At the start of March we took off to Athens for a couple of days exploring the city and its key sites. Our loose plan was then to pick up a hire car and wander off around the Peloponnese peninsular for a few days before arriving back in Athens for the last night and day.
Here's a random collection of snaps from the trip. This was more about wandering than photography, so a single 35mm lens, no tripod, no filters, no faffing around, just enjoy the experience and capture a few memories!!
Escaping the city centre wasn't too stressful and once away from the metropolis of Athens the driving was effortless. Our first stop was Corinthia before making our way via Mycenae. But we were too late in the day! Oh well never mind eh, next time! Onward to Nafplion to find a hotel for the night. Yes, nothing was planned on this trip, we just took each day as it came!
The next day, after a wander around the castle perched high above the town, we initially set of east to visit the ancient harbour town Epidaurus which was worth it, as the way out was back the way we came to Nafplion to pick up the Argolic Coast Road south, stopping off at Tyros enroute before arriving at the pretty small port village of Paralia. But like Cornwall out of season, both the village's hotels were shut up out of season. No worries a couple of hours further south would get us to Monemvasia. Further south than we had imaged getting, and despite arriving well after dark we found nice hotel and a short walk around the harbour a nice restaurant and fish for supper!
The next morning we set about exploring Monemvasia - wow, what a spectacle. From here we headed back into the centre to Sparta, its ancient theatre and archaeological site. From here we headed west to the coastal town of Kyparissia.
A nice hotel and meal set us up for the next day, one of the highlights of the Peloponnese tour, Olympia and the Tempe of Zeus.
It was stunning to see it in the spring with the wild flowers bursting with colour. And I still can't get over the fact we walked up and down the original athletics track.
Well worth the visit.
From here we left the Peloponnese for a night crossing over the Gulf of Corinthia on the Rio–Antirrio Bridge, an impressive engineering masterpiece and one of a series of iconic bridges in Europe.
Our last night before heading back to Athens was spent in Nafpaktos.
It has a Venetian castle over looking the port and offers a wide range of bars and restaurants to make the stop over very pleasant.
Back in Athens we took a stroll up to Philopappos Monument to enjoy the sunset and watch night fall over the Acropolis. The next day we took a wander around the central market district and enjoyed a great meal at one of the older family run taverna's before heading for the airport! Great trip.
