Greece, AthensJune 29, 2020, by Maartje

10 x favorite in Peloponnese Greece

Greece, Athens, June 29, 2020, by Maartje

10 x favorite in Peloponnese Greece

Do you already know the hashtag? #ilovegreece Fixed. And if not: look it up because it really is: I do love Greece. And not just the well-known sun-drenched islands, yes, those too, but don't forget the much less known Peloponnese either. The Greek peninsula is versatile and beautiful (and it is not without reason that the postal code where Willem-Alexander, Maxima and their offspring found their permanent holiday address. Because if it is good enough for Willie and Max...)

And so we went exploring. Fly to Athens (also a very nice city for a city trip!) and then take the car to the peninsula. Detail: the new toll road runs fantastic and you can get to the other side of Peloponesse in no time, which is also nice. That road takes you to 'the other side' where the beaches are beautiful, the sea sparkles and where you wind along often deserted country roads through the rugged coastal mountains from one picturesque village to the next.

The Westin Resort, Costa Navarino (Pilos)

The Westin Resort, Costa Navarino (Pilos)

First things first. Then Westin Beach resort: a DREAM. The resort is set up in such a way that it feels like you are almost there and the breakfast... That breakfast! You really want to wake up for that: we have never seen it more extensive, more luxurious and more versatile (and... trust us, we saw quite a bit). A little about the design: the Westin Beach Resort consists of a collection of neighborhoods that together form a hotel village with a more than pleasant village square in the middle. Don't expect a commercial hotel experience, but a cozy Greek village square with shops of the right kind, a coffee shop, an ice cream parlor and a restaurant where you really want to be. And terraces under leaning flower vines against honey-colored stone walls.

The restaurants – there are six – are all excellent, although the Japanese restaurant in the evenings is the most favorite: then you have an amazing view of the setting sun. Al tops beach shop Barbouni actually all of them as far as we're concerned. Because beach. Barbouni is exactly what you like a little upscale beach bar can expect: delicious fresh salads and fresh fish dishes, pressed juices right in front of you (more than you can eat in fresh fruit) and a long list of beach snacks. And the looks of course, Barbouni has got the looks.

The rooms are also something to write home about: especially the rooms (rather cottages) with private swimming pool fall under that aforementioned dream. Everything is correct. Waking up is a fluffy bed, showering under the gigantic rain shower (and/or a splash in that private swimming pool, the sea in the background), then off to breakfast (you'll be busy for an hour) and then choose: beach or one of the three swimming pools? Holiday.

That breakfast! You really want to wake up for that: we have never seen it more extensive, more luxurious and more versatile (and... trust us, we saw quite a bit).

Kookoonari Beach Bar (Nestor)

Kookoonari Beach Bar (Nestor)

If you get tired of Barbouni (you don't know of course), don't look much further beach tent Kookoonari on: at the hidden bay of Romanos Beach (don't tell anyone) which was recently voted one of the ten most beautiful in Greece, this beach bar is one of the books. Everything is right: the place is both modern and nostalgic Greek - a perfect mix - and the kitchen is run by a top chef, while you can quietly while away the day on the beds like a god in France, er, Greece. Be sure to go at the end of the day when the music goes a decibel or a bit louder and the local youth know where to find Kookoonari.

Elia Restauarant (Gialova)

Elia Restauarant (Gialova)

Once again a corner that you should not miss (really not, you would be selling yourself short): Gialova, a fifteen minute drive from the Westin resort Costa Navarino. The small coastal village, more like a seaside hamlet, has some of the best restaurants on a colorful promenade overlooking the sea. Touristy gone good so to speak, and a place where (modern) locals also like to stay. There is a Souvlaki restaurant (also called Souvlaki), you can enjoy the better breakfast and yoghurt dishes, there is a good, trendy bistro, but a top favorite is one of the first restaurants in the list, Elia Restaurant, a fish restaurant where you classic Greek food, in a mix with light accessible dishes. Look for the colored chairs and you'll be in the right place.

Aplo Beach Warehouse (Gialova)

Aplo Beach Warehouse (Gialova)

For your coffee, cake and/or soup, walk all the way to the end of the boulevard where the Aplo Beach Warehouse sounds like a place to shop, but is actually a delicious no fuzz bistro. White chairs, sink-in cushions, the sea on the left and beautiful shades of graying green of the building on the right.

Camvillia Boutique Hotel

Camvillia Boutique Hotel

The sweetest hotel owners of Peloponnese? You have to have that with you Camvillia Boutique Hotel find. A lovely hotel, a bit frumpy in a chic way, and the ultimate highlight – low point actually, if you take it literally – the private beach. Let yourself be shown the way, descend and end up in a Lost (the series)-like setting: after parking you walk past the beach bar looking for the natural stairs down where, suddenly, an iron elevator emerges from the bushes. Lost. But really. You can take that, or take the stairs further to the beach. Look a bit to the right and yes, there is the hotel's beach, with a beach boy which gives the term 'at your beck and call' a whole new meaning. He can arrange everything. #nevergohomeagain

Look a bit to the right and yes, there is the hotel's beach, with a beach boy which gives the term 'at your beck and call' a whole new meaning. He can arrange everything. #nevergohomeagain

Kourmas and Takis, Limeni

Kourmas and Takis, Limeni

One of the most beautiful villages must be Limeni, an ancient coastal town where you can almost taste the history. Not surprisingly, Limeni is small but the sunset is grand to say the least and when the water laps up against the rocks after a hot day, all is well. There are several restaurants on the little Limeni strip (even an almost out of place hip wine bar, almost) but restaurants Kourmas and Takis are favourites.

At the first you dine elegantly, at the second you choose your fish from the display case after which the toothless Greek throws your choice on the grill - a classic Greek tavern where the fuss is kept to a minimum, delicious. Both favorites for different reasons.

We stayed in the wonderful Hotel Porto Vitilo, a stone's throw from Lemini and the hotel has one of the best swimming pools in the region.

Xenonas Mazaraki (Mistra)

Xenonas Mazaraki (Mistra)

If I had to point out one ultimate favorite, it would have to be this small-scale hotel being on top of a mountain in the pretty-middle-of-nowhere. Everything is just right here: from the looks of the fully stacked kitchen, a central area where breakfast is served and, on request, divinely cooked in the evening according to good Greek custom, to the swimming pool that - remember the mountain – overlooks an impressive valley. Choose a hammock or lounger and do nothing else for the time being.

The rooms are as you don't often see them in remote Greece: modern and oh so tasteful with vintage trinkets, bathrooms made of Tade lacquer and windows overlooking the lush garden around the hotel, which consists of a village of detached buildings with several rooms, large beds, high-speed internet (nice) and all the modern amenities you could wish for. On a remote mountain, we already said it. Wonderful for a night or two of nothing at all.

Areopolis

Areopolis

If possible, do the sunset in Lemini and then in the evenings go to the village of Areopolis, on 'the other side' of the mountain, sort of. A more than cozy Greek style village. Find a table anywhere in the winding illuminated streets. We didn't find a great restaurant there, but we certainly did find conviviality, good wine and Greek entertainment.

Sokaki Cafe (Nafplio)

Sokaki Cafe (Nafplio)

Oh how we loved the city of Nafplio! If you can only get up and down, this small city is the absolute city trip recommendation. Located at the harbour Nafplio and the city is built against a mountain, a combination that produces the most beautiful sunsets. On the other side of the 'mountain' is a lovely beach. Nothing fancy, but a beautiful bay, crystal clear water, lovely beds and a great lunch.

We couldn't be missed at the Sokaki Café, a hip thing with a mishmash of furniture both inside and outside on the terrace, clearly the collecting frenzy of owners with a contemporary taste. The café is located on a cozy corner where you hear the noise of the main market, but are not in the middle of it. Moreover, there is a more than good burger on the menu and the service is fast and correct.

Oh how we loved the city of Nafplio! If you can only get up and down, this small city is the absolute city trip recommendation.

999 Luxury Hotel (Nafplio)

999 Luxury Hotel (Nafplio)

You can sleep fresh and modern in the center of Nafplio at the 999 Luxery Hotel. Bright, large rooms and an excellent breakfast. Don't do anything about it anymore.

Es Aei (Nafplio)

Es Aei (Nafplio)

Es Aei is a bit of a jazz bar, a bit of a tapas bar and above all a wonderfully relaxing place with good music and ditto food. Tapas, yes, but not traditional Spanish tapas, well no, we are in Greece after all, so the small bites to share are the Greek style. Recommended!

Polyplan

Polyplan

To be honest: I actually only registered twice before for this trip Greece been. shame on me A second 'confession': during this trip I had just become pregnant and suddenly so many things had to be done and I could no longer think for myself at all. So we sounded the alarm at Polyplan, the Dutch Greece specialist. Polyplan is a family business run by Greek Dutch, or Dutch Greeks (?) who not only have an enormous love for 'their' country, but also know it fantastically well. No no no, don't think about it... There you have another club that only wants to push their commercial parties forward. That is really not the case: Polyplan is a small-scale company that listens carefully. And who spend a few months in Greece every year, speak the language and know the locals. This means they know the best restaurants and the most beautiful undiscovered beaches. Tip. Polyplan