Our "Big, Fat, Greek Holiday". Travel in the Peloponnese, Greece

 

Interrupted the count down to just over briefcase from the start, originally scheduled for July 22, we managed to move the ferry reservation for today ... The cause? A sudden flu attack, definitely out of season, which hit the small, so after a week of nightmare, spent between outpatient clinics and pharmacies, luckily everything is over and now we are ready and even eager to enjoy our summer holiday sacrosanct.
In the morning, calmly and with Frederick again fit and radiant for the imminent departure, we end to fix the baggage ... Apparently there are many, and I give some thought, but I can load them all in the rear of the car and roof racks at 11.30 we are all on board, about to face this new adventure.
Ten minutes from the start to take the highway south Forlì direct the traffic is intense, although it is a working day, but row away smooth and after about an hour's journey we are in Pesaro. Continuing down a little later, to 12:45, we stop for a snack in a Autogrill near Fano.
Right time to eat our cold pasta and a few minutes after 13:00 we were again on the street, to go out, half an hour later, in the direction of Ancona ... Marches of the capital reach the port from which c'imbarcheremo for Greece and Patras, the goal is, in fact, visit the Peloponnese, the southernmost of the Greek mainland, which lacked the carnet of our travel experiences and, long, was on the list of possible destinations. There has always intrigued that strip of land Extending an open hand toward the center of the Mediterranean and now here we are, ready to explore and grasp the historical and natural that, potentially, it seems we can offer.
The huge ship, "Olympic Champion", the Greek company that Anek trasborderà, crossing the Adriatic Sea and Ionian first then, is already at anchor in the port of Ancona and when we come before him we are in a park adjacent square in which the relentless sun beats the heat, in this day of late July, is hellish and the thermometer marks thirty-six more!
By Frederick I go to check-in and then go back to Sabrina that heroic, had remained in the car to expect ... Waiting for boarding fortunately is short and round we go up to 15.00 already sull'imbarcazione where, parked half in the lower decks, we allocate for the night our ordinary internal triple.
Returned to fresh air we placed on the bow on the edges of the pool and the small company I give you a cooling bath, then, almost on time, shortly after 16:00, the large ferry mooring and spring off from the shore ...
Just taken off, with a foreign accent, I feel called to the microphone and you want to réception ... With care I go to the place, but I think I know what could be the reason ... In fact I expect to find Dimitri, a greek man, inhabitant of Sparta, known for working long ago that I learned recently, is to return home on our own ship ... Coming to his knowledge of the trip we are going to take its shares now being prodigal in all ways, to be hospitable to begin with and decided to make us change our anonymous inside cabin with an outdoor sea view ... I continue to say, as in recent days, that should not worry, but he insists gentilissimo and says that we must go to his house and we will organize the whole vacation ... Who will live will see! ... Meanwhile, with his partner Petro is going to sleep in the suite, and we come back next to the pool to enjoy the afternoon with Richard, for all the time, constantly soaked.
Sabrina later retired in the cabin for a nap, while all the little rest on the bridge until 19:30, with the sun quickly descends towards the horizon line.
For dinner, just to get in the climate, eat "GIROS-pita, and then we meet Dimitri and after a long chat about our programs, tired, we go to sleep, just move the clock on time greek ( an hour later), and in short is ...

Has slept well in the conditioning of the cabin ... We stopped at Igoumenitsa in northern Greece, and virtually none are noticed: I open the eyes that have already past 10:00 and we leave the nest almost an hour later.
The ship slipped away on the waters of the Ionian Sea completely flat, while s'intravedono the Greek coast to the east: in fact recognize the island of Lefkada, although the thick haze will confuse the Mediterranean severe profile ... A little later, on the opposite side of the route, it is also Ithaca, the legendary island of Odysseus and a prelude to the Gulf of Patras to which we are consigned browsing.
To 14:00 o'clock, in perfect time (more Swiss greek!) Berths at the quay of the port of Patras: Dimitri salute, which I think will soon meet again, and fell from the vessel begin our adventure through the streets of the Peloponnese.
Let's go to the south, along the E55, which is always far from the coast: in fact the path is pretty boring and some folkloric and colorful stands that sell pumpkins of all shapes and sizes and watermelons, some liven 'the situation.
A Pirgos turn even more toward the inside around 16:00 pm and arrive in Olympia, mythical place that stuzzica fantasy and significant first step of our journey.
Find accommodation within walking distance of the center in the Spartan (by way of saying) Pension Leonideos: bring in the luggage room and immediately descend to dedicate to the visit of ancient Olympia, or rather, what it is ... His story is universally known in this place were held at the Olympic Games since 776 BC and were well-played 291 editions. All participating cities dell'Ellade and in the period of their course (four years) will suspend the war and even was offered a special pass to all participants ... But the sporting ideal, the "Spirit of Olympia", introduced in the modern Olympic Games by Baron Pierre de Coubertin, where "the important thing is not to win but to participate" in those days was quite another Homeric verse and "Be the best and superior to others' is a full model of the old athlete, who does not coincide with our vision of sport: on the one hand was the winner, bright and unique as a god, of all the losers without second or third places to reward.
Today, the ruins at Olympia is one of the most visited archaeological sites of Greece and this not because of the spectacular nature of the remains, but especially for the historical value of the site.
We start the visit dall'attiguo museum that collects the most significant finds from the site, in particular stupendi pediments of the Temple of Zeus and the marble statue known as the Hermes of Praxiteles, but also many other pieces that make the idea of ' ancient splendor of the place.
Leave the air conditioning of the museum back to the sweltering heat outside and the soundtrack that probably will be with us throughout the trip: the incessant chirp of cicadas.
While some odious incupiscono slightly clouds the sky c'immergiamo between the mythical stones of Olympia: unfortunately there is not much left ... but you have to use some 'imagination, then the gym, the Laboratory of Phidias, the temples of Hera and Zeus, the Stadium (with still imprinted on the ground the line of departure) and the entire site, as if by magic, come to life and seems to see the athletes, between shouts of encouragement, compete in the most famous games in the world.
Clouds thins out and then wait, sitting in the stadium embankment, almost at sunset, in a magical atmosphere and only the whistles of the guards take us back to reality by announcing the imminent closure of excavations ... So slowly we go leaving behind a piece of history ...
Regain met our pensioncina, then, calmly, take a shower and go out for dinner in a tavern where a TV forward, while the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Athens 2004 ... and finally in a pleasant holiday and spend the evening after the trip troubled history began in the best possible way and we hope, earnestly continue on the same line ... until the end!

While armed with good intentions, the first attempt to get up early you can not just define a success: the alarm sounds when there is still 7:00, but the move at 7:30, and idle more than necessary and not leave the sheets before 8:00.
We do breakfast in the bar of the board and loaded the luggage in the car leaving for the stage today: first of all we go to photograph with the right light the ancient stadium of Olympia, which is located in the frieze state which is not required to redo the ticket, then we will venture to the mountains, following the road that runs towards the central Peloponnese.
Past remote villages and Kallithea Andritsena, save a turtle, that the whole "speed" was crossing the roadway, and after an interminable series of twists arrive at over 1000 meters of altitude, in view of the Temple of Vasses built in 450 BC in honor of Apollo ... It 'one of the best preserved of all Greece and in order to preserve and restore some years there is protected from the weather, under an enormous tensile, well made and added nell'aspro landscape.
Few tourists go right up here to see the temple and in the parking lot, in addition to ours, is just another car (of Modena, among other things) ... All in favor of the atmosphere, of course, so we can enjoy the encounter with the ancient columns, all miraculously standing and almost entirely architraved, "disturbed" only the continual chirp of cicadas.
The painful road traveled has been so justly rewarded by the visit, very interesting, then we should address the long descent towards the sea ... digested and hundreds of curves regained the coast near the town of Thol.
Flanking the Ionian we go again dispatched to the south, while passing the noon and arrives a call from Dimitri, who is concerned because everything is going well ... I would say that there are problems and we have traveled alone in at least two other continents ... but I'm afraid to hurt in his infinite kindness and availability, so it.
We stop for lunch in the parking lot overlooking the ruins of the Palace of Nestor: there are some 'shadow and a wall on which sit ... Once we go then refresh to see the archaeological site ... There's that saying: Nestore, mythological and Homeric king of Pylos, had chosen for his abode a panoramic place, which was keeping his possessions, but of the building, unfortunately, was not very ... over the bath.
Resumed the road, in the early afternoon, we arrive at Pylos, where we intend to stop for two nights, so we find accommodation, at the third attempt, at the home of an elderly lady, who for forty euro offers an apartment with six beds ... there is no doubt that we wide ... and once placed our things in the keeping room wear bathing and start exploring the place.
First of all we look at the Neo Kastro, Turkish fortress dating back to 1573, dominating the Bay of Navarino, where in 1827 there was a colossal battle between naval fleets Anglo-French-Russian and turkish-Egyptian initiative, which led to l ' independence of modern Greece ... The site is certainly suggestive, but needs, in many places it is urgent and substantial renovations.
Completed visits to cultural Finally we head to the beach ... and when it comes to the beach in this area is useless to try other places, better to go directly into the most beautiful: the Voidokilia. We have to go more than ten kilometers, including a stretch of dirt, but it is worth: it is a wide crescent of soft sand and clear, wedged between a basin marsh and two rocky headlands at the ends. The water is warm and transparent, while we, accaldatissimi, we want to take a bath more than anything else, so we just crashed in the waves and stay there long, pampered by pleasant context.
Voidokilia to remain until the evening, then we return to Pylos, but deserves more of the creek a few hours that we spent, so tomorrow we will return to spend the whole day ... Meanwhile, along the road, we enjoy the sublime sunset on the Bay of Navarino and end up arriving in the room beyond 20:00
In haste we prepare to leave and later dinner with Greek specialties, the port of Pylos, in a pleasant atmosphere, and then, after a brief walk, we return to our apartment: we are satisfied with the outcome of the day, only peniamo un po 'sleep due to take the hellish hot, but bearable given the un'onta pleasant holiday.

The travel plan is now focused exclusively on the beach life and plans to spend the morning that the afternoon in the beautiful Bay of Voidokilia, so that spending and breakfast are going to travel the few miles that separate us from the site.
Just after 9:00 we are already over the dunes behind dell'arenile and parked the car, we are approaching on foot toward its southern extremity ... But does not seem the way, loaded with everything you need to make evening and sandals that lie in the sand, it's quite long ... But they emerge winners, and planted the umbrella due to our distance from the next, we run into the water immediately to consume a very long and nice bathroom.
Spends all day in practice, most complete depletion, with the only effort to seek some 'refreshment of the sea where, in the heat, the body temperature rises slightly above the threshold of the pleasant warmth ... Indeed a magnificent sun shines and you are divinely, although with the passage of the hours increases the neighbors, who have to pass a few dozen, but the nerve-wracking crowded Italian beach seems light years away.
Around 16:00 pm break the "monotony" and Federico going to climb the hill behind us, not entirely because it is very high (at the top are the remains of the Paleo Kastro, the ancient fortress, built on several occasions by French and Venetians, on the ruins of an earlier settlement, first Mycenaean and Byzantine), but only until about halfway, where the mythological cave Nestore. From there the view encompasses the entire crescent of the Bay of Voidokilia (in greek "belly of the ox") and it would be huge if it were not characterized by an ode and dense fog that reduces the profile of all the surrounding hills.
Also shoot some photos and then return accaldatissimi let's try a little 'of relief in water, a very beautiful and transparent ... pity only that the seabed, rather dark, it does not highlight all the reflexes.
Lazing on the beach in Voidokilia until now been fired and a bullet almost evening, we return to Pylos: wash it well and go out to eat good fish in a small restaurant by the sea, then relax in the quiet and pleasant beach day, come back in the room to spend the last night in this lovely city of Messinia, which has met fully our expectations.

Shortly after 9:00, loaded all the luggage in the car, leave Pylos directly to the south. We follow a handful of miles and reach the sea in the home of Methoni, where we look at the great Venetian fortress.
The town of Methoni and, on the opposite side of the peninsula, that of Koroni were called at that time, "the eyes of the Republic" ... This was because, for the fleets that started from Venice, the point of support for the main routes to the east, and their conquest by the turkish, in the sixteenth century, was a real flagrant for trades of Serenissima.
The fortress of Methoni, we are preparing to visit, is a colossal military occupying an entire cape. We access on foot along the stone bridge that crosses the old moat and walking until we reach the sea at its most evocative, characterized dall'ottagonale tower Bourzi, which stands, almost completely rebuilt by the Turks in the sixteenth century, to protect the port.
The entire complex is without doubt an important historical monument and deserves a detailed visit, but it requires before it is too late, of a radical renovation, in fact the old walls at several points show obvious signs of failure and would be a shame to leave them their unfortunate fate.
During the visit, accompanied by a persistent smell of wild garlic, which the site is full, forfeited a good dose of hot and after trying a few 'cool air conditioning of the car, while we continue our journey touching l' southernmost extremity of the first finger of the Peloponnese hypothetical. Then transported to Koroni, whose stronghold is little or nothing apart from some sections of the wall and up the peninsula towards the north, accompanied by the ringing phone and the data of our guardian angel for the evening Dimitri.
Around noon we cross the anonymous city of Kalamata and from there go down the road that leads to the ideal second finger. Abandoned after a few kilometers along the coast to go up the inside and approached a small mountain pass we stop for lunch in a shadow on the sides of the road. Right time to refresh and resumed the journey at the end of a long descent, we return to the sea in search of a beach where you can spend the afternoon.
We try to step into the rocky bay of fone, but does not satisfy us and continue to arrive, shortly later, in the home of Stoupa, where is the famous beach of Kalogria ... Note too that, perhaps even complicit day holiday, up all'inverosimile is full, but we find a parking for cars and a corner where to plant the umbrella, so we decide to stop.
Because crowding Kalogria certainly can not define a beautiful beach but the sea is sufficiently attractive (albeit with some cold currents) and the quiet afternoon slips away, while we learn from the Greek TV in a nearby bar, Michael Schumacher won the Grand Prix of Germany (force Ferrari).
Around 18:30 we leave, not too sorry, beach Kalogria: hence there are still fifty kilometers of Greek road (approx one hour) before reaching its destination.
The ribbon of asphalt climbs away from the coastline at the foot of towering peaks and is a great pity that there is fog because the views are extraordinary. The landscape, in fact, is extremely severe, with the vegetation reduced to the minimum and the highest peaks shrouded in clouds ... is an odd scenario, and not even seem to be in Greece.
Fascinated by the context continued to proceed along the road begins to descend again towards the sea: we enter Lacconia (the region of Dimitri) and across a remote village known a character Sabrina the edge of the road that makes us a sign of slowing down ... Do not do the important and continuing ... Soon a car is beyond us trumpeted: the sending country and then do the sign to go ... So we reach the coast and, following the recommendations of Dimitri, we put ourselves in search of Porto Vitilo, which he booked on our behalf and his own expense ... Turn as a side street and follow the signs for Karavostasi ... and the car just before trumpeted stops in front of us and for reversing the chase, and soon after reaching there is a certain Gerogos, a man of Dimitri, who was awaiting our arrival and takes us to ... Things do not believe it!
Thank Georgos, which will soon dissipated, and we take possession of our room: the hotel is of high quality and our accommodation very nice ... yet there seems to live a true history of ... and I can only call Dimitri to praise him warmly.
We enjoy the situation and then go out for dinner in the nearby village of Neo Itilo: eat there a wonderful sea bream by the sea, concluding a day more than other transfer in the best possible way.

The alarm clock is sweet in the deep Bay of Limena, where we are ... opens the window on the silence and peace of this magnificent place in the early hours of the morning. In truth we took effect before, but we put up from breakfast, offered by only starting from 8:30, so we enjoy our princely awakening and then we put ourselves on the road to the discovery of the Mani.
The Mani is the southernmost region of the Peloponnese and one of the most inaccessible of all Greece, with mountains exceeding 1,000 meters in height. Its people were known to the sullen and combative, and probably because dell'ardore violence were called "manioti" and the hard ground of the Mani peninsula, with both words derive from the greek "mania," which means fury. In light of all this, throughout history, never to any foreigner, Macedonian, Roman or turkish it was, he was given way, and only starting dall'Ottocento, with the Greek independence, the country has opened its doors Thus, with the gradual depopulation of the countryside, has become an agglomeration of villages ghost extraordinary charm.
First you go up the road leading to the village of Areopoli, the most populous region, where we stop to make and to enjoy spending a walk through the historic center, where stands the church of eighteenth Taxiarchis from runny bell rock and the richly decorated interior, then we move a little further south, almost on the seashore, to visit the Caves of Dirou, they say among the best in Greece.
Wear a life jacket, and fell into a cave, go up on a small boat with which we will venture into a fantasy world made of underground water and beautiful formations, "living" and a thousand colors. A boatman takes us by force of arms, in about half an hour to two kilometers in an intricate maze of channels and in the end they leave really happy ... and say that we have seen so many caves in our travels, but these proved to be extremely original.
Leave Cave Dirou face the west coast of the Mani, always suggestive, and after a brief stop to observe some nice somarelli that scorazzano free along the road, we descend to the tiny village of Mezapos, where there is a small bay from the crystalline reflections, then, returning to the rugged mountains, we visit the remote village of Kita, with its magnificent tower-houses (typical of Mani) for the most part abandoned and in ruins.
Walking through the picturesque hills come back to the sea in the country of Gerolimenas and from there go up a curve after the other to Vathia, the symbol of this village impervious and at the same time extraordinary region. A Vathia tower-houses, built from the XV century, are particularly numerous and concentrated in the top of a scenic hill, placed against the backdrop of breathtaking scenery, always, however, an ode and dense fog.
Took some photos must go further and reach, through stringent scenario, the harsh Marmari Bay, with some dark sand beaches ... We do not stop and soon after we arrive in the lonely village of Porto Kagio: all around there are beautiful bays, but virtually inaccessible by land, while the beach of the country leaves a little 'to be desired ... Heading in the then made the steep road to get here and back to Marmari turn the narrow ribbon of asphalt that leads to Cape nership.
In short reach, or rather, we approach the southernmost point of the Peloponnese and All Greece ... The road ends in a dirt parking lot immediately after passing a tiny collection of houses: on the left is a small port on the right and a small creek, nestling between the rocks, with a pebbly beach and a sea overtime. Someone has already camped but there is still room, so we cut our corner of paradise, and we enjoy the unexpected surprise: a bath seems to be in a swimming pool and in the company of Frederick rest there for a long time, in a game innocent and swim with a mask and snorkel.
Spend the whole afternoon in the beach of Cape ship, until 18:30, when calmly take the road of return: back to Marmari, then Vathia and then right towards the eastern part of the Mani.
Comes the usual call for control of Dimitri, and climb dizzying hairpin bends and beyond, now the shadow of night, the tiny country of lagia ... We then all along the coast, which is less evocative of the West, close to the village of Flomohori, which in the distance with its high towers vaguely San Gimignano, and then cross the peninsula and reached Areopoli again, we close the circle and go all ' hotel Porto Vitilo son who almost 20:30.
We prepare and leave in a hurry for dinner again Neo ITIL, the sea, but in another tavern ... We spend very little: 18.50 euro (three!) And close a wonderful day, because the Mani, with its marvels us really excited.

Sorry we almost leave the hotel Porto Vitilo, so well done and harmoniously in the Bay of Limena, but we have to do it ... then we can enjoy our breakfast and Pantagruel then left for Sparta ... the city of Dimitri.
Crossing from west to east the peninsula of Mani, and we reach the sea near the village of Ghita, then go from there shipped to the interior and towards the mythological city of the Peloponnese.
For a handful of miles from Sparta Dimitri feel of our imminent arrival ... He notes this and calls me shortly after asking if we are followed by a car fire ... I look in the mirror and there really is! ... Tells me to pass it and follow it because it will take us to his house ... I am appalled and almost inertial response that goes well, so the red car is beyond us and accompanies us in the courtyard of a house of our friend, in the center of Sparta! ... This opens the door and down the ubiquitous Georgos, who says that you have met by pure chance ... and everything back to more human dimensions.
Dimitri in the climb that we received with great cordiality, and then gives us his collection a valuable "koboloi" coral red (a kind of series that many Greeks held in his hand as a simple pastime) and introduces us to her son Andreas, who speaks Italian and is responsible for us to visit the area.
After exchanging pleasantries we come back on board the car and we head to the outskirts of Sparta, on the heights where the ruins of Mystras, citadel founded in 1249 by William of Villehardouin and fall in Byzantine hands in 1269 to become, under the rule of despots , the largest cultural center of Greece. In 1460 it passed to the Turks and then, among various events, the Venetians and the Turks still ... was finally abandoned in mid-century with the creation of modern Sparta.
Not much remains of the city that once had more than forty thousand inhabitants, but its picturesque ruins, which cover almost the entire side of a hill, are now included in the UNESCO World Heritage site and are a must stop visit in the Peloponnese.
The site has two entrances, so we leave our car near the most downstream, and Andreas us at the highest: in this way will visit the place down completely.
Let's leave the Kastro, which is still higher, and begin to descend along a rugged path of pebbles smoothed by time, we find the first Byzantine church which Mystras be famous: the semi-ruins monastery of Agia Sofia, built in 1350 as a church of the palace ... or the Palace of the despots, an imposing building that occupies a large space slightly further downstream, which is currently being restored and completely surrounded by scaffolding.
Continuing the descent past the scenic Port Monemvassia and enter in the "lower town" to get to the monastery stupendo Pandanassa, founded in 1428 and still held by two nuns ... The church, situated in a dominant position, is characterized by typical Byzantine domes and is a true gem of its kind, as gl'interni richly decorated although a little 'dark.
It makes a shocking hot and the rest time, close to noon, leaves no escape, but we continue to fall, while we are in mind as it would have been payable if we were also traced back ... Brings us to the Monastery of Perivleptos, unfortunately not in very good condition, but inside, embellished by a remarkable cycle of frescoes. From there we still have a nice stretch to get at ... We walk under the solleone surrounded by stones that exude history and two hours after the start of the descent we reach the finish line in sight.
I go to see the close and interesting monastery of Metropolis, dating from the late thirteenth century, but leave voluntarily, because of exhaustion, to Vrontohion, which would have served another twenty minutes.
Extremely satisfied for the harsh but interesting visit Mystras, leave the site that are already past 13:00 and regained the regenerating air conditioner the car a little later meet our friend Andreas, which takes us first to drink something cool and then to the national archaeological museum, which collected several exhibits, including the bust of Leonidas, king of ancient Sparta.
In the early afternoon, around 15:00, we finally at lunch (the time for us is unusual, but here seems to be normal) and as if to retrieve the "delay" consume abundant amounts of a variety of dishes Greek cuisine and in the end, greeted everyone and well fed, on indications of Dimitri's start time to the third finger of the Peloponnese, to the town of Elea, where you find a hotel that we booked.
In the late afternoon we arrive at Elea Mare, where we are welcomed with great kindness: we leave the luggage in the room and immediately ran away in search of a beach. Brings us to the nearby village Plytra, where there is a wet sand from a discrete sea, and then spend a couple of hours.
Now go back to the evening and, given the ample lunch, for dinner we be content to eat an ice cream on the promenade of Elea, ending another day of this most incredible vacation ever.

Exactly one week after departure we wake up to Elea Mare, the sound of waves crashed on shore placidly ... We do breakfast, load the luggage in the car and start the use Monemvassia.
Cross the entire peninsula and the exit of a curve is para before us the severe outline of what a good reason was christened "The Gibraltar of Greece": a huge outcrop of rock emerges from the sea to host one of the most incredible towns of the Peloponnese. Founded by the Byzantines, Monemvassia, prospered under different rulers for several centuries, before falling into ruin under the auspices of the Turks and to see it today, albeit in the distance does not seem true that a time is limited over fifty thousand inhabitants!
After passing the car in a very short bridge connecting the island to the mainland, park along the road before 10:00 we have the ancient gateway of the city.
Enter the fortifications before we find ourselves in an alley, lined with ancient buildings in this street are shops of every kind, and pleasantly, we walk down to the old square, dominated by the Byzantine domes of the churches as well as the sea view and the steep cliff that is behind him ... Always walk later we arrive at the east of the village, along roads less touristic but still fascinating, as they are immersed in the time that seems to have stopped here.
Returned to the square we run, with that hot today no joke, in ascending to the top of the cliff: arrancar long as the secular path of dripping sweat, but in the end we gain the summit ... Not much remains of the ancient city high, only a few meager ruins of houses and the church of Aghia Sofia, built in the thirteenth century, according to Byzantine, but suffice it to justify the effort of climbing, for its spectacular setting, clinging as is the overhanging hillside overlooking the sea.
Remain for a while 'to watch, fascinated, the shocking scene, masterfully designed in the company by nature and the human mind, as long as we are not distracted by the ringing phone and the voice of Dimitri, who says to expect in his house by the sea at Karavostasi , around Plytra ... we thank him so, once again, and let's appointment for early afternoon.
Go carefully along the path where the pavement made of stones, it's so shiny polished by time and come back in the square of Monemvassia ... We do buy some (in particular wine, so the place is universally known) and then leave the city walls, and we leave behind this beautiful and historic village, the mirror of an era in which the Peloponnese was of prime importance in trade Mediterranean.
We stop for lunch along the Gefyra, the new Monemvassia, with the view that spans the "Gibraltar of the East" and, taken as the first road on the mainland, just after 13:00 we already Karavostasi.
We follow the directions of our greek friend and we find it almost immediately: her house is in fact a unique, built to no more than ten meters of the beach dall'invitante country ... Dimitri us radiant, wearing bathing, and makes us see our new accommodation has reserved for us even the entire top floor of his house, with a terrace overlooking the sea ... seems all a beautiful dream and the reality is!
We can only accept the invitation and arranged our stuff down in the yard, open a gate ... and we are on the beach, so enjoy it immediately, in pleasant company, a long bath and stay for the whole afternoon in this place, bathed by waters blue and transparent, that had it not been for Dimitri would have surely failed and instead the true half day of relaxation.
Now tonight we really a moment to climb in the room: take a shower and then go out with our friend the spider, who accompanies us to greet and meet a lot of people (practically the entire country) and then leads us to dinner in downtown Plytra, where to eat grouper excellent ... We gone along with Dimitri until midnight and then, as in the fairy tale of Cinderella, we return before everything fades, and he returned to enjoy the night because, as he says, for a greek night has just begun ...

The alarm on the seashore at Karavostasi is wonderful and the view from the balcony that spans the bay gives a sense of infinite peace, so that the life of neurotic every day seems to belong to another dimension.
We make breakfast while our "guardian angel" looking to book the ferry on Saturday for the island of Kythera, which apparently there is only 21:00 ... a little 'late, but we'll see the arrangements.
We are guests, but free to follow our route, so we start looking towards the south of the island of Elafonissos, which is apparently the best beach around the Peloponnese.
After about half an hour drive we arrive at Vinglafia, the imaginary places from where ferries leave for Elafonissos, and there put on hold of the craft, parked along the rough and lonely pier ... We should not wait long and quarter of an hour after our arrival we have placed on board.
The crossing is very short, just over ten minutes, and already at the port we can not help but notice the characteristics of water, which seems crystal.
Fell to Elafonissos, a piece of land of just 18 square kilometers, follow the directions on the left to Simos Beach and left the car near a bar at around 11:00, we finally stepped into the small Mediterranean paradise .. . A long strip of sand and soft, wet from a great sea in which dominate all the shades of blue: a piece of eden Caribbean in southern Europe ... Missing so the palms and the landscape all around is barren and burnt by the sun, but more so the sea can not be beautiful! ... Word of those who now saw many beaches worthy of the title!
Sistema our stuff near the bagnasciuga and immediately run into the water to stay a lot: we play and we enjoy that wonderful fluid, which among other things also has a pleasant temperature.
In a bathroom and the other is also time for lunch, then we call Dimitri and confirms the ferry on Saturday evening so we will have half day off to go to Kythera and nearly one more on the continent ... We will see to organize: "evil that goes" there is always Elafonissos ...
By now the evening the number of bathrooms is not over and fortunately we can leave the beach with no particular regret ... because certainly return!
Thus regained the mainland return to Karavostasi calmly in the evening and leave in the company of our friend, a dinner with ouzo and traditional cuisine, on the seashore at Plytra, closing a memorable day, spent in one of the most sublime beaches of the Mediterranean .

Even today a magnificent sun shines a Karavostasi: we get up, as usual, just before 8:00 (early for a greek!) And after daily operation to take this new road to Elafonissos.
Shortly before 10:00 we Vinglafia, but we must still wait for half an hour before boarding the ferry and close the deal stretch of sea reflections overtime ... In short then we come on Elafonissos and the white church of Agios Spyridonas, built as a sort of outpost at the entrance to the port.
Fell by craft turn right instead of left, and reach the north coast beach Panagias less of scenographic Simos, but with the sea by the incredible colors ... and we will stay there if it was not that blows from the north today an annoying wind that advises us to turn the bow towards the beach yesterday, theoretically more sheltered.
Made almost the entire circumnavigation of the island, regained Simos Beach who are now 11.00, almost millimeter our place on the shoreline, we are now in water to consume the first long bath ritual.
A noon lunch with our Luculliana sandwiches and having oziato for a while ', to further stretch the nerves, we give another interminable bathroom, so, in dolce far more reckless and with nothing in front agl'occhi quell'incantevole sea, " we "even today to evening, while in the distance s'intravede the severe outline of the island of Kythera, where we go tomorrow.
This time rather sorry we let Simos Beach, which will be in full on our special hit-parade of the most beautiful beaches and taken to the ferry flight of 19:00, less than an hour later we are again Karavostasi ... We prepare calmly and then leave to spend the last evening in the company of Dimitri, who delight us with another excellent dinner of grouper, along the Plytra.
Later we go to sleep while other people, with the cooperation of fishermen, we are giving to be done to find a place to stay in Citera (tomorrow morning we will know whether we have succeeded) ... and after this we can reasonably say that now we are not only guests of Dimitri, but in practice the country ...

E 'a day of transition that we decide to spend at home Dimitri, awaiting departure, in the late afternoon to the island of Kythera, where there seems to be oversubscribed, because they have not yet managed to find accommodation.
After breakfast, our friend with us to the port to see the caiques returning from fishing at night ... unfortunately has not been a rich joke, but at least a nice swordfish brought him home ...
We stop to sip coffee in a bar near the pier, with such stories of the country, while it also the local police chief and with Dimitri again try to contact Citera, because now it seems to have become a matter of principle ... well, almost at the end of the morning, managed to book two nights at the three (in different places) ... with a hint of disappointment on the part of Frederick, who already have hoped to mount the tent, its scope for use in emergencies.
Do not despair because, despite the apprehension of all, we are used to fend, and left the port of Plytra, go to the beach to Karavostasi where, after a swim, we go for lunch that are almost in a 15:00 in clubs the seashore, and then spend all afternoon on the spot, characterized by a smooth sea and large agave behind.
Past 18:00 in the room go up to prepare for his departure just before 19:00 cordially salute our friend Dimitri, which I believe, again in Italy.
After half an hour by road to Neapoli us, just to the south of Vinglafia, where c'imbarcheremo to the island of Kythera. Withdraw into the tickets on the seafront and there we sat at the table waiting for a room on the pier overlooking the harbor enjoying an ice cream (in practice our dinner), while large Nuvoloni are thickening on the horizon and we hope to remain only a sporadic phenomenon .
20:00 arrive past the ferry and a few minutes after 21:00, all the cars on board, Sailing ... the sea is flat and plowing placidly night Mediterranean in just over an hour to Diakofti landed on the east coast of the island of Kythera (or Kythira) ... In this strange land, extended to 262 square kilometers south of the Peloponnese, Crete and toward its Minoan civilization, including the islands geographically ionic but administratively linked to Athens, according to legend was born Aphrodite, Greek goddess of beauty, love and fertility and perhaps also why the place has whet our curiosity, despite often being excluded from the traditional tourist routes in the region.
We start with the dark, but with three quarters of the moon illustrative head of the country in search of Avlemonas, where according to the directions of Dimitri should find accommodation ... Curve after the other we come: track Sotiris tavern, right next to a mini market, and there the lady Sofia, who was waiting there and he gives us the keys to our room ... with only two beds, but uniting them if it makes a good point that we will host all three.
Around 23:00 we already placed a bullet and is also the time for a brief walk through the village (nice), before going to sleep, in view of the first day to the discovery of Kythera.

Has slept well in three, side by side ... We stand up and ask Sofia if the room is also available for the next two nights ... I do not speak greek and bad English, you only greek: we put a 'for instance, with the help of the order of the mini market, but in the end it makes us move the luggage in an adjoining room with three beds system there and we finally ... There remains only to know why has not the date last night, but that is good!
We leave more relaxed for the day. Climb toward the center of the island and go north, following a path that ultimately becomes dirt, to the ancient village of Palehora, once capital of the Byzantine enclave, conquered and destroyed by the hordes of pirates of Barbarossa in 1537 ... We have only ourselves and the ruins in silence, the point of intersection of two deep ravines, in addition to the perfect architecture of the Byzantine church of Aghia Varvara, and for a moment we felt a little 'as masters of a world now lost.
Resumed the road we go this time to divert to the south, nearly half of the island, towards the west coast and towards the village of Milopotamos. The cross, and have appeared in the sky and many unpleasant Nuvoloni and descend until the cart un'irta cave of Agia Sofia.
Surrounded by vertiginous cliffs we go on foot until dell'anfratto, in which there is a Byzantine church with interesting paintings, but it is closed, even if the opening hours (on the door frame) is already the past twenty minutes. Around us there is no one waited a moment and decide to forgo the visit, so let's go back to your back and along the road they find one that descends, perhaps will be the one who should open the cave ... who knows ...
We continue to go up and regained the main road we go further south to Chora, the current capital of Kythera ... The village is dominated by the Venetian Kastro scenic, but there's the sun and waiting for better times to visit, we continue towards the east coast, where there seems to be.
Our goal is Firi Ammos beach but climb towards the mountains, instead of down, beyond the village of Kalamos and the track is dirt, but at least there are signs, albeit Spartan. At a certain point, beyond a sort of step, the path (if one can define a path enlarged) begins to descend into beaten, sometimes to tight hairpins, and is somewhat 'impression, but in the end we arrive safely in Firi Ammos, which are already three other vehicles.
The beach is wide and colorful pebbles, and the colors are steep walls behind him, living in tone, tending to red, interspersed by the thin green maquis ... the sea is crystal clear, blue sky and the strong contrasts create a wonderful picture.
A Firi Ammos (which will arrive later also other people) spend several unforgettable hours, surrounded by an extraordinary environment, in an ancestral peace, away from it all, but so close to nature, who still reigns supreme.
Around 17:00, unwillingly but slightly 'worried about the way to go, we leave the beach and we move, following another short track, a Chalki Beach, at the far south-eastern point of the island: a beautiful cove but not as much as Firi Ammos, despite the natural arch that salgo a photograph, sull'altura place right on the bay.
Chalki Beach to spend a couple of hours, until the shadow does not completely invade, then go back without haste towards Avlemonas and our accommodation.
In the evening dinner in a tavern in the center and then, attracted by the lights and excitement, we look at the port of the village where a festival takes place throughout Greek souvlaki with a will, which sounds a complessino and the people dancing the traditional sirtaki ... also a beautiful experience, icing on the cake of a wonderful day spent Citera.

Avlemonas in the early morning, when all the people still sleeping, it's delicious, it is wrapped in a silence almost unreal.
A beautiful sun is shining and we leave at 8:30, Chora direction, to visit the fortress that overlooks the town, built by the Venetians in the thirteenth century ... Is largely in ruins, but by mighty walls meet some Byzantine churches, including a special feature and a blinding white.
Devoted a good half hour to the city and its typical views vaguely Cycladic already apparent, we return to the east coast across environments bare, sun-burned and abused by the wind, intriguing landscapes, made of tough mountains that stand out on the deep blue of a the misty sky which confuses the Mediterranean with the line of the sea.
We are in search of the Bay Kapsali that, they say, showing off the most beautiful and famous beach of Kythera ... The site will also have a certain reputation, but the road that comes from there is the usually impervious dirt. So the car parked on the edge of a precipice and we overlook sull'insenatura below, which shows at first sight immediately burst its beauty, high rocky cliffs clear frame round a crescent of pebbles washed by a beautiful sea.
Descend along a steep trail and win our daily paradise, though, view from below, as the beach and maybe more beautiful than Firi Ammos ... which certainly is less crowded.
Spend the whole morning to Kapsali Beach, passing beautiful moments of life bathing, then in the second part of the day we start, because the bay is inevitably invaded the sidelines.
We move a few kilometers until you reach a Diakofti, where we landed, while Dimitri calls us and says that you have booked the last three nights in a hotel close to Nafplio (as planned) ... And 'fool! ... In good sense, of course! ... Absolutely crazy, a Diakofti, the wind is blowing strong and we can not enjoy his beautiful, albeit somewhat 'sacrificed, beach, lapped by turquoise waters more than ever ... We stop just over half an hour and then we are forced to flee because the grains of sand moving fast and making the place almost unbearable, and Sabrina rather irritated.
Back to kilometers, and we grind them in the area of the island (apart from the almost inaccessible west coast) where we have not been: in the village of Aghia Pelagia, now the extreme north. From there follow the coast road south to reach the beach Ammos Firi, homonymous with that view yesterday, and even with some features in common: the red rocks that frame, but certainly not spectacular ... There, fortunately, no wind and pull you can spend an hour in peace.
Around at 20:00 return to Avlemonas and later go out for dinner in the tavern Sotiris where greek eat properly, and then, after a brief stroll through the streets of the center, we withdraw into our "apartments" by closing a beautiful day, that, want to be fussy, it's been a little 'too ... sucker.

Alarm at the usual time, even if the program does not provide details of things to do: just take the ferry 11:00 hrs we will report on the continent, but they are so pleasant hours of the morning, with quell'infinita feeling of peace that transmit that we do not want to lose.
A pachyderm rhythms almost do breakfast on the veranda, load luggage in the car, pay the lady and let Sofia Avlemonas, with a hint of nostalgia already at the first corner.
Diakofti we are heading and then make a small detour to climb sull'altura where the white monastery of Agia Moni ... and this morning it is really worth because the strong wind of yesterday wiped away the fog and the landscape is vast, with a view that spans the coast of the Peloponnese and the island of Antikhitira, a remote sliver of earth and rock, inhabited by a few souls, which is located halfway between Kythera and Crete!
After the impromptu geography lesson to go Diakofti and we stop to enjoy a Nescaffe-milkshakes on the beach, where c'innamoriamo a house that gives its sull'arenile and some fantasy 'as to whether to purchase and restructure it to our liking. .. Meanwhile, the ferry arrives and some 'unwillingly we are not to lose.
Shortly after 11:00 am the boat off the pier and ideally salute Citera: c'inoltriamo offshore and look away while slowly dawn Neapoli, which we reach in just over an hour of browsing (very beautiful the journey with the clear day!).
Arrived on the ground almost an hour to do a quick lunch and then spending consume our traditional sandwich on the street, in a shaded parking ... Start in the early afternoon and before long we allow ourselves to be a 'melancholic on the left, in order, first the island of Elafonissos and then Plytra Bay, now more beautiful than ever!
Climbed all over the third finger of the Peloponnese in the mountains we will venture to go more to the east, in an exceptionally smooth sky reminds us that some 'of the States ... and no joke the landscape, with views and at times exciting colors!
Sighted a fox, and crossed a pass to over a thousand meters, past the village of Kosmas, characterized by narrow streets, and down we come to the monastery of Elona, scenographically embedded in a wall-to-peak on the valley below ... Unfortunately, in the afternoon in the shade and is from a certain point of view we were not too lucky, but also shoot a few photos and then share it.
After passing the village of Leonidio, located at the foot of the red rocky mountains, we arrive at the sea in what the Greeks call Mirtoo Sea, between the Ionian and Aegean seas, and rising all along the coast towards the north, around 18:00, we reach Nafplio , a city characterized by its fortress Palamidi, that we can not help but notice clinging to the rocky outcrop overlooking the village.
We do not stop and continue to the nearby town Drepano, where our friend has booked us for three nights, a room at the Eden Plaza ... We find the hotel just as, with incredible timing, Dimitri will call to see if everything is in place ... perfect! Of course! ... Reception to do the name of his man of confidence (Timotheos) and immediately open the doors of our new room.
Go up to take their bags and take a cooler shower, then we go out to dinner in nearby Tolo, a small restaurant by the sea, with the silvery reflection of the full moon on the water, and concluded the best way this beautiful stage ... only transfer.

Today begins the two days (and some ') of classical Greece, to exit with dignity their journey with the history and mythology.
The alarm clock is a good time and the breakfast is followed immediately the departure, with the first stage just outside the outskirts of Nafplio to see cyclopean walls of Tirinto.
The site, inhabited from the third millennium BC and flourished in Mycenaean times, with the construction of massive walls around 1400 BC and decayed about two hundred years later ... Tirinto was also home to Hercules, demigod and hero, who made his famous "twelve labors" ... All this is only legend, but in this place you should just have a hard time to erect the impetuous mountain of rocks that still today, after thousands of years, dominates the plain of Argolida.
The ruins are clearly visible even from the state, but still wish to visit brigade not just to find the entrance, which in the end we find in the most illogical, when we thought the place was closed ... The great wall, eight meters high, almost as thick and composed of blocks that can exceed ten tons of weight, given closely are still more impressive, and particularly striking are the so-called Cryptoporticus: burrows formed by the perfect fit of the overlying rocks.
The visit of Tirinto, although interesting, is very short so that in little more than half an hour we are at and to confirm the difficulty to find the entrance, just outside, we meet two Greek tourists who, disorientation, asking where we are, so denote met him and resume our journey.
We move further north, passing through the village of Agia Triada, where the beautiful Byzantine church of Koimesis, then we approximate to one of the best known archaeological sites in Greece, that of Mycenae.
The first settlement in this place dates back to the Bronze Age (around 2500 BC) but with the fall of the Minoan civilization in 1400 BC about Mycenae knows that its period of maximum splendor ... In the name of the city are linked to the legends relating to his king, Agamemnon, and his deeds, as head of the Greek war against Troy ... In his absence his wife Clytemnestra becomes the lover of his grandson Egisto and kills him with Agamemnon returning from Troy. The child then draws them Oreste revenge slaughtering Clytemnestra and Egisto to be finally condemned to wander all his life haunted by Erinn, to serve the matricidio ... So, to all intents and purposes, a soap opera of another era!
Leave the car in the parking lot, already teeming with tourists, we go first of all to see the Acropolis, so we immediately shaken by strong emotion at the sight of the famous "Porta dei Leoni": a square (three meters on each side) topped by a relief depicting two lions headless ... The past, and with her the cyclopean walls made up of rough limestone blocks to a maximum height of 17 meters and a thickness of up to eight, while a group of Russian visitors, intent on taking a real photo, collects abuse of a French tourist who was waiting (along with myself) the best time to capture, without too many outsiders, the legendary gate.
Thus, we arrive in the area of the Royal Tombs, formed by an impressive double the space of vertical plates stuck in the ground to determine a burial dating to 1600-1500 BC, and from there climb to the top of the hill, where the little ruins the palace. Then descend to the so-called "House of Columns", at the northern end of the site, near the dark staircase (the Pusterla) leading with its 99 steps to the secret of the Source Tanks Perseia ... but we must desist from the win because the limited resources to overcome the almost complete darkness and the risk of catastrophic falls as inappropriate.
Returning to the entrance we stop to see the interesting museum full of artefacts from excavations, and an area full of tombs, including the large, domed, of Egisto (bad) and Clytemnestra (from the ceiling rebuilt).
Finally exited from the Acropolis, walk a few hundred meters and we stop, close to the magnificent tomb of Agamemnon (or Treasury Atre) ... virtually untouched and very beautiful, a masterpiece of Mycenaean dating back to the end of the fourteenth century BC This precedes a corridor carved into the hill, arriving at a huge door ... The interior is an impressive circular room high over thirteen meters and covered by a perfect dome dish, while on one side a narrow passage into the room tomb of the famous king of Mycenae.
Full of history and mythology, almost 13:00, we conclude the visits to cultural, with the heat that really begins to be felt, recommended for the rest of the day a beach, and just 'to cool. Then we return towards the coast, passing the town of Argos, is dominated by Kastro built where once stood un'acropoli, and legacy left behind the chaotic Nafplio we move toward the coast of Tolo.
Negl'occhi still with the wonderful bays of Elafonissos Citera and stop on the beach in this area is not the most, as characterized by anonymous gray sand and a sea whose reflexes are far from crystal clear, but at least serves to make us consume some refreshing bath for us to get a pleasant evening and, consequently, do return all'Eden Plaza Hotel.
In the evening we go back to Nafplio and having Brigato lot to find parking, dinner in the picturesque old town, full of tavernas and shops, the place is nice, so we end up spend a long walk and when we return to the Drepano Midnight already long gone.

E 'on the last day of the journey that will move entirely in the Peloponnese: we get up fairly early and after daily operation starting towards the archaeological site of Epidaurus, which is some thirty miles from our hotel.
Go south along the coast and we will venture inside for secondary roads, with the intention to shorten the route, but wrong direction more than once and we end up takes longer, so we get in the car park near the place that are almost 10:00.
Epidaurus was once a seaside town of some importance, an ally of Sparta, and was famous for its shrine dedicated to the cult of Asclepius, which saw its peak period around the fourth century BC, thus, paid the ticket d 'entrance to the excavations, we go immediately to see what it is.
The building that more than any other represents the site is without doubt the extraordinary theater, the best preserved of all Greece, beautifully placed in the environment that surrounds him and lying to the natural slopes of the hill where it is hosted ... It 'still used for theatrical performances, a strong cavea than 55 orders of steps that can accommodate up to 14,000 spectators and is known for its perfect acoustics, so that visitors take turns at the center dell'orchestra to recite, sing or simply drop a coin in the clink until you hear the back rows of stalls.
We remain long in contemplation in the face of this marvel of antiquity, then let's take a look at the small museum and the rest of the archaeological excavations, which unfortunately remains little or nothing: just a few walls, but especially those foundations that time had to be the magnificent buildings around the shrine.
At the end of the tour we return to Nafplio, this time to the main road, and around noon we are in the harbor to observe, a little more off, the small Bourzi Fortress, built by the Venetians in 1471. The town, stretched out in the middle of the Gulf of Argolida, had little importance in ancient times, but prospered in the Middle Ages and after centuries of domination alterne became, for a short period (1829 to 1834), the first capital of modern Greece.
A witness of the old splendor is also impetuosa Palamidi fortress, which rises to over two hundred meters high in south-east of and which can be reached along a winding staircase of 857 steps, or in the car, bypassing the spur rocky ... For obvious reasons we choose the second solution and we are short in front of the door giving access to the fortresses, while Dimitri calls us to ask if everything goes well ... a wonder, the answer ... I greet him, thank him and do the event in Italy, for work, of course.
The vast complex of military buildings Palamidi, consisting of bastions, was built under the domination of Venice in the eighteenth century and is still in good condition, offering among other extensive views of the city and part of surrounding coast.
Complete the visit of the fortress in a little over an hour while, strange but true, the sky is slowly covering of clouds ... He does not give much importance and when we go to sea in the nearby bay Karatona. We stop for lunch on the beach with the hope that the best time ... Instead, the cloud cover increases dramatically and soon even began to rain, so we have to escape to take refuge in the car.
We are in Greece, in August, and here the weather is not at home ... after half an hour because the sun shines again and go back on the beach, but there remain long, the water is not bad but the beach does not satisfy us and certainly not in line with our recent memories ... from the rest of the house had serious doubts about the quality of the sea in this area, but we had to come to power so to visit some of the most important archaeological sites of ancient Greece ... We are not making a drama, and Federico pleasing, we return to the hotel to spend the rest of the afternoon, relax on the poolside.
Go up in a room that is now almost 20:00 and for dinner, fidandoci seen a place in the morning, we go into a tavern by the sea to Livar, where we eat fish: a spectacular Sinatrida (so he called the waiter, placing it on writing) to almost two pounds ... Special! ... With reflection of the moon on a little more than a meter from our table ... a small day-dream ... the dignified way to close this evening in the land of Greece ... Later we return so pleased at the hotel and there we go blissfully to sleep.

And 'the date of departure from Greece, but there is still a good half day to be consumed in vesta tourists.
Loaded the luggage in the car leave the hotel around 9:00 and following the road to the north we leave behind Nafplio, with its imposing fortress, passing alongside the cyclopean ruins of Tirinto and revise those mythological remoteness of Mycenae, to reach after about an hour away in view of Corinth and its excavations.
The land between two cities (the Peloponnese and Attica), and between two seas, with two ports (one on the homonymous gulf and the other on the Saronic), was inhabited by its strategic location since 5000 BC and prospered, reaching a peak around the seventh century BC ... Destroyed by the Roman Empire in 146 a.C. Mummy was rebuilt by Caesar a hundred years later to be, centuries later, completely razed to the ground by the barbarians.
Of that ancient city, which reached 40,000 inhabitants, is still really little, but on a higher ground, as on a natural pedestal, stand still shows 7 of the original 38 Doric columns of the Temple of Apollo, and this is sufficient to confer to place an extraordinary suggestion ... The remains of mythological Peirene Fountain, the Temple of Octavia and the chaotic pile of stones squared and capitals are worthy contour to one of the most interesting sites observed in this journey in the Peloponnese.
Also visited the adjacent museum and interesting, full of Greek and Roman statuary, leave Corinth immediately from the search for road salt all'Acrocorinto, fraught a rocky outcrop which rises to nearly six hundred yards behind the excavation. .. Once home to the Acropolis and the cult of Aphrodite, with more than thousand sacred prostitute. It was fortified by the Byzantines, the Venetians and the Turks to arrive at us now, unfortunately, in a state of semi-abandoned ... The view from up there has, on both land and on the two seas, it is extraordinary and worth the time that we wanted to dedicate.
E 'already past noon when we descend dall'Acrocorinto and we head towards the last of the places to visit in our itinerary ... Tap the modern Corinth and short before we reach the famous Corinth Canal which, carved between impressive rock walls that reach eighty meters in height, runs for more than six kilometers nell'istmo that divides the two seas by putting them in communication and is the result of an initiated by Nero in 67 AD and completed only after endless stories, from a French company in 1893.
Park your car and run over the bridge that crosses the channel just as a ship passes towed by a tug, plowing of a blue water almost unreal ... a nice stroke of luck, which allows us to capture the place in more traditional situations.
After the ship Attardi we see some that are fearless bunging jumping from the bridge: one thing that arouses my curiosity, but that terrifies Sabrina to the point that can not even take a camera with a leap into the void of the "chosen".
Completed the last visit we move towards the coast of the Gulf of Corinth, Loutraki direction, looking for a place in which to eat ... riattraversiamo the channel at its entrance, thereby enjoying a unique perspective, beyond the chaotic and anonymous new Corinth, and soon enough we will stop, finally, to eat our sandwiches in the shade, in deep sea, where the 14 are almost : 00.
Refresh properly, promptly, start and turn the highway, highway if you can define a wide road with only two lanes, plus two emergency being for the use and custom, used to slow the march ... Così fan tutti, including police, and if you do not adjust it ends up being soundly apostrophes ... This, however, allows us to quickly get to Patras for embarkation.
We leave on the right the modern bridge, which opened in 2004 at the Olympic Games, which crosses the Gulf of Corinth, and in short we are to check in before boarding the ship on the same journey: the "Olympic Champion" of the Anek Lines company.
A few minutes after 17:00 we leave the dock at the port of Patras ... Peloponnese goodbye ... Sail between the Ionian Islands, and with Federico give me a bath in the swimming pool on the deck, then you tonight ... Let's go in the cabin for a shower and right after dinner with palatable "GIROS", just to stay mentally still in Greece for a while '... Greece and in practice we leave at 22:30 when, after a brief stop in the deep Igoumenitsa resume, this time with the bow facing the Italy ... Then carry over the clock back an hour and we go there to rest quietly.

After the longest and rejuvenating sleep of the trip re-emerging from our cabin and we sat in the tables in the bar beside the pool. The sky was cloudy, a wind blows sharp and we have so much nostalgia for Greece ... especially when a little later we meet Nuvoloni big loads of rain.
Around 12:30 we arrive in Ancona under a dense shower and depression attacked us, so we would like to remain on the ferry and back, instead ... Shortly afterwards, on the motorway, is a real storm: proceed to thirty kilometers per hour, with the outside temperature at 17 degrees! ... It seems all a bad dream!
Under a blanket of clouds threatening to 14:30 we are still queued in Cattolica. At a snail's pace past Rimini and after almost an hour to leave Forlì seems that November 12, with the temperature at 16 degrees! ... Even a handful of miles and 15:36 to successfully conclude this journey in front of the gate of our house.
Another wonderful holiday spent in the land of Greece, which can tell us now desperately in love: the beautiful sea, beautiful landscapes, history, the wonder, the Greek people delightful, as always, but this time most of all, because thanks to our Dimitri friend that has just ended, we can say that was a special vacation, our "Big, fat Greek holiday" ...