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Greece Islands

Grecia

Kalambaka	Kos	Lesbos	Mani
Greece Islands	Mykonos	Naxos	Paros
Rodi	Santorini	Atene	Ioannina
Cefalonia	Corfu	Creta	Ios
Kalamata	Kamari

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Mani Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see photo_1 The Mani is a region of Greece's southern Peleponneses. It has a unique history, people, and architcture. It is a land of stone towers, beautifull beaches, and rich history. Kalamata serves as the gateway to Mani, and is a good base for local exploration. Mani consists of two main regions, Exo Mani ("Outer Mani") and Mesa Mani ("inner Mani") Although there is evidence of occupation from Paleolithic times, history has it that Mani was settled by colonists from Sparta, and kept Spartan customs long after Sparta stopped doing so. It has traditionally been a place that political refuges have come to. Some of the flavor of the region can be gleaned from the fact that this region of Greece celebrates the Greek independence earlier than the rest of Greece. Why? "Because we celebrate when WE started fighting!" There are several stone castles in the area. [Be warned that the term "castle" in the Mani usually means a fortification, not a keep as it is in Britian.] There are many books in print, in many different languages, about the unique culture of the area. The area has significant cultural differences from the rest of Greece, although this is changing since the government put in the first automoble travelable road in the 1960's. Outer Mani has the most tourist facilities, and has wonderfull beaches, and is only a few miles outside of Kalamata. The road into Exo Mani is a mountain road, with all the great views, and exposed curves, that that normally implies. Inner Mani is an arid and rough area of stone towered villages and long history. Areopolis is the major city of Mesa Mani, and is the place where the Greek war of Independence started. There is a statue in the main square of Mavromachalis Petrobey, who was the great hero of the war. There are world class caves at Pirgos Dyru (just outside of Areopolis a few miles to the south) that justifiably attracts tourists from all over the world. While the archeological record shows settlement back to neolithic times [There is an archological display at the caves of Pirgos Diro], tradition holds that it was settled by outcast Spartans. This, and its history of family vendetas, help explain their fierce reputation in the eyes of the rest of Greece. Mani is a region of stone towered villiages, and of the old stonework roads (called "kalderimi or kalderimia") which are so picturesque, and of deep history both modern and ancient. In ancient times it was written about by Pausanias and Strabo, who's directions can generally be followed today. In later times it was known for its pirates and raiding [Kelefa had been called "New Algers" for its trade in captives]. It was also known for fierce battles with Turks, Franks, Bavarians, and anyone else trying to claim the area. For example, there are local stories of the women of Pirgos Dirou fighting off a landing of the Turkish navy when the men of the Mani were up north fighting the Turks. And there is the story of the Maniots ransoming a Bavarian fighting unit back to their ruler... after relieving them of items of military significance, such as guns, knives, shoes, clothes... It has also been known as a refuge and asylum for those with politically unpopular views. In more modern times it was the place where the revolution that overthrew turkish occupation started. [It was "officially" declaired later elsewhere, but only after Kalamata was already freed of the Turks.] ::::::::Gythio Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see GYTHIO is located in middle south of Peloponese at the center of the Laconian Gulf. It is a lively, charming little harbour town. The most of its houses are two- or three-storey neo-classical mansions, stuck to the steep side of the Mt. "Koumaros". A long sea-side promenade, the colourful fishing boats, the narrow streets and stairways produce the typical Greek environment which faszinates every visitor. There are not realy mentionable ancient objects to be studied in Gythio. From its ancient past only a small Roman theatre was left by an earthquake that destroyed the city in the 4th century. So, every visitor is free to enjoy just greek present life. Gythio is protected by spurs of the mighty Taygetos mountain range. Its highest "Profitis Ilias", with 2.407 m the highest mountain on the whole Peloponnese, makes a marvellous background scene. From November to May, the snow-white peaks are a magnificent sight behind the deep blue sea. A little island called "Kranai" and connected with the mainlaind by a short dam, protects the port of Gythio town from the open sea. It is a beautiful place with pine-trees and an ideal view-point to overlook the gulf towards the Parnon mountain range in the east and Taygetos in the north-west. As it is reported by Homer, the island was the first refuge of Helen and Paris on their journey to Troy. According to the myth, paris forgot his helmet on the islet as he was leaving - hence its name, since in Greek a helmet is calles "kranos". An interesting site on Kranai is the restored Tzannetakis Tower, a Maniot fortress-residence belonging to the Tzannetakis-Grigorakis families. It was donated to the state and currently houses the History and Ethnology Museum of Mani. Also worth visiting are the chapel of Agios Petros and the octagonal lighthouse of 22 m height, built in 1873 of tenarian marble. Part or or all of this text stems from the original article at: www.gythio.net :::::::::Kardamili Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Down View from Proastio Down View from Proastio Kai Wunder Kardamili is a scenic valley in Exo Mani south of Kalamata. It is a frequent stop for travelers headed south to Mesa Mani. The town was mentioned in the Illiad and has been in continuious use ever since. [Nothing is much left of the old classical town, just up the hill from the current town, and bearing a differnt name.] There is a very nice beach, and an internet cafe. The quiet beauty of the place, and relatively uncrowded beach make this a favorate place for the people of Kalamata to take important visitors. :::::::Stoupa Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see photo_4 The city of Stoupa is located in Exo Mani ("Outer Mani"). It it popular with British and German tourists, but somewhat unknown to American tourists. It boasts (with justification) a fine beach, and the usual tourist services.