Byzantinon Monemvasia

... to the sea for a swim. Without doubt, we loved Monemvasia and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a beautiful and quiet get away.<br><br>Another little note to mention- We have continued learning Greek words and phrases. We have mastered enough to get through dinner and drinks without a problem (must set our priorities!), but trying to make purchases using Greek in the grocery or a small store can present quite a challenge.<br><br>

... play a concert;)), so we were told to meet them at 4pm in order to continue the ride with them. Meanwhile we went for a swim. I read in my guide book that at the island where we went, there had started the romance of Helen and Paris, and at the same time - the Troyan War. We spent 3 hours there, smimming in clear like a crystal and azure water and resting in a shade of trees. And then it was time to move forward, towards Diros Caves...

My best friend during Elementary School was Nick Kastanias, whose family is proud of its Greek heritage. Nick's Dad (Mr. K) retired from his job in south Florida and moved back to Greece 11 years ago. He was nice enough to host and entertain me during my fantastic stay in Greece - which largely centered on his lovely hometown of ...

... dates back to the thirteenth century. We are in the Mani region situated in the middle promontory of the southern Peloponnese , physically different from the other two and dominated by the magnificent and daunting 'Taigetos' mountain range. The locals are called Maniots, a fierce people who resisted conversion to Christianity until the tenth century, when they embraced it with such fervour that they built churches everywhere. They also defied the ...

... lived in Monemvasia, mostly in the Upper Town. The fortifications were famous for never being breached and while the town passed from Byzantine, to Venetian, to Ottoman, then finally to Greek control (in the War of Independence), it was never taken by force, only by trickery or prolonged siege. Its late in the afternoon by the time we arrive at Monemvasia, so we find a place to stay (and this time our first choice has plenty of rooms - all with their own ...

... never considered this to be a beach vacation but what do you know?!? The food has been fabulous everywhere we go. Not a bad meal yet. The people in Greece take eating very serious and spend hours eating and involved in conversation. A much slower and seemingly happier pace than what us Americans are used to. In Naplio we ...

... once the trade center for Morea, the Byzantine empire's outpost on the Peloponnese. It was almost impregnable, too, with only one gate -- an L-shaped entrance through the thick walls butted against solid rock. It's one of those places that seems to have drifted through time unaltered by passing centuries. That's why I wanted to experience it for myself. From Gefyra, the tiny town on the mainland where the bus stops, I walked across the causeway to the rock and ...

... up the streets to where building is going on. Several of us climbed to the church, Agia Sophia and then went on to the Citadel. From here we could look down across the small bridge to where our purple bus was parked. It really seemed like we were up high. Great view! Water for this city was collected in Cisterns. Even with all the climbing we did, we only walked about five miles. This evening we all ate together at Pierros's restaurant. He is formerly ...

... other one steered. And yes, we did manage to film them!<br><br>Our first night was in Plaka, a tiny port with a improbably massive 2000 person techno nightclub, which we believe gets opened specially on Sunday nights for our flotilla! Then it was on to Ierakas, even tinier with a harbour hidden in a split in the cliffs, not easy to find. Monemvasia is spectacular from the sea with the buildings clinging to the ...

It is September, and we have decided to visit MANI this time. Our first stop is at GYTHIO, where we have lunch. Gythio is a beautiful port and so our lunch includes my favorite dish which is KALAMARI, sea shells, mussles, and of course my favorite starter OUZO.