Secret Scenes and Rural Life in the Southern Peloponnese

Pick up your hire car and drive to Monemvasia (also known as Malvasia). You will spend three nights a little further south in the mountains. The fortified house has witnessed the Byzantines, Ottomans, and Venetians. Although its history has worn it down, it's still beautiful and its people have retained its character. The buildings have been designed to showcase intricate stonework; the floors and furniture bring warmth with their waxed wood, and the fabrics give a hint of boldness and cheer. You can see the Aegean Sea and the hotel swimming pool which invites you to take a dip to cool off under the warm sun. In the restaurant, sustainable produce from the estate takes centre stage. With this level of service in such a delightful setting where there are minerals and lush vegetation, you should not miss out on a trip to the spa.

Where the surrounding scenery is stunning. It is full of orchards, olive trees, lemons, and vineyards. Explore on foot, on horseback, or by bicycle. Take some time to relax, take a dip in the sea, taste the wine from the estate, and bake bread. Having a rental car allows you to venture out a bit further, and cross the Epidaure Limira peninsula. The Castle in the historic centre of Monemvasia is nestled on a rocky peninsula. The town was founded in the sixth century. Two hundred years later, it was at the forefront of a determined fight against the plague led by Hippocrates. History has makes its mark and the peace of its alleyways and medieval squares was hard-won. The fortress is testament to this, and the ancient architecture has retained its military style. The 12th-century church of Saint Sophia is the town's main religious landmark.
On the itinerary is a private tour of the Castle with a local guide, followed by a small sampling of local produce.
Option - Cookery lessons in an old oil mill.

Now head off to Vathia. Spend three nights in one of the towers that, while now wonderfully comfortable, has seen stories of piracy, clan wars, and revenge. Where people once looked out at the sea horizon with concern, you can gaze at it with bliss, from your window or the thermal pool. In your home-from-home, you don't need to climb a ladder for a view of the waves and mountains. The restaurant, which is reserved for the guests of the tower, works its magic with local ingredients and nomadic ideas. If you can drag yourself away from your cosy room, take a walk around the area or make use of the bicycles available to borrow for the duration of your stay.

Your tower dates back to the early 19th century and is typical of the architecture of the Mani Peninsular. You'll see other towers pointing towards the blue sky as you explore the nestling villages. Vathia has a number of them which make the town famous. Sitting on marble, the region has a stark beauty with its rock, evergreen shrubs, scattered oaks, and olive trees. This is where you need to come in search of a rugged but moving authenticity. In summer, wild flowers cover the slopes. You'll remember these landscapes long after you've gone home. The Vlychada cave is a real change of atmosphere. The chambers boast impressive sheets of stalactites. According to the Greeks, the coast and beaches of the Mani Peninsular were among the most beautiful and well-preserved in the country.