We followed the directions carefully....honest! Even Madam SatNag had problems. After a calm and stress free drive ( NOT!!) to the top of the town and then back down again, we found it! Den manoeuvred amongst the terraces and we got April happily positioned under the trees. That evening we met our fellow campers and had a meal in the campsite restaurant. Our group consisted of 24 campers in assorted motor homes, campers and 2 caravans. Everyone was very friendly and our escorts Sel and Lyn were very experienced and helpful travel companions.
The next day we hiked, via bus, up the hill to the town. Endless views of the surrounding countryside and very expensive shops and restaurants. We spent a few hours having a look around.
Fortunately the town was very quiet as it was getting late in the season. We had a pleasant meal overlooking the valley. Pizza, salad, wine and ice -cream, very Italian. I thought the ice-cream was great, Den thought the ice-cream extortionate at 7 Euros. Still, a very peaceful day to set ourselves up for the next adventure, the ferry from Ancona to Igoumenitsa.
The next morning we were up and out to the port of Ancona a shortish journey of 75 miles. We were all soon queuing up on the jetty, jostling for positions, ready for the off. Initially, we had been going directly to Patras in Greece on a 24 hour crossing. Minoan Lines at the last minute decided the weather was too rough to reach Patras, so we would have to disembark at Igoumenista and drive the last 70 odd miles to Patras. A bit of a shame really as the next booked campsite was just 14 miles from Patras which would have been perfect. It would have been an easy journey. We were remarkably chilled about the whole thing, as it was an escorted tour we just had to tag along and let someone else do the stressing! Intrepid travellers never moan.
Here we are waiting for the ferry. Where was all this bad weather? The sun was shining and the sea was calm. We were all soon comfortably loaded on the ferry. Our cabins had been upgraded due to the change in route. We got our own porthole.
At Ancona Port. Calm as a mill pond. Ready to go.
After a quiet and uneventful crossing we were soon driving on Greek soil. We had been well fed and watered on the boat and had our first taste of a Greek salad. We unloaded at Igoumenista full of hope. Navigating to Patras was relatively simple we had a great drive and soon found our way to Camping Kato Alissos amongst the olive trees.
A short dash cam of our drive to Patras.
A basic but pretty campsite. Sel had told us that once we were on the beach here, we would feel we had found Greece.
We parked up and went in search of the beach.
Somebody found the sea. Seriously, the beach had seen better days but the setting was beautiful.
The sea was really warm. We later had a lovely meal under the old olive tree in the camp restaurant. Freshly cooked fish with more Greek salad, washed down with a few glasses of wine of course. I think this is a part of Greece we would return to. There was something quirky but comfortable at this site. Even the dogs were friendly and loved everyone's shoes.
Our next stop was Olimpia and Camping Alphios, an easy drive we would be there for 3 days. The campsite was beautifully sited on the hillside above Olympia, a very steep climb. Facilities were good and there was a lovely pool and restaurant. The campsite staff were very friendly. Here we got to love the coffee frappe.
From the campsite we went on an excursion into Olympia. Taxis were organised to take us down the mountain.
Olympia was a fascinating place and we could have done with more time to explore it further. We did get a great tour with a very knowledgeable guide.
Olympia is a massive site, we only explored a small part of it. Zeus's Temple.
The running track arena. It was a very hot day. We could not imagine what it would have been like to actually run in the heat. We spent some time in the excellent museum looking at the various statues and other exhibits before retiring to the local taverna in the village.
Our next destination was Mystras near the town of Sparti a drive of 107 miles. We were heading for Camping Castle View. This site was in a wonderful location and surprisingly in another olive grove. It was tight manoeuvring all the vans in amongst the trees but we made it without any disasters!
April making friends with yet another olive tree. The campsite was called Castle View because of the amazing location at the foot of the hill.
Mystras, the 'wonder of the Morea', was built as an amphitheatre around the fortress erected in 1249 by the prince of Achaia, William of Villehardouin. Reconquered by the Byzantines, then occupied by the Turks and the Venetians, the city was abandoned in 1832, leaving only the breathtaking medieval ruins, standing in a beautiful landscape.
We climbed to the top of the hill and spent some time amongst the spirits of the ancient Greeks. It was a beautiful place and surprisingly non commercial.
Mystras Castle a fabulous day out. Definitely one to remember. The views were amazing. We retired after a happy day to have another Greek meal and a few glasses of wine. The campsite was well placed for the village.
The following day we set off for another trip. This time to Monemvassia known as the Greek Gibralta. The village of Monemvassia is approached by a causeway famous for sea food restaurants and the colourful buildings. It is a stunning place.
The views from the top of the rock were sensational.
We made our way through the village.
This was the challenging climb to the upper town.
A few hardy souls made it to the top. Well worth the upwards struggle.
In fact coming down was more perilous as the stones were so shiny and slippy from the many feet that had trodden the path to the top. We retired to yet another taverna for a very cold and refreshing Greek beer. On the homeward trail we stopped at Gythio for a well deserved fish meal by the sea.
Our next venue was Camping Kastraki at Paralia Assini near the small seaside town of Tolo. Another lovely site by the beach. Although the site was virtually empty we were somewhat crammed in.
I think we could have just arrived here without a booking. A few more days by the sea would have been great.
The fact we were a bit squashed in was made up for by the view. We slept with the sound of the sea in the background.
The sea was still incredibly warm and so blue.
There was still some life in the nearby resort. Lots of bars and restaurants but not too busy at this time of the year.
From Assini we went out to Mycenae to see the ancient ruins and the fabulous Epidaurus theatre. We also stopped at the harbour town of Nafplios.
The magnificent theatre at Epidaurus seats up to 14,000 people and is still used. I think Epidarus was one of the most interesting places we visited. Amazing to think that the ancient Greeks knew so much about medicine and even had basic anaesthetics. We would have liked more time to wander around the museum exhibits and learn a bit more.
Mycenae was much busier but still a fascinating place to see.
We passed lots of other sites on our travels which we would love to go and explore at another time. We were at Camping Kastraki for 4 days so plenty of time for a bit of island hopping. We did a day excursion to Hydra and Spetses from Tola. A long but lovely day out with a 2.5 hour cruise out to the islands with plenty of time to browse around the shops and restaurants. Stunning scenery in both places but very busy with many cruise ship visitors.
Loads of very expensive boats and yachts in the harbour. How the other half live!
Spetses, loads of donkeys no cars here.
Hydra harbour. A really bustling harbour a magnet for tourists and day visitors. Bet it's really quiet in the winter.
All too soon the days had flown by. The next morning we would be on our way to Athens. Excitement was rising. Another adventure brewing.
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