Spring Getaways in the Peloponnese
With Spring just around the corner and the arrival of bright and sunny days we are in the mood for short getaways to nearby but nevertheless exciting destinations. One of the most charming regions of Greece, the Peloponnese, generously offers us an array of life experiences, while enjoying the apotheosis of nature in all it’s glory. If you crave a romantic getaway, an adventurous experience or simply a charming stroll in a unique panorama of Greek history, two days are more than just enough. So, let’s begin our journey!
For the romantic souls, Nafplio and Monemvasia have always been top choices of destination. Built in the creek of the Argolic Gulf, Nafplio -the first capital of Greece- continues to flourish and charm with it’s natural beauty, authenticity, tradition and profound history. One of the most beautiful cities of our country, Nafplio or ‘Anapli’, is famous for its romantic atmosphere which you will discover while tracing the history of its past. Start with a stroll through the narrow cobbled streets of the Old Town with its elegant neoclassical mansions, which give off aromas of the past from the fragrant Venetian balconies. In the centre of Nafplio you will come across the impressive Syntagma Square surrounded by important historical buildings. Follow the road towards the beach to view the tiny islet of St. Theodore, with the fortress of ‘Bourtzi’, an impressive presence in the Argolic Gulf and a reference point of the city of Nafplio. Climb the 999 stairs that lead you to the Palamidi castle and enjoy the stunning view of the old town.
The medieval walls of the Castle Town or citadel, which seem untouched by time, hide one of the most romantic destinations in Greece. Grab your partner by the hand and let the magic of a fairytale scene with stone mansions, medieval towers, historical buildings and old churches carry you away. Monemvasia, also known as the “Gibraltar of Greece”, does not need a map. Simply lose yourself in the narrow, winding streets and listen to the story of a town that once “hosted” the emperors of Byzantium! Visit the home of one of the most widely acclaimed Greek poets of the 20th century, Yiannis Ritsos and then walk up “Goula”, the upper castle, to enjoy the panoramic view of the city and of course see the imposing Cathedral of Agia Sophia which seems to be floating between the rocks and the chaos of the cliff. Walking through the lower part of the Castle Town, you will discover many historic buildings and remarkable Byzantine churches.
If a perfect weekend for you means activities in nature, in the Peloponnese you won’t know what to choose!
Try the following:
If you love history, you can visit five of the eighteen Greek World Heritage Sites of UNESCO over a weekend: the temple of Apollo, the Parthenon of the Peloponnese in Vasses in Ancient Figaleias, the Sanctuary of Asclepius in the archaeological site of Epidaurus, the archaeological site of Mystras, the archaeological site of Ancient Olympia as well as the archaeological site of Mycenae and Tiryns. If you add to this list Ancient Messinia, the medieval castles of Methoni and Koroni as well as the Acrocorinth, you will have the chance to enjoy a cultural panorama of no precedent.
The Acropolis of Athens is an ancient citadel located on a rocky outcrop above the city of Athens and contains the remains of several ancient buildings of great architectural and historical significance, the most famous being the Parthenon. The word acropolis is from the Greek words ἄκρον (akron, “highest point, extremity”) and πόλις (polis, “city”). The term acropolis is generic and there are many other acropoleis in Greece. During ancient times the Acropolis of Athens was known also more properly as Cecropia, after the legendary serpent-man, Cecrops, the supposed first Athenian king.
Monastiraki (pronounced [monastiˈraci], literally little monastery) is a flea market neighborhood in the old town of Athens, Greece, and is one of the principal shopping districts in Athens. The area is home to clothing boutiques, souvenir shops, and specialty stores, and is a major tourist attraction in Athens and Attica for bargain shopping. The area is named after Monastiraki Square, which in turn is named for the Church of the Pantanassa that is located within the square.
The National Archaeological Museum in Athens houses some of the most important artifacts from a variety of archaeological locations around Greece from prehistory to late antiquity. It is considered one of the greatest museums in the world and contains the richest collection of Greek Antiquity artifacts worldwide. It is situated in the Exarcheia area in central Athens between Epirus Street, Bouboulinas Street and Tositsas Street while its entrance is on the Patission Street adjacent to the historical building of the Athens Polytechnic university.
The Temple of Poseidon is an ancient Greek temple on Cape Sounion, Greece, dedicated to the god Poseidon. There is evidence of the establishment of sanctuaries on the cape from as early as the 11th century B.C. Sounion’s most prominent temples, the Temple of Athena and the Temple of Poseidon, are however not believed to have been built until about 700 B.C., and their kouroi (freestanding Greek statues of young men) date from about one hundred years later. The material and size of the offerings at the Temple of Poseidon indicate that it was likely frequented by members of the elite and the aristocratic class. The Greeks considered Poseidon to be the “master of the sea”. Given the importance to Athens of trade by sea and the significance of its navy in its creation and survival during the fifth century, Poseidon was of a particular relevance and value to the Athenians.
The Odeon of Herodes Atticus (also called Herodeion or Herodion) is a stone Roman theatre structure located on the southwest slope of the Acropolis of Athens, Greece. The building was completed in AD 161 and then renovated in 1950.
The Acropolis Museum is an archaeological museum focused on the findings of the archaeological site of the Acropolis of Athens. The museum was built to house every artifact found on the rock and on the surrounding slopes, from the Greek Bronze Age to Roman and Byzantine Greece. It also lies over the ruins of part of Roman and early Byzantine Athens
Filopappou Hill or Mouson Hill or Seggio Hill is a hill in Athens located opposite, southwest, from the Acropolis. It is connected to the adjacent hills of Asteroskopeio (hill of Nymphs) and Pnyka. At its top there is the monument of Philopappos which was erected by His Highness Philopappos during the Roman occupation and gave his name to the hill.
Mount Lycabettus, also known as Lycabettos, Lykabettos or Lykavittos (pronounced [likaviˈtos]), is a Cretaceous limestone hill in the Greek capital Athens. At 277 meters (908 feet) above sea level, its summit is the highest point in Central Athens and pine trees cover its base. The name also refers to the residential neighbourhood immediately below the east of the hill.
In legend previously called Pytho (Πυθώ), in ancient times was a sacred precinct that served as the seat of Pythia, the major oracle who was consulted about important decisions throughout the ancient classical world. The oracle had origins in prehistory and it became international in character and also fostered sentiments of Greek nationality, even though the nation of Greece was centuries away from realization. The ancient Greeks considered the centre of the world to be in Delphi, marked by the stone monument known as the omphalos (navel). The sacred precinct of Ge or Gaia was in the region of Phocis, but its management had been taken away from the Phocians, who were trying to extort money from its visitors, and had been placed in the hands of an amphictyony, or committee of persons chosen mainly from Central Greece. According to the Suda, Delphi took its name from the Delphyne, the she-serpent (drakaina) who lived there and was killed by the god Apollo (in other accounts the serpent was the male serpent (drakon) Python).