Mani or Mountains: which place to take more time
Jul 20th, 2006, 05:21 AM
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Mani or Mountains: which place to take more time
We've got seven days and want to stay in two locations. Which area would you allot three nights to and which area would you allot four nights: Mani peninsula and Dimitsana area. Thank you!
Jul 20th, 2006, 05:41 AM
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I can't speak to Dimitsana, but I can say that you will have plenty to do in Mani for 4 nights.
Some ideas:
1. Day Trip Mystras/Sparta
2. Day Trip Aeropolis and Dirous Caves/Gythio
3. Day Trip around Laconian Mani Coast - Vathia, Geromilenas etc.
4. Day Trip to Kardamyli and a tour through the Langada pass (if you have a car).
Whatever you choose, mainland Greece is beautiful - enjoy!
Cheers,
Murphy
Some ideas:
1. Day Trip Mystras/Sparta
2. Day Trip Aeropolis and Dirous Caves/Gythio
3. Day Trip around Laconian Mani Coast - Vathia, Geromilenas etc.
4. Day Trip to Kardamyli and a tour through the Langada pass (if you have a car).
Whatever you choose, mainland Greece is beautiful - enjoy!
Cheers,
Murphy
Jul 20th, 2006, 11:02 AM
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Hi! Having been in both areas, I think it really depends on what you want to see.
The Lousios gorge is spectacular if you like hiking. Demitsana is very quaint, very small. I must say that it was almost an Olympic sport to park our car near the hotel, so we didn't use it too often to explore around! A bonus: you can make a day trip to Olympia.
We loved the Mani. It looks and feels like another planet. The windy walk to Cape Matapan is well worth the effort. It's the extreme southern point of continental Greece. Breathtaking. The region is very relaxing, the air is great, the light, amazing. Lots of interesting day trips also. We are BIG Mani fans now.
I posted a few pictures at http://jojomart.shutterfly.com
Have a wonderful trip! And don't hesitate to write for more info.
The Lousios gorge is spectacular if you like hiking. Demitsana is very quaint, very small. I must say that it was almost an Olympic sport to park our car near the hotel, so we didn't use it too often to explore around! A bonus: you can make a day trip to Olympia.
We loved the Mani. It looks and feels like another planet. The windy walk to Cape Matapan is well worth the effort. It's the extreme southern point of continental Greece. Breathtaking. The region is very relaxing, the air is great, the light, amazing. Lots of interesting day trips also. We are BIG Mani fans now.
I posted a few pictures at http://jojomart.shutterfly.com
Have a wonderful trip! And don't hesitate to write for more info.
Jul 22nd, 2006, 11:49 AM
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Both Mani and the Dimitsana region are fabulous to travel in.
But 4 full nights in either, seems about 1 night too long.
murphy89's suggestion for day trips around Mani is good, which may argue for the 4 nights in Mani.
But here's another suggestion:
-- leave Mani (eg, from Kardamyli) early in the day,
-- stop & tour Mystras (near Sparti) for the day; a "must see".
-- drive on to Dimitsana, arriving late afternoon or early evening.
-- thus the extra 4th night at Dimitsena becomes a "travelling" day.
In Dimitsana, be sure to buy the booklet/map "Walker's Map of Lousios River with Cultural Information", available at the Open Air Water Power Museum.
This book-map shows all the hiking and driving trails throughout the Lousios, with nice descriptions of the monasteries and sights.
This thread brings back many happy memories from my trip to those regions last May !
But 4 full nights in either, seems about 1 night too long.
murphy89's suggestion for day trips around Mani is good, which may argue for the 4 nights in Mani.
But here's another suggestion:
-- leave Mani (eg, from Kardamyli) early in the day,
-- stop & tour Mystras (near Sparti) for the day; a "must see".
-- drive on to Dimitsana, arriving late afternoon or early evening.
-- thus the extra 4th night at Dimitsena becomes a "travelling" day.
In Dimitsana, be sure to buy the booklet/map "Walker's Map of Lousios River with Cultural Information", available at the Open Air Water Power Museum.
This book-map shows all the hiking and driving trails throughout the Lousios, with nice descriptions of the monasteries and sights.
This thread brings back many happy memories from my trip to those regions last May !
