Greece is a fantastic holiday destination because of its warm climate, rich history and charming inhabitants. But don’t miss a trick by taking a standard package holiday – experience the full beauty of Greece by embarking on a road-trip and create memories that will last a lifetime. Start your journey in the capital, Athens, the heart of ancient civilization, where you can visit the home of the Greek parliament at Syntagma Square, stroll the historic triangle of Plaka, Thission and Psyri or visit impressive archaeological monuments such as Acropolis, known as the ‘sacred rock’. At night you could unwind in bouzoukia – the local nightclubs – or for a more subdued evening, one of the numerous theatres.
From Athens head south-west to Kalamata to enjoy stunning beaches surrounding the Messenian Gulf. If time permits you could head inland to explore the Ntoumpitsia wildlife reserve or the ancient settlements of Kato Chora and Milia. Nestled in the foothills of the mountains, these villages have spectacular views and will make you feel like you have stepped back in time! From here or Kalamata you can continue south along the west coast of the Mani peninsula, making sure to stop at the picturesque village of Kardamyli and the dramatic Caves of Diros near Pyrgos Dirou. These caves are one of the earliest inhabited locations in Greece, with Palaeolithic (Stone Age) artifacts having been discovered here, and they are very extensive, although only 5,000 square metres of the estimated 33,000 square metres has been explored. The spectacular cave tour is by boat and takes around half an hour, and there is also a museum that is well worth a visit.
Caves of Diros
Continuing south, a great place to spend one or several nights is the Tsitsiris Castle, built and fully restored to the traditional Mani architectural style. This beautiful building is now a guesthouse and provides a relaxing haven for travellers, complete with all mod cons such as private bathrooms, air conditioning and TVs in the rooms, with wi-fi available in some areas of the castle. From your majestic home-from-home, ensure you head south to Mani Lighthouse at the tip of Cape Tainaro. This is the southernmost point of mainland Europe and is the perfect place to spend some quality time, soaking in the dramatic views of the raw rocky landscape meeting the lush blue sea. There is a twenty-minute walk to the recently renovated lighthouse, but the captivating views will make it one of the highlights of your holiday.
Mani Lighthouse at Cape Tainaro – Photo courtesy of Tainaro Sailing
For the return to Athens you could backtrack, but alternatives are to drive north via the smaller roads along the east coast until Gytheio, or head to Areopoli on the west coast where you can join the main road that crosses the peninsula north-east up to Gytheio. Depending on time constraints, Gytheio, the largest town in Mani, is another great place to stay, and from here you can simply relax on Mavrovouni Beach, visit attractions such as the amphitheatre and the museum at Tzannetakis Tower or sample local fresh fish at the tavernas. Continue via Sparti and Tripolis, from where you can join the motorway back to Athens, although if you can, divert to Argos and make a stop at Korinthos, where attractions such as the Corinth Canal will provide some final awesome images of Greece that will enchant your memories for years to come.
Corinth Canal
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Photo of Mani Lighthouse: © 2013 Tainaro Sailing Adventures
Ruth Hayward 