Olympia
Our much anticipated morning visit to Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games had arrived. Thanasis navigated those windy narrow roads on the way there with great ease. We met up with our local guide Niki Vlachou who was very passionate and excited for us to catch the vision of this ancient time period and she had a way of making it come to life. We began by exploring the Archaeological Museum which housed a staggering amount of fascinating, well preserved artifacts, statues and exhibitions, and then later explored the site itself. The main highlights of this museum included the reassembly of the original ornaments from the two piedmonts of the Temple of Zeus (500's BC), the statue of Hermes of Praxitelis (whose facial expression seems to change as you walk around it, 330 BC), the statue of the winged Nike of Paionios (421 BC), the statuette of Zeus and Ganymedes (470 BC), and of course so much more.
Olympia is not only the birthplace of the Olympic Games (first games thought to have taken place in 776 BC) but also a place sacred to the ancients in their worship of Zeus. Olympia has long been the place to set one's sight on ideals. It has never been just about the games, but also its focus has been on the honour, peace, and struggle of the human body all at the same time. As we visited this archaeological site and museum, we realized we were walking in one of the most important sanctuaries of the ancient world.
Olympia is not only the birthplace of the Olympic Games (first games thought to have taken place in 776 BC) but also a place sacred to the ancients in their worship of Zeus. Olympia has long been the place to set one's sight on ideals. It has never been just about the games, but also its focus has been on the honour, peace, and struggle of the human body all at the same time. As we visited this archaeological site and museum, we realized we were walking in one of the most important sanctuaries of the ancient world.
More of Ancient Olympia
Stepping out onto the site itself with the many Judas trees and small dainty flowers in full mid-April bloom amongst the ruins was a site to behold. Niki gave us a very informative tour and this stimulated our imaginations as we were transported back in time to those first Olympics. With free time on our hands and informed now with its rich history, Gord and I enjoyed meandering around the tranquil and lush Olympic site remains.
What luck!! The Olympic dancers were practicing for the 2016 Rio Games and we were able to take in their performance. Of course, like many a tourist, Gord and I had to go for gold on the actual Olympic track. Gord won, but Julie thinks he cheated!
Our Tour Group at Olympia
An Amazing Vegetarian Lunch at Bacchus Taverna!
We stopped for lunch at a nearby town in a family run restaurant named Bacchus Taverna for a vegetarian meal. Being a meat and potato kind of guy, Gord was a little apprehensive about the whole vegetarian part, but afterwards he stated this was one of the best meals of the trip! The hospitality and welcoming spirit of the family owners was extraordinary and with a family style meal before us we could see why. We had an opportunity to chat with the owner’s son, Archilles before we left. What an interesting story he shared with us. With thankfulness in his heart, he shared in 2007 there was a fire and the fire hopped right over them and their restaurant was spared. He also was so proud that they made their own olive oil and freely used it in their restaurant. His mom was still the cook and had been turning out those amazing Greek meals for over 40 years in the same kitchen. Gord and I could see how much he loved his family business and this was very evident in the tender care and attention and home style cuisine he and his mother gave our group.
(Click or hover on Gallery photos below to scroll through and read captions)
Kardamyli
Kardamyli is a very beautiful seaside village located on the Mani peninsula, a stunning region in the south Peloponnese, with a beautiful Mediterranean coast line that is second to none! The area features a backdrop of crystal clear aqua-blue waters, majestic cypress trees, olive groves, rolling hills and distant snowcapped mountains. Kardamyli was one of the highlights of our trip that offered views that overlooked the sea with fantastic sunsets.
Kardamyli is one of the south Mediterranean's best-kept secrets that few tourists see, unless of course your're on a Rick Steves Tour! The area features small, unspoiled and authentically Greek stately villas, enchanting stone buildings, lush gardens, a picturesque harbour and fantastic beaches even if they do have lots of rocks and pebbles on them!
Kardamyli is one of the south Mediterranean's best-kept secrets that few tourists see, unless of course your're on a Rick Steves Tour! The area features small, unspoiled and authentically Greek stately villas, enchanting stone buildings, lush gardens, a picturesque harbour and fantastic beaches even if they do have lots of rocks and pebbles on them!
Kardamyli Arrival
Continuing on from the Vegetarian lunch, we arrived in Kardamyli by the sea later that day. After checking in at our quaint hotel, we met David in the courtyard and we enjoyed one of the famous Rick Steves Happy Hours, showcasing a variety of Greek wines, olives, cheeses and crackers. Retsina wine being a Greek favourite! After, those who wanted to join David strolled down the road to a favourite place of his, the 1866 Bar. We finished our day visiting with our dear tour friends over a beverage of choice.
A Day Exploring Kardamyli - Part 1: Early Morning Walk
We loved how each hotel had a different approach to serving breakfast. At this hotel we picked up our trays of breakfast downstairs and were able to sit on our own private deck of our room enjoying the delicacies overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. After breakfast Gord being the photographer set out to take some early morning photos with that perfect morning light. You can enjoy some of those photos in this slideshow.
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A Day Exploring Kardamyli - Part 2: Botanical Walk to the Old Town
After breakfast, David invited those who wanted to join him on a botanical walking tour through the back streets of old Kardamyli. We were so impressed with David’s knowledge of every plant we encountered. Julie showed her ignorance in this area as a fellow tour member pointed out a “lemon/lime tree” to Julie. Of course Julie responded, loudly for all to hear, “I had no idea lemons and limes grew on the same tree!!” Laughter erupted and Julie was red faced as she was informed the green ones were just un-ripened lemons! Yes, this was brought up numerous times the remainder of the trip.
We briefly stopped by a courtyard of a local museum as the walk concluded at Old Town Kardamyli and were delighted when the Museum Director willingly gave us an impromptu history lesson. You never know what each day may bring on a Rick Steves tour! David also brought the local history to life as we explored the Old Town.
We briefly stopped by a courtyard of a local museum as the walk concluded at Old Town Kardamyli and were delighted when the Museum Director willingly gave us an impromptu history lesson. You never know what each day may bring on a Rick Steves tour! David also brought the local history to life as we explored the Old Town.
A Day Exploring Kardamyli - Part 3: Free Time!
After our morning walk with David, we all went our separate ways for an extended period of free time. Gord, Stacy and I decided to tackle a walk in search of the church of Agia Sofia. After a long while with no sight of the church (we must have made a wrong turn as others in our tour group did find it we discovered later), and with the Mediterranean Sea beckoning, we abandoned our search and had lunch instead on our own by the sea in a family run restaurant. We digested our lunch on beach chairs in front of our restaurant and gazed at the amazing seaside view. We sauntered with the Rick Steves guidebook and enjoyed the walking tour of the town. Of course we could not resist some “Retail Therapy” (David’s definition for shopping) and we bought beautiful Greek pottery and savoured ice cream and a Cappuccino Fredda with Mike and Ann in a café right on the beach.
A Day Exploring Kardamyli - Part 4: A Stop at Yannis' Olive Shop
After a much needed rest in our room we followed David through the trails to the ramshackle funky shop of Yannis Dimitreas, the organic olive grower. He was passionate about his olives, tended them with great care and introduced us to his time consuming organic growing methods. For example, not wanting to use conventional, harmful sprays, he chose instead to spray his olive trees with garlic to protect them from the Olive Fly. He generously allowed us to taste all the different olives marinating in unique brines. All photos in the following slideshow were taken in Yannis' shop.