First Stop: Mystras
On our way to Nafplio, we stopped for a morning tour at the archeological mountainside ruin site of Mystras near Sparta. Mystras dates from the Byzantine time period (1300’s AD). Here we met up with our local guide George. Mystras was a very important center in its time, second only to Constantinople. Mystras is most famous for its unique Byzantine churches, monasteries, and valuable frescoes. Mystras was abandoned in the 1800’s and left as in ruins. Today it is a valuable archeological site and still has the functioning Monastery of Pantanassa, inhabited by nuns.
Thanasis dropped us off at the top of the site and we gradually worked our way down stopping along the way at the various churches with their beautiful frescoes, though they were definitely showing the passing of time. We stopped for a group lunch in Sparta at a Canadian owned restaurant. A little bit of home for us eh? Delicious chicken was one of 6 choices and the owner bent over backwards to make sure we received the best service! Back on the bus most had an afternoon siesta. The standard joke amongst us after a meal was “I’m FTB”- full to bursting!
Thanasis dropped us off at the top of the site and we gradually worked our way down stopping along the way at the various churches with their beautiful frescoes, though they were definitely showing the passing of time. We stopped for a group lunch in Sparta at a Canadian owned restaurant. A little bit of home for us eh? Delicious chicken was one of 6 choices and the owner bent over backwards to make sure we received the best service! Back on the bus most had an afternoon siesta. The standard joke amongst us after a meal was “I’m FTB”- full to bursting!
Nafplio!
We passed through many tunnels on the mountainous pass on the way to our next destination of Nafplio. Enroute, we passed by orchards full of orange trees, apricot trees, and lemon trees. What a delight when we checked in at Nafplio and were greeted by three very friendly, energetic and enthusiastic brothers Petros, Takis and Panos Zotos who were the co-owners of this lovely hotel. They happily swept our cases from our hands and eagerly lead each of us to our rooms. What an incredible sight to behold as we realized we had our own private courtyard overlooking the city. After settling in, we relaxed on the large open veranda with the unbelievable view of the city where we enjoyed fresh squeezed orange juice and tree ripened oranges picked from their organic orchard. After freshening up we all strolled into town with David. |
Ancient Mycenae
Incredible to note that many of the delicacies served at our Nafplio hotel for our breakfast were homemade by the dear wives of these three hospitable brothers. Even the oranges themselves were carefully picked by family members in the nearby orchards. Our destination this morning after breakfast on the veranda was the intriguing archeological site of Mycenae, one of the most important ancient sites in Greece (which has been inhabited dating as far back as 3000 BC). Here we met up with our local guide, Pattie Staikou for a tour of the oldest site on our trip.
Some of the attractions were the Tholos Tomb of Clytemnestra, Grave Circle, and the Lion’s Gate (with the gold heads missing, pictured left). There were many school groups in attendance as children learn of this history in grade 3, and then grade 4, then first year junior high and finally senior year. Educating the children of their historical roots is of utmost importance to the Greeks. We then boarded the bus and were dropped off at Napflio Port for an afternoon of free time. We wandered around this old world town and had lunch at a Rick Steves guidebook recommended souvlaki outdoor restaurant.
Some of the attractions were the Tholos Tomb of Clytemnestra, Grave Circle, and the Lion’s Gate (with the gold heads missing, pictured left). There were many school groups in attendance as children learn of this history in grade 3, and then grade 4, then first year junior high and finally senior year. Educating the children of their historical roots is of utmost importance to the Greeks. We then boarded the bus and were dropped off at Napflio Port for an afternoon of free time. We wandered around this old world town and had lunch at a Rick Steves guidebook recommended souvlaki outdoor restaurant.
An Evening of Food, Fun, and Dance at the Taverna O Pseiras!
Following David into town that night, we had no idea that we were going to have the most incredible authentic Greek experience and the most fun of the entire trip, complete with family style Greek food, wine, and traditional dance entertainment at the family run restaurant Taverna O Pseiras.
Our group all had fun on the dance floor learning the moves!
(Click or hover on Gallery photos below to scroll through and read captions)
Our group all had fun on the dance floor learning the moves!
(Click or hover on Gallery photos below to scroll through and read captions)