Added: 06/13/2006 |
Peloponnese Greece - Land of Natural Beauty and Historical TreasuresPeloponnese is what many people think of as the real Greece. Peloponnese Greece is dominated by two mountain ranges, the Taygetos and Parnon. For many, the Peloponnese is the true Greece - and to them the narrow Isthmus of Corinth is all that separates them from a world of Albanians, Vlachs, Bulgarians and Macedonians. But the Peloponnese Greece can be said to be the heart and soul of the country, and though it has been left off the tourist map that was especially painted for North Americans, it is as good a place to visit as any ten islands combined. As well as Byzantine cities and Venetian fortresses, citrus groves, snow-capped mountains and Greece's most untouched beaches enhance the Peloponnese's natural beauty. It is a land of rugged mountains, green valleys, the ancient games of Olympia, and one of the most beautiful coastlines in all Greece.
From Mycenae, to Sparta, to Mistra, to the guns of Navarone, the Peloponnese has seen its share of history. This is where Paris stole Helen from King Menelaous and where Agamemnon set forth with his ships to Troy - only to be murdered in his bathtub by his wife when he returned. There are seven Prefectures of Peloponnese Greece: Corinthia, Lakonia, Argolis, Arcadia, Messinia, Elia, and Achaia. All of them are very interesting to visit and offer a full range of Peloponnese villa and apartment rentals as well as a selection of hotels.
Patras, the capital of the region of Achaia, is Greece's most important sea link with the rest of Europe with ferries sailing to Brindisi, Bari, Ancona, Venice and Trieste in Italy. It is also the primary embarkation point to the Ionian Islands of Kefalonia, Ithaki, Corfu, Lefkas and Paxi.
Arcadia in the Peloponnese is a mountainous land of rivers, streams, deep gorges, forts, Byzantine churches and monasteries, traditional villages and ancient cities. only a few determined tourists visit this area and they are rewarded by one of the finest coastlines in Greece. The Argolis Peninsula was the center of Greek culture from 1600 to 1100 BC under the Myceneans. Huge stone walls of the ancient city make it look like there's nothing that can harm it.
The ancient city of Corinth, known at least by name from the Apostle Paul's epistles to the Corinthians in the Bible, is now famous for its canal. Acrocorinth is the Acropolis of Corinth, which rises up from the ancient city. Olympia, Elia on the banks of the Olfios River is an archeological site rich in the remains of old buildings. The games began 'officially' in 776 BC and were held every 4 years.
When people think of the Peloponesse, the Lacedemonians who held the Persian army at Thermopalae come to mind. Now it is an area with high mountains, beautiful beaches and small towns and charming villages. Even though only some tourists make it to the southeast corner of the Peloponessos, it doesn't lack beautiful beaches, charming port villages and impressive Venetian fortresses. Messinia has all of this.
If you really want to savor the full natural beauty and historical treasures of Peloponnese Greece, you should stay there for at least two weeks. If you can afford the time, stay for a month, but after that long on the peninsula, you might not want to leave...
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