PetrosB3

Lonely Planet announced its final list on the best European destinations for 2016.

The winner is: The Peloponnese, Greece.

The Peloponnese is one of the most vibrant and diverse regions of Europe. It's home to legendary ancient sites, medieval towns, byzantine monasteries, mountain villages, exotic beaches, unique gastronomy, and 5 UNESCO sites.

Here are some of the highlights:

1. Nauplion (first capital of the Greek state)
2. Monemvasia (medieval walled town)
3. Dimitsana (mountain village)
4. Epidaurus Theatre (ancient theatre - UNESCO)
5. Mycenae (conqueror of troy - UNESCO)
6. Mystras (byzantine ghost city - UNESCO(
7. Olympia (ancient greek pilgrimage - UNESCO)
8. Methoni Castle (major venetian fortress)
9. Simos Beach (exotic beach)
10. Voidokilia Beach (exotic beach)


...Have fun exploring it!

sparkchaser

Good to know. I'll wait until it's no longer the #1 place to see before going to avoid the crowds.

/travelhipster

traveller1959

This time, I can really appreciate Lonely Planet's choice.

For a long time, I have been wondering about all the Fodorites who want to go to "the islands". Peloponnese is MUCH more interesting than any Greek island. And much easier to travel.

I also like the list of attractions on Peloponnese, however would add Ancient Messene, which is a first-rank archeological site with the best-preserved stadium in all Greece if not the world.

suec1

taveller (or others) - the comment "much easier to travel" this means by car? or can it be enjoyed using public transportation?

traveller1959

There are buses on the Peloponnese. But I strongly recommend travelling by car. Very easy and scenic driving and there is so much to see on the way - a picturesque village here, an old castle there, a Monastery around the corner, a fantastic beach after the next curve...

You can either fly into Athens (from there it is barely an hour until you are on the Peloponnese) or into Kalamata which is in the very heart of the peninsula.

PetrosB3

@traveller1959 Indeed, it is amazing how much can be found in just a region. The Peloponnese is a true wonder.

I tried to make a list of just 10 must-sees, there are much more to see of course. Messene is a great ancient cuty, and a UNESCO candidate. Another wonder is the Caves of Diros, considered to be the most impressive lake-cave in the World.

Some other destinations are:
Ancient Corinth
Acrocorinth Citadel
Ancient Nemea
Ancient Tiryns (UNESCO)
Ancient Sparta
Kastanitsa (mountain village)
Gytheion (beautiful town)
Areopolis (beautiful town)
Diros Caves (natural wonders)
Vatheia (scenic village)
Kalamata (foodie hotspot)
Ancient Messene (UNESCO-candidate)
Polilimnio Waterfalls
Koroni (scenic town)
Pylos (scenic town)
Stemnitsa (mountain village)

PetrosB3

+Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae (UNESCO - Parthenon of the Peloponnese)

nochblad

You are from Athens.

What has this posting to do with regard to Italy apart from promoting the Peloponnese?

Also, you state that your favourite destination is Constantinople. As a Greek should it not be Bysantium?

spaarne

<i> "BEST in EUROPE" AWARDS 2016
Posted by: PetrosB3 on Jun 2, 16 at 8:53am</i>

The Internet is over-populated with sites titled "best" and "top 10" of whatever. The only purpose of these sites is to generate web traffic. These sites are promos. People can't resist. Then people disagree and generate more circulation because they include some of the "worst" and "bottom 10" of everything.

sparkchaser

True but this is Lonely Planet saying it, not some 3rd tier clickbait site. That does carry some weight.

nochblad

sparkchaser - true but why is OP making this great emphasis to post in countries as well as Greece?

sparkchaser

Well that would be spamming.

PetrosB3

@nochblad because it's best in EUROPE, not best in Greece. And it's Lonely Planet, one of the biggest brands in Travel sector.