MAJOR CULTURAL AND NATURAL HIGHLIGHTS TO BE SEEN IN OUR AREA
Hiking excursion to Cape Maleas, the extreme end of Southern Europe, where both Ionian and Aegean seas meet. This is one of our best excursions for family hikers. 45 minutes by car or ATV from our olive grove till the end of the “finger”, easy (suitable for vehicles) tracks, then 1 hour walk on way-marked paths until the pretty nice monastery of Holy Irene (Irini = "peace" in modern greek), half digged inside the cliff. Panoramic view to the sea, the small island of Antikythira and, by clear atmosphere, to the Northern coast of Crete.
Tour to the island where Aphrodite is born: Kythira, the main island (about 50km by 15km) off the Bay of Neàpoli. 1-day excursion, from our olive grove (departure at 8 am; back at 5 pm). Daily ferries (2 to 3 per day in the summertime) from Neàpoli to Diakofti, new harbour North-East of the island. The main city of Kythira was formerly a Venetian trading post topped by a heavy fortress with black guns, castle and an impressive view to the sea. Also to be seen on the island: the incredible waterfalls of Mylopotamos, in the heart of arid rocks and dry mountains; the monastery of the Black Virgin (high church tower with Mexican style open bells); the many wild beaches on the Eastern coast.
Back from Kythira. The Greek luminosity and its sky colours in the twilight are exceptional and famous as from the Antiquity. Jumping dolphins will perhaps escort you from Kythira to the port of Neàpoli.
The pretty nice town of Kapsali, at theSouth end of the island of Kythira, divides and shares its small seaside resort in a double bay. Ready for lunch on the beach?
The famous and unforgettable white “tombolo” (narrow strait -geographical rare phenomenon-) of Simos, considered as the most beautiful beach of all the Mediterranean Sea. Located at the extreme South of the small island of Elafonisos (14km long), 4km far from the port and fishers village. Excursion by car, ATV or mountain-bike from our olive grove (10km distance). Ferry-boat every 30 minutes (€1/person) + small fisher boat (€7) until Simos beach, on the other side of the island. Fine sand dunes. Beach umbrellas (palm tree shaped), deckchairs, beach refreshment service by ATV quads. As from 2016, our beach of Simos has been elected by both German and British Press among the top-10 nicest beaches of the Earth!
Our tip: a dinner on the island of Elafonisos. Just leave your car, quad or ATV at Punta embarkation pier and take pedestrian tickets to the island. Your boat arrives inside the port. Many fish restaurants. The first one, “O Daïadès”, is closer to the boat and one of the best. Just tell Mrs Vassos that you are one of our guests and she will carefully attend to all your needs. Do not forget to ask for the exact timing for the last return boat!
One of our most successful excursions is the so called “Terror cloister” one: deep lost in a green and noisy (cicadas) valley on the road to Velanidia, this old chapel dedicated to St-Georges shows rare wall paintings that describe the big fear of the Year 1,000. Monks generally thought that all life on the earth would stop at the end of year 999 (remember our own year 2,000 bug fear?) so that they strove to draw plenty of dead bodies laying in the protection of Saints. Very nice but half damaged frescoes. Back to the main road to Velanidia, we may stop at Poppy’s house and enjoy one grilled whole -fresh of the day- squid (husband is a fisherman), afterwards we go on a safari to the wild side of Cape Maleas + eventual hike to its lighthouse (5 hours way and back) or we may climb to the World War II German watch-point where Nazi soldiers surveyed all traffic coming from the Black Sea, fearing the apparition of Staline troops.
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Nafplio, besides the antique city of Tyrinthos, is our farthest 1-day excursion (450km way and back). From Sparta (100km), just climb to Tripoli (58km) and then to Nafplio (45km) where its famous fortress is really to be seen. Just go and pay a visit to Epidauros (30km) and come back to us via Nafplio and the wonderful cliffs and canyons road of Leonidio. Dinner at the high altitude village of Kosma, then back to our olive grove via Skala and Molaoi. Pretty tour but you absolutely need to leave very early in the morning or eventually spend an overnight at the luxurious (but cheap) hotel of Ouranogeiton (“Neighbour of the Heaven”), altitude 1500m.
The fjord of the Octopus. Discover the inland sea of Geraka Limani (65km from us) and enjoy a grilled octopus at Takis restaurant. On the way back, pay a visit to the Kastro (Castle) of Monemvasia, the “island of Pirates”.
The amazing brick-red cliffs of Asteri, on the way to us via the sea-shore local road from Elia to Asopos. Two kilometres farther, the same red (laterite) cliffs suddenly appear yellow (sand).
A fresh and revitalizing ATV (or by minibus) excursion to the high Parnon mountain and its picturesque and shady village of Kosmas (1500m altitude!), 35km above Skala sea-shore. Pines and extraordinary panorama.
Above + hereunder: Impressive and imposing eagle eyrie rock monastery above the road from Kosma to Leonidio.
Behind: Back to the Aegean sea, on the road to Leonidio via Skala coastal town and 1500 m alt. Kosmas village.
Still in operation since the Ottoman’s period, an amazing watermill will surprise you in such a dry environment. Every Sunday morning besides the village of Talanta (45km from our guesthouse). Light brown coloured whole wheat flour, so called "Sarrazine" flour, very thin and still ground for and in front of you by our friend Iannis (87 years old). €1.30/kg.
Every year on July 23rd (in the late evening) all the inhabitants of both Monemvasia village and Kastro (castle) meet on the city walls of their fortress to watch the historical reconstitution of their sea battle against the Ottomans that was the first step to the recovery of their liberty. This battle finally led to the Independence of Greece in 1830 and is depicted by the true scuttling of a simulated Turkish vessel full of dry straw and fireworks flare and rockets.
View to the Kastro of Monemvasia, the old castle and lower city of the Island of the pirates of Malvasia. Meeting point of artists and connoisseurs, Monemvasia is a pedestrian historical city surrounded with heavy ramparts and only one gate (Monemvasia means “single path” in greek). A tour to Monemvasia (45km from our olive grove) is a real must for all our guests who generally pay a second visit to it during their stay! No boat but a (free) bridge to reach the island.
In our sea-side resort city of Neàpoli (7km from our guesthouse) you will find supermarkets, restaurants, souvenirs, Chinese bazaars, a pretty nice little hospital with banana trees located in the middle of the (dry) river, the pier and its ferry to the island of Kythira and, above all, the best seed-bread of the area at Nikos bakery (€0.95/pce), left hand side in the small street behind the town hall square (called “Dimarkhia”).
HOW TO MOVE ON THE SPOT
Just rent a car in our non-touristic region (cheaper than in Athens) or a motorcycle (on the Elafonisos island) or a slow 4x4 vehicle in alternance with our very cheap excursions by minibus (from €50 to €80/day -price per family-, lunch not included)
