Avia 2009
Mount Taygetos and the Greek Riviera.
This self-guided holiday is set in the tiny municipality of Avia in the southern Peloponnese of Greece. The mainland of Greece is often over looked as a holiday destination but here we have some delightful countryside to explore. Full of ancient history, myth and legend.
Accommodation for up to 4 people is in Woods villa. Larger parties should contact us for more details.
Price £425.00 per person based on 2 people sharing
Included
7 nights in private apartment (six if flying into Kalamata)
Maps and directions
Local representative
Mobile phone
Transfer to/from Kalamata airport or coach station
Luggage transfer
Not included
Flights, lunches, dinners and drinks, local buses and taxi’s.
Departure Dates
To Athens - everyday
To Kalamata – every Sunday May until late October
Itinerary
Where possible most of our walks take in the ancient kalderimia (ancient tracks) that the Greeks used to get from village to village before the roads arrived in the 1960’s.
Day one : arrive, transfer from Kalamata airport/ coach station to private apartment.
Day two: walk from Kambos village to Karamyli.
Leave Kambos on kalderimi past the castle of Zarnata and the village of Stavropigio through olive groves and climb to the church of Aghios Giorgios, here you will have a fantastic view of the Messinian gulf and the municipality of Avia and the mountains beyond.
Down from the church via another kalderimi and onto a rural track cutting into and out the kalderimi. Up to another viewpoint and then down into the seaside village of Kardamyli where you can enjoy a swim whilst you await your pick up.
Approx 5 hours, medium walking. 11 km
Day three:
Walk from village of Kato Doloi to Sotirianaka.
Leaving the village of Kato Doloi by Kalderimi, taking in view of Zaravas tower house and proceeding to Kambos and village of Orova by short road. Into Orova and out by way of kalderimi and past the deserted settlement of Toubia, proceeding down to the gorge and out again on the other side via stone built kalderimi. Stopping at the ancient settlement of Marvinitsa and its ancient monastery. Later proceeding on to Sotirianaka.
Await pick up.
Approx 4 1/2 hours, medium walking 9 km
Day Four:
Walk from Sotirianaka to Altomira.
Transport to village of Sotirianaka, ascending the hill by way of biliovos, an ancient high way with 75 curves then by way of small kalderimi and rural track through forest, in circular route to the deserted village of Altomira. Excellent views and opportunities for taking photographs. Await pick up at Altomira or Sotirianaka.
Approx 6 hours, medium walking 13 km
Day Five: Spring and well walk from Kato Doloi to Kitries
From Kato Doloi following ancient tracks and walkways past ancient springs and wells and down in to the harbour of Kitries for lunch in one of the local fish restauarants. Return by way of rural track..
Approx 5 hours, depending on lunch, easy walking 10 km
Day Six: From the village of Vorio, circular route.
Transport to the village of Vorio and then rural track into the heart of the foothills of Taygetos, excellent scenery. Down to the gorge and then by way of the gorge to the ancient double bridge that leads to the village of Pigadhia, then up from the gorge by way of kalderimi and to the rural footpath that takes you back to Vorio.
Approx 8 hours easy walking on tracks, med/hard in the gorge 16 km
Day Seven: Trip to ancient Messini or further walk if required.
Day Eight: Transfer to Kalamta airport/ bus station
Accommodation and additional info:
The apartment has one double and two twin rooms, bathroom, shower and fully fitted kitchen, dining for six or more people. Outside there is a large balcony, romantic courtyard and garden complete with fish pond, castle walls and cannons. The apartment is set within an historic former tower house home to local kapetani of the area. Nearby are bars, shops and tavernas serving real traditional Greek food. Click here to view The old tower house.
Location
The tower house is in the village of Kato Doloi and the Municipality of Avia is on the Messinian gulf.
Getting there
Athens airport, coach or taxi to Kalamata coach station.
Kalamata airport
When to go
Into Athens, every day. Into Kalamata every Sunday May until late October.
We reccomend that you take out an adequate insurance policy.
How to book
To book the Greek self guided walking holiday click here
Greek self guided walking holidays
