Vacation, travel and vacations in Peloponnese
From A to Z - information, tips, things to know for the Peloponnese.
APOTHEKE (Pharmakion) marked with a green cross. Many medicines are cheaper in Greece. Pill, aspirin, etc.
Doctor, most doctors are private, we recommend a travel health insurance ! Apply in time for your international insurance card at your health insurance. Info: Usually you pay in advance on the spot and submit the receipts later at home to your health insurance for reimbursement. For Kardamili, Stoupa, Agios Nikolaos. Practice is located in kaloria. Dr. Sofia Xristofilopoulou: 27210 77771 or 6977 779 314: Dr Sofia, takes both private and IKA patients.
EXCURSIONS (An excerpt of our excursions can be found at the bottom of this page!) in the Peloponnese, can be booked locally at our office Wundertravel GREECE in Kardamili on the main road.
CAR R ENTAL can be rented on the spot in our office, or before the start of the trip. see below. Car rental
BUS Between Kalamata and Itilo 4 buses run daily! K-TEL Info about the entire network at: www.ktel.gr
German Embassy in Athens: Opening hours Mon.-Fri. 09:00 - 12:00 Tel. (0030) 210 72 85 111. In emergencies also around-the-clock at (0030 - 693 233 81 53 by sms!)
HOLIDAYS IN GREECE, March 25 Independence Day, April 06-09 Easter, May 01 Labor Day, May 26-28 Pentecost, August 15 Assumption Day, October 28 National Day. Note that on these days most sights and regular stores are closed.
FLIGHT INFORMATION for Kalamata/ KLX arrivals at Wundertravel Greece office in Kardamili, tel. (0030 ) 27210 73 141, or Kalamata Airport Information, tel. (0030) 27210 63805 https://wundertravel.com/flughafen_kalamata_flug-und-anreise-auf-den-peloponnes/
BIKES can be booked locally at our WTG office in Kardamili,Messinia or at our partner agencies. Mountain Aktivities 2407 is located in Kardamili.
HOSPITALS in every major city. Many tourist places
have a 24h - Medical Center. Free of charge !
THE MANI REGION/ Recommendations
The Messenian and Laconian Mani: Coming from Kalamata always towards the south, the Taygethos mountains stretch down to Laconia, where it "flows into the sea" at Gerolimenas. The region with the connecting road leads from Kalamata airport/KLX with the new freeway bypass in the curve past the Kalamata bay with port, worth seeing old part of town along the mountain villages. Kambos and Stavropigi with some nice taverns. The bakery (left on the road after the gas station) and a Cafestop are obligatory here. Transfer time from KLX to here is about 40 min. Further Prosilio and past Kalives down to the old Kardamili (Kardamily). The agency Wundertravel Greece is located in the center of the village on the main street opposite Anna's - Cafe "Androuvitsa". Tip! Here you can try the homemade cheesecake or a Mani sandwich. Taverns/restaurants/bars recommendations: Kastro, Kikis and of course Lela `s Taverna directly at the sea. The best place for homemade food and yogurt ice cream is LOLA. The Tikla - Bar with great view, ambience and neat cocktails is usus. Villa-Castle Kelefa. Your own Kastro for large families and celebrations: https://wundertravel.com/villa_burg_kelefa/
OPENING HOURS Shops are usually open until 14.00 and again from 18.00-21.00. Closed on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturday afternoon. In tourist places, stores are often open continuously and late into the night. Banks are usually open Mon-Fri - 14.30, post office until 14.00. Archaeoligical sites usually close at sunset ( some are closed on Monday ) In Greece a siesta time is observed from 14.00 - 17.30.
Olive oil - The green gold of the Mani
Olive oil is the basis of every dish. The thick, fleshy Kalamon olives, as well as the smaller Koroneiki fruits from our region, are internationally recognized at their high level. TIP- Taste the fresh olive oil & let us introduce you to the history of its processing.
POST you recognize by the yellow sign ELPA. Here you get stamps ( 80cent within Europe ). The postal service takes about 3-4 days. You can not make phone calls at the post office.
Beaches are public in Greece. Nudism is officially forbidden in Greece. Topless is tolerated. (popular beaches: Foneas, Delphinia, Ritsa, Kalogria, Gnospi)
TAXIS are much cheaper than in Germany. Surcharge is applied for pre-ordered cabs, night trips and holidays. If you do not find a cab stand, stop a moving cab, even if already occupied, should it go the same direction, he will take you. ( not cheaper )
TELEPHONE Phone cards are available at kiosks, newsagents and supermarkets. You will hardly find any pay phones here either. The network for cell phones is well developed. Area code to Germany 0049, Austria 0043, Switzerland 0041
TIME C ET + 1 hour
CURRENCY the currency of Greece is the Euro. With EC cards you can withdraw money at almost all banks. Most stores accept major credit cards. (Ask if cash payment is cheaper for you!).
WEATHER Average temperatures in degrees: April 19, May 24, June 28, July 30, August 31, September 28, October 24
NEWSPAPERS German daily newspapers, magazines, travel guides, http://www.insidemani.gr/downloads/
WTG / Day excursions
from/to hotel / region outer Mani (Kardamili to Aghios Nikolaos accommodation)Info: Messinia region
please ask at the WTG office, Kardamili!
*******************************************************************
Transfer via the panoramic road of the Taygetos Mountains to the ruined city of Mistras (UNESCO World Heritage Site) Visit of the former church empire with its fortress and numerous Byzantine churches, monasteries (only one of them, Pantanassa Monastery in the lower part of the city is still inhabited by nuns) The ruined city is spread very widely on the slopes of the Taygetos Mountains.
Full day excursion (day stage: approx. 180 km) entrance fee Mistras, Euro 13.- p.p. (reduced with ID seniors, disabled 50%)
Sightseeing of Olympia (venue of the ancient Olympic Games, which were held in honor of the gods. Guided tour of the excavation area with the remains of the once massive Temple of Zeus and the older Temple of Hera, the workshop of the famous sculptor Phidias and the sports facilities ( Olympic Stadium ) where the shot put was held during the 2004 Games). Visit to the important Archaeological Museum. Lunch break in Olympia.
Entrance fee per person Euro 13.- (daily distance: approx. 300 km )
Tour of the port towns of Methoni and Pylos whose distinctive feature are the mighty castles of the Middle Ages. Visit to the spectacular archaeological site of Itomi/Messene, once called the Golden City, with its theaters, temples and sports facilities. (Stage for the day: approx. 170km. ,
Experience country & people - villages of the outer Mani
Today we visit the villages of the outer Mani. In the midst of this landscape, with the view of the Laconian/Messinian Gulf, olive groves and the Taygetos Mountains, one quickly becomes aware of the incredible beauty that nature has produced here. We will visit the approximately 2000 year old village of Kardamili with its medieval castle and the tower of Mourtzinos, the picturesque harbor village of Ag. Nikolaos.
(daily stage: approx. 80 km)
Travel in a modern fully air-conditioned coach.
German speaking guide, or tour guide (Mani)
Services not included:
Entrance fees( discount for children, students and seniors )
Drinks, lunch (Mani excursion included)
Time frame of the excursions : 09:00 am to about 16:30 pm,