The Peloponnese is a large peninsula in the south of Greece. Actually, it’s not a peninsula anymore since it was separated from the mainland by the Corinth Canal, but we’ll just ignore that for now. We’ve planned three weeks for a road trip across the entire peninsula. As always, with our own car and tent. I already described the ferry journey in the post Spontaneous and Unplanned Vacation; this post is about the time after that.
Day 1
Arrival
The first day, the day of our arrival, was not very spectacular. We took the country road to the Akrata Beach Camping site. On the way, it occurred to me that there are only three campsites in the north and the ferry was quite full. I was worried that the site might be full by the time we arrived. The motorway is faster. But we were lucky and got a nice spot. Close to the sea and the taverna, where we also had dinner. Saganaki, tzatziki, pork steak, Greek salad, and fries. Classic Greek and delicious.
Day 2
First Exploration and Relaxation
The second day was meant to be a relaxed one. We got breakfast from the campsite’s mini-market. Greek pastries, warm and, above all, greasy. Too greasy for us. But we hadn’t gone grocery shopping yet. So we had to go shopping and decided to combine it with a visit to the Peristerionas Gorge. However, we were not prepared for the steep descent or the complete lack of water. In September, the stream is apparently mostly dried up, and we found ourselves in a dry gorge. So, back up we went and then off to shop. Back at the campsite, we jumped into the sea. With swim shoes, as pebble beaches are not exactly comfortable for the feet. And not for lying on either.
Day 3
Around Corinth
We had arrived and recovered sufficiently from the journey. On the third day, exploring the sights around Corinth was on the agenda. Ancient Corinth was our first stop. Although I had been to Greece many years ago, I had forgotten that most archaeological excavations are much more destroyed than what you see in Italy. Apart from a few, mostly restored, columns and walls, you really only see the foundations of the former buildings. Everything that was taller is either scattered around or was used for other purposes over the last two millennia. Nevertheless, it’s impressive what structures and settlements were built several hundred years before Christ.
Afterwards, we spontaneously went to Acrocorinth, a fortress on the mountain above ancient Corinth. “Luckily, you can drive right up to the foot of the fortress,” I thought. In the car park, I then realised that the fortress walls were built around the mountain, but the mountain inside the fortress is still much higher. So, in the midday sun at 33°C, we first walked up the steep access path and then continued upwards inside the castle. I’m not athletic, and for me, the ascent was quite strenuous. But the view made up for the effort!
Finally, we drove to the Corinth Canal. It’s not that easy to find a spot from which you can get a good view of the canal. Search for the Isthmus of Corinth on Google Maps, and you’ll come to a bridge. You can park well on the west side and walk across both sides of the bridge. You’re rewarded with the impressive sight of the canal. It looks like it was cut through the rock with a knife.
On the way back, we went shopping again briefly, this time in a larger supermarket, and bought new tent pegs at Decathlon. Unfortunately, not the ones for rocky ground, but better than the “normal” ones. Dinner at a small taverna rounded off the day. Even though the choice of dishes in Greece offers little variety, it was very tasty.
Day 4
A Memorial in the Mountains
A leisurely excursion was actually planned. From Diakopto, a one-hour cogwheel train ride to Kalavryta. But a look at the travel guide tells the story of Kalavryta, which makes you thoughtful. During the Second World War, German soldiers executed almost the entire village to punish the Greek resistance fighters. From the train station, the path leads up the mountain to the memorial. Along the way, there are plaques with statements from survivors. Here you realise again how stupid people were back then and unfortunately still are today.
With a somewhat somber mood, we returned to the pleasant town, walked down the main shopping street, and waited in a café for our return journey. The rest of the day? Relaxing on the beach and at our spot. We tried using a large towel on the beach, but the pebbles were too uncomfortable. Thanks to being just a few meters from our spot to the beach and back, we simply returned to our chairs and the hammock.
Enough activity for four days. But our journey lasts for almost three weeks. So, more to follow.