Some of our best trips have been as a result of my wife's daytime TV viewing of European destinations. She recently saw a programme about Kalamata and it appears that there is a local airport that charter flights use in the Summer from the UK, or Athens, a long 5/6 hour drive away.
Anyone stayed in the Kalamata area and can recommend a good hotel and things to do in the area? Does it need a week, or would you use a couple of the nights to stay in Athens?
Anyone stayed in the Kalamata area and can recommend a good hotel and things to do in the area? Does it need a week, or would you use a couple of the nights to stay in Athens?
Lifeman - I reached for my copy of "The Which? Guide to Greece and the Greek Islands" distributed by Penguin Books, when I read your post.
This book is overflowing with information and well worth getting. Last printed in 1994.
It says the large market town of Kalamata at the head of the Mani peninsula is overlooked by the sheer rocky heights of the Taygetos. The town of course is famous for it's olives.
It was severely damaged by an earthquake in 1986 but now the approach road is lined with smart new houses but in the centre you can still find the odd dusty building site or skeletal block.
Though you're unlikely to want to stay, there are lots of hotels and campsites along the sea-front and by the gritty beach east of town.
The landscapes of Lakonia and the Messenian peninsula are gentler than that of the Mani. Messenia is more attractive, with the stylish town of Pilos lying on the vast sweep of Navarino Bay, and the pretty resort of Methoni dominated by a rambling Venetian fortress. These are good beaches and both towns are convenient for visits to the site of Nestor's Palace, described in Homer's Odyssey.
And so it goes on............Hope it helped somewhat!
This book is overflowing with information and well worth getting. Last printed in 1994.
It says the large market town of Kalamata at the head of the Mani peninsula is overlooked by the sheer rocky heights of the Taygetos. The town of course is famous for it's olives.
It was severely damaged by an earthquake in 1986 but now the approach road is lined with smart new houses but in the centre you can still find the odd dusty building site or skeletal block.
Though you're unlikely to want to stay, there are lots of hotels and campsites along the sea-front and by the gritty beach east of town.
The landscapes of Lakonia and the Messenian peninsula are gentler than that of the Mani. Messenia is more attractive, with the stylish town of Pilos lying on the vast sweep of Navarino Bay, and the pretty resort of Methoni dominated by a rambling Venetian fortress. These are good beaches and both towns are convenient for visits to the site of Nestor's Palace, described in Homer's Odyssey.
And so it goes on............Hope it helped somewhat!
Hi Lifeman,
I live near Kalamata! The drive down from Athens is 3.5 hours roughly, depending on time of day/traffic. There is lots to see in the area, let me know your interests & hotel budget in €s & I'll give you as much info as you like!
The journey can also be done by bus, & yes, there is a local airport, Aegean do flights from Athens-Kalamata. The full price is quite expensive, but if you have the right dates you can pick up one of their saver fares.
I live near Kalamata! The drive down from Athens is 3.5 hours roughly, depending on time of day/traffic. There is lots to see in the area, let me know your interests & hotel budget in €s & I'll give you as much info as you like!
The journey can also be done by bus, & yes, there is a local airport, Aegean do flights from Athens-Kalamata. The full price is quite expensive, but if you have the right dates you can pick up one of their saver fares.
tod, I've seen the Which guide but it's now a 16 year old publication and felt that the area must have changed a great deal since the early nineties when it was written.
yiassas, hotel budget is not limited and we'd hire a car at the airport when we arrive. Two UK charter companies offer flights into Kalamata International. We enjoy historical sites, good food and wine, a nice hotel and are looking for a comfortable, chilled out week, without a great pace to it.
yiassas, hotel budget is not limited and we'd hire a car at the airport when we arrive. Two UK charter companies offer flights into Kalamata International. We enjoy historical sites, good food and wine, a nice hotel and are looking for a comfortable, chilled out week, without a great pace to it.
Thanks for the info on the Which Guide - seeing it was last published in 1994 I thought it would still be relavent but 16yers is a long time and I'm sure a lot has changed!
Yiassas seems to be the answer to giving you the most up-to-date happenings around Kalamata.
Yiassas seems to be the answer to giving you the most up-to-date happenings around Kalamata.
Lifeman,
For history you have Ancient Messene as one of the lesser known, but large & important sites, castles at Koroni, Methoni & Pylos, as well as Olympia & Mystras possible as day trips.
Other places include the Diros caves, beautiful beach at Voidakilia bay & wetlands & Polilimno waterfalls.
I will post some links for some of the sites & give fuller descriptions when I get a bit more time (busy today!), but in the meantime here are some photos around the local area,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yiassas...7623227159332/
You will find plenty to fill a week, especially if you want some downtime too!
For flights take a look through Thomson, they use the Thomas Cook flights, but on most dates I've looke at they work out cheaper! Viking are also flying for some of the season. Flights direct to Kalamata are Sundays, some on Saturdays started last year.
For history you have Ancient Messene as one of the lesser known, but large & important sites, castles at Koroni, Methoni & Pylos, as well as Olympia & Mystras possible as day trips.
Other places include the Diros caves, beautiful beach at Voidakilia bay & wetlands & Polilimno waterfalls.
I will post some links for some of the sites & give fuller descriptions when I get a bit more time (busy today!), but in the meantime here are some photos around the local area,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yiassas...7623227159332/
You will find plenty to fill a week, especially if you want some downtime too!
For flights take a look through Thomson, they use the Thomas Cook flights, but on most dates I've looke at they work out cheaper! Viking are also flying for some of the season. Flights direct to Kalamata are Sundays, some on Saturdays started last year.
First of all take a look at this map so that my post makes sense!
http://www.touristorama.com/location...nguage=english
If you want only one base for the whole week Kalamata, or close would be best so that you can do your daytrips in all directions. One choice could be the Filoxenia, on the edge of Kalamata, right by the sea,
http://www.classicalhotels.com/e-filoxeniahotel/
A good choice on the western side would be Sunrise Hotel, my photos of it here,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yiassas...7622239649490/
They only have an old website, not yet updated with pics or info, so if you are interested in this one please ask as I know the owners. It is just south of Petalidi on the above map, an excellent base for seeing Ancient Messene, Koroni, Methoni, Pylos & Navarino Bay,
http://www.messinia-guide.gr/item.as...49&category=60 Finikounda, Polilimnio waterfalls,
http://www.messinia-guide.gr/item.as...49&category=60
Voidakilia & even Olympia. To go to anywhere on the Mani (the east part of Messinia), Stoupa, Kardamyli, Diros caves it is still possible as a daytrip, but depends how much you want to see over there. Might be worth considering a night or 2 on that side.
There are many places to stay (much wider choice of self catering than full hotels) in lots of the towns & villages on the map. The location does really depend on the sights you hope to visit.
I am assuming you will have a car for the duration of your holiday? Again, just ask & I'll enquire for you with a couple of companies that will deliver & collect at the airport.
The other important factor for some of the advice is when do you plan to come? The travel time factor will vary for the trips you want to do, mid July to about 20th August can be very busy as many Greeks leave Athens & come on holiday to the area! The roads are completely different to other times of the year for that 5-6 weeks!
http://www.touristorama.com/location...nguage=english
If you want only one base for the whole week Kalamata, or close would be best so that you can do your daytrips in all directions. One choice could be the Filoxenia, on the edge of Kalamata, right by the sea,
http://www.classicalhotels.com/e-filoxeniahotel/
A good choice on the western side would be Sunrise Hotel, my photos of it here,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yiassas...7622239649490/
They only have an old website, not yet updated with pics or info, so if you are interested in this one please ask as I know the owners. It is just south of Petalidi on the above map, an excellent base for seeing Ancient Messene, Koroni, Methoni, Pylos & Navarino Bay,
http://www.messinia-guide.gr/item.as...49&category=60 Finikounda, Polilimnio waterfalls,
http://www.messinia-guide.gr/item.as...49&category=60
Voidakilia & even Olympia. To go to anywhere on the Mani (the east part of Messinia), Stoupa, Kardamyli, Diros caves it is still possible as a daytrip, but depends how much you want to see over there. Might be worth considering a night or 2 on that side.
There are many places to stay (much wider choice of self catering than full hotels) in lots of the towns & villages on the map. The location does really depend on the sights you hope to visit.
I am assuming you will have a car for the duration of your holiday? Again, just ask & I'll enquire for you with a couple of companies that will deliver & collect at the airport.
The other important factor for some of the advice is when do you plan to come? The travel time factor will vary for the trips you want to do, mid July to about 20th August can be very busy as many Greeks leave Athens & come on holiday to the area! The roads are completely different to other times of the year for that 5-6 weeks!
yiassas
Thanks so much for all the information. I really do appreciate the time you've spent in putting this together.
We intend to visit in September, once the school holidays are over, so that the Athenians and the Europeans have gone home! We will hire a car from the airport. The Filoxenia looks good and in the right sort of location and your photos of the Sunrise look excellent. We need to decide which one.
Thanks very much again, looking forward to the trip.
Thanks so much for all the information. I really do appreciate the time you've spent in putting this together.
We intend to visit in September, once the school holidays are over, so that the Athenians and the Europeans have gone home! We will hire a car from the airport. The Filoxenia looks good and in the right sort of location and your photos of the Sunrise look excellent. We need to decide which one.
Thanks very much again, looking forward to the trip.
September, a great time to visit!
Just let me know if you want any help to book either the Sunrise hotel (or any other), or car in advance. Kalamata is a small airport that only has the International charter flights for the summer season(military airport, remember the plane spotters?) & although there are a couple of car hire desks I have only ever seen one manned on almost every visit there (Hertz I think). There is a small cafe too, but that's it!
Just let me know if you want any help to book either the Sunrise hotel (or any other), or car in advance. Kalamata is a small airport that only has the International charter flights for the summer season(military airport, remember the plane spotters?) & although there are a couple of car hire desks I have only ever seen one manned on almost every visit there (Hertz I think). There is a small cafe too, but that's it!
