The Area
The yacht is based in Kalamata, which is in the Peloponnese region of Greece.
Like the rest of Greece, the Peloponnese is steeped in Greek legend. "Peloponnese"
means "island of Pelops", whose father, Tantalos, fed him to the gods. Pelops
was then resurrected and went onto sire the Atreid line of kings, which have been
proven to exist in some form as remains have been discovered at Mycenae. Even
though the meaning of its name refers to it as an island, the Peloponnese is
actually connected to mainland Greece by the Corinth isthmus, which has a width
of four miles.
Click red markers to view information
The Town of Kalamata
Kalamata is the capital town and main port of Messinia, which is located south
west of the Peloponnese. The town is famous for the Kalamatinos dance, the silk
kerchief, black olives, honeyed figs and the sesame covered sweet called pastelli.
Kalamata has an excellent modern infrastructure and local facilities, such as the
library which holds over sixty thousand volumes of work. In the summer, the
amphitheatre of the 13th century castle built by Geoffrey de Villehardouin plays
host to concerts and plays put on by the Kalamata theatre. The summer evenings
bring a new lease of life, especially long the waterfront, where the tavernas,
seafood restaurants and rotisseries, can be found to be serving local dishes and
drinks, fresh fish, chicken, roast suckling pig, cheese, ralki, sausages, retsina
and olives.
The castle dominates the town as it is built above Kalamata. When visitors to the
castle look at the scenery, they are offered the choice of the sea and local sandy
and pebbly beaches or the deep green plains. On the north side of the citadel,
is the small Byzantine church which is dedicated to the Virgin of Kalomata (of the
good eye), from which it is believed the town got its name. In the town, is the
famous Byzantine Church of the Virgin Ypapanti, where the nuns weave the famous
Kalamata silk. As well as the Byzantine church, there are several other churches
to visit, the oldest being the historic church of Agii Apostoli (13th century),
which is where the Greek Revolution against the Turks was formally declared on
23rd March 1821. If fine arts and archaeology are more of an interest to you,
Kalamata has an archaeological and folklore museum and a fine arts museum to visit.
Pylos
Pylos sits at the entrance to magnificent bay of Navarino - one of the best kept secrets of the south Ionian. From the marina you can visit the castle and maritime museum, learn of the sea battle that took place here.
Methoni
Methoni can trace its history back to ancient Greece and Homer, pretty town good anchorage and beach overlooked by the Turkish castle.
Finikounda
Here you can berth bows to on the concrete jetty, it is a small holiday village with excellent Tavernas and beautiful beach. Enjoy your evening meal overlooking the harbour.
Koroni
As you approach Koroni the first thing you notice is the Venetian Castle, dominating the anchorage. Follow in Nelsons footsteps and anchor here, then enjoy exploring the small Venetian town.
Kardamila
Kardamila where you can visit the ancient renovated Mani Village, then enjoy swimming in the clear blue water, before eating ashore at the hotel over looking the island.
The Weather in the Peloponnese
Greece and especially the Peloponnese has the perfect weather during its high
season - June to September, for sailing and swimming off the yacht,
as it is at its hottest. For those of you who do not like the extreme heat and
enjoy what the countryside has to offer, you will enjoy the Greek spring (late
April to May). It is still warm and the brightly coloured wild flowers and the
vibrant greenery make it a wonderful sight.
For an up to date weather report, please view
the BBC weather for Kalamata.