Tour at a glance

Tour description

If you wish to relax and enjoy the endless blue sea, and if you are fans of the notion suggesting that it is “better to keep things short and sweet”, you have just found the ideal destination for you! In 3 or 4 days we will go on a road trip exploring the most important landmarks of Outer Mani (‘Exo Mani’): from Areopolis and the Diros cave to Limeni and Gerolimena, Vatheia and Cape Tainaros. A wild landscape, imposing towers, tranquility, good food, and a view that will take your breath away.

Code | Route Name GRWK 14 | Laconian and Messinian Mani

Location Central Greece, Southern Peloponnese

Type of route | Route grading level

Paved roads | Intermediate level 3

Duration / Overnight stays

3/4 days / 2/3 nights, including breakfast

Distance covered daily 130-300 Km (the entire tour runs on paved roads)

Route distance Approximately 890 Km.

Riding time 6-8 hours per day

Number of participants Minimum 4 - Maximum 8 riders

Greek writer Stratis Myrivilis once wrote that: “Mani is a small Greece that is un-known to us all, and it is so Unusual, so Impressive, and with such an intense and unique character, that it is unlike any other Greek place”. The villages of Mani are among the most picturesque ones in Greece, and you will be able to reach the area easily by road from Athens. Less than 300 kilometers stand between you and your final destination and, lucky for you, the road is good, so your journey will be hassle-free!

Recommended for…

Notable Sights of the Tour

Mystras Castle Town – the unique thematic Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil in Sparta – Gythion - Akoumaro hill and the Kranai islet – the shipwreck of Selinitsa – Areopolis – the Diros cave - Limeni – Monemvasia Castle Town.

Gytheio, is a town and a former municipality in Laconia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local govern-

ment reform it is part of the municipality East mani, of which it is a municipal unit. It was the seaport of Sparta, some 40 kilometres (25 miles) north. Gytheio used to be an important port until it was destroyed in 4th century AD, possibly by an earthquake. Today it is the largest and most important town in Mani. It is also the seat of the municipality of East Mani. Gytheio is located in the north-east corner of Mani. It lies on the north-western end of the Laconian Gulf. Gytheio was built on a hill called Koumaros or Laryssio in one of the most fertile areas in Mani. Further north-east is the delta of the Evrotas River. Gytheio is built on hilly ground overlooking the Laconian Gulf. Offshore of Gytheio are several small islands, the most important of these being Cranae, which is connected to the mainland by a causeway. Gytheio is only 40 km (25 mi) southeast of Sparti, connected by Greek national Road 39. The town centre is situated around the port. Pine trees are situated in the west and rocky mountains in the

Gytheio, is a town and a former municipality in Laconia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local govern-

ment reform it is part of the municipality East mani, of which it is a municipal unit. It was the seaport of Sparta, some 40 kilometres (25 miles) north. Gytheio used to be an important port until it was destroyed in 4th century AD, possibly by an earthquake. Today it is the largest and most important town in Mani. It is also the seat of the municipality of East Mani. Gytheio is located in the north-east corner of Mani. It lies on the north-western end of the Laconian Gulf. Gytheio was built on a hill called Koumaros or Laryssio in one of the most fertile areas in Mani. Further north-east is the delta of the Evrotas River. Gytheio is built on hilly ground overlooking the Laconian Gulf. Offshore of Gytheio are several small islands, the most important of these being Cranae, which is connected to the mainland by a causeway. Gytheio is only 40 km (25 mi) southeast of Sparti, connected by Greek national Road 39. The town centre is situated around the port. Pine trees are situated in the west and rocky mountains in the

Mystras, the Byzantine city-state

Magnificent, spectacular a glorious place, Mystras (5 Km north-west of Sparti) is one of the most exciting cities in Peloponnese. Standing still in time, the dead city lies on the slope of the sheer, strange hill with the fortress at its top.

The whole of Mystras is an open-air museum. A reminder of glorious era of power and culture.

Its fortifications and churches, its palaces and mansions, its roads and fountains, charm thousands of visi-tors daily and offers them valuable insights in the evolution and culture of the Byzantines. The settlement and the Hora (town) were protected by a wall, but the new houses were built outside the enclosure. Another wall protected the new settlement, Kato Hora. The strategoi (generals) governed the town, and as of 1308, when the seat of the Diocese had been moved to Lacedaemonia.

Mistras became in the mid-14th century the capital of the Peloponnese and the seat of the Seignioly (Despotate) of the Moreas, with a ruler or despot who enjoyed a tenure for life.

Laconia also known as Lacedae-

monia, is a region in the south-eastern part of the Peloponnese peninsula. Its administrative capi-tal is Sparta. It encompasses Cape Malea and Cape Tainaron and a large part of the Mani Peninsula. The island, Elafonisos, situated between the Laconian mainland and Kythira, is part of Laconia.

The Evrotas is the longest river in the prefecture. The valley of the Evrotas is predominantly an agri-cultural region that contains many citrus groves, olive groves, and pasture lands. It is the loca-tion of the largest orange produc-tion in the Peloponnese and probably in all of Greece.

The main mountain ranges are the Taygetus (2,407 m) in the west and the Parnon (1,961 m) in the northeast. Taygetus, known as Pentadaktylos (five-fingers) throughout the Middle Ages, is west of Sparta and the Evrotas valley. It is the highest mountain in Laconia and the Peloponnese and is mostly covered with pine trees. The Stalactite cave, Dirou, a major tourist attraction, is located south of Areopolis in the south-west of Laconia.

All tours and journeys depart and end at our company premises.

All tours can be adjusted according to your own requirements and wishes.

Motorcycle rental.

Basic third party insurance.

Safety lock for the motorcycle.

A safety technician with his own motorcycle.

24-hour Roadside Assistance.

Photographs or videos from the tour.

Planning and organisation of the tour and providing participants with information prior to departure regarding the day’s schedule. Free luggage storage in Athens. Three (3) or four (4) days’ riding on predetermined routes. Two (2) or three (3) nights’ accommodation with breakfast in luxury hotels or high-quality traditional guesthouses. Road navigation map of the tour (depending on availability).

Comprehensive motorcycle insurance or coinsurance . Fuel, toll fees, boat tickets.

Entrance tickets for scheduled visits to sights, entrance and guide fees within archaeological sites. Everything marked in the itinerary as ‘optional’.

Travel insurance. Travel insurance. Driver’s helmet and/or passenger’s helmet upon agreement regarding sizing. Meeting and transfer from Athens International Airport (or from another pick-up location of your choice). Luggage cases, GPS, action cameras (GoPro, Sony or similar).

Stored routes on a GPS with all the daily itineraries. Mini-van or mini-bus for the luggage, with a second driver.

>Recommended fleet for the tour: HONDA NC 750Χ or similar.

General Information:

Not included in the tour price:

Additional provisions (extra charges apply):

Recommended fleet for the tour

Included in the tour price:

All tours can be adjusted according to your own requirements and wishes. For more information, please call us at +30 210 6533968 or

send us an email at info@andelimototouring.gr

All tours and journeys depart and end at our company premises.

All tours can be adjusted according to your own requirements and wishes.

Motorcycle rental.

Basic third party insurance.

Safety lock for the motorcycle.

A safety technician with his own motorcycle.

24-hour Roadside Assistance.

Photographs or videos from the tour.

Planning and organisation of the tour and providing participants with information prior to departure regarding the day’s schedule. Free luggage storage in Athens. Three (3) or four (4) days’ riding on predetermined routes. Two (2) or three (3) nights’ accommodation with breakfast in luxury hotels or high-quality traditional guesthouses. Road navigation map of the tour (depending on availability).

Comprehensive motorcycle insurance or coinsurance . Fuel, toll fees, boat tickets.

Entrance tickets for scheduled visits to sights, entrance and guide fees within archaeological sites. Everything marked in the itinerary as ‘optional’.

Travel insurance. Travel insurance. Driver’s helmet and/or passenger’s helmet upon agreement regarding sizing. Meeting and transfer from Athens International Airport (or from another pick-up location of your choice). Luggage cases, GPS, action cameras (GoPro, Sony or similar).

Stored routes on a GPS with all the daily itineraries. Mini-van or mini-bus for the luggage, with a second driver.

>Recommended fleet for the tour: HONDA NC 750Χ or similar.

General Information:

Not included in the tour price:

Additional provisions (extra charges apply):

Recommended fleet for the tour

Included in the tour price:

Day 1: Athens – Vathy (284 Km)

Departing from Athens and heading towards Corinth, we travel on the new national motorway in the direction of Tripoli, coming across the tunnel of Artemission on our way, where we will make our first stop. We will then continue towards Mystras.

We will visit its deserted castle town that was built on the slope of mount Taygetos, while we will also have the opportunity to admire the Byzantine church of Pandanassas and the castle of Vileardouinos, which dominates the mountain top. Our lunch will be at one of the local tavernas, from where we will make our way to the Olive Museum in Sparta.

The Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil in Sparta will guide us through the civilisation, history and tech-nology of the olive and olive production in Greece, starting from prehistoric times and up until the beginning of the 20th century.

The presentation of the olive and olive oil in the museum is from various points of view, including that of econ-omy, nutrition and its uses, religious worship, art, and technology. Later on in the afternoon, we will reach Vathy in Gythion, where we will settle into our hotel, have dinner and spend the night.

Day 2: Vathy | Excursion to Areopoli and Limeni.

Breakfast and tour around Areopoli (the capital of Inner Mani), which is a well-preserved tourist settlement that is characterised by the special charm of the Mani landscape, boasting unique architecture comprised of small houses that look like fortresses, small stone paths that still reflect the grandeur of the past, well-preserved tower-houses and stone-built guesthouses. In the area surrounding the town’s square, you will find many shops, tavernas, cafes, as well as the municipal library.

We will then head off to the Glyfada (or Vlychada) cave in Diros, which is one of the most beautiful lake caves in the world. It is situated in the western shores of the Laconian peninsula, at the cave of Diros in the municipality of Oitylo, and offers a unique experience on a 1.600 metre journey over a subterranean river.

From there onwards, we will have two options:

a) Continue south towards Vatheia, which is known for its famous tower-houses, and then move on to reach the southernmost road point of Continental Greece (Balkans and Europe), namely Cape Tainaros* (Cavo Matas). We will then make our way back to Gythion through Porto Kayo and Lagia. Alternatively, we can

b) Return to the beautiful village of Limena (Limeni) in Messinian Mani, where we can have a meal.

Return to our hotel in Gythion, with free time, and overnight stay.

Day 3: Vathy | Excursion to Monemvasia - Athens.

We will leave Gythion after having our breakfast, making a stop at the well-known shipwreck of Selinitsa, where we will also have opportunity to go on a photo shoot.

Following that, we will visit the imposing castle town of Monemvasia and admire its old mansions, the house of renowned Greek poet Yiannis Ritsos, its byzantine churches, and the famous castle.

Day-by-day tour itinerary:

Monemvasia (or Monovasia), which was known to the Franks as Malvazia, is the stone-built boat of poet Yiannis Ritsos that stands longingly at the southeastern edge of the land of Laconia, taking its passengers on a dreamy journey through time and history.

Castles and city walls, old mansions, narrow cobbled streets, churches, old low arches, ar-cades, coats of arms, imperial thrones made of marble, and byzantine icons, all come to-gether in order to create a vision of a city belonging in the realm of fantasy that has not been touched by the passage of time.

Monemvasia is also known as the “Gibraltar of the East”, the “Castle above the Clouds” of Morias, the “Notorious Town” of Emperor Andronikos II, the “City saved by God” of the Palaiologos family of Mystras, the “Menexe Kalesi” (Castle of Flowers – Fortress of Flow-ers) of the Turks, the “Flower of Monemvasia”, and the “Flower Smelling Castle Town” of the South.

It is essentially a small island that is connected with the mainland through a narrow strip of land, and a bridge that coexists with the sea element of the Myrtoan Sea. Entering the rock from the only existing entrance – the only ‘emvasis’, which is the word that led to the creation of the name ‘Monemvasia’ – the traveler starts this journey to the past, starting from the 6th century when the town was first inhabited, and up until the present time.

We have the option of having a meal there, before making our way back to Athens with various stops on the way, including one at a café on the national motorway. Arrival in Ath-ens late in the afternoon.

Please note: The tour itinerary may take place in a different order, but without omitting any parts of it, if this is deemed necessary for its smoother running.

Day 1: Athens – Vathy (284 Km)

Departing from Athens and heading towards Corinth, we travel on the new national motorway in the direction of Tripoli, coming across the tunnel of Artemission on our way, where we will make our first stop. We will then continue towards Mystras.

We will visit its deserted castle town that was built on the slope of mount Taygetos, while we will also have the opportunity to admire the Byzantine church of Pandanassas and the castle of Vileardouinos, which dominates the mountain top. Our lunch will be at one of the local tavernas, from where we will make our way to the Olive Museum in Sparta.

The Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil in Sparta will guide us through the civilisation, history and tech-nology of the olive and olive production in Greece, starting from prehistoric times and up until the beginning of the 20th century.

The presentation of the olive and olive oil in the museum is from various points of view, including that of econ-omy, nutrition and its uses, religious worship, art, and technology. Later on in the afternoon, we will reach Vathy in Gythion, where we will settle into our hotel, have dinner and spend the night.

Day 2: Vathy | Excursion to Areopoli and Limeni.

Breakfast and tour around Areopoli (the capital of Inner Mani), which is a well-preserved tourist settlement that is characterised by the special charm of the Mani landscape, boasting unique architecture comprised of small houses that look like fortresses, small stone paths that still reflect the grandeur of the past, well-preserved tower-houses and stone-built guesthouses. In the area surrounding the town’s square, you will find many shops, tavernas, cafes, as well as the municipal library.

We will then head off to the Glyfada (or Vlychada) cave in Diros, which is one of the most beautiful lake caves in the world. It is situated in the western shores of the Laconian peninsula, at the cave of Diros in the municipality of Oitylo, and offers a unique experience on a 1.600 metre journey over a subterranean river.

From there onwards, we will have two options:

a) Continue south towards Vatheia, which is known for its famous tower-houses, and then move on to reach the southernmost road point of Continental Greece (Balkans and Europe), namely Cape Tainaros* (Cavo Matas). We will then make our way back to Gythion through Porto Kayo and Lagia. Alternatively, we can

b) Return to the beautiful village of Limena (Limeni) in Messinian Mani, where we can have a meal.

Return to our hotel in Gythion, with free time, and overnight stay.

Day 3: Vathy | Excursion to Monemvasia - Athens.

We will leave Gythion after having our breakfast, making a stop at the well-known shipwreck of Selinitsa, where we will also have opportunity to go on a photo shoot.

Following that, we will visit the imposing castle town of Monemvasia and admire its old mansions, the house of renowned Greek poet Yiannis Ritsos, its byzantine churches, and the famous castle.

Day-by-day tour itinerary:

Mystras: A tower town straight out of a fairy tale The town offers breathtaking medieval ruins surrounded by a beautiful landscape

The Byzantine castle town of Mystras is one of the most idyllic and romantic places you can visit in Greece, as it offers breathtaking medieval ruins surrounded by a beautiful landscape.

The archaeological site is located close to Sparta, in the region of Laconia. Nowadays, a new village has been built below the medieval castle, attracting large tourist crowds that want to explore this fascinating area.

The mystical tower town of Mystras, also known as the “Wonder of Morea” was built around a for-tress erected in 1249. In the 14th century Mystras became the capital of the Despotate of Moreas and the last Byzantine emperor, Constantine XI Palaiologos, was despot at this town before he came to the throne. The town was subsequently occupied by the Venetians and the Turks and it was abandoned in 1832.

Today, the visitor can wander around the city and admire the interesting architecture and the beautiful frescoes.

The Palace of the Despots, the houses of Laskaris and Frangopoulos, the imposing Cathedral of Saint Dimitrios and the impressive Monasteries of Our Lady Pantanassa, and of Οur Lady Perivlep-tos are some of the most important attractions in the area.

Mystras - ruins and restoration topped by a castle.

Mystras - Looking down from the castle over St Sofia's church and ruins

The Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil in Sparta aims to highlight the culture and technology of the olive and olive production, which is inextricably linked with the Greek and Mediterranean identity. Unique in Greece, it is located in the heart of Laconia, one of the main olive pro-ducing locations in Greece. In the upper floor the first testimonies about the olive in Greece , its contribution to the economy from prehistoric times to the 20th century, its role in nutrition, body care (cosmetic, pharmaceutical uses), lighting, while special mention is made of its symbolic dimension in religion, my-thology, customs and mores. The unit concludes with a brief presentation of the olive’s position in art. The tour starts from the earliest findings that demonstrate the existence of the olive tree in Greece: rare fossil olive leaves, 50,000-60,000 years old, found in the Thera Caldera. The first texts date back to the 14th century BC, on clay tab-lets inscribed with Linear B script. Olive oil’s capacity to cover a variety of different needs, rendered it one of the most important agricultural prod-ucts, with a definitive role in the economy of each historical period. The position of the olive and olive oil in nutrition are pre-sented in a separate unit. A series of other long forgotten uses of olive oil are also revealed by the information panels and exhibits (lighting, body care, beautification). The impor-tance of the olive and olive oil in the lives of the Greeks is vividly revealed by the many symbolisms, the worship rites and folklore. The few examples of ancient and modern art in the Museum demonstrate that the olive was a constant source of inspiration for Greek artists. The Museum’s ground floor is devoted to the development of olive oil production technology from Antiquity until the early industrial era. The post-Byzantine technology and ma-chinery are presented in the museum. An animal-powered olive oil press from Lefkada provides evidence for its sur-vival during the 20th century. A wooden double oil press with a winch has been transferred from the neighbouring area of Xirokampi. Emphasis has been placed on the revival of the powered olive oil presses (water-powered, steam-powered, diesel-powered and power-driven) using large working models. In addition, given that olive oil is still linked to body care, one of the exhibition units is dedicated to soap-making, domestic and industrial. From the large cauldron that old housewives in areas where olive oil is pro-duced still use to make soap, we pass on to industrial soap vats. The semi open-air exhibition will soon be shaped, with the mechanisms of a prehistoric, a Hellenistic and a Byzantine olive oil press, which will be set in operation for the Mu-seum’s educational programmes.

The Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil in Sparta aims to highlight the culture and technology of the olive and olive production, which is inextricably linked with the Greek and Mediterranean identity. Unique in Greece, it is located in the heart of Laconia, one of the main olive pro-ducing locations in Greece. In the upper floor the first testimonies about the olive in Greece , its contribution to the economy from prehistoric times to the 20th century, its role in nutrition, body care (cosmetic, pharmaceutical uses), lighting, while special mention is made of its symbolic dimension in religion, my-thology, customs and mores. The unit concludes with a brief presentation of the olive’s position in art. The tour starts from the earliest findings that demonstrate the existence of the olive tree in Greece: rare fossil olive leaves, 50,000-60,000 years old, found in the Thera Caldera. The first texts date back to the 14th century BC, on clay tab-lets inscribed with Linear B script. Olive oil’s capacity to cover a variety of different needs, rendered it one of the most important agricultural prod-ucts, with a definitive role in the economy of each historical period. The position of the olive and olive oil in nutrition are pre-sented in a separate unit. A series of other long forgotten uses of olive oil are also revealed by the information panels and exhibits (lighting, body care, beautification). The impor-tance of the olive and olive oil in the lives of the Greeks is vividly revealed by the many symbolisms, the worship rites and folklore. The few examples of ancient and modern art in the Museum demonstrate that the olive was a constant source of inspiration for Greek artists. The Museum’s ground floor is devoted to the development of olive oil production technology from Antiquity until the early industrial era. The post-Byzantine technology and ma-chinery are presented in the museum. An animal-powered olive oil press from Lefkada provides evidence for its sur-vival during the 20th century. A wooden double oil press with a winch has been transferred from the neighbouring area of Xirokampi. Emphasis has been placed on the revival of the powered olive oil presses (water-powered, steam-powered, diesel-powered and power-driven) using large working models. In addition, given that olive oil is still linked to body care, one of the exhibition units is dedicated to soap-making, domestic and industrial. From the large cauldron that old housewives in areas where olive oil is pro-duced still use to make soap, we pass on to industrial soap vats. The semi open-air exhibition will soon be shaped, with the mechanisms of a prehistoric, a Hellenistic and a Byzantine olive oil press, which will be set in operation for the Mu-seum’s educational programmes.

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