When people think of holidays in Greece they think of the Greek islands. With each of them being different from the next it is the whitewashed houses and beautiful beaches that are an enticement to anyone. But for many, the most beautiful and interesting places in Greece are not on the islands, but on the mainland, like in Peloponnese.

Originally it was an island, but intense geological upheavals in the region united and separated it from the mainland twice. Later, a new retreat by the sea formed the Isthmus of Corinth. This land bridge was cut in the late 19th century to make the Corinth canal, making the Peloponnese an island yet again. The Peloponnese is a rugged land with a mountainous interior. The climate is purely Mediterranean along the coasts, unlike the center, which has a relatively continental climate. The Peloponnese is composed of images and music, the scents of the sea, of the mountains, of grapes, olives, and citrus. The cities, towns, and spas of the region were as important in antiquity as they are today. The characteristic feature in Peloponnese is the multiformity. Stone villages perched on rocks or in woods with planes, chestnuts and conifers as in Arcadia, cosmopolitan resorts in Argolida, Korinthia, Achaea, immense beaches in Ilia, towers in Mani, fertile plains in Argolida, Messinia and Ilia. Other villages lie by the vast open sea, but everywhere the locals are hospitable, haughty, and proud.

The national way Athens - Tripoli, has simplified the access to the heart of Peloponnese, Arcadia, and the transport is fast by comparison with other regions of the country.

Ancient temples as Ireon in Argolida, historical monasteries in Mystras, Ayia Lavra in Kalavrita, ancient theatres as Epidaurus, castles as Akronafplia, Palamidi, Bourtzi and Akrokorinthos are only some of the monuments and sights in Peloponnese. A mythical land whose every corner brings to mind some Greek myth, Peloponnese is also one of the most historical areas in Greece. It was in Peloponnese that the Greek Revolution in 1821 broke out; in Argolida began and flourished the Mycenean civilization; in Lakonia was created one of the two "superpowers" of ancient Greece: Sparti and the Byzantine seignior of Mystras. Arcadia is the birthplace of Orpheus and Kolokotronis, in Ilia flourished the Olympic spirit, to the mountainous Korinthia, Heracles confronted the Lion of Nemea and this list goes on and on.

Beautiful beaches, majestic mountains, unparalleled natural beauty and a history as long as civilization is what attracts thousands of visitors to the Peloponnese year after year. Three main road networks lead to places with abundant physical beauty, important archaeological sites and land and stones. Just before you arrive at the Isthmus you'll have the first view of the Peloponnese, coming to Loutraki with its famous spas and many Peloponnese hotels.

There are so many things on offer in Peloponnese, they can only be enjoyed little by little, day by day.