Hiking in Greece - ADK Adventure Travel

GREECE/Ancient Sites and Hiking Trails in the Peloponnese
March 25-April 10, 2016
$2656
Ellen Blumenkrantz, Trip Leader
THIS TRIP IS NOW FULL
This 15 night trip combines guided sightseeing in Athens and several of the major ancient sites
of Greece (Parthenon, Corinth, Myceneau, Epidavros, Mystra, Olympia), with visits to small,
quaint villages, and moderate hikes of 4-6 hours daily in the Peloponnese mountains, gorges and
coast. The sites and trails provide beautiful views of snow covered mountains and/or the sea.
Spring flowers line the woodland trails and ancient sites (poppies, wisteria, anemones, and
iris). We stay at lovely hotels/inns with private rooms, ensuite bathrooms. Great Greek
food. Experienced local guide is with us entire trip, and has been guiding this trip for 20 years.
Outing Cost:
The cost will be $2656 per person.
Payment Policy:
A deposit of $600 is due at the time of registration. The remaining balance of $2056 is due no
later than January 5, 2016.
Cancellation Policy:
If you need to cancel the trip at any time, the $100.00 ADK registration fee is non-refundable.
The balance of the deposit is fully refundable up to Nov. 15, 2015. After Jan 5, 2016, no refunds
are possible unless your space can be filled from a waiting list. However, if ADK cancels the trip
or if in the opinion of the leader, this trip is not for you, the full amount will be refunded.
Accommodations:
All nights will be in small hotels and agriturismos. All have private bath. Group size is limited to
a total of 8.
Special Note
This trip is for moderate-experienced hikers, capable of hiking 4-5 hours most days, with
elevation ascents/descents of up to 1,500 ft. On several days there are options for hikes to be
extended, but I have allowed ample time to include some of the special sites in this region.
Included in Trip Price:
Private guide/van/driver from airport pick up (Athens, Greece airport) Friday morning March 25,
until airport drop off Sunday morning April 10
All transfers within the itinerary
All lodging based on double occupancy
All dinners and breakfasts from dinner day of arrival through to breakfast day of departure
Entrance fees to sites/museums indicated in itinerary
Detailed packing list to be provided 45 days prior to departure
Single Supplement charge: $400
Not included:
Airfare to/from Athens
Lunches
Gratuities
Incidentals such as additional snacks, gelato, drinks
Allow $250 to cover gratuities/incidentals.
For more information, an application and to sign up, contact the leader, Ellen Blumenkrantz, 43
Carlson Court, Closter, NJ; 201 784 8417; [email protected]
Itinerary:
Depart the U.S. on Thursday night March 24 2016 to arrive in Athens Friday March 25
Day 1, Friday, March 25, 2016
Arrive at the Athens airport where our driver/van and guide will pick us up. We’ll stop at
Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon, then scenic drive along the coast to Athens to check into
our hotel: www.plakahotel.gr/ has beautiful views of the Acropolis and full breakfast. Dinner at
nearby restaurant (about 5-10 minute walk)
Day 2, Saturday March 26, 2016
Our private guide will be with us the entire day as we walk/visit the numerous sites in Athens
(includes: Acropolis – Herod Atticus Odeon-Plaka- The Tower of Winds- The Old PalaceTheatre of Dionysos-Monastiraki-Thisseio-Ancient Forum-Andrianos Gate-Syntagma Square,
Parliament and the tomb of the unknown soldier – The Temple of Zeus- - The Greek and Roman
Agora – Lycabettos Hill- Olympic Venues - Highlights ...etc.). We’ll take a lunch stop during the
day at a cafe. Late afternoon optional visit to the Acropolis museum which is fabulous.
Day 3, Sunday March 27, 2016
We will depart around 9am for ancient Corinth, with a quick stop at the Corinth Canal. Full day
sightseeing will also include Acrocorinth, once Corinths acropolis it became one of Greece’s
most powerful medieval fortresses on top of huge mass of rock, with fabulous views over the
Saronic Gulf and Gulf of Korinthos. It is the largest and oldest fortress in the Peloponessos.
There are a number of shrines and temples including the Temple of Aphrodite. The ancient
Turkish remains are unusually substantial. Also building from Greeks, Romans, Myzantines,
Frankish crusaders, Venetians. We’ll bring a picnic lunch to eat at the top, and then go down to
Corinth for a guided tour of that site. Acrocorinth admission free open winter Tues. Sun
8:30am-3pm. Corinth will have a fee.
!
The ancient city of Corinth, known at least by name from the Apostle Paul’s talks to the
Corintheans in the Bible, is now famous for its canal, one of the more impressive feats of 19th
century engineering. Periandros originally conceived the idea of a canal through the narrow
isthmus though at the time it was too much of an endeavor to carry out. Instead they devised a
paved roadway that they used to haul the boats across on rollers. This method was used until the
13th century. The emperor Nero attempted to dig a canal but this chore was too much for him as
well. A French engineering company finally built it in 1893.
!
Probably the most interesting part of the citadel is the entrance but the view from
Acrocorinth is simply incredible and if for no other reason this site should not be missed.
Though most of ancient Corinth has either disappeared over the years or been destroyed by
Earthquakes there is still a temple to Apollo built in the fifth century BC. The Peirene Spring
is said to have been a woman transformed by the tears she shed for her son who was killed by
the God Artemis. It still supplies old Corinth with water. There is a museum on the site as
well. Next to the Lechion road which led to the ancient port is the garden of Apollo a
courtyard with some restored Ionic columns.
From Corinth we’ll stop at a winery in the Nemea area on the way to our hotel.
Dinner/overnight Nafplio www.hotelmarianna.gr/ for next 3 nights. Dinner out in town at
Alaloum.
For desert: Antica gelateria di Roma – recommended by NY Times and according to Frommers
best ice cream and ices in Pelopennese.
Nafplio has 3 fortresses – 2 built on cliffs above the town – including the Palammidi Fortress a
vast citadel built between 1711-1714 by the venetians. It’s the largest complex of its kind in
Greece. Late afternoon walk up to the fortress and also the headlands from town.
Akronafplia is site of the Byzantine and early medieval town and contains 4 Venetian castles
built in sequence from west to east. Interesting relic is the Venetian Lion of St. Mark over the
15th century gate just above Catholic Church. Also the clock tower is a major landmark here
Day 4, Monday March 28, 2016
Breakfast at 8am. After breakfast we will walk directly from our hotel along the coast and
then up the road to the Palamadi Fortess where we can wander around the ancient walls and
have fabulous views over the town and surrounding area/water. We then descend back into
town on a well-made stone staircase of about 1,000 steps – but they are not very steep. None
of us had any problems/complaints with our knees after the descent. Outing can also be
reversed. We’ll then have some free time in town for lunch and to visit one of the museums
or just wander around the town/shops:
Award winning Peloponnese Folklore museum http://www.pli.gr/ and/or can also visit an
archeological museum: the Nafplion Archaeological Museum is once again open after 5 years
of renovations. The museum now has large, bright rooms (no more dusty display cases) with
exhibits themed to demonstrate life in the area from Neolothic to Christian times. An
excellent video (with English text) shows and explains the sites where most objects were
found. The collection, from sites in the area, includes pottery, jewelry, and some quite
terrifying Mycenaean terra-cotta idols as well as a handsome bronze Mycenaean suit of armor.
The museum is in one of the best-looking buildings in town, the handsome 18th-century
Venetian arsenal that dominates Plateia Syntagma. The thick walls make this a deliciously
cool place to visit on even the hottest day.
At 2pm drive about 45 minutes to Epidauros, where we will have a guided tour of the site. .
Epidavros
The theatre at Epidavros is the best preserved example of a classical Greek amphitheater and
a person on the top row can hear a conversation being spoken in normal tones in the center of
the theatre, a remarkable feat since the theatre can hold 14,000 people. If time we may visit
the town of Ancient Epidavros which is on the coast and has another small theater which was
just discovered in the last twenty years in some guy’s backyard. The town itself has an
attractive waterfront with fishing boats, fish taverns and cafes and the whole area smells of
orange blossoms.
!
Next to Epidauros is the village of Lygourio with 3 Byzantine churches, most distinguished
being the 14th century Koimisis tis Theotokou which has superb early medieval frescoes.
Dinner/overnight Nafpio
Day 5, Tuesday March 29, 2016
After breakfast drive about 45 minutes to the ancient site of Myceneae for our guided tour.
Myceneae
!
The Argolis Peninsula was the center of Greek culture from 1600 to 1100 BC under the
Myceneans until the city was destroyed. The enormous stone walls of the ancient city make one
wonder how anything short of a nuclear blast could harm it. Because the stones were so massive,
the Greeks believed the giant Cyclops must have lifted them, thus the term ‘Cyclopean walls’.
The ancient city is entered through the famous Lion Gate and contains the palace of
Agamemnon. If you remember your Iliad you will know that Agememnon was the brother of
Menelaous, the husband of Helen, who was abducted by Paris and taken to Troy. The combined
Greek forces under the command of Agememnon took ten years to conquer the city of Troy. On
his return home Agememnon was murdered in his bath by his wife Clytaemenstra who had taken
a lover in his absence and was still smarting over the sacrifice of their daughter in an effort to
gain favorable winds for the expedition. Their son Orestes then murdered her.
After the tour we return to Nafplio for a free afternoon to wander around the town, visiting the
local museums, sitting at a café, shopping. Another dinner/night in Naflpio.
Day 6, Wednesday March 30, 2016
After breakfast we drive about 2.5 hours to Mystras where we will spend the next 3 nights. We
will stop for lunch and an afternoon hike.
Day 7, Thursday March 31 & Day 8, Friday April 1, 2016
Full day hikes – could be one of these:
Good circular walk of 12k from Mystra that goes through narrow valley immediately south of
the site, via hamlets of Taiyeti and semi deserted Pergandeika, past monastery of Feneromeni and
cliff hung monastery of Panayia Zayouna to Parori village and then back to Neos Mystras. The
higher mountains should still be covered in snow forming a striking backdrop to the scenery.
Second hike set off from Parori on spectacular cliff path up through Langadhiotissa Gorge and
join E4 footpath to Faneromeni (4km) then road toward Anavryti and then after 700m turn off
onto old path to town.
!
!
!
Day 9, Saturday April 2, 2016
Morning walk over to historic site of Mystra where we will visit the historic monasteries and see
their beautiful frescoes/architecture. Can also go see/buy the lovely needlepoint’s sold by the
nuns. Then short drive/visit ancient Sparta, and have a picnic lunch in the site.
After lunch another 3 hour hike in the mountains above Mystra and then 2 hour drive to
www.areospolis.gr Aeropolis for next 2 nights. Dinner out in town.
Day 10, Sunday April 3, 2016
Beautiful full day hike with sea views at southernmost point of the Mani peninsula to the
lighthouse with stop at Vathia, one of the historic “tower” towns on the way. Dinner/night at
www.areospolis.gr
Day 11, Monday April 4, 2016
After breakfast, we drive about one hour north to our beautiful waterfront hotel located in the
quaint village of Kardamyli: Anniska & Liakoto http://www.anniska-liakoto.com/ where we will
stay 3 nights. This hotel does not provide breakfast – so we will stop at a market to pick up
yogurt, fruit, and cereal to eat in for the next few days. Our suites will be stocked with coffee,
milk, sugar and tea. Full day moderate hike into the countryside/mountains above the town.
Dinner out at local restaurant 2-3 blocks from our hotel.
Day 12, Tuesday April 5, 2016
We will do another full day moderate hike up into the mountains near our village. Hikes are on a
combination of trails and country roads (usually dirt/gravel with little to no traffic). We’ll pass
some small mountain villages, herds of sheep/goats, and the mountain peaks above us may still
be covered in snow.
!
Dinner out at another nice restaurant in town within a short walk of our hotel.
Day 14, Wednesday April 6, 2016
Another full day hike in the mountains behind our hotel/village. One option is through the village
of Sotirianika following dirt trails through olive groves to the deserted monastery of Agios
Nikolaos. You continue along a mule path and impressive stone bridge over the Koskarakas
Gorge and to a dirt road leading to Kambos. Here, in the church of Agia Theodoroi, are some
excellently preserved 18th-century frescoes painted by a local artist, which depict an unusual
combination of biblical, historical, and pagan influences. If there is time we will visit a
Mycenean beehive tomb, reputedly the burial place of Machaon, son of Asclepios, the Greek god
of healing.
"Koskarakas Gorge from near Vorio - 707 x 1024
pixels"!
Day 15, Thursday April 7, 2016
3.5 hour drive to ancient Olympia for tour of this beautiful site and fabulous museum. We will
stop in town of Olympus for a quick lunch, and then spend about 2-2.5 hours touring the site (it
is open until 5pm). Then another 2 hour drive to our final hotel for our last 3 nights.
Karytaina: Pelasgos Guesthouse http://www.pelasgoshotel.gr/index_en.html Dinner at our
hotel all 3 nights.
Day 16, Friday April 8, 2016
Today is an easy walk right from our hotel through the village, and lovely countryside towards
Megalopilos, and back the same way – about 3 hours, crossing ancient bridge over the Louisous
river/gorge with beautiful views down to the river. Return to the hotel and drive 30-45 minutes to
Stemnitsa for lunch. A lovely small town with folklore museum and several medieval churches.
Return to our hotel, and then option to walk up to the old fortress on the cliffs above the town
Option to go white water rafting (extra charge about 50 euros) for 3-4 hours on Lousios River.
Day 17, Saturday April 9, 2016
A 30-45 minute drive to ancient Gortys (very small site) where we start a full day hike through a
beautiful river gorge, with unbelievably clean/clear water, passing waterfalls, 2 monasteries built
into the cliffs, wild flowers along the trail, and trail continues up to lovely mountain town of
Dhimitsana. Water shoes might be needed for some of this hike. We’ll stop in Dhimistana for
celebratory drink at a local café. Return to our hotel for final dinner/night.
"Lousios gorge - 648 x 1000 pixels"!
"Agios Ioannis Prodromos monastery - 1000 x 649
pixels"!
Day 18, Sunday April 10, 2016
Drive to Athens airport (about 3 hours) for afternoon flights home. Flights must depart at 1:00pm
or later or separate airport transfer (costs about 150 euros) will be needed.