Maiden Voyage for a Neo France Italy & Greece Part 4

We were soon settled for the night on a Camper Contact spot called Camper Stop actually in Ancient Corinth. A nice little place found after following the Camper Stop signs through the very narrow approach roads of Ancient Corinth. Just when we thought we had come to a dead end, we were there. A good bit of shade amongst the olives and a friendly welcome.

The site is run by a Greek family. Basic facilities, just passable but only 13 euros so not much to complain about. An easy 10 minute uphill stroll takes you to the heart of Ancient Corinth. A very interesting place swarming with coach parties during the day but a traditional Greek place at night when the tourists have gone. We explored Ancient Corinth at our leisure the next day and spent a very pleasant few hours wandering amongst the ruins of the city and looking around the museum.

A great time to visit in the afternoon after all the tour buses have gone.

The place where St Paul preached to the Corinthian crowds.

The iconic view of the 7 pillars of the temple.

The baths with the sounds of the water churning below. It was amazing to see how advanced this city was in it's heyday and still awe inspiring today!

Modern Corinth also well worth a visit to browse amongst the souvenir shops and do a bit of shopping in the supermarket! Lots of good restaurants too. Dogs everywhere, loads of strays but also lots of pets. This one looked happy!

We really wanted to visit the Corinth Canal again but time was against us, perhaps next time. Our next destination Delphi.

Delphi was one of the places we really wanted to go back to. Camping Delphi was in a beautiful spot over looking the valley. The hike up to the town of Delphi was something we wanted to do again.We managed the hike up the mountain and it was an absolutely stunning hike there and back! Totally quiet and with breath taking views. The ancient footpath is well marked but good walking shoes definitely needed.

We made it to the top!

We did a whistle stop tour of Ancient Delphi, it was hot and busy! Back to town for lunch and the delightful stroll back down the mountain.

We were shattered but happy we did it! A quick relax in the pool.

Oh dear, our peace and tranquillity shattered. We had been taken over by the only Brits we had met all holiday. The Camping & Caravanning Club Escorted Tour had arrived! We decided to move on.

We decided to aim for an area of Greece we had not been to before. Using the very handy Sunshine camping map we had picked up at a previous campsite we headed for Lefkada and Camping Kariotes Beach. It looked promising on arrival.

 A friendly welcome on arrival and a nice pool.

Sadly the site was not quite what it seemed. The facilities were pretty basic and non too clean. The pool looked pretty but for us was ruined by the posses of pussies which seemed to have taken over the world and were constantly begging for food. They looked very well fed to us! 

The site was a short walk to the beach but not a very attractive one. Empty but lots of rubbish around.We did manage to spend a lovely day in the town of Lefkada and sat by the marina watching the world sailing in and out. Handy for shopping at the local Lidl but not a site I would rush to return too.

Very yummy ice cream shop in town though.

Tired of the pussies and feeling we really wanted a nice relaxing clean beach we headed for the next port of call up the coast a site called believe it or not "Enjoy Lichnos".

With some trepidation we drove down the very steep and twisty mountain road to the site hoping Madam SatNag was right and we wouldn't have to turn around. Yipee! we made it and bagged the best pitch on the site!

Seriously we did wonder why so many people were lurking around the pitch as we parked up. It soon became obvious, as one moved off the beach side pitches, the vultures gathered to move on! Park anywhere she said...so we did! Right by the beach. We watched the water taxi for Parga across the bay come in twice a day. We enjoyed a trip our selves proper cruising for us!

A lovely beach with lots going on to watch and handy beach bars to relax in.

A bit bumpy but a lovely trip across the bay to Parga. 

Church by boat. Looked like a christening.

Parga was a lovely place for a day trip but not sure I would want to stay too long. The boat went from Parga back to Lichnos a few times a day so we enjoyed watching the day trippers. All good things come to an end and we knew sooner or later we would have to make our way back to Igoumensita for the ferry back to Italy. As the season at Lichnos came to and end, it was time for us to move on. We had enjoyed the break by the beach but I can imagine that this campsite in the summer is really hectic and probably not quite so pleasant.

Our final summer spot in Greece was Camping Depanos at Igoumensita. We decided that wanted another dip in the sea before heading home. We arrived at Depanos after a heavy windy night of rain and the site looked a bit unkempt, in fact we nearly left! However, by the next morning the sun was out and all was right with the world. It only goes to show first impressions can be wrong. The site was a bit untidy with a lot of permanent long stayers. The facilities were very good and clean and the beach was lovely. We got to swim in the sea and took a few trips into Igoumensita. The site restaurant served good food and they were friendly. Certainly perfect for a few days to catch the sun.

Camping on the beach. 

 Pitches were huge.

A lovely sandy clean beach. The sea was beautifully warm.

The sun goes down on our last few nights in Greece. Tomorrow back to the ferry for the return run to Ancona. We have had a fabulous time in Greece wall to wall sunshine, great sights and lovely food. Next year calls!

Maiden Voyage for a Neo. Italy France & Greece. Part 3

We made it safely to Mystra and were soon settled in at Castle View Camping. Just below the ancient city of Mystra. A nice site in the olive groves with a swimming pool and good restaurant.

Not a hugely busy site at this time of the year but it soon acquired a few more German and Dutch visitors mainly stopping for one night. We decided to stay two and visit Mystra again the next morning.

We enjoyed the pool, the restaurant and experienced our first Greek rainfall. A short sharp down pour which was quickly over. 

Having experienced Mystra before and knowing it was a long walk to the top of the hill, we got the site owner to get us a taxi.For the princely sum of 7 Euros we were soon whizzing up the hill to the top gate. Mystra is a very big, hot and dusty site and you really do need to be relatively fit to make the upper castle. Going up is hard work but coming down requires loads of concentration. We made it to the top and enjoyed the views it was well worth the hike.

One of the stony paths up hill.

At the top!

Fabulous views in every direction.

On the way up!

It was a very long day but we really enjoyed it. Although there were some coach parties it is such a big site you feel that you are on your own. Mystras is definitely a place to go for a brilliant day out. With wrinkly discount worth a princely 6 euros each.

We headed back into the village and found a very nice homely restaurant where we had a great meal.

Tomorrow. Back to the sea. Another coastal resort at Plaka near Leonidio.

Following an extremely challenging drive though the mountains, we eventually arrived on the coast. The drive from Sparta to Plaka on the coast took us literally over the mountains. How Den kept his nerve I don't know! It was extremely scary in places. The
tiny mountain villages we encountered were bad enough to drive through in a car, never mind a van! We should have switched the dash cam on!! We certainly put our auto gear box through it's paces and it coped well.

The cork screw road. We actually managed to get a picture of it. It looks as bad as it was.

Top of the mountain. We stopped for a breather after negotiating the mountain village of Kosmos. Not something we wanted to repeat. On the other side of the mountain we passed other campers and wondered how many people were actually stuck in a mountain villages for ever! If you managed to fit through the streets you then had to manoeuvre around tractors, people and parked cars.

By the time we had come down from the mountain to sea level we were relieved to find the campsite. We were soon set up and really deserved the cold beer.

Camping Semelie in the harbour village of Plaka by a pebbly beach.

Our very own ancient olive tree. Everything in Greece is "ancient".

Plaka harbour.Lots of boats come into moor at night and enjoy the restaurants and bars.

The campsite beach. Pretty deserted which was sad with temperatures in the thirties. No Brits! The campsite is excellent with good facilities and a lovely kitchen block for tenters with lots of individual little kitchens. We could have camped almost on the beach but with no shade, we went for the olive tree option instead.

Another lovely two days and off for a fish meal later. Lets hope the fish is fresh, but there seems to be loads in the sea so we should be OK. Lets hope his nets were full.

Our next destination Camping Kastraki in Ancient Asini near the town of Tolo just down from Nafplio. A good site well positioned by the sea. Almost empty when we arrived. The site facilities are basic but serviceable and the nearby town has loads of cafes, shops and restaurants.  We have had a great time trying out some local food and swimming in the sea which is beautifully warm but salty. The evening have had a lovely cooling sea breeze so it has been a good stop.

A nearly deserted campsite.

By the beach.

At he entrance to the site is the archaeological ruins of the old Asini castle. A fascinating place to look around with amazing views. You can climb right to the top of the mountain and there are a couple of exhibitions and information about the site.

There is also a pretty little church.

It has been incredibly hot here in Greece, so there are bans on any kind of BBQ as the winds are so strong. What a shame we will have to eat out again!

Our next stop will be Corinth and the chance to see a few more ruins. Can't wait! Then off to Delphi which we are really looking forward to.

Maiden Voyage for a Neo. France, Italy & Greece. Part 2

We finally made it to Ancona and after collecting our tickets for camping on board we were on the dock in the right queue.

The only van with a GB sticker!

It appeared chaotic at times but Anek Lines are Italian run so it was not as bad as the Minoan line which we had used on our last trip. The ferry was due out at 1.30 pm but actually left at 3.30 pm! Only a two hour delay then! The boat was actually quite empty with loads of spaces for cars and vans but pretty full for foot passengers.

We were a bit anxious about the loading process as a lot of the big lorries were going in backwards. As it turned out we drove straight on an were soon settled on board.

We were given an electronic key to access the car deck. There was an electric hook up available and good showers and loos. Once moving you could use all the ships facilities which we thought were quite good. It was very hot though, even with doors and roof lights open. We ate in the self service restaurant and spent some time on the ship, no worse than our cross channel ferries really. Prices about the same on board. We slept well in our own beds!

Watching the sun coming up! There was even a swimming pool on the ship for those who fancied a dip.

Patras harbour. We arrived at around 3.30 pm, so it was exactly 24 hours on board. The boat stopped at Igoumenitsa first, so lots of passengers got off there. Reassuringly boat announcements were also in English so we knew what was going on most of the time.

Disembarkation was relatively easy. We had to do a "u" turn but by then the car deck was quite empty, so not too bad! From Patras Port a short 30 minute drive and we had arrived at our first Greek campsite Kato Alessis.

Soon settled in under the olives again.  A basic site but good hot water, a small shop, friendly staff and a restaurant overlooking the sea under a massive olive tree.

A few camp dogs but of the friendly variety. There was also a youth group on site but they were all very quiet and well behaved.

Dinner under the olive tree. Spectacular setting. You feel you are really on holiday when you get here, a glass of wine and a view to die for. I think the only disappointing thing about this site is the beach. Very scruffy now and sadly gradually eroding into the sea with remnants of old rusty beach bars still in evidence. However, a very relaxing stop we stayed for two nights to chill out.

The next stop on this trip was Oympia. Camping Alphios. We had stayed there on our previous escorted tour so thought we would go for a few days and revisit the Olympia site and museum. We had a very warm welcome from the campsite owner and soon found a pitch over looking the valley towards Mount Kounis. A stunning view. We were pleased that there was extra shading.

View towards the Olympic valley from our pitch.

A fabulous pool at Alphios and very well maintained. There was also a very good restaurant and all the food was home made by the family that ran the site. We tucked into moussaka that night.

We walked down the very steep hill to Olympia. Easier going down than coming back up! The campsite owner told us to go in the afternoon, it was hotter but so much quieter! We had Olympia practically all to ourselves for the princely sum of 6 Euros each, with wrinkly discount ( take a passport or driving licence!) We wandered around the ruins.

The deserted running track!

We later went up to the museum ( included in the admission price) and introduced ourselves to Hermes and Nike! The museum was also deserted but very cool so we had a good look around.

Hadrian himself! I wonder if this was before or after the wall! 

After the museum we made for the town and enjoyed a nice cool drink before a very hot climb.

From Alphios we really had no plans but decided to make for a beach stop next. Straight down the Peloponnese towards Pylos. Camping Erodius at Gialova.

The campsite is right on the beach and here we have stayed for 5 nights. Again, great little village just a short stroll along the beach and a lovely walk towards the lagoon in the opposite direction. The campsite was quite full, mainly Germans. The weather has been beautiful and the facilities excellent. Loads of showers, loos and a great taverna on site.

The beach is a picture postcard. Loads of water sports going on and posh yachts coming and going, so plenty to watch. The beach is only used by the campsite with lots of sun beds free to use. 

Just down the beach is a resort village with plenty of shops and small restaurants. A carafe (50 L) of white wine for 3 euros. Not much to complain about.

It must be coming to the end of the season because everyone seems to be leaving. The campsite is emptying fast.  We have decided to move on tomorrow to Mystras and the campsite called Castle View. We may see a few more ruins on the way but the site we are heading to has a good pool which we may need if this weather continues. Fingers crossed.