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The Odyssey
Overview
Introduction
There is no doubt that the latest epic to grace our cinema screens, 'The Odyssey' will arouse a great deal of interest in the various locations which were used. A great many were, of course, in the Peloponnese, an area which we have featured since the late 1970s and where what we now call ‘ancient Greece’ was largely located.
Mainland Greece has often been ignored in favour of the islands. To those of us who know Greece well, it is the mainland and especially the Peloponnese which reflect the Greece of antiquity and fire the imagination.
The interesting point about the film is that there is no effort to beautify or update the ancient castles and sites that are used. Methoni and Acrocorinth, for instance, are shown exactly as they are to be seen today, warts and all.
This ten-night itinerary adds a few extra castles because once your interest is heightened then why not! We have added the beautiful town of Nafplion with its impressive fortress and the Venetian coastal stronghold of Koroni.
This is an unashamedly busy itinerary and designed for those wanting to absorb as much as possible over 10 nights and are not really interested in spending time on a beach - though there are several very beautiful beaches in the area.
The Peloponnese, compared to other areas in Greece, is still relatively unknown, traffic is light and the scenery spectacular. The driving is very much part of the holiday, especially in the months March to June and September/October which are outside the main summer season.
The itinerary is not set in stone and can be adjusted to suit personal tastes. You may want to alter the days spent in each location or want to add areas like the Mani which are further south than the Messinia region where the Odyssey locations are to be found.
Itinerary includes:
- Return flights from London Gatwick to Kalamata Airport
- Car hire
- 1 Night in Corinth/Isthmia at the Kalamaki Beach Hotel (Half Board)
- 3 Nights in Nafplion at the Hotel Grande Bretagne (Bed and Breakfast)
- 1 Night in Koroni at the Hotel Sofotel (Bed and Breakfast)
- 2 Nights in Methoni at the Hotel Ulysses (Bed and Breakfast)
- 3 Nights in Pylos at the Hotel Karalis City (Bed and Breakfast)
Flights from other airports can also be booked but changes may well have to be made to the itinerary as a 10 night duration may not be available from all airports.
Board Basis: Bed & Breakfast, Half BoardAgenda
Day 1 - Day of arrival
After collecting your car at the airport you will have a 1 hour 40 minute spectacular motorway drive from Kalamata Airport to the 4* Kalamaki Beach Hotel in Isthmia for your first night.
We have worked with the family run Kalamaki Beach Hotel for over 40 years. It is well located on the sea front and only a 30 minute drive from the spectacular mountaintop ruins of Acrocorinth, used in general shots in the film. The hotel has a good restaurant but there are also easily reached tavernas in the vicinity. As you will arrive at the hotel in the early afternoon, take time to visit the Corinth Canal.
Overnight at the Kalamaki Beach Hotel (Half Board)
Ancient Corinth
Day 2, 3 & 4 - Nafplion
Make an early start on your second day to give full justice to the site which is reached via a steep road. Views from the top are spectacular in all directions. The huge rock rises 575 metres above the ruins of ancient Corinth. It is crowned by an impressive citadel, acropolis fortress, the most impressive in Greece. Corinth is the gateway to the Peloponnese and Acrocorinth was the guardian of this gateway. The site features Mycenaean, Archaic, Classical, Roman, Byzantine, Venetian and Ottoman characteristics.
Though not featured directly in the film, Nafplion, once the capital of Greece and the most beautiful city on the Peloponnese, is the ideal spot from which to visit where modern history began. The city, with its harbour side restaurants and elegant shops, is crowned by a pre-classical acronauplia which was added to by the Byzantines, the Francs, the Venetians and the Turks. The citadel featured in the Nafplion’s history right up until the Greek war of independence in the mid nineteenth century. For those that are fit, there are 857 steps to the top of the fortress and you will need in the region of half an hour to get there. Cheats can drive up to the visitor's car park around the back to enter via the main gate! The views from the top are spectacular. Nafplion is an excellent base from which to visit the archaeological sites of bronze age Mycenae, mentioned in Homer’s epics as the military stronghold and kingdom of Agamemnon. Mycenaean Tiryns is also close at hand, with its colossal Cyclopean’ walls made of huge blocks of Limestone said to have been put in place by the Cyclops. Finally, don’t forget to save time for a visit to the theatre at Epidavros with its stunning acoustics and the sanctuary of Asklepios, the ancient god of Medicine.
Overnight at the Hotel Grande Bretagne (Bed and Breakfast)
Nafplion
Day 5 - Koroni
It is a two and a half hour drive from Nafplion to the southwest peninsula of the Peloponnese on the gulf of Messinia, pretty Koroni and the three star Sofotel Hotel for your one night stay. If you make an early start from Nafplion you will have time to stop off at the spectacular and relatively unknown archaeological site of Ancient Messini, one of the most important cities of antiquity.
Koroni is crowned by its impressive, photogenic Venetian Castle. It does not feature in the film. However, the two castles of Koroni and Methoni (which is featured) were captured by the Venetians in the 13th century and served to control the vital maritime trade routes between the Venetian controlled Adriatic Sea and the Levant. With its harbour front teeming with restaurants and cafes, Koroni is well worth the overnight stay.
Overnight at Hotel Sofotel (Bed and Breakfast)
Koroni
Day 6 & 7 - Methoni
It is only a 40 minute drive north along the coast to Methoni and the 3* Ulysses Hotel for your two night stay.
Methoni’s Venetian castle is vast. In the film, it is where King Nestor, who also fought at Troy, welcomes Telemachus, Odysseus’s son. This 13th century fortress, the largest in the Peloponnese, stretches into the sea right up to the small islet at the end which is fortified by an octagonal tower. Over its three hundred year history, the fortress passed to and fro between Venetians and Turks before it finally fell to the Turks in 1715. Its history is brutal. Methoni has several sandy beaches and pleasant waterfront to grant time for some relaxation after six days of intensive touring!
Overnight at the Hotel Ulysses (Bed and Breakfast)
Methoni Castle
Day 8, 9 & 10 - Pylos
Pylos and the Karalis City 3* hotel for your final three nights is only a 15 minute drive from Methoni. A fair proportion of the film’s action features this region.
The remote and untouched Almyrolakkos Beach, next to the Gialova lagoon, served as one of the landing spots for Odysseus and his crew. Nestor’s cave, above the beautiful, crescent shaped Voidokilia Beach was where Polyphemus the Cyclops was encountered. The cave is reached via a path through the sand dunes rising from Voidokilia Beach. Greek myths say that it was in this cave that the infant god Hermes hid the cattle he had stolen from Apollo and where King Nestor (of the legend) stabled his royal herds. One of the newest and least visited archaeological sites is the bronze age Mycenean Palace of Nestor about 17 kilometres from Pylos. Dating from around 1,300 BCE it is linked in mythology to the ruler of Pylos, King Nestor. It is well worth spending longer in and around Pylos and, should you decide to do so, we would especially recommend the 4* Hotel Zoe in Gialova which Sunvil has featured for many years. This is an excellent, beach front, family run hotel with excellent dining under copious tree shade, directly on the beach.
Overnight at the Hotel Karalis City (Bed and Breakfast)
Pylos
Day 11 - Day of departure
The drive from Pylos to Kalamata Airport for your flight home will take in the region of one hour.
Accommodation
Grande Bretagne Hotel - Night 2 to 4
Housed in a neoclassical building dating from the 19th century, the Grande Bretagne has a central location on the edge of the old town overlooking the port area.
Housed in a neoclassical building dating from the 19th century, the Grande Bretagne has a central location on the edge of the old town overlooking the port area. All Nafplion's main attractions - museums, restaurants, the boats to visit the Bourtzi fortress in the bay - can be reached from here within a few minutes' walk.
The hotel is unashamedly old style, with rich decor, heavy drapes and curtains, and the odd chandelier. The 20 rooms here are on the upper floors and served by a lift. Standard rooms to the front and side have sea view (only a few have a balcony, on request only), those to the rear have town views (no balcony). There are also suites and, under the eaves, attic suites, but beware the low beamed ceilings.
The ground floor houses the breakfast room, lounge and bar area.
Rather old school but comfortable and well located with friendly service and, we think (for Nafplion) rather well priced.
Sofotel - Night 5 to 5
This small and friendly family-run hotel overlooks the sea at the entrance to Koroni, just a short walk to all the attractions of this historic little town.
This small and friendly family-run hotel overlooks the sea at the entrance to Koroni, just a short walk to all the attractions of this historic little town.
The 12 rooms here are of a good size - c 25 sq m - and simply but comfortably furnished in the typical fashion of small Greek hotels. Twin or double bedded they possess a bathroom with bath and/or shower and a balcony with sea or town views. Mod cons include AC, WiFi, mini-fridge, safety deposit box, TV, electric kettle and hairdryer. The hotel has a lift and parking is available nearby.
Breakfast is available at a local charge and can be taken either indoors or on the hotel’s front terrace.
The family are most welcoming and always ready to help with queries and local information.
It is just a few minutes' walk via some steps to the main street, shops, tavernas and harbour below the castle. The beautiful long sandy beach of Zaga is a 15 minute walk to the south (800m).
Ulysses Hotel - Night 6 to 7
An excellent small hotel with an intimate atmosphere, the Ulysses is in a quiet yet central location a minute's walk from Methoni's long safe sandy beach.
An excellent small hotel with an intimate atmosphere, the Ulysses is in a quiet yet central location a minute's walk from Methoni's long safe sandy beach.
The Ulysses has only 9 elegantly furnished rooms, all with shower room, hairdryer, TV and air conditioning. Most have a balcony with village or castle views. The ground floor houses the reception and bar, and WiFi is offered free of charge.
To the front is a delightfully cool vine-shaded courtyard, where the hotel's varied and hearty breakfast can be taken. The hotel can usually arrange a visit to the protected island of Sapienza across the bay for swimming and walking, should access be allowed.
A charming hotel, full of character and warmth, where the owners really know how to look after their guests, and will help you make the most of Methoni and the area. One client review reads "The Ulysses Hotel in Methoni is the friendliest hotel we have ever stayed in. Nikos is the perfect host and the breakfasts are truly wonderful."
If the Ulysses is fully booked or you prefer a more contemporary style of hotel, we can aslo book the Achilles Hill Hotel nearby.
Route Map
Best time to go
- JAN
- FEB
- MAR
- APR
- MAY
- JUN
- JUL
- AUG
- SEP
- OCT
- NOV
- DEC
Time Difference
GMT + 2 hours
Currency
Euro
Language
Greek
Average flight times
3 hours 40 Minutes
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Average temperature
Average rainfall
- JAN
- FEB
- MAR
- APR
- MAY
- JUN
- JUL
- AUG
- SEP
- OCT
- NOV
- DEC