Arcadia
The picturesque prefecture of Arcadia occupies much of the central Peloponnese and is one the largest in Greece. Its name evokes images of grassy meadows, forested mountains, gurgling streams and shady grottoes. It was a favorite haunt of Pan, who played his pipes, guarded herds and frolicked with nymphs in the sunny, bucolic idyll.
Almost encircled by high mountains, Arcadia was remote enough in ancient times to remain largely untouched by the battles and intrigues of the rest of Greece. It was the only region of the Peloponnese not conquered by the Dorians. It remains a backwater, dotted with crumbling medieval villages, remote monasteries and Frankish castles, visited only by determined tourists. It also has 100 odd kilometers of virgin beaches and coastlines on the Argolic Gulf, running south from the pretty town of Myli to Leonidio where you will find Astros on.

Kynouria
Kynouria is the name of the region of the coastal region of Arcadia (located east on the Argolic Gulf). It covers a narrow strip of territory that stretches south from the tiny village of Kiveri, 41km east of Tripolis, to Kosmas, Perched high in the Mount Parnon ranging close to the Lakonian border. Allot of the land is rugged, with little fertile ground.
In ancient times, the region was contested by Argos and Sparta. Hence, the Argives held north and the Spartans held south. Although modern Kynouria is part of Arcadia, the best access is from Argos.

Road to Astros
The town of Astros lines on the road strip from Kiveri to Leonidio. Kiveri is a small town located on the sea with many quaint little restaurants with sea view to visit for a nice quiet change of scenery dinner. It is the meeting point of the main roads east from Tripolis, and south from Argos, 12km to the north. From here the main road hugs the coast for most of the 64km south to Leonidio, curving above a successions of tiny pebbled and sometimes sand beach villages.
The first town of consequence is Astros, perched in a hill 28km from Argos, 3km from the coast. The main attraction around here is the Villa of Herodes Atticus, in the hills 2km west of Astros. It was built in the 2nd century AD for the wealthy Roman founder of the celebrated Theatre of Herodes Atticus in Athens. This is was his modest country retreat, spread out over a small plateau with views over the Argolic Gulf. Recent excavations have uncovered a stunning spread of more than 10,000 sqm of mosaics. They have been left in site, and will be put on display once a roof has been built to protect them from the natural elements.
Astros overlooks Paralio Astros, an attractive little coastal town full of nice little shops, restaurants, cafés and bars for every age. The area is still not touched by the hustle and bustle of commercial tourism apart from the discovery of Athenians looking for a quick getaway from there busy city lives therefore, preserving its native and most importantly Greek form. Paralio Astros also hosts a small harbor where many sail boats and their skippers decide to take in the tranquility and beauty of the picturesque town. Also from this port there are day-cruises leaving for the nearby Saronic islands Poros, Spetses and Hydra, which can be taken for a taste of the island getaway.
Just 29km south of Astros you will find the town or Tyrou, also known as Tyrosapounakia, where you can access the Hydrofoils to the nearby Saronic islands. In this town, it is worth visiting one of few remaining workshops in Greece. Perhaps even considering the purchase of one of these unique hand made wall pieces still made with the ancient technique wooden machine now considered pieces of art. Just ask for Kiria Ageliki (Mrs. Ageliki) at the BP Gas station (second Gas station on your left traveling south).

The Peloponnese
The Peloponnese, the southern extremity of the rugged Balkan peninsula, is rich in history and warrants a month’s wandering, such is the variety of its natural and ancient splendors. The principal site to visit is Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Game. Other ancient sites such as Epidaurus and Mycenae in the north-east, all within striking distances if the pretty Venetian town of Nafplio ranking one of the prettiest towns of Greece. And in the south are the magical old Byzantine towns of Monemvassia and Mystras.

Olympia
The ancient site of Olympia lies 500m beyond the modern town, surrounded by the green foothills of Mount Kronion. In ancient times, Olympia was a sacred place of temples, priests’ dwellings and public buildings, as well as being the venue for the quadrennial Olympic Games. The first Olympic Games were staged in 776 BC, reaching the peak of there prestige in the 6th century BC. The city-states were bound by a sacred truce to stop fighting for three months and compete in the Games.
The Olympia site, is one of the highlights of the Peloponnese, dominated by the immense, ruined Temple of Zeus, to whom the games were dedicated. The site is open 8am to 7pm weekdays and 8.30am to 3pm weekends with only a cost of €3.50 and another €3.50 to visit the museum, located north of the archaeological site, keeping similar hours (allow the whole day to see both).

Epidauros
The huge well-preserved Theatre of Edipauros is the main attraction at the site but do not miss the more peaceful Sanctuary of Asclepius nearby. Edipauros was regarded as the birthplace of Asclepius, the god of healing. The setting alone would have been enough to cure many ailments. The site is open from 8am to 4.30pm daily with only €4.50 entrance fee. You can enjoy the theatre’s astounding acoustics first hand during the Epidauris Festival from mid-June to mid-August (tickets available at www. or from any nearby Greek travel agency).

Mycenae
Mycenae, the most powerful kingdom and influence in Greece for three centuries until about 1200 BC. The rise and fall of Mycenae’s of Mycenae is shrouded in myth, but the site was settled as early as the 6th millennium BC. Described by Homer as “rich in gold”, the Mycenaean Lion Gate entrance, is Europe’s oldest monument sculpture.
Excavations have uncovered the palace complex and a number of tombs. The so-called Mask of Agamemnon, discovered by Heinrich Schliemann in 1873, now holds pride of place at the National Archaeological Museum of Athens along with the findings from the site. Open from 8am to 7pm daily with an entrance fee of only €4.50.
Nafplio ranking one of the prettiest towns of Greece The narrow streets of the old quarter are filled with elegant Venetian houses and neoclassical mansions. There are terrific views of the old town and the surronding coast from the hill-top Palamidi Fortress. The climb is a almost 1000 steps also accessible by car open 8am to 6pm.

Monemvassia
Monemvassia is still an undiscovered paradise which the mass tourism has not yet lessened the impact of this extraordinary old and picturesque town. It occupies an outcrop of rock that rises dramatically from the sea. It was separated from the mainland by an earthquake in 375 AD and access is by a narrow road from the village of Gefyra.
From that causeway, a road curves around the base of the rock for about 1km until it comes to a narrow L-shaped tunnel. You emerge, blinking, in the Byzantine town. The cobbled main street is flanked by stairways leading to a range of stone houses, small roof top garden restaurants and tourist shops for everyone’s delight. You will also find signposted steps leading you to the ruins of a 16th century fortress. The views are great, and there is the added bonus of being able to explore the Byzantine Church of Agia Sophia, perched precariously on the edge of the cliff.
Ideal visits to this town would be in the early evening where you can enjoy the beginning of the old town’s lights shining your way through its narrow pathways to a garden restaurant of your choice. Or approach the town from sea to watch this massive picturesque rock, dramatically rising from the sea. The extraordinary impact of the first encounter with the medieval town and the delight of exploring it, is something you will always remember.

Mystras
The ruins at Mystras are located 7km from Sparta, spill from a spur of Mount Taygetos, crowned by a mighty fortress built by the Franks in 1249. The streets of Mystras are lined with palaces, monasteries and churches, most of them dating from 1271 to 1460, when the town was the effective capital of the Byzantine Empire. The buildings are among the finest examples of Greece and contain many superb frescoes. The site is open from 8am to 7pm daily and entry costs about €3.50, which includes the entry to the museum (except Mondays). The hike is quite something but an alternative to hiking up would be to take a taxi to the top and work your way down.