Exploring Peloponnese
Welcome to the Peloponnese, a land full of myths, history and an abundance of natural beauty. Travel to the Peloponnese and use Golden Moon hotel in Tolo as your base for exploring the numerous ancient sites, tied to stories of Greek mythology, to real historic events or as is in most cases see places in the Argolida that combine both! See the famous site of ancient Mycenae, an era defining city with intricate stonework and tales of Kings, see ancient Tiryns the birthplace of Hercules, famous for its massive stone walls or explore villages in the area for a more traditional experience. Take a walk through the world famous Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus and watch a play during the summer Athens Epidaurus Festival (ask us to assist you in booking your tickets for an Epidaurus theatre play) or travel to ancient Olympia to learn more about the Olympic Games and how they started. For a more authentic experience take a cruise from Tolo and visit the traditional Greek islands of Hydra & Spetses where you can spend the day, eating Greek food, learning about history and sunbathe in gorgeous island beaches. The Argolida region and the Peloponnese in general have something to offer to each visitor, appealing to their interest and making your holidays in Greece an unforgettable trip.
ANCIENT ACROPOLIS TOLO
Ancient Asini is an archaeological site near Tolo and a very interesting place to explore after a day on the beach! Visit the ancient Mycenaean acropolis in Tolo and see the ruins of the once fortified town that played an important role in the Mycenaean Era and served as a port for ancient Mycenae. Ancient Asini is also reffered to by Homer in the Iliad, mentioning that ships sailed from Ancient Asini to Troy and was inspiration for one of Greece's most reknowned writer & poet, Georgios Seferis, when he wrote "The King of Asini" a famous poem talking about lost lineage and the passage of time.
MOST FAMOUS ANCIENT THEATRE
Ancient Epidaurus is an extensive ancient site close to Tolo at about 40 minutes. In ancient times it was a centre of healing and culture, ancient Greeks believed that art was healing for the soul as was medicine for the body thus combining both in one place. The most famous part of the archaeological site is the world-famous Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, built in the side of a hill, offering amazing acoustics and used to this day for theatre plays and concerts during the Epidavros Festival in th summer. The ancient site includes a temple dedicated to Asclepius the god of medicine, many more ruins and an on-site Archaeological Museum housing finding from the area.
ARGOS' RICH HISTORY
Argos is approximately 25 minutes from Tolo and perfect for a quick visit nearby. The city has been inhabited for millenia and is one of the oldest cities in Europe. Argos has gone through antiquity, classic antiquity, Roman & Byzantine times and has even been under Frankish occupation. It's history is rich and evident all around, see the ruins of the Roman baths and the ancient theatre right next to them, a theatre of considerable size or visit the castle of Larisa (meaning shield in Greek) that stands proud above the city. Home to many museums and neoclassical buildings Argos is a great way to explore Greece's history seeing a little bit of everything.
A PLACE OF MYTH & WINE
Ancient Nemea is known as the place where the Nemean Lion lived, a beast that Hercules killed as one of his 12 labours but it has also been famous since ancient time for it's unique wine. Visit the archaeological site surrounded by vineyards and enjoy the immersion in culture & nature in the same moment. Ancient Nemea was also known for the Nemean Games, an atheletic competition in honour of Zeus held every four years alongside the Pythia, Panathinea & of course the Olympic Games. See the Temple of Nemean Zeus (differs from the King of Gods), explore the site and maybe combine your visit with a wine tasting in one of the many wineries of Nemea.
CYCLOPEAN WALLS
Visit the site of Ancient Tiryns, only 20 minutes from your room in Tolo at the Golden Moon and an impressive site, boasting megalithic walls surrounded by myth. Ancient Tiryns was an important centre of Mycenaean culture and a powerful city with mighty walls, something that Homer mentions in the Iliad. According to mythology the hero Hercules (Heracles) was born in Tyrins and many of his labours took place in the Peloponnese. Visit the site near Nafplio and see the huge stones the make up it's walls, that were said to have been built by the Cyclops himself, hence their characterization "Cyclopean Walls".
REIGN OF MYCENAE
Ancient Mycenae is a stunning ancient site in close proximity to Tolo, full of ruins, palaces and mighty walls. The city was the centre of the Mycenaean civilisation that dominated the Mediteranean during 1100-1600 BC and gave it's name the historic time called the Mycenaean Era. See the ruins of the palace, the famous Lion's Gate that symbolise the city's strength and the beehive tombs, where legend has it that Agamemnon was buried. Visit the Mycenaean Museum near the site, see the Golden Mask of Agamemnon, and other gorgeous artifacts unearthed during excavations.
PYRAMID IN GREECE
The Greek Pyramid of Hellinikon is a site close to Argos in the village of Ellinikon. A beautiful site set in the Greek countryside where you can visit whenever you like. The pyramid in the Peloponnese has sparked academic discussions regarding it's construction date but most likely it was built in the 4th century BC. It is part of the Pyramid of Argolis, recorded by Pausanias, an ancient Greek geographer that travelled throught Greece noting important places and sites. The pyramids use is also a mystery with archaeologists suggesting it was used as a guard tower on the ancient road leading from Argos to Tegea or as a memorial site dedicated to fallen Argive soldiers.
CRATERS IN ARGOLIDA
The Didyma craters are a lesser known attraction but still a very interesting site from a geological and an anthopological perspective. The sinkholes or dolines were created by underground currents that ended up here, at a time when lakes were formed here. Visit the scene amidst the beauty of the authentic Greek countryside, see the small church of Agios Georgios built on the side of the sinkhole, a small church used in Byzantine times and still open to the public today. There is evidence such as stone tools and remnants of pottery that indicate that these sinkhole were inhabited a long time ago and were also mentioned by Pausanias during his travels in the Peloponnese.
RICH AND POWERFUL CITY-STATE
Ancient Corinth held a very important and strategic position on the map of ancient Greece, located and controlling the passage between the Peloponnese and the rest of the mainland. Making great use its geography ancient Corinth became a centre of trade and culture and along with that a powerful and rich city-state. Apostle Paul was said to have preached here in an attempt to make Corinthians abandon their heathenous ways and you can even visit the podium (bema) he spoke from. Later in time ancient Corinth was conquered by the Romans in 146 BC, destroyed and re-built in 44 BC as a Roman colony by Julius Caesar.
MAKING PELOPONNESE AN ISLAND
The idea of a canal through the Isthmus of Corinth was held since the 7th century BC by the tyrrant Pausanias but due to the enormity of the project the "Diolkos" a limestone path used to transport ships across the land was preffered. Construction started in 1881 but due to bankrupcy of the companies involved and some landslides a halt was necessary. The Corinth Canal was completed in 1893 and has a length of 6,4 km while its steep sides rise to a height of 24,6 metres a feat of modern engineering connecting the Aegean and Ionian seas. Today the Canal of Corinth is used by small ship, and is a popular site for a boat-ride, definetely worth it if passing by.
OLYMPIC GAMES
Ancient Olympia was an incredibly popular place even in antiquity, a place dedicated to worshipping the gods and particularly Zeus. This is where the Olympic Games originated and held every four years in honour of the Greek God of Thunder. The site is extensive offering to visitors a chance to see the ancient stadium, the training grounds as well as the ancient temples, monuments and important buildings. Olympia was also home to one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world, the gold & ivory statue of Zeus made by Phidias that stood around 12,4 metres tall but was sadly destroyed. Visit the Museum of Ancient Olympia see findings of statues and learn even more about life in this impressive place.
THE FAMOUS ORACLE OF DELPHI
Delphi according to Greek mythology was the centre, or naval of the earth and held an incredibly important part in the religious and spiritual world of antiquity. Visit the Oracle of Delphi and feel the power and atmosphere surrounding the mythical place where kings, generals and peasant all met to receive their prophecy. The "Pythia", a female priestess would comunicate with the god Apollo and give out the prophecy to each pilgrim looking for answers from the gods. The site of Delphi is situated not far from Athens and includes, temples, treasuries from other city-state and a gorgeous ancient theatre overlooking the mountains of Parnassos.
HISTORY AND A SKII CENTER
Kalavryta is a town in the north part of the Peloponnese most famous for the gorgeous mountain atmosphere and the nearby Skii Centre on Helmos mountain. Take a stroll throught the town and get to know Greece even better taking the rack & pinion railway that travels from Kalavryta to Diakopto and back, going through mountains, gorges and sheer nature on a wonderful journey. But the town of Kalavryta has a heavy history, it was decimated by the Nazi forces in the Kalavryta massacre in 1943 where nearly all the men where killed and 13 survived hidden under bodies. All the names of the fallen are written & honoured on "The Massacre of Kalavryta Place of Sacrifice memorial".
CAPITAL OF GREECE
Athens has been continually inhabited for the past 3.000 years, the birthplace of democracy and the cradle of western civilization. See the gorgeous Acropolis and the Parthenon standing for thousands of years, guarding the city and see findings in the New Acropolis Museum. See some of the many museums that Athens has to offer or take stroll through the streets of Plaka and forget you are in a metropolitan city, find shop in the Monastiraki area, explore the vibrant and exciting bar-scene and nightlife that Greece's capital gives openhandedly. Athens is a place deserving far more than a paragraph, a place where ancient culture meets modern art in an unexpected blend of life.
DESPOTATE OF PELOPONNESE
Mystras is a fortified, Byzantine city built on hillside of Taygetos and overlooking the site of ancient Sparta. The city of Mystras servceed as the capital of the Despotate of Morea, the governing centre of the Peloponnese during Byzantine times and the Middle Ages. Adorning the hill with a number of monasteries & churches decorated with frescoes, the city of Mystras is a beautiful site to explore and see old houses and mansions from a different era. The city was inhabited thoughout the Ottoman occupation but was abandoned in 1830 when the modern city of Sparta was founded. All in all Mystras is a jewel of the Peloponnese, sending visitors for a trip in time.
THE GIBRALTAR OF THE EAST
Built on the side of a rock and connected to the mainland by a small narrow causeway Monemvasia is a unique place to visit in Greece. This Byzantine town held great importance as a safe place from raids and an important stop for trading & commercial ships during the Middle Ages. Visit Monemvasia and see Byzantine churches inside the walls of a fortified town, sustaining it's character through time where old buildings are renovated and their atmosphere captivates visitors. Take a step back in time in the Old Town of Monemvasia or choose to visit modern Monemvasia located on the mainland. An incredible place perfect for a couples getaway in Greece!
ISLAND WITHOUT CARS
Visit the Greek island of Hydra on a cruise departing from Tolo harbour, only a few minutes on foor from Golden Moon. Hydra is an authentic Greek island holding on to its traditional aesthetic as well as its values. Visit beaches in Hydra and enjoy strolling around in the centre, where you can find tavernas, cafes and The Tsamadou mansion that now serves as a Maritime Academy. The center and harbour of Hydra is compact and visitors as well as residents walk everywhere, the alternative is either a horse or donkey since motorised or even wheeled vehicles are prohibited by law! Make the effort and be rewarded by a unique experience in the Peloponnese.
ISLAND OF REBELS
The island of Spetses is another traditional island famous for the important role it played durign the War of Independence in 1821. Residents turned their merchant ships into warships and put up an incredible fight against the Ottoman Turks. The name "Spetses" comes from the italian word "spezia" meaning spice, since the island was also and important commercial port. Today Spetses offers a wonderful array of restaurants, tavernas and cafes in the harbour area and is visited by Greeks and tourists alike, often favoured by world famous star for it beauty and popular but peaceful setting. The second week of September the Armata festival is held, a celebration of the most important naval battle in Spetses.
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