Greece - Korina Miller [113]
Take bus 308 to Koropi-Peania from Athens’ Ethniki Amyna metro station.
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MT PARNITHA ΠΑΡΝΗΘΑ
The densely forested Mt Parnitha National Park (www.parnitha-ng.gr), about 25km north of Athens, is the highest mountain range surrounding the city and serves as the ‘lungs’ of Athens. Tragically, more than 4200 hectares of century-old fir and pine forest was razed in the devastating six-day fires of 2007. The state has tripled the area designated as national park and launched a major reforestation program, but it will take decades to recover.
Mt Parnitha comprises a number of smaller peaks, the highest of which is Karavola at 1413m – high enough to get snow in winter. The park is crisscrossed by numerous walking trails, is a popular hiking and mountain-biking destination and has two shelters for hikers. Trails are marked on the Road Editions trekking map of the area. There are many caves and wildlife, including red deer.
Most visitors access the park by cable car from the outer Athens suburb of Thrakomakedones, which drops you below the incongruous Regency Casino Mont Parnes ( 210 242 1234; www.regencycasinos.gr; 24hr). The casino runs a free bus service from various locations in Athens, including outside the Hilton. You can get to the cable car station on bus 714 from the south end of Aharnon, near Plateia Omonias.
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Peloponnese
Πελοπóησος
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ACHAÏA ΑΧΑΪΑ
PATRA ΠAΤΡΑ
DIAKOFTO ΔΙΑΚΟΦΤΟ
ZAHLOROU ΖΑΧΛΩΡΟΥ
KALAVRYTA ΚΑΛAΒΡΥΤΑ
AROUND KALAVRYTA
CORINTHIA ΚΟΡΙΝΘIΑ
CORINTH ΚΟΡΙΝΘΟΣ
ANCIENT CORINTH & ACROCORINTH ΑΡΧΑΙΑ ΚOΡΙΝΘΟΣ & ΑΚΡΟΚOΡΙΝΘΟΣ
CORINTH CANAL ΔΙΩΡΥΓΑ ΤΗΣ ΚΟΡΙΝΘΟΥ
ISTHMIA/KYRAS VRYSI ΙΣΘΜIΑ/ΚΥΡΑΣ ΒΡΥΣΗ
ANCIENT NEMEA ΑΡΧΑΙΑ ΝΕΜΕΑ
ARGOLIS ΑΡΓΟΛIΔΑ
ARGOS ΑΡΓΟΣ
MYCENAE ΜΥΚHΝΕΣ
NAFPLIO ΝΑΥΠΛΙΟ
TIRYNS ΤΊΡҮΝΘΑ
EPIDAVROS ΕΠIΔΑΥΡΟΣ
SOUTHWEST ARGOLIS
ARKADIA ΑΡΚΑΔIΑ
TRIPOLI ΤΡΙΠΟΛΗ
MEGALOPOLI ΜΕΓΑΛOΠΟΛΗ
CENTRAL ARKADIA
KYNOURIA ΚΥΝΟΥΡIΑ
LAKONIA ΛΑΚΩΝIΑ
SPARTA ΣΠAΡΤΗ
MYSTRAS ΜΥΣΤΡAΣ
LANGADA PASS ΟΡΕΙΝΗ ΔΙΑΒΑΣΗ ΛΑΓΚΑΔΑ
MONEMVASIA & GEFYRA ΜΟΝΕΜΒΑΣΙΑ & ΓΕΦΥΡΑ
NEAPOLI ΝΕAΠΟΛΗ
GYTHIO ΓΥΘΕΙΟ
THE MANI Η ΜAΝΗ
LAKONIAN MANI
MESSINIAN MANI
MESSINIA ΜΕΣΣΗΝIΑ
KALAMATA ΚΑΛΑΜAΤΑ
MAVROMATI (ANCIENT MESSINI) ΜΑΥΡΟΜΑΤΙ (ΑΡΧΑΙΑ ΜΕΣΣΗΝΗ)
KORONI ΚΟΡΩΝΗ
FINIKOUNDA ΦΟΙΝΙΚΟΥΝΤΑ
METHONI ΜΕΘΩΝΗ
PYLOS ΠΥΛΟΣ
GIALOVA ΓΙΑΛΟΒΑ
AROUND GIALOVA
ELIA ΗΛIΑ
THOLOS TO PYRGOS ΘΟΛΟΣ ΠΡΟΣ ΠΥΡΓΟΣ
PYRGOS ΠΥΡΓΟΣ
AROUND PYRGOS
OLYMPIA ΟΛΥΜΠIΑ
ANDRITSENA ΑΝΔΡIΤΣΑΙΝΑ
KYLLINI ΚΥΛΛΗΝΗ
KYTHIRA & ANTIKYTHIRA
KYTHIRA ΚYΘΗΡΑ
ANTIKYTHIRA ΑΝΤΙΚYΘΗΡΑ
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The Peloponnese (pel-o-pon-ih-sos) is the stuff that legends are made of. Numerous myths were born and borne out here – it is where many Greek gods or heroes strutted their stuff (and aired their bodies). Today this region is far from a fable. It boasts historical sites, with classical temples, Mycenaean palaces, Byzantine cities, and Frankish and Venetian fortresses. You can rub shoulders with the ghost of Agamemnon at Mycenae, mighty redoubt of a once-great civilisation, or flex your muscles at Ancient Olympia, spiritual home of the Olympics. You can cite Oedipus in the Theatre of Epidavros or be entranced by Mystras, where the Byzantine civilisation died in the 14th century. Greece’s first capital, Nafplio, is today a cosmopolitan and romantic city; captivating, too, is the Venetian stronghold of Monemvasia.
The region’s natural playground truly mesmerises, with lofty, snowcapped mountains, lush gorges, valleys of citrus groves and vineyards, cypress trees, streams and sun-speckled beaches. Spring is a perfect time for do-it-yourself explorations. Hike in the wildflower-covered mountains of Arkadia, or in the rugged Mani, which bristles with fortified tower houses. Summer is a beach bum’s delight: the beaches of Messinia are among Greece’s finest. Winter brings snow to the higher ground