pedelon pelopo nnese...peloponnese 2021 pedelon. travels by ebike+49 (0)89 61466980 5 cave in...

pedelon travels by eBike

Peloponnese 2021 pedelon. travels by eBike +49 (0)89 61466980 www.pedelon.com 1

+++ Blood feuds, pirates and a blue lighthouse at the entrance to Hades +++ These trees do not tolerate a lesser sky, these stones refuse the strange step, this landscape is as hard as the silence (Jannis Ritsos) +++ Spartan double kings and war heroes in honey +++ The Divine, it is on the abyss +++ Rough as their nature is the story of the Mani +++ I do not want wreaths in the apron or red eggs in the basket, only justice for my son, the leader of the Maniots – stab to death all the Turks and burn their castle. (Death suit around 1780) +++ Holm oaks and oleanders, olive trees and scrub, withered by the summer sun +++ Byzantine power under Franconian walls +++ Where the mountains separate Laconia from Messenia, Zeus and Leda have fathered the Dioscuri +++ Mycenaeans , Dorians, Achaeans, Spartans, Macedonians, Romans, Slavs, Byzantines, crusaders, Venetians, Ottomans in the shadow of the defense towers +++ where oranges fl avor sausages and lemons belong in tomato sauces +++

Our tour through the Mani, the middle peninsula of the Peloponnese, in 7 days, a maximum of 14 people, two double overnights.Hotels Gastronomy Culture Nature !

Travel dates 2021GPP1: Sunday, 18-apr-2021 to Sunday, 25-apr-2021GPP2: Sunday, 25-apr-2021 to Sunday, 02-may-2021GPP3: Sunday, 02-may-2021 to Sunday, 09-may-2021GPP4: Saturday, 18-sep-2021 to Saturday, 25-sep-2021GPP5: Saturday, 25-sep-2021 to Saturday, 02-oct-2021GPP6: Saturday, 02-oct-2021 to Saturday, 09-oct-2021

Traveling price 2021Price per person in the DR for 7 nights with half-board, eBike, entrance free, transfers, guided tours: 1930 €Single-room surcharge: 460 €Does not include lunch, drinks and your personal expenses as well as travelling there and back.

KalamataSparta

Kardamyli

Mystras

Arna

Areopoli

Vathia

Gythio

Exo Nimfio

Gerolimenas10 km

by eBikeby bus

P E L O P O N N E S E

PELOP

ONNESE



FlightFlights to/from Kalamata at daily rates on request.

CarThere are continuous motorway connections to Venice, Ancona or Bari. From there, there are ferries to Patras in the Peloponnese. From Munich you need between 24 and 36 hours driving time, including the ferry. Car parking is possible during the bike trip at Kalamata airport (90 € for 8 days).

Participation conditionsThe arrangement contains the above services. Our terms and conditions apply.

After the booking confirmation, the “pedelon travel information” is sent, which provides useful information regarding your travel to Kalamata or Mystras and other tips for the journey.



With the eBike in an unrealistic realm of rocky bays, bare mountain pyramids, huge sea and glistening light. Endless expanses of rock, thorny deserts, olive groves in archaic solitude. The second southernmost mainland point in Europe, on historic routes to Cape Tenaro past monasteries, Frankish fortresses, Mycenaean tombs and picturesque harbor towns. Every little turn will surprise the traveler with a picturesque Byzantine chapel, a hidden waterfall or a secluded bay with a wonderful tavern. The Peloponnese transforms the astonished cyclist into a pilgrim, a traveler, an explorer. Best hotels in historical ruins, traditional cuisine in authentic taverns and restaurants. eBikes on the Peloponnese, the Mani, an unforgettable experience.

Our guests will be picked up at Kalamata Airport on Saturday at 6.45 pm, at 4.05 pm on Sunday. The Aegean Air fl ight leaves Munich at 10.10 am (Saturday) and reaches via Tessaloniki the economic center of the southern Peloponnese in the evening at 6.30 pm (Greece has no summer time). If you want to arrive from Germany without changing planes, you can fl y directly to Athens. We pick up guests there at 3.15 pm and bring them in about two hours drive to the start hotel in Mystras. On Sundays a non-stop fl ight starts in Munich at 1.40 pm, arrival time in Kalamata is then 4.05 pm. Aegean Air is a member of the “star alliance” and was voted with its modern fl eet to be the best European regional airline in 2017.

In the “Mazaraki Guesthouse” the rooms are available as of 2.00 pm. The newly opened luxury guest house is located near Mystras and is a successful blend of historic buildings and modern design (swimming pool). If you want to stretch your feet before dinner, you can walk 1.5 kilometers to a spectacular vantage point with stunning views of the region and historic Mystras.

For dinner with local specialties in the immediate vicinity, you are invited to the excellent restaurant “Chromata”. Already at the be-ginning of the journey, here the prejudice is convincingly refuted that the Greek kitchen is rather monotonous.

1st day: Mystras – Sparta – Mystras, 49 kmAfter a rich breakfast with regional products such as mountain honey from the Taygetos massif and organic jam from the hotel’s own garden, it‘s a short transfer to Mystras, the famous Byzan-tine ruined city. Its story began with the construction of a hill fort by the Frankish crusader Guillaume de Villehardouin in the 13th century. The Frankish reign did not last long, Byzantine regained its provinces, and Mystras became an important economic and spiritual center of the Byzantine Empire. Numerous churches, chapels and monasteries are witnesses of this era. The end of this heyday began with the Ottoman takeover and culminated with total destruction during the Greek War of Independence in 1825.

PELOPONNESE



After a detailed visit, the the pedelon eBikes will be adjusted and the tour guides will explain its correct uses. Then our ride will take us slightly downhill to Sparta. The lively town can look back on a great past. In antiquity, it was the capital of the Laconia landscape

and for centuries the strongest military power of ancient Gre-ece. The Spartiates formed as elite fighters the backbone of the Spartan army. Its military strength allowed Sparta to exert great influence on the fortunes of Greece for a long time. Unfortunately, there are hardly any remaining remains to visit from this golden age, so that a short stay is enough to explore the well-preserved amphitheater and the remains of the old center.

After lunch, it is two hours back to Mazaraki Guesthouse, mostly on lonely streets in a hilly area with stunning views of the fertile plain of Lakonia. For dinner, you will meet in a restaurant well frequented by locals in the immediate vicinity of the hotel.

2nd day: Mystras – Gythio, 58 kmIn the morning, Mystras is left on small back roads, olive groves and small picturesque villages are the constant companions at the foot of the Taygetos mountains. The name of this legendary ridge goes back to the ancient nymph Taygete, the daughter of the Atlas. The highest point of the Taygetos massif is the 2404-meter high Profitis Ilias. In the late morning, today’s bike tour makes a detour into the foothills of the mountains. A small, always uphill but easy to cycle road leads to tranquil villages, hamlets that nest-

le like swallows’ nests on the mountain slopes. With the pedelon eBikes and am easier gear, it is a pleasure to master this slope. In the village of Arna, known for its ancient, protected sycamore trees, there will be a longer break on the quiet main square. From the terrace of an old tavern you have a magnificent view over the valley and the here amazingly lush vegetation of the area. Fir

and black pine forests, apples and walnut trees thrive here at an elevation of 750 meters. A pleasant contrast to the often barren, karst coast of the Mani. Nearly traffic free and mostly downhill are the last kilometers to the “Aliston Hotel”. The comfortable and very tastefully decorated four-star house was born from the ruins of a former estate and is isolated in a large olive plantation that belongs to the house and produces high-quality organic olive oil. Dinner will be in the very good restaurant of the hotel.

3rd day: Gythio – Gerolimenas, 49 kmAfter breakfast, Gythio is reached in less than half an hour. In the small lively harbor town are many colorful fishing boats, and the taverns around the bay are well visited throughout the day. The octopus hung on dry linen hangers in the harbor are just as typical a symbol of Gythio as the ancient theater. Gythio can look back on an eventful history as a war port of the Spartans. Later, the

Romans used the place for their exports. For larger commercial or cruise ships, the bay is now unsuitable because of the depth, so that the port is now, besides small ferries, only used by fishing bo-ats and private yachts. A short transfer takes the cyclists into the inner Mani. More and more residential towers – the landmarks of the Mani – meet the cyclist towards the southern tip of the peninsula. Some are up to 20 meters high, all with a square floor plan, with a wall depth of up to 1.5 meters. They are unique in the whole of Greece and symbol of the self-will of their inhabitants. Due to the external threat of the Franks, Byzantines, Venetians and Ottomans, clans defended the Mani together on the outside, but inside, bloody feuds were fought. Until the Greek War of In-dependence, which was supported by the maniots, there was no state control and no schools on this strip of land.

The remaining kilometers to reach our destination lead us on small roads over a middle pass, but due to the moderate slopes and with the help of eBikes, it is easy to do, and the cyclists are rewarded with breathtaking views of the Laconian and Messenian Gulf. After a leisurely descent, our guests are expected in the bay of Gerolimenas in the “Hotel Kyrimai”. A charming upscale hotel located on the waterfront, it is a special experience to stay here. Dinner in the hotel restaurant, which has a very good reputation.



cave in Europe. In a half-hour boat ride, you glide quietly through the grottos, past impressively illuminated rock formations. In this “underworld”, numerous prehistoric finds and also human bones were discovered, so it is assumed that the caverns were inha-bited in earlier times. Thus, in the cave next to fossilized bones of panthers, hyenas and lions, the largest bone find of hippos in Europe were discovered.

After sightseeing and lunch in a small tavern we cycle to Areo-poli, the center of the inner Mani. The pretty village square with the obligatory taverns as well as the historical center with the double church Panagia and Agios Charalambos, the tower of the Ag. Taxiarchos and the monument of the freedom fighter Petros Mavromichalis invite to an interesting tour.

The last kilometers to the hotel lead to the Bay of Itylo. Perched on a hill, the pedelon hotel “Petra & Fos Boutique Hotel & Spa” offers guests all the comforts and breathtaking views of the west coast of the Mani. Dinner will be in the very good hotel restaurant.

6th day: Itylo – Kalamata, 40 kmAfter breakfast, after a short ride uphill, you are in the old Itylo. On a short walk through the narrow streets you can see many mostly very well preserved or restored stone houses in Mani style. This often results in a fascinating view through the streets past houses into the deep bay below with the many shades of blue sea. In the narrowest area, three important churches and two smaller chapels were built here. Particularly interesting are the murals in the Dekoulou Cathedral and the church, which is dedicated to St. George of Metamorfosis Sotiros. After sightseeing, we head to-wards Kalamata on roads with little traffic and lush nature. Many Byzantine chapels line the way. Especially worth seeing is, shortly before the picturesque village of Thalames, the little church “Me-tamorphosis Sotiras” in Nomitsi. With its cross dome and beautiful capitals, it is a typical example of the sacred architecture of Mani. With our eBikes we continue on the coastal road to Platsa with its small monastery church and the newly built open-air theater in the style of Greek antiquity. The viewer remains a bit helpless – an impressive structure in the middle of the wilderness, no larger city nearby – the question of meaning remains unanswered.The last few kilometers lead through the foothills of the Taygetos moun-tains to the end of the stage to Kardamyli. Due to ever increasing traffic and an increasingly sprawling landscape, the remaining 30

4th day: Gerolimenas – Kap Tenaro – Gerolimenas, 44 kmAfter breakfast on the hotel terrace right by the sea, the cyclists leave Gerolimenas in the direction of Cape Tenaro. In an easy up and down, Vathia is reached in less than an hour. Vathia is an emblematic place for the Mani with its many residential towers, which are similar to a fortress on the tip of a promontory near the Messinian Gulf. A visit is therefore highly recommended. The village was first mentioned in 1571 and was inhabited by pirates. In 1618, there were still 20 families left, but a family feud with 200 (!) victims led to a large population decline, from which Vathia never recovered. In 1979, the place had just eleven inhabitants.

Due to its special architectural value, the village was listed as a historical monument in 1976 and restoration work was carried out on a selected group of buildings comprising residential to-wers, oil mills and other buildings. After the tour, you will continue through a rustic, barren landscape and the feeling of not being far from the “end of the world” will come.

After having cycled to Cape Tenaro, around noon we reach the small picturesque port of Kagio, which was already mentioned by Homer under the name “Psamatheus” and served as the site for an ancient shipyard. Today it is a small quiet harbor, which invites to a well- deserved lunch break. A nicer place to stay is unlikely to be found all over the Peloponnese. The next five kilometers stee-ply uphill are briefly accomplished by the escort bus, then, rolling downhill on a beautiful track with gigantic vision back to the hotel. There is enough time to take a long swim in the hotel pool or the sea, the water in the bay is crystal clear. For dinner, you will meet in a simple but very good family run tavern at the harbor.

5th day: Gerolimenas – Itylo, 53 kmIn the morning, the route leads from the bay of Gerolimenas on lo-nely paths and in constant accompaniment of the Messenian Gulf towards Areopoli. Today’s stage is characterized by traffic-free ro-ads through olive groves. Picturesque hamlets with fortified resi-dential towers, some of which are lovingly restored, but also many ruins from bygone times line the wild and romantic path. 10 kilo-meters south of Aeropoli lies the underwater cave of Pirgos Dirou. According to Greek statements, it is the most beautiful stalactite



kilometers to Kalamata are undertaken by a bus and a taxi. Ka-lamata is the economic center of the southern Peloponnese with almost 70,000 inhabitants and therefore busy. Nevertheless, the

city has charm with its alleys, the many shops and taverns and the long beach. Our guests are expected to stay in the comforta-ble guest house “Panellinion Luxury Rooms”, located directly by the sea. For the final diner you will meet in a typical tavern, which enjoys the best reputation.

7th day: Departure from Kalamata After breakfast, with a last view of the Messenian Gulf, our guests will be taken to Kalamata airport in time.

There ends a pedelon eBike trip, filled with impressions, with the flight to Munich at 10.30 am.

In the autumn (end of the journey on Saturday) the return flight will be via Athens between 2 and 4 pm (as of Nov. 2020). We take you in about 1.5 hours to the airport. Aegean Air and Lufthansa offer many direct connections to Germany from there.

pedelon pelopo nnese...peloponnese 2021 pedelon. travels by ebike+49 (0)89 61466980 5 cave in...

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