Tour at a glance Code | Route Name
GRWK 13 | In Monemvasia and Gythion of Belle Helene
Location
Central Greece, Southern Peloponnese
Type of route | Route gradpaved roads | Intermediate level 3 ing level Duration / Overnight stays
3/4 days | 2/3 nights, including breakfast
Distance covered daily
130 - 300 Km. (paved roads)
Route distance
Approximately 930 Km.
Riding time
6 - 8 hours per day
Number of participants
Minimum 4 | Maximum 8 riders
Recommended for… This tour is ideal for all those who are in a romantic mood and wish to explore the beauties of southern Peloponnese, admiring its byzantine castle towns and its sinuous coasts.
Tour description A 3 or 4 day excursion by road, exploring the area of Gythion of Belle Helene! Discover this beautiful seaside area with its unique island-like touch, spreading amphitheatrically along the coastal zone with many meze places, tavernas, restaurants, café-bars and hotels. Take your partner’s hand and walk along the promenade with the blue sea paving your way, next to the many open-air local stores and the imposing two and threestore neoclassical buildings that exert an air of grandeur from the past. You will be impressed by its traditional houses, its picturesque courtyards, its beautiful churches, its scenic harbour with its bustling waterfront that is made out of marble, and the small and larger fishing boats, all of which compose a special residential settlement.
Notable Sights of the Tour Mystras – Sparta (Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil) - Gythion – the Watermill in Talanta – the Kastania cave – Neapolis – Monemvasia – the Monastery of Eloni – Leonidion – Paralio Astros
Gytheio, the ancient Gythium or Gytheion (Ancient Greek: Γύθειον), is a town and a former municipality in Laconia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality East mani, of which it is a municipal unit. It was the seaport of Sparta, some 40 kilometres (25 miles) north. Gytheio used to be an important port until it was destroyed in 4th century AD, possibly by an earthquake. Today it is the largest and most important town in Mani. It is also the seat of the municipality of East Mani. Gytheio is located in the north-east corner of Mani. It lies on the north-western end of the Laconian Gulf. Gytheio was built on a hill called Koumaros or Laryssio in one of the most fertile areas in Mani, near the mouth of the Gythium river, which is usually dry and has been given the nickname of "Xerias", meaning 'dry' (Today most of the "Xerias" dry river is covered by "Ermou Avenue"). Further north-east is the delta of the Evrotas River. Gytheio is built on hilly ground overlooking the Laconian Gulf. Offshore of Gytheio are several small islands, the most important of these being Cranae, which is connected to the mainland by a causeway. Gytheio is only 40 km (25 mi) southeast of Sparti, connected by Greek national Road 39. The town centre is situated around the port. Pine trees are situated in the west and rocky mountains in the north. Helen of Troy—Belle Helene In Greek mythology, Helen of Troy (Greek Ἑλένη Helénē), also known as Helen of Sparta, was the daughter of Zeus and Leda, and was a sister of Castor, Pollux, and Clytemnestra. In Greek myths, she was considered the most beautiful woman in the world. By marriage she was Queen of Laconia, a province within Homeric Greece, the wife of King Menelaus. Her abduction by Paris, Prince of Troy, brought about the Trojan War. Elements of her putative biography come from classical authors such as Aristophanes, Cicero, Euripides and Homer (both The Iliad and The Odyssey).
In her youth she was abducted by, or eloped with, Theseus, and in some accounts b ous. An oath sworn beforehand by all the suitors (known as the Oath of Tyndareus) War. When she marries Menelaus she is still very young; whether her subsequent in
The legends recounting Helen's fate in Troy are contradictory. Homer depicts her a Other accounts have a treacherous Helen who simulates Bacchic rites and rejoices i laus, though other versions of the legend recount her ascending to Olympus instead shared a shrine with Menelaus. She was also worshiped in Attica, and on Rhodes.
Monemvasia (Greek: Μονεμβασία) is a town and a municipality in Lacona, Greece. The town is located on a small island off the east coast of the Peloponnese. The island is linked to the mainland by a short causeway 200m in length. Its area consists mostly of a large plateau some 100 metres above sea level, up to 300 m wide and 1 km long, the site of a powerful medieval fortress. The town walls and many Byzantine churches remain from the medieval period. The seat of the municipality is the town Molaoi. The town's name derives from two Greek words, mone and emvasia, meaning "single entrance". Its Italian form, Malvasia, gave its name to Malmsey wine. Monemvasia's nickname is the Gibraltar of the East or The Rock. The island of Monemvasia was separated from the mainland by an earthquake in 375 AD. The majority of the island's area is a plateau about 100 metres above sea level, and the town of the same name is built on the slope to the south-east of the rock, overlooking Palaia Monemvasia bay. Many of the streets are narrow and fit only for pedestrian and donkey traffic. A small hamlet of about 10 houses lies to the northwest.
bore him a child. A competition between her suitors for her hand in marriage sees Menelaus emerge victori) requires them to provide military assistance in the case of her abduction; this oath culminates in the Trojan nvolvement with Paris is an abduction or a seduction is ambiguous.
as a wistful, even a sorrowful, figure, coming to regret her choice and wishing to be reunited with Menelaus. in the carnage. Ultimately, Paris was killed in action, and in Homer's account Helen was reunited with Mened. A cult associated with her developed in Hellenistic Laconia, both at Sparta and elsewhere; at Therapne she
Day-by-day tour itinerary: Day 1: Athens – Mystras – Sparta (Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil) – Gythion (281 Km)
Departing from Athens, with intermediary stops along our way, we will reach the historic town of Mystras. Aft lowing this, we will wander around the picturesque coastal town of Gythion, which has a number of wonderfu bor of Sparta at the inlet of the Laconic gulf, with other notable sites being the luscious islet of Kranai and the hotel. Day 2: Gythion – Selnitsa – the Watermill in Talanta - the Kastania cave – Neapolis – Gythion (210 Km)
After having our breakfast, we will head off for a visit to the wonderful village of Talanta. It is a lusciously gree continue towards the impressive cave in Kastania, which is the second of its kind in Europe, situated at the eas town of Voies was situated, which was destroyed by an earthquake in 375 AD. We will enjoy the tranquil bay, at the central square, and at the cathedral of Agia Triada. Return to Gythion. Day 3: Gythion – Monemvasia – Gythion (129 Km)
Breakfast is followed by an excursion at the romantic castle town of Monemvasia, which is the jewel of the ea ing a contemporary glance. We will wander around the castle with its Venetian and Byzantine mansion house selection of shops with local products and souvenirs, little cafes, etc. We will have the time to enjoy a meal con rable photos! Return early in the afternoon, and dinner in Gythion. Optional visit at Plytra or Pounda (Elafoniss Day 4: Gythion – the Monastery of Eloni – Leonidion – Paralio Astros – Athens (307 Km)
After having our breakfast, we will depart for a visit at the Monastery of Eloni. The church is built on a vertical off to Leonidion and, following an amazing route passing through the wetland of Moustos, we will arrive at Par
Please note: Entrance fees at various sites will involve an additional charge. The tour itinerary may take place in a different order, but without omitting any parts of it, if this is deemed necessary for its smoother running. The 3-day tour does not include the itinerary of the 2nd day.
ter that, we will move on to Sparta for a visit at the unique museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil and, folul neoclassical buildings and an island-like touch. Gythion is both the ancient as well as the contemporary harneoclassical buildings that are situated amphitheatrically on the hillside of mount “Akoumaros�. Arrival at our
en area with streaming waters that were once providing the operating power for 11 watermills! We will then stern tip of Parnonas. Our next stop will be Neapolis, resting at almost exactly the same site where the ancient fresh fish at the local tavernas, and we will take photos in front of the bronze statue of Vatikiotis the Seaman,
astern coast of the Peloponnese. We will embark on a journey of the day-to-day life of the middle ages, adoptes, its forty churches, and the arches below which various cobbled streets meet one another, offering a wide nsisting of local specialties, take a walk and have a look at the souvenirs on offer, as well as take some memosos).
l, most imposing red rock, which creates the impression that it is almost floating in the air! We will then head ralion Astros, where we will have the time to enjoy a meal. Return to Athens.
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All tours can be adjusted according to your own requirements and wishes. For more information, please call us at +30 210 6533968 or send us an email at info@andelimototouring.gr
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eral Information:
ours and journeys depart and end at our company premises. ours can be adjusted according to your own requirements and wishes.
uded in the tour price:
otorcycle rental. asic third party insurance. fety lock for the motorcycle. safety technician with his own motorcycle. 4-hour Roadside Assistance. hotographs or videos from the tour. anning and organisation of the tour and providing participants with information prior to rture regarding the day’s schedule. ee luggage storage in Athens. hree (3) or four (4) days’ riding on predetermined routes. wo (2) or three (3) nights’ accommodation with breakfast in luxury hotels or high-quality tional guesthouses. oad navigation map of the tour (depending on availability).
included in the tour price:
omprehensive motorcycle insurance or coinsurance . uel, toll fees, boat tickets. ntrance tickets for scheduled visits to sights, entrance and guide fees within archaeological . erything marked in the itinerary as ‘optional’.
ditional provisions (extra charges apply):
avel insurance. avel insurance. river’s helmet and/or passenger’s helmet upon agreement regarding sizing. eeting and transfer from Athens International Airport (or from another pick-up location of choice). ggage cases, GPS, action cameras (GoPro, Sony or similar).
Recommended fleet for the tour
ored routes on a GPS with all the daily itineraries. ini-van or mini-bus for the luggage, with a second driver. >Recommended fleet for the tour: HONDA NC 750Χ or similar.
ANDELI ®Mototouring™ Motorcycle Leisure Guided Tours, Scooters & Motorcycle Rentals & Lease E-MAIL: info@andelimototouring.gr ■ FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/andelimototouring ■ Address : 355 Mesogeion Avenue, 15231 Chalandri - Attica, Greece (Hellas) GPS: 38°00'38.2"N 23°48'30.6"E TEL. +30 210 65.33.968 ■ FAX: +30 210 65.33.971 ■ MOB. +30 699 311 3004 ■ +30 69 447 92 300
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