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Itinerary Key

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Aegina This Saronic Gulf island’s port is filled with elegant 19th century mansions, tavernas, and nightclubs that cater to Athenian weekenders.

Corinth Canal The 3.9 mile long, 70-80 foot wide canal across the Isthmus of Corinth is too small for freighters but offers smaller ships stunning views; over 11,000 vessels (mostly tourist and pleasure boats) choose to sail through it each year.

Diakofto This tiny coastal town is the embarkation point for a spectacular journey on a narrow-gauge train (buy a first class ticket for the best views) through the Vouriako gorge to the mountain hamlet of Kalavryta.

Dirou Caves These huge coastal caves (approximately 250,000 square feet in area—and that’s only the part that’s been excavated) contain a subterranean river along which pole-wielding boatmen lead visitors on a half-hour boat ride through vividly colored stalagmites and stalactites.

Elafonissos A small island with one sleepy village and several world-renowned white sand beaches.

Epidavros One of Greece’s prettiest and most peaceful ruins, this ancient healing center is centered around a fourth-century BC amphitheater.

Gerakas A medieval village surrounded by natural wonders—the steep mountains that form its backdrop and the limnothalassa (salt water lake) at their feet—and man-made marvels: an acropolis at its summit, taramosalata, the fish roe dip the region was once famous for, and Telly Savalas, who was born here.

Gerolimenas Approached head-on, this port looks like a fishing village of stone houses typical of the architecture of Mani, but to its west, a steep cliff riddled with ravines and caves rises from the sea.

Gythion This pleasant port is the docking point for excursions to Mystra, a semi-ruined city of churches that was the capital of the Peloponnese during the Byzantine era and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1989.

Hydra A tiny, carefree artists’ haven in the Saronic Gulf, where donkeys cart luggage down winding lanes lined with chic boutiques and simple tavernas.

Koroni This twin town to Methoni (together the Venetians called them "the eyes of the Serene Republic") has a ruined castle with breathtaking views of the surrounding turquoise waters, a medieval chapel, small white houses, flower-strewn courtyards, and a 1.2-mile long beach.

Kyllini This little town, the westernmost port on the Peloponnese, is known for its ancient hilltop castle, a nearby thermal springs called Loutra Kyllinis, and "Golden Beach", a long white-sand stretch south of the port.

Kyparissi Princess Diana spent her last vacation swimming in the clear waters of this traditional fishing village, known for its three close white-pebble coves, olive oil, and being an ideal place to get away from it all.

Kyparissia Sliding down the slopes of Mt. Psychro to the sea, this slightly schizophrenic town has a traditional Old Town around the castle and a modern counterpart right on the bay. Named for its cypress trees, its real claim to fame is the surrounding sandy beaches, including Ai-Lagoudis.

Kythera This large, seldom crowded island beach paradise is the perfect hybrid of Ionian greenery and Cycladic architecture.

Methoni At the southernmost point in the Western Peloponnese, this small town is dominated by the ruins of a huge Venetian castle and a floating fortress, the Bourtzi, said to be haunted by the prisoners killed there in 1500 when the Turks occupied the fort.

Monemvassia Attached to the mainland by a causeway, this fortified citadel, with its cobblestoned alleys and artistically appointed inns, is almost an outdoor museum of the Byzantine era.

Nauplion A former capital of modern Greece, this lovely town is crowned by an 18th century Venetian fortress, with cobbled streets full of art shops, elegant seafront restaurants (Agnanti is a favorite) and bar-lounges built on platforms that hover off the coast.

Paralia Astros Paralia means beach so it’s no surprise that the main draw here is the long, sandy shore. The fishing village rises above it, the prettiest part being the old section of town surrounding a medieval castle, with unbeatable panoramic views, on the asteroid-shaped peninsula.

Pirgos The rather sleepy capital of the region, this hilly port is home to two Schiller-designed neoclassical treasures and a café-lined main square. But its best known as the mooring point for excursions to Ancient Olympia, a huge complex of ruins that were the site of the original Olympic games. Along with remnants of the race courses, temples, and ancient stadium, there are several museums devoted to the history of the Olympic games.

Poros Separated from the Peloponnese mainland by a narrow (656 foot) channel, this small hilly island is actually two islets in one, split down the middle by a canal, with sandy beaches to the south, a 1927 clock tower rising from the top of the island and fish tavernas, neoclassical mansions, and pine, olive, and prickly pear groves covering the interior.

Porto Kagio The beach of this quiet port in the Mani region is at the foot of Vathia hill, which is topped by the gray stone towers that are the region’s trademark, holdovers of the days when feuding local clans shot at each other from their tiny windows.

Pylos A whitewashed town that spills down a hillside to the Bay of Navarino, with charming arcaded streets, flower-filled courtyards, and the spooky ruins of Neokastro, the Turkish-Venetian fortress to the west of town which rises above the sandy, horse-shoe shaped beach of Voidolkilia Bay.

Rio-Antirio bridge Inaugurated a week before the opening ceremony of the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, this 1.4 mile long cable-stayed bridge—its elegant lines call to mind a harp—links the Peloponnesian town of Rio to the community of Antirion on the mainland.

Spetses An island of pine forests, secluded coves and one town chock full of shipping museums, fish tavernas, boatbuilding warehouses, and horse and carriages rattling over the black and white pebble mosaics that are the island’s trademark.

Getting Around

Companies that charter yachts offering itineraries around the Peloponnese include Valef Yachts, www.valefyachts.com, Olympic Yacht Charters, www.olympicyachtcharters.com, Afroudakis Yachts, www.afroudakisusa.com, and Alpha Yachting, www.alphayachting.com, which helped develop these itineraries.

Copyright © 2009, American Express Publishing. All rights reserved.