights hotel and guest house accommodations
- 6 guided walking days
- All meals (drinks not included)
- ½ day guided tour of Athens
- Entrance fees on itinerary
- Guide
- Luggage transfers
- Transfers to/from airport
- Tax.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Greece
Walking Tours
Archeology/History
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