Greece Travel Index Peloponessos
Alternative Travel in Greece
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Alternative Travel in Greece
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Eye On Greece Explores the PeloponessosEye on Greece is a boutique travel agency which specializes in offering the “real” Greece to travellers who are interested in a personalized, nature oriented vacation experience. Anna and Kelly who both live in Athens and have traveled all over the islands and mainland created Eye on Greece because they want to share their knowledge and passion for Greece. With over 20 years of experience in the airline, travel, event management, logistics of meetings and corporate fields they have the expertise to plan the perfect vacation for the most demanding traveller. "Our holidays are designed to present the Greek way of life to our guests by exploring Greece’s nature, history, architecture, mythology, customs and traditions, while, at the same time, supporting the local communities we visit. During an Eye on Greece tour, our guests will explore Greece’s most famous and beautiful destinations as well as the “hidden areas” which are never mentioned in travel guides and only known by local Greeks. Our licensed tour guides will escort you as we follow the ancient paths once walked by Hercules, Socrates, Aristotle and Agamemnon. Visit the temples where ancient Greeks worshiped the Olympian gods. Walk the fertile soils of the Nemean and the Mesogia regions which have nurtured Greek vineyards for over 6500 years. Discover the ancient techniques of wine making still used today by organic wineries. Interact with local people and learn about their customs, local goods and everyday life by visiting their storybook villages. Our recommendations do not end here. The team at Eye on Greece is comprised of experienced Travel Specialists working with passion and commitment to provide “peace of mind" holidays to you. All our tours are carefully designed to deliver enjoyable, hands on, and uniquely personalized travel experiences. From traditional inns and boutique hotels that you'll discover, to the delicacies you'll indulge in, and sights you've never imagined, our vacations will leave you with an experience of Greece that will be truly one of a kind. The itineraries and activities offered on our site can be customized to meet your every desire. We encourage you to take a look at our tours and to contact us so we can plan the perfect holiday for you. We look forward to meeting you in Greece!" Anna & Kelly (You can click on all these photos to see them full size) |
The Peloponessos Tours |
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Enchanting Mani1st day: Sparta & Olive Museum We will meet as a group and depart for southern Peloponnese early in the morning. Our first stop will be at the Corinth Canal for coffee and photographs. After lunch we will visit the Olive Museum in Sparta. Here we will learn about the cultivation of the olive tree, the harvesting of the olives and the technology developments in the oil-mills in Greece from prehistoric times to the middle of the 20th century. We will continue our drive to Areopolis in Mani. Areopolis is of great historic importance to Greece as it was here that the War of Independence against the Turks began on March 17, 1821. Areopolis is every photographer’s dream and we will have ample opportunity to walk the narrow cobblestone streets and explore the old section of the town, which is where our restored traditional hotel is located. 2nd day: Areopolis and the cave of Pirgos Dirou Our day will begin with a visit to the “Tales of Religious Faith in Mani” museum in Areopolis, located in the restored Pikoulakis Tower. We will later descend towards the caves of Pirgos Dirou, one of the most enchanting caves in the world! Beneath the austere landscape of Mani, with the utmost patience and artistry, nature has fashioned a wonder beyond imagination. Decorated with brilliant white stalactites and stalagmites and impressive glittering crystal drapes it creates a breathtaking spectacle. We will visit the Diros Neolithic Museum where objects dated 4800-3200 BC are exhibited. A picnic lunch awaits us on the beach. We will return to Areopolis for a quiet evening. 3rd day: Mystras Check out – We will drive to Neos Mystras where we will follow a quiet path with panoramic views up to the Byzantine fortress of Mystras, located at the foot of Mt Taygetos overlooking the modern city of Sparta. We will walk through the narrow cobblestone streets and visit some of the most legendary churches and monasteries of Mystras, famous for their Byzantine architecture and 13th – 15th century frescoes. We will exit by the upper city gate and return to the modern village of Neos Mystras to end our tour with a delicious lunch. Return to Athens. Dates: Price per person: €859.00 Our prices include transportation, experienced guide, entrances into museums and archaeological sites, one meal per day including local wine or beer and double room occupancy with breakfast. Prices do not include air fare to and from Greece and tips. |
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Captivating Peloponnese |
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1st day: Sparta & Olive Museum We will meet as a group and depart for southern Peloponnese early in the morning. Our first stop will be at the Corinth Canal for coffee and photographs. Upon arrival in Sparta we will visit the remains of the Acropolis of Ancient Sparta. We will see traces of the ancient Roman Agora, the theatre and the temple of Athena Chalkionos. After lunch we will visit the Olive Museum in Sparta. Here we will learn about the cultivation of the olive tree, the harvesting of the olives and the technology developments in the oil-mills in Greece from prehistoric times to the middle of the 20th century. We will continue our drive to Areopolis in Mani. Areopolis is of great historic importance to Greece as it was here that the War of Independence against the Turks began on March 17, 1821. Areopolis is every photographer’s dream and we will have ample opportunity to walk the narrow cobblestone streets and explore the old section of the town where our restored traditional hotel is located. 2nd day: Areopolis and the caves of Pirgos Dirou Our day will begin with a visit to the “Tales of Religious Faith in Mani” museum in Areopolis, located in the restored Pikoulakis Tower. We will later descend towards the caves of Pirgos Dirou, one of the most enchanting caves in the world! Beneath the austere landscape of Mani, with the utmost patience and artistry, nature has fashioned a wonder beyond imagination. Decorated with brilliant white stalactites and stalagmites and impressive glittering crystal drapes it creates a breathtaking spectacle. A picnic lunch awaits us on the beach. We will return to Areopolis for a quiet evening. Optional: After lunch we may choose to return to Areopolis on foot via the settlement of Xepapadianika and the old stone bridge. This takes about 1.5 hrs and brings us out in the main square. 3rd day: The old stone pathways of Exo Mani: from Kardamili to Proastio Today’s walk begins at the 18C settlement of Old Kardamili, then passes below the Acropolis of the Mycenean period city. From the 1st century BC to the 2nd century AD Kardamili was Sparta’s main port. As we exit the village of Agia Sofia with its tiny church, we will follow an old path to the next hilltop, Petrovouni, which leads to the monastery of Agios Georgios and the village of Proastio. According to a 1479 survey, Proastio was one of the oldest and most important settlements in northwestern Mani. After lunch we will continue our walk from the village of Proastio down to the sea at Kalamitsi and along the coast back to the main street of Kardamili. 4th day: Vathia and Tenaro; the End of the Known World and the Entrance to Hades We will drive south and begin with a short walk around the picturesque hilltop village of Vathia famous for its cluster of imposing towers. We will begin our longer walk close to the village of Mianes and follow the ridge down to the lighthouse of Cape Tenaro. Tenaro is the southernmost point of mainland Greece where ancient Greeks believed the entrance into Hades was located. We will return from the lighthouse along the lower path, close to the shore of the Lakonian Gulf. Along the trail we will see the remains of the ancient settlement including a mosaic from the Roman period and the ruins of the temple of Poseidon. We will end our walk with a relaxing lunch in the village of Kokkinogia. 5th day: Neo Itylo, Kelefa and Spiliotissa Monastery We will begin our day with a walk from the beach of Neo Itylo (known locally as Tsipa) and from here we will climb to the impressive ruins of Kelefa Castle. Built in 1670 by the Turks, the castle gave them a commanding view of Oitylo while dominating the harbour below. We will walk along the scenic track leading to the isolated monastery of Spiliotissa, with a late 15C church built into a rock over-looking a steep gorge. We will retrace our steps a short distance to end our walk at the village of Germa. We will have lunch at Gytheio. 6th day: Tigani peninsula and Gerolimenas Today’s walk will begin close to Mezapos, a quiet seaside village which was a thriving port from antiquity until the 1950s when the road along the peninsula was constructed. We will pass the small family settlement of Vlacherna and head towards the promontory of Agia Kyriaki where we will enjoy the panoramic view of the entire area. From here we will descend towards the Tigani Peninsula and walk along the “handle” past the salt pans which were used for the production of salt. The path leads up to the promontory and the remains of the Frankish castle believed to be the great Castle Maini after which the Mani peninsula takes its name. Here we will explore the scattered ruins of an enormous 5-6C basilica, one of the largest and earliest in Mani, and seat of the bishop of Mani in the ninth century. We will retrace our steps back to Agia Kyriaki to follow the road up to the village of Stavri. Our walk will end with a delicious lunch in Gerolimenas. 7th day: Mystras Check out – We will drive to Neos Mystras where we will follow a quiet path with panoramic views up to the Byzantine fortress of Mystras, located at the foot of Mt Taygetos overlooking the modern city of Sparta. We will walk through the narrow cobblestone streets and visit some of the most legendary churches and monasteries of Mystras, famous for their Byzantine architecture and 13th – 15th century frescoes. We will exit by the upper city gate and return to the modern village of Neos Mystras to end our tour with a delicious lunch. Return to Athens. Dates: Price per person: €1,999.00 Our prices include transportation, experienced guide, entrances into museums and archaeological sites, one meal per day including local wine or beer and double room occupancy with breakfast. Prices do not include air fare to and from Greece and tips. Book until 1/4/2010 and save 5%! For booking or more information please use this form Accommodation Eye on Greece has chosen the best Greek boutique hotels and traditional inns offering superb luxurious comfort with intimate style of services. |
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