Greece - Korina Miller [8]
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ROADS LESS TRAVELLED
EASTERN ISLAND RUN Three Weeks / Rhodes to Alexandroupoli
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Starting in the far south of Greece, this leisurely 800km-long trip hops through the Dodecanese to the northeastern Aegean islands with lots of beaches and stunning scenery en route.
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This route takes travellers island hopping north from Rhodes through the islands of the Dodecanese and the Northeastern Aegean, finishing in Alexandroupoli.
Spend a few days on Rhodes, exploring the atmospheric old city and visiting the spectacular Acropolis of Lindos before setting sail for Tilos. This laid-back island has escaped the ravages of development and is a great place for walkers. The next stop is Nisyros, with its breathtaking volcano and lush flora. Call briefly at Kos to lounge on long, sandy beaches and then hop on a ferry to Patmos, an island that St John the Divine found sufficiently inspiring to pen his Book of Revelations. Patmos has good connections to ultra-laid-back Ikaria, where you can laze at some of the Aegean’s best beaches before continuing to Chios and its fabulous mastic villages of the south. The next stop is Lesvos (Mytilini;), birthplace of the poet Sappho, and producer of Greece’s finest ouzo and arguably some of the country’s finest olive oil. Limnos is little more than a transit point on the journey north to Samothraki and the Sanctuary of the Great Gods. The final leg is to the Thracian port of Alexandroupoli, where travellers will find good transport connections to Thessaloniki and Athens.
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EXPLORING THE PELOPONNESE Two Weeks / Athens to Athens
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This 900km-long route through the Peloponnese peninsula takes in some of Greece’s most beautiful medieval towns and historic sights, and dramatic scenery that’s ideal for hikers.
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This route mixes island life with the ancient sights and villages of the Peloponnese peninsula. It’s only a short hop from Athens but it feels worlds away.
Jump on a ferry from Athens to Methana from where you can visit the ancient theatre of Epidavros and take in some star-lit classical performances. Next head to graceful Nafplio with its mansions, museums and lively port. From here, it’s easy to do day trips to the impressive acropolis at Tiryns and the citadel of Mycenae. Head west from Nafplio to the medieval village of Dimitsana, perched high on a hill and a magnet for hikers. A detour north will take you to the sanctuary of Ancient Olympia where you can stand in the stadium that first hosted the Games. South of Dimitsana is the World Heritage–listed Mystras, the massive ruins of an ancient fortress town that was the last stronghold of the Byzantine Empire. If you enjoy stretching your legs, head south to the rugged and remote Mani. Explore the Taÿgetos Mountains and tiny, isolated coves. Walk out to one of mainland Europe’s most southerly points at Cape Tenaro, mentioned in Homer’s ‘Iliad’. Follow the coast east to spectacular Monemvasia, Greece’s answer to France’s Mont St-Michel, and spend at least a day exploring the medieval cobbled alleyways and staying in atmospheric lodgings within the walls. A short journey south brings you to Neapoli where you can hop on a ferry to the unspoilt island of Kythira with its fine beaches and tiny villages. From here, another ferry will return you to Athens.
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TAILORED TRIPS
ON THE GO
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If you really fancy a vacation that combines a number of activities beyond beaching it and dining then listen up. Start with some relaxing fly fishing on the Aoös River near Konitsa in Epiros. After a lunch of freshly caught trout, try walking the Vikos Gorge and maybe follow that with a mountain hike to Drakolimni (Dragon Lake). Now take your gear south and check out some fast windsurfing at Vasiliki on the island of Lefkada. When surfed out and you’ve caught your breath, trek on southwards across the Gulf of Corinth