Visit Mani’s famous tower houses (Kapetanakis, Dourakis and Kitriniaris towers), the Zarnata Castle, the Forest of Vassiliki and the gorges of Viros and Rintomo or just drive to Kalamata, Pylos, Olympia and Nafplio – Poliana Estate is ideal for daily excursions.
OITILO, CAVE OF DIROS, VATHEIA
We head for Aposkeri or Mesa (Inner) Mani, passing by the villages Thalames, Lagada and Agios Nikon, and stopping first at Oitilo, the bay mentioned by Jules Verne in the “Pirates of the Aegean”. Right across are situated the castles ofKelefas and Passava and at the end of the road, the bay of Limeni. We pass by Karavostassi, the new Oitilo and the fishing village Limeni and ascend to Aeropolis – the heart of Mani, with its towers, churches and pre-revolutionary buildings. We proceed south to the Diros Tower, with a stop at Sklavounakos tower in the Petrolakos settlement. 4km from the Tower we meet the Cave of Diros and the nearby Neolithic museum housing findings from the Alepotrypa cave. We cross Kyparissos, ancient Kainipoli with the three early Christian basilicas of the 5th and 6th centuries,Vatheia with the restored settlement and the grand Towers, and with a stop at the picturesque Porto Kayo, we end up at Tainaro – the southernmost point of continental Europe.
KALAMATA, ANCIENT MESSENE
We start heading northwest towards Kalamata, with a stop at the picturesque village Kampos. We arrive in the capital of Messinia – with the coastline reminiscent of the Côte d’Azur, beautiful squares and corners full of life in the historic center – a city that lives in holiday rhythms throughout the year. We visit the Mpenakeio Archeological Museum, theHistorical and Folkloric Museum and the Byzantine temple of the Visitation of the Saviour and continue northwest. We pass by Messini, on the bank of the Pamisos river and with a detour at the Castle of Androusa, we reach Ithomi. Therein lies the Ancient Messene, the best preserved Hellenistic city in the country and one of the greatest cities of antiquity in terms of size and form. Last stop, a short distance later, the preserved old monastery and the new monastery of Voulkano – between Mount Ithomi and the lower hill of Agios Vassilis, below the saddle of the two mountains.
KORONI, METHONI, PYLOS
We start heading northwest, passing Kalamata, towards the South West Messinia. Our first stop is Koroni, the scenic coastal town built amphitheatrically on a low hill, holding the imposing Venetian fortress and the monastery of Zoodochos Pigi (Life Giving Source) on the top. We continue west, passing through the picturesque fishing village ofFoinikounta, and we arrive at Methoni – one of the largest and most impressive castles in the Mediterranean. We continue north to Pylos with its exotic beaches, the vineyards and olive groves stretching to the sea, the nearby natural treasures islands and the emblematic castle towns. We visit Niokastro, Paleokastro and the so-called Cave of Nestor, mentioned by Pausanias. Within a radius of a few kilometers lies Voidokoilia beach – which was included by the Sunday Times within the 20 best beaches in the world! – right next to the Gialova lagoon – one of the most important wetlands in the Balkans.
KYPARISSIA, ZACHARO, LAKE KAIAFAS, ANCIENT OLYMPIA
We start heading northwest, passing Kalamata, towards the North West Messinia. First stop the amphitheatrically builtKyparissia, 70km from Kalamata, with the preserved settlement of the old or Upper Town, the Frankish Castle on the top of mountain Psychro (Cold) and the narrow cobblestone streets. 30 km north in the prefecture of Ilia, there isZacharo and Kaiafas Springs, a unique ecosystem with hot springs, the Lake, the pine forest and sand-dunes leading to the deep blue waters, spangled with sea-lilies and low plant. A short distance southeast lies the Neda gorge and theAncient Figalia, while25 km from Zacharo, we reach the Ancient Olympia – the most famous Greek landmark after the Acropolis, (hyperlink: Historical Top Ten). Finally, at the adjacent village Kalidona, excavations unearthed three tombs, one of which allegedly belongs to the Homeric King Nestor.
NAFPLIO, EPIDAURUS, MYCENAE
We drive towards Laconian Mani, via Sparta, heading to Nafplio. First stop, the first capital of the Greek state, with the captivating old town, the neoclassical mansions, the cobbled Syntagma square, and Mpourtzi – the Venetian small fortress standing on the rocky islet in the middle of the harbour – the city’s landmark. Nafplio is guarded by two more castles, Palamidi (built on a huge gray rock above the city) and Akronafplia (at the foot of Palamidi hill). We continue to Epidaurus and half an hour later we arrive at the ancient theater and the Asclepion – the brightest healing center of the ancient world. A worthwhile detour – 22km. after Nafplio – leads us to Mycenae ‘Rich in Gold’ – the imposing ruins of the kingdom of mythical Agamemnon (hyperlink: Historical Top Ten).