PELOPONNESE
The peninsula of Peloponnese situated on the southernmost tip of mainland Greece, technically an island once divided by the Corinth Canal, and recently linked with the Rio - Antirio Bridge consist of five prefectures Arcadia, Argolida, Corinthia, Laconia, Messinia, Achaia and Ilia. Accessed by air and sea through Athens to the airport of Kalamata, by sea via Patras connecting Peloponnese with the Ionian Islands as well as Italy, by ferries reaching Monemvasia, by train to connect Athens with Patras or by car and regular bus services, Peloponnese is a non-far fetched destination waiting for you to explore it. Peloponnese has been the birthplace of significant civilizations and city-states like Mycenae, Argos, Corinth and Sparta and after being occupied by Romans, the Byzantine Empire, Ottomans, Venetians, and Turks, while actively contributing towards the 1821 Greek Revolutionary, preserve all signs of its history to reflect its glorious past. Mycenae, Ancient Olympia, Corinth and Messini, the theater of Epidaurus, numerous churches and monasteries such as the historical monastery of Agia Lavra in Kalavrita, along with picturesque towns and villages like Nafplio, Monemvasia, Mystras, Dimitsana and Pylos stand out as some of the most popular destinations around the area. Blessed with beautiful natural landscapes with plethora of olive trees, citrus trees and vineyards, varied flora and fauna as well as mountains, rivers, lakes, gorges, natural springs, caves, canyons and rocks, Peloponnese is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts to be amazed by the wide selection of activities available. Skiing, mountain climbing, canyoning hiking, trekking, biking, slope-parachuting, rafting, canoeing, bird watching, as well as diving, windsurfing, horse riding and golfing, are all sports activities to be practiced throughout the year. Additionally due to the plane-tree leaf shape of Peloponnese, the coastline is miraculously lacy with countless sandy beaches. The wine roads of the area are widely known for fine wine making in beautiful estates waiting for you to visit them and grasp a chance for wine tasting. Finally Peloponnese is home to some of the best luxury hotels and spa resorts in Greece to be found among other areas in Pylos-Messinia, Loutraki, Porto Heli, Ilia and Kandia, offering high end services and conference facilities all perfectly situated in this blessed piece of land. Alternative tourism, thermalism tourism, religious tourism, sports tourism archaeological tourism, fine arts and relaxed holidays, leave no visitor dissatisfied once stepping at this steeped in history and rich in culture and natural beauty region. Overall, Peloponnese is justifiably regarded as the ideal tourist destination throughout the year, as it is indeed a place to feel the magic and lightness of history and nature. |
Prefecture of Arcadia 
