ON THE WAY TO DIMITSANA
"Rich, don't look out the window!"
We left Delphi after a wonderful breakfast at Taverna Vakchos. Again the countryside was spectacular! My pal, Rich, who often sat near me on the bus would stare straight ahead. I would kid him about missing all of the wonderful sights but he would just smile at me.
We traveled to the Peloponnese Mountains where we were to ride a cog train though the Vouraikos Gorge. On the way we stopped for a rest stop at a bakery, which was an understatement. This place had some of the most beautiful baked goods I have ever seen. Many of us spent time ogling the treats, trying to make the best purchase for a snack. Off in the distance we spied one of the most picturesque bridges.
We traveled to the Peloponnese Mountains where we were to ride a cog train though the Vouraikos Gorge. On the way we stopped for a rest stop at a bakery, which was an understatement. This place had some of the most beautiful baked goods I have ever seen. Many of us spent time ogling the treats, trying to make the best purchase for a snack. Off in the distance we spied one of the most picturesque bridges.
When we finished the train ride we went to the attractive town of Kalavryta for a little exploration. The town has a ski center on the slopes of Mt. Chelmos. It also has a beauteous church called the Holy Cathedral of the Assumption of Virgin Mary and we went inside. David also told us of a sad occurrence called the Massacre of Kalavryta in1943 in which German troops ordered all male residents, aged 14 years and older, to gather in a field where they machine-gunned down 696 of them. Apparently this was done in retribution for the killing of 81 German soldiers captured by partisans during the Nazi occupation in WWII.
Check out the slide show below of sights we saw during our day by clicking on play. |
Tour members enjoying a fresh trout lunch
After our visit to Kalavryta, we boarded the bus and drove a short way to an out of the way restaurant. As we pulled up to the restaurant a shepherd was walking through town with a flock of sheep. It seemed so European! David had previously taken our order and most of us had fresh trout. It was a fantastic meal! There was a nice fire in the fireplace and it seemed so cozy.
After lunch we walked around the area and right there was a steam where the trout came from. It was another scenic area and most of the females in our group had a group photo taken.
We then returned to the bus and Anestis took us to Dimitsana, a ski lodge in the mountains. There we spent the night. Since we had eaten such a big lunch, David arranged an olive and olive oil tasting event in a gathering area of the ski lodge. Anestis made his version of tasty Tzatziki, a yogurty dip made with cucumber and garlic that we used for dipping bread. There was also some wine for us to taste!
See photos below in the slide show of afternoon events.
After lunch we walked around the area and right there was a steam where the trout came from. It was another scenic area and most of the females in our group had a group photo taken.
We then returned to the bus and Anestis took us to Dimitsana, a ski lodge in the mountains. There we spent the night. Since we had eaten such a big lunch, David arranged an olive and olive oil tasting event in a gathering area of the ski lodge. Anestis made his version of tasty Tzatziki, a yogurty dip made with cucumber and garlic that we used for dipping bread. There was also some wine for us to taste!
See photos below in the slide show of afternoon events.
The next day Anestis drove us to Olympia. To see naked people racing at Olympia click here.