Melissi by the sea Welcome to Melissi - a children-friendly housing compound for relaxing summer holidays - an ideal starting point for trips to discover modern and ancient Greece This lovely maisonette is situated in the village of Melissi, which is on the northern coast of Peloponnese. The small but exclusive beach with the deep blue waters right in front of it is on the Gulf of Korinthos, a stretch of water separating the region of Peloponnese from mainland Greece. Melissi is an hour and a quarter away from the Athens International Airport. It is also easily accessible from Athens by coach (bus stop only 3 min. away), and by commuter train (Proastiakos). Just south of Melissi, and separated from it by vast lemon groves, looms the mountain of Ziria (2.374 m.), which boast old villages with stone-built houses, lakes with names evocative of Greek mythology, and caves. This lofty mountain is responsible for the fresh breeze which invariable cools off the nights even after the hottest summer days. Accommodation Description One semi-detached, about 100 sq. m.. Main features: One large living room on the ground floor with TV One master bedroom on the first floor with a queen size bed and a balcony overlooking the sea Another bedroom on the same level with two single beds One small bedroom on the second level under the tiled roof It also has a second small bedroom under the tiled roof One modern, fully-equipped kitchen Two bathrooms, one on the ground floor and one on the first floor A spacious porch overlooking the garden with a big rustic table and matching chairs and/or benches A backyard with citrus trees and a small table with chairs, ideal for breakfast or brunch A good-sized front garden which is shared with just two other maisonettes. This garden ends at the sea, is planted with trees and bushes, and has a large paved area with generous space for garden tables and reclining chairs for sunbathing. The garden has a basketball hoop, and there is a canoe stored next to the front wall. The housing compound has two gates: the main entrance, at the end of a cul-de-sac and leading to a covered, open-space parking; and the sea gate, which opens onto a semi-private beach via a small staircase. To be Found within Walking Distance Holidays also mean freedom from having to use the car for every little errand one needs to run. These two maisonettes are in a village community, yet they are away from the buzz of it all, as their front border is the sea, the sky, and the mountains at the gulf’s opposite side. Therefore, within less than ten minutes’ walking distance, one can find mini–markets, bakeries, kiosks, a bar with free internet, restaurants, and even a basketball and a tennis court. For a party, or a lazy evening in, one can opt for a free delivery of pizza or souvlaki, the “Greek fast food”. As for walks, one can choose between a stroll along the pier next to the local road, or a walk in the lemon grove. Bicycles are also widely used here, and one can join the locals in cycling to go shopping, or to do some fun exercise. Regional Capital Xylokastro, http://xylokastro.org/ This pleasant town is only ten minutes away by car, or thirty minutes if one chooses to cycle there. It has a wide seaside quay, shops, restaurants, tavernas, cinemas, night clubs, beach bars, and a charming pine forest next to the sea. For Special Moments Le Convivial Luxury Suites and Spa http://www.leconvivial.com/ This little gem of a hotel offers a luxurious spa and Balinese massage or aromatherapy, and is situated in Xylokastro. Day Trips Rio – Antirio Bridge, http://en.gefyra.gr/ •Short Description: a 2.252 m. long suspended bridge spanning the Gulf of Korinthos. Can be used by both cars and pedestrians. Best enjoyed lit-up at night while seated next to the pool of Porto Rio Hotel & Casino (http://www.portoriohotel.gr/en). •Distance from Melissi: about 60 km along the Korinthos – Patras Motorway (beware of road works!). Rack-and-Pinion Railway, http://www.odontotos.com/index-en.htm •Short Description: an impressive, narrow gauge, rack-and-pinion railway, winding its way up inside one of the most beautiful canyons of Greece. The train ride is about 60 minutes long. The town of Kalavryta at the end of the ride has a rich history and is connected to the Greek Revolution and the Nazi occupation of Greece. Worth seeing is also the nearby Cave of the Lakes (http://www.kastriacave.gr/english/info.htm). •Distance from Melissi of railway coastal terminal station: 40 km along the Korinthos – Patras Motorway (beware of road works!). Lake Stymfalia, http://www.piop.gr/PiopMuseum.asp?ID=772&NT=18&Lang=2&MuseumID=770 •Short Description: a lake in the middle of a high altitude plateau surrounded by mountains. In Greek Mythology, it is here where the sixth labour of Hercules took place, e.g. the butchering of the man-eating Stymfalian Birds. On the lake shore there is the village of Stymfalia with many tavernas offering local meat dishes, and the newly opened “Environment Museum of Stymfalia”. •Distance from Melissi: about an hour on mountain roads driving south. Lake Doxa, http://www.hellascams.gr/grc/album_doxa/index.html •Short Description: an artificial lake of breathtaking beauty (its name means “Glory”) at an altitude of 710 m. and an excellent starting point for trekking trips in the surrounding mountain peaks. Overlooking the lake is the hospitable monastery of St. George, with magnificent frescoes in its church. Do ask for the special sweet prepared by the monks from roses grown in their own gardens. •Distance from Melissi: about two hours on mountain roads driving south. Acropolis of Korinthos; http://travelphoto.gr/en/akrokorinthos-ancient-corinth-museum/ •Short Description: the ancient Acropolis of Korinthos is built on top of an imposing, 575-metre-high rock. This is the largest castle of Greece, and an impressive monument whose history spans the entire period from the 7th Century BC to the 19th Century. •Distance from Melissi: three quarters of an hour in the direction of Korinthos. Nemea Wine Region, http://travelswithwine.com/?p=64 •Short Description: a wine region in northern Peloponnese known for its own grape variety. Enjoy a trip through the wineries, and sample the deep-red “Ayoryitiko” wines, and the local whites! •Distance from Melissi: about an hour, in the direction of Korinthos and then south. Sancturay of Hera at Perachora and Loutraki http://www.city-of-loutraki.gr/history-culture/the-heraion-of-perachora.htm http://www.city-of-loutraki.gr/history-culture/the-vouliagmeni-lagoon.htm •Short Description: the ruins of a temple devoted to Hera, built in a most dramatic rocky landscape which culminates in a peninsula with a lighthouse. The nearby lagoon of Vouliagmeni is connected to the sea via a narrow water passage. On the return trip, enjoy the restaurants and cosmopolitan life of the town of Loutraki, which has its own thermal spa and casino! http://www.loutrakispa.gr/index.php/english.html http://www.casinoloutraki.com/Default.aspx?ID=756 •Distance from Melissi: three quarters of an hour in the direction of Korinthos for Loutraki, one and a half hours for the Sanctuary of Hera. The Canal of Corinth http://www.aroundgreece.com/peloponnese/corinthia/corinth-canal-peloponnese-greece.php •Short Description: a 6,34-km-long canal with steep sidewalls, completed in the late 19th Century, and best viewed from the old steel bridge. The daring can now jump off the bridge with a cord attached to their legs (http://www.zulubungy.com/), while the children can enjoy themselves in the nearby water slides (http://www.waterfun.gr/parko.php). •Distance from Melissi: half an hour. Ancient Theatre of Epidauros http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epidaurus •Short Description: the best preserved, and most beautiful of all ancient theatres, hidden in a discrete valley and surrounded by pine forests. In ancient times, the theatre with its adjacent buildings was one of the foremost healing centers of the Greek world. In the summer it is used for performances of Greek tragedies and comedies. (http://www.greekfestival.gr/en/newsitem115-ancient-theatre-of-epidaurus------programme.htm) •Distance from Melissi: two and a half hours, first in the direction of Korinthos, then going south along the eastern coast of Peloponnese. Nafpaktos and Varasova http://www.greeka.com/sterea/nafpaktos/index.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varasova •Short Description: a modern town with a picturesque, fortified port, and a castle. The famous Battle of Lepanto, in which the combined fleets of the Christian powers destroyed the Ottoman navy in 1571, took place in the waters off this town. West of Nafpaktos, the rock of Varasova stands proud in its 917 m. In modern times it is known as a paradise for rock climbers, but with its 72, now deserted, monasteries and cave retreats, this was long one of the major centers of Christian monastic life in the Balkans. •Distance from Melissi: one and a half hours on the motorway to Patras, then across the Rio-Antirio bridge, Nafplio and Mycenae (Mikines) http://www.nafplio.info/ http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/941 •Short Description: that this historic town was saved from the same fate as modern-day Athens is due to the fact that Nafplio only served as the capital of the nascent Greek state for four short years. This is not only a most elegant town, but a place where the monuments left behind by subsequent eras and different civilizations co-exist in remarkable harmony. The nearby citadel of the “Golden Mycenae”, with its gate guarded by lions and the tomb of King Agamemnon, is simply a must. •Distance from Melissi: two and a half hours, first in the direction of Korinthos, then heading south. To Patras and Italy, http://www.ferries.gr/strintzis/ http://www.ferries.gr/sff/ http://www.minoan.gr/en/routes http://www.ferries.gr/ •Short Description: The town of Patras is your gate to Italy. Here, you will find big luxury ferries which can take you to many Italian destinations, like Venice, Ancona, Bari and Brindisi. Enjoy the boat trip and stay in Italy for the day, or book an accommodation if you want to stay overnight. •Distance from Melissi: about 80 km’s to the port of Patras (attention to the road works!).