Roundabout of Peloponnese
Following the routes of Pafsanias

We cross the Stymphalia Plateau in Corinthia where the 6th Hercules Sanctuary was written.
Today we do not see the... Stymphalian hens but a rare lake that hosts more than 160 species of birds. The site belongs to the European Network of Protected Areas NATURA 2000 and is ideal for bird-watching. On the lake there is the famous environmental awareness museum, which also has a small café on its beautiful terrace overlooking the Styphphia land.

In a place like him with unsurpassed ancestors gods and heroes and the dream lake lost among the firs, you owe it from the first moment to let go and enjoy ...
Between Chelmos, Dournouvana and Ziria and with many villages encircling it, almost circularly, the artificial lake is at an altitude of 900 meters. Dense forests adorn the mountains around the lake, while the small chapel of Agios Fanourios is special, on a narrow strip of land, in the water.
In the historical monastery of St. George overlooking the lake, the monks take the visitor-pilgrim traditional sweet rose, which they make themselves.

The cave has 13 successive staggered lakes that make it unique in its kind in the world. The entrance is made from an artificial tunnel that leads directly to the second floor of a total of three. The passage of the lakes is made by elevated artificial bridges. The exploited length of the cave is 500 m while its total length is 1.980 m.
The man used the cave from the Neolithic Age. On the lower floor of the cave were found fossilized human bones and various animals, including hippopotamus!

The vine (Vitis vinifera) is estimated to be about 3,000 years old and certainly is over 2,200 years old, since already in 160 BC. Pausanias included it in "Arcadica" as a "curious phenomenon" because of its size! ...
ΤThis vine, however, also included by the mythology that mixed it into many myths, such as Hercules, who chased the chrysoceros chrysinitis deer and reached that vine, where the long hair of the fellow was confused and it got arrested. Hence the name of the position "unter".

Even the historical traveler Pausanias who visited this place around 174 AD refers to the Ladonas River in "Achaia", "There is no river more beautiful in Greece or elsewhere".
The bridge of Kyra ...emerges from autumn onwards. It is 55 meters long and 2.15 meters wide. For centuries it was bordering the north with the central Peloponnese.

The endless forest (the Forest of the Centaurs) is the famous forest of Foloi, a forest full of myths and traditions, in which the kingdom of Centaurs Folo (the son of Sylinos and the nymph Melia), the good Centaur who hosted the mythical hero Hercules when he pursued the Erythmanthus.
The oak forest of Folois is a protected area from the NATURA 2000 network. It is located at an altitude of 688 m on the moumtain Folo of Ilia and occupies an area of 33.000 acres. The crossing of the rivers Erymanthos and Ileiakos Ladonas creates a unique environment. It is the only wild oak forest in the Balkans, with old oak clusters.

Olympia was the most glorious sanctuary of ancient Greece dedicated to the god Zeus. It was the venue for the Olympic Games that took place in the framework of the Olympics, the most important celebration of Greeks during most of the antiquity. In Olympia, in the magnificent temple was the golden ivory statue of Zeus, a work of Pheidias, which was known in antiquity as one of the seven wonders of the world. The starting point of the Olympic Games is placed in 776 BC. and was held every four years.

The nude, rocky landscape that was called in the ancient times Vassai (small valleys) is one of the most important and imposing temples of antiquity, dedicated to Epicurean Apollo.

ΤIn the 7th century BC a sanctuary of Apollo Vassita that the neighbors Figaleis had founded, who worshiped the god with the name Epicurios, ie assistant, supporter to the war or illness. The first temple also experienced later phases, around 600 BC and around 500 BC, of which numerous architectural members are preserved. The architect of the temple is mentioned by Pausanias Iktinos.
It rotates around itshelf 50.2⁰ axis, as is the annual equinox transition, aiming to constantly view the same astral point.

the river Neda (one of perhaps two rivers with a female name, the other is considered to be Arapitsa in Naoussa.) Neda was the nymph that Rea her son Zeus entrusted to save him from the Saturn mania who was eating his children so that non of them could no longer challenge his sovereignty and wanted to take the throne of the leader of the Titans.
It reaches a length of 32 kilometers and much of it crosses a gorge with very rich vegetation. Platanos, wild berries, figs and coumarins abound in the gorge, creating a landscape of exceptional beauty. In the run of its waters, waterfalls are formed with the largest to be near Figaleia.

Small picturesque seaside town, historically known and with the Venetian-Italian name as Navarino. Amphitheatrically built at the south opening of its bay, where the historic naval battle took place, which decisively contributed to the liberation of Greece from the Turkish occupation and is defined by the island of Sfaktiria, but also the Battle of Pylos and Sfaktiria in 425 BC between the Athenians and the Spartans and ended with the victory of the Athenians and the surrender of the Spartans.

Pylos is the largest natural port of the Peloponnese and at the same time one of the most interesting tourist destinations of Messinia, thanks to the glorious history and the rich natural beauties of the region.

Itilo stands out for the picturesque and unique landscape, the remarkable cuisine of Mani and the warm hospitality of its inhabitants.

A characteristic feature of the Itilo area is the 67 traditional stone villages that enchant the visitor. A visit to the castles of the area, the Byzantine and Post-Byzantine churches with the magnificent hagiographies, the towers that stand angry over the passage of the years, and a stroll through the stone cobbled streets and paths inspire you into the rich history of the place.

It is the underground riverbed of the Glyfada river, which flows into the sea after forming small lakes in the land of Mani. The illuminated stalagmite formations are enchanting and are accompanied by several names which help the visitor to perceive what they look like. We are left to the magic of the images, impressed by the work of nature, who patiently transformed this "stone forest". Then we disembark from the boat and follow the path to the land of the cave. We walk through the wonderful decoration with the colorful stalactites, stalagmites and columns.

Also known as Pentadaktylos, Taygetos is the highest mountain range (2.407 m) of the Peloponnese, hiding beauties, nature and picturesque villages with a mountainous scent of Greece!
Paths, gorges, stone bridges, villages, routes, fir trees, blacksmiths, streams, small rivers ...

It was named after a daughter of Atlas, the nymph Taygeti. The fruit of Taygetus with Zeus was Lacedaimon, who gave her mother's name to the mountain.

Around the middle of the route from Leonidio to Kosma village, the monastery of Elona, dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.
It is built on the steep reddish rock of Parnon, and is one of the most impressive and imposing monuments of Arcadia.

From the most beautiful villages of Parnonas, climbed at an altitude of 1,150 meters, with the tiles of its red houses spreading among firs, chestnut trees and walnut trees.

In the Kosmas area there was the ancient city of Selini as Pausanias mentioned "Greek touring" 170-176 BC. On the hill of prophet Elias of the village there was a temple dedicated to the god "Apollo Maleati"

The archaeological site of Mycenae with the palace of Mycenae, the most important center of the Mycenaean civilization, the second civilization on European soil.
It is the Late Bronze Age palace center that gave birth to one of the most important cultures in Greece, the most important center of Mycenaean civilization, the second civilization on European soil. It is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The architecture of the old town of Nafplion is truly impressive and inspires strolls in the picturesque narrow streets with the imposing mansions and the historic paved square.

Palamidi, 999 steps above the city.
The famous Venetian fortress offers panoramic view of the old and new city of Nafplion.

Bourtzi, the "sea-tower" of Nafplion
The Venetian castle on the islet of Agioi Theodoroi was the residence of the Palamidi publicans, place of residence of two governments in 1824 and 1827, but also a luxury hotel.

The ancient theater of Epidaurus is located at the southeast end of the sanctuary dedicated to the therapist god of antiquity, Asclepius, in the Asklepieion of Epidaurus.
Of all the ancient theaters the theater of Epidaurus is the most beautiful and best preserved. Designed for the fun of the patients, it had a capacity of 13,000 spectators.
Its wonderful acoustics, as well as the very good condition in which it is preserved contributed to the creation of the contemporary theatrical institution of the festival of Epidaurus.