Greece - walking tours in the ancient world - Greece - The Wayfarers

We meet the group in Athens and transfer by bus then ferry to the island of Aegina. On arrival, we divert to visit The Temple of Aphaia, a fascinating archaeological site with spectacular views. We continue to our hotel and rendezvous in the evening for our Introductory Talk and Welcome Dinner.

Our walk commences from the impressive Aghia Nektarios Monastery established by Saint Nektarios. Soon a vast panorama lays before us - Athens and the islands of the Saronikos Gulf to the north and to the west the mass of the Peloponnese. A simple track winds through a wild landscape interspersed with olive groves while in the valleys at lower levels are groves of pistachio trees. Walking continues from our beachside lunch through a valley rising for views of Kalamara and the village of Perdika. The less energetic can enjoy peaceful rest under a sunshade by the waters’ edge.

We ferry back to the mainland and our journey continues from Corinth to the wooded plains of the Argolid and the Sanctuary of Asclepios at Epidaurus. The theatre of Epidaurus is considered the best in antiquity for elegance, proportions and acoustics – a whisper from the Orchestra ( the circle) is audible even in the uppermost row. The splendid ruins of the sanctuary form an immense site of temples, hospice, hippodrome and stadium to name but a few. Following lunch here we continue to Nafplion, an ancient port town dominated by Palamidi castle a testament to the Venetians’ empire. The castle can be reached from the town by over 850 steps. The lanes and squares of Nafplion are fun to explore and the boat trip to Bouotzi castle which served as a fortress from the 1500c is a delight.

We walk in the Kalami valley north of Sparta, one of the very prettiest regions of the Peloponnese with villages perched along the foot hills of the Taygetos mountains reminiscent of Tuscany. Farm tracks meander through a lush farmland that continues to sustain a thriving bird life. A highlight of the week will be to discover on foot the magnificent royal Mycenaean tombs (one of them is among the largest in Greece) The site is well hidden with little archaeological work undertaken but recent excavation and tumuli reveal remains of the Helladicthe period of 2500BC.

We lunch in a village square and continue to Mystras, a fortified town which hangs to the side of the mountain overlooking Sparta some 6 kilometres distant.

From a small community in the hills of the Kalami valley we set off along a magnificent track and enjoy vast views of the mountains and wooded valley below. We finally arrive at Aghia Kiriaki for our lunch and walk to the Tomb of Apollo beautifully situated on a small hilltop with views in all directions. Our farm track skirts a small river passing through fields of olive and orange trees, a paved path finally brings us to the Vaulted Tomb of Vafio famous for gold and silver artefacts found there – a gold cup depicting wild bull hunting may be seen in the archaeological museum in Athens.

We continue further south into the Prefecture of Laconia to walk on a deserted beach and discover the massive stone blocks of a Mycenae settlement - remains of which are embedded across the hillside. We arrive at Monemvasia a distinctively shaped islet joined to the mainland by a causeway from which ‘Monemvasia’ (sole approach) derives its name. Following lunch we explore the town and the lovely 12th century church of Agia Sofia then an uphill walk to see to the upper town on the plateau and the ruins of a fortified town, gatehouse and residence of the Venetian Governor.

We set off from a small hill village and follow the farm tracks that cross and re-cross meadows and orchards to the valley floor where there is time to rest in the cool leafy shade and paddle in the cold streams. Great views of the coast-line and in the far distance the hump of Monemvasia and to the north the arid mountains of Laconia. Our path takes us to the villages of Panagia and Nomia and then to lunch at a taverna on the coast. Our walk continues and returns us to Monemvasia.

A hill track leading from the hamlet of Teria, where the handful of residents make a living tending their olive trees, to Agia Nikoaos- its lovely church and tower dominating the old village square - a perfect place to rest under the shade of the oak tree. A farm house is our venue for lunch and later we will walk around their orange groves and learn about some traditional methods of Greek farming.

Return to Athens.