“Now, look up,” said our guide, as we were hiking along a narrow path that hugged the cliffs in Greece’s mountainous Arcadia region. And there, incredibly, clinging to the rock face above our heads, was the ancient Monastery of Prodomos.
A few minutes later, we were inside its dark, silent walls, marvelling at the 12th century structure that was once used as a refuge and hospital for fighters during the Turkish occupation. Standing at dusk on its wooden balcony, hanging thousands of metres over the deep ravine, while birds flitted passed our faces and the sun sank below the forest, was one of the most spiritual moments of my life.
After trekking 15 to 20 minutes back to the nearest carpark, we were driven the short distance to the peaceful Stemnitsa village square, where we were served a simple but delicious meal in a local taverna. Owner Vasso and her mum piled our table high with beef stew, meat balls, zucchini balls, pasta, Greek salad, fries, baked aubergine and more.
That night, our accommodation was in the divine Mikri Arktos boutique hotel in the mountain village of Dimitsana, which has incredible views of the forests below and beyond and a distinct Alpine feel. It would provide a great retreat from the heat of Greece’s coast in the summer.
Two nights at the ultra modern but local-style hotel are included in Intrepid’s eight-day Premium Greece tour, which starts and ends in Athens. For 2025, its tour will also include a meal at Vasso’s taverna. Other tour highlights include the monasteries of Meteora, the Temple of Apollo in Delphi, the ancient site of Olympia, the Mycynae UNESCO World Heritage site, and the seaside town of Nafplio.
During our two-day whistlestop taster tour, ahead of the ABTA Travel Convention in Greece’s Costa Navarino, we visited the skinny Corinth Canal, about an hour’s drive from Athens; took a quick tour of Ancient Korinthos; dined at the Nemea Winery, where the wine was so good I even bought a couple of bottles to bring home; took a boat trip at Navarino Bay, and tasted olive oil at a farm in the Messinian village of Korifasio.
I’m not sure how we packed it all in, but none of it felt rushed, such was the smooth and efficient organisation from Intrepid and the skill of their guides.
Intrepid’s eight-day Premium Greece tour costs from £2,309 per person.
Linsey McNeill was a guest of Intrepid Travel/easyJet
The post Intrepid review: Going off the beaten track in Greece appeared first on Travel Gossip.
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A few minutes later, we were inside its dark, silent walls, marvelling at the 12th century structure that was once used as a refuge and hospital for fighters during the Turkish occupation. Standing at dusk on its wooden balcony, hanging thousands of metres over the deep ravine, while birds flitted passed our faces and the sun sank below the forest, was one of the most spiritual moments of my life.
After trekking 15 to 20 minutes back to the nearest carpark, we were driven the short distance to the peaceful Stemnitsa village square, where we were served a simple but delicious meal in a local taverna. Owner Vasso and her mum piled our table high with beef stew, meat balls, zucchini balls, pasta, Greek salad, fries, baked aubergine and more.
That night, our accommodation was in the divine Mikri Arktos boutique hotel in the mountain village of Dimitsana, which has incredible views of the forests below and beyond and a distinct Alpine feel. It would provide a great retreat from the heat of Greece’s coast in the summer.
Two nights at the ultra modern but local-style hotel are included in Intrepid’s eight-day Premium Greece tour, which starts and ends in Athens. For 2025, its tour will also include a meal at Vasso’s taverna. Other tour highlights include the monasteries of Meteora, the Temple of Apollo in Delphi, the ancient site of Olympia, the Mycynae UNESCO World Heritage site, and the seaside town of Nafplio.
During our two-day whistlestop taster tour, ahead of the ABTA Travel Convention in Greece’s Costa Navarino, we visited the skinny Corinth Canal, about an hour’s drive from Athens; took a quick tour of Ancient Korinthos; dined at the Nemea Winery, where the wine was so good I even bought a couple of bottles to bring home; took a boat trip at Navarino Bay, and tasted olive oil at a farm in the Messinian village of Korifasio.
I’m not sure how we packed it all in, but none of it felt rushed, such was the smooth and efficient organisation from Intrepid and the skill of their guides.
Intrepid’s eight-day Premium Greece tour costs from £2,309 per person.
Linsey McNeill was a guest of Intrepid Travel/easyJet
The post Intrepid review: Going off the beaten track in Greece appeared first on Travel Gossip.
Continue reading...
