Peloponnese

Mezapos nowadays is a small fishing village, but it's history isn't as peaceful as now. In past years it was the most important pirate's hideout. Someone can choose to swim from its three beaches, Chalikia, Kourkou, Kato Mezapos. Each one has something special to offer. Let's see them: Chalikia consists of two separate beaches, the first and smaller one that you can see from the main village road, and the second larger and hidden one which you can not see her from the road. To find her someone has to walk through the left side of the first one. She is a gem with extras like the permanent shadow from the cliffs above and the picturesque cave at the left side. The left coast of the beach is a must for swimmers, snorkelling and kayaking because of the many caves someone will meet in short distance from the beach. Kourkou is a lake-like type of a beach / swimming cove with vertical yellow cliffs all around. It surely deserves a visit as this is something you won't find in most places. Cliff divers and kids (that know to swim as the depth goes to 4 meters exactly from the coast) will absolutely love the experience. She has easy accessible cliffs from 1 meter to 10 meters for cliff diving. ENJOY! Kato Mezapos is the smallest of the three but has two bonuses. She is the most accessible one as the car goes all the way down to the beach, you only have to walk 10 flat meters. The second one is something unique and really precious for the very hot summer days when the sea is also warm. When you swim 30 meters at the right side of the beach you will suddenly experience cold refreshing waters that stream from the rocks. If you follow the direction of the cold flow you will notice a small cave with turquoise waters. Just enter it is the most refreshing feeling. ​#mynovgetaway #mynovgetaway

In all honesty, I had avoided visiting Monemvasia, the medieval castle town on the southeastern coast of the Peloponnese, for many years, fearing the place had become an overly sentimental, somewhat superficial and clichéd destination, suitable only for lovebirds. I eventually decided to go. It was winter and I went alone. And I ended up turning into a cliche – I felt overwhelmed by this magical place’s rawness, wildness, history and profound romanticism. I have since returned in spring, summer and autumn, both with company and alone, as Monemvasia is an all-year destination, ideal for all emotional states. Its uniqueness and its fairytale atmosphere (the cliches I mentioned before) remain as true as ever. Even if you haven’t studied its history, you see it written on the walls around you. The sense of isolation felt on this legendary rock, cut off from the coast of the Peloponnese by an earthquake in 375 AD, adds to the wonder. As a natural fortress, it was inhabited and soon became a strategic fortress claimed the Byzantines, Franks, Venetians and Ottomans. Neither museum-like nor artificially fabricated, Monemvasia is Europe’s only castle that has never ceased being inhabited. #mynovgetaway #mynovgetaway

The coastline of Messinia features several beautiful beaches, including Stoupa, Finikouda, Kalogria, Velika and the omega-shaped Voidokilia, in the Gialova Lagoon, with its diverse fauna and flora. Their natural beauty, low-key vibes and length will certainly entice you to spend the whole day by the water. If you drop by Voidokilia, don’t forget to check out the mythical Nestor’s Cave, where Hermes is said to have hidden the cattle he stole from Apollo. Messinia has its own set of islands, including the small but beautiful Proti, a paradise for history buffs right across Marathopoli. Despite its small size, the island features some archeological sites of ancient temples, the ruins of a citadel, an acropolis from pre-classical and Mycenean times and the monastery of Panagia Gorgopigi. Thanks to its good visibility, it is also home to a dozen dive sites where you can spot turtles, coral, sponges rays and damselfish. Messinia is filled with ancient sites, including the Palace of Nestor and the ancient city of Messene. The Palace of Nestor is one of the most well-preserved Mycenean structures still visible today. Located 14 kilometers (8.5 miles) from Pylos, the palace was built by King Nestor, son of Neleus, and features in both the Iliad and the Odyssey. Comprising several sections and built on two floors, the palace was destroyed by fire in the late 13th century BCE and was never rebuilt, but many of the artifacts were recovered and are now on display at the Archaeological Museum of Chora and at the Archaeological Museum of Messenia, in Kalamata. Ancient Messene is another fascinating site, with some temples, residential houses and public buildings still standing. #mynovgetaway #mynovgetaway

Archaeological site of Mycenae

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