THE AREA
- Closest Airport: Araxos, 35’ drive
- Closest Port: Kyllini, 10’ drive
- Closest Town: Kyllini, 10’ drive
- Closest Beach: Chrisi Akti, 10’ walk/ 2’ drive
- Kalamata Airport: 90’ drive
- Patra: 40’ drive
- Pyrgos: 25’ drive
- Athens: 150’ drive
- Kourouta: 25’ drive
- Chlemoutsi Castle: 5’ drive
- Ancient Olympia: 30’ drive
- Apollo Epicurius Temple: 90’ drive
- Zakynthos: 60′
- Kefalonia: 120′
Huge planes, perennial olive trees and ancient masterpieces compose a dream destination of peacefulness, a land selected by Gods. Nature harmonically blends with heritage in a set of astonishing beauty and tranquility. A moment of silence under the calming rustling of trees takes you back to the times when the very first athletes of history raced on the same divine grounds for the sake of glory and an olive branch. The first Olympic Games were held in 776 B.C. and till today, the Olympic Flame is lit in front of the temple of Hera. Enjoy a wonderful walk in one of the world’s most important archaeological sites.
Take a beauty trip in the hot springs of Kyllini Baths, used since the Ancient Roman times, and try for yourself the healing properties of the mud and fumes. Visit Panagia Vlachernon Monastery and explore the tombs of rich Franks still hidden inside it. If your adrenaline levels drop, you can always try scuba diving in Pyrgos, a neighbouring town, or paramotor, water ski, banana and tubes at the beach close to the villa. At night, choose between the restaurants, bars and clubs of Kourouta. Just in case you are lucky enough to be enjoying your vacation in the villa around August 15th, join the local national celebrations of the Dormition of Virgin Mary and the traditional feast. Ask the hosts at Louiza Estate for suggestions on where to go, depending on the period of your visit.
The imposing medieval walls of Chlemoutsi castle and its breathtaking view of the Ionian Sea is the perfect surrounding for an imperial walk. Built by the Franks, between 1220 and 1223, through the centuries, the castle has changed hands many times but it stays almost intact, waiting for your visit. Don’t be surprised if you hear a weeping inside it. The legend says that it comes from Sunless, the Queen who lost her King due to a curse, when a ray of sun turned him into marble.
The vibes of Gods are evident by the greatness of Apollo Temple, standing out in the middle of a dry plateau. Ictinus, the architect of Parthenon, was entrusted to built the temple, in honor of God Apollo, who was considered the healer of a plague. Much has changed since, but the same wind still blows through the huge marble columns of the temple. And its timeless divine majesty thrills every new visitor.
Rent a yacht or take a boat from Kyllini for a trip to nearby islands where the green of the mountains blends with the turquoise blue of the sea.
Visit the Flower of the East, Zakynthos, as named by Venetians due to over 7,000 species of flowers blooming on the island. See in person one of the most famous beaches in the world, Navagio, with its shipwreck sunk on the shore around 1980. Swim in the natural Blue Caves and relax on one of the numerous sandy beaches and you might meet the endangered Caretta Caretta turtles, as Zakynthos is one of their favorite spots.
You can also choose the largest of the Ionian islands, Kefalonia, with numerous exotic beaches like Myrtos and picturesque villages like the colourful Fiscardo. Take a small boat around the lake cave of Melissani whose roof collapsed allowing in the natural light and revealing the magical colours covered in mist or travel back in time by visiting the Venetian Castle of Saint George originally built in the 12th century.