| How is the hero of the Trojan War related to the | | | | My favorite city is Naphlio, which is "the old Venetian |
| Peloponnese Peninsula? Is the Peloponnesus locale an | | | | town" was re-built by the Venetians in the 16th century |
| island or is it part of the mainland? Why is the coastline | | | | and was the first capital of Greece. It is one of the |
| of this region so special? Since there is so much to | | | | finest cities in Greece and was the capital of the |
| see along the way, we will begin our tour in Athens. | | | | country in 1829. Because of the strength of the fort |
| Bring your camera and tour Corinth, Nemea and its | | | | that sits above the bay, this town became an |
| beautiful vineyards, Also; visit Mycenae, Epidavros, | | | | important strategic and commercial center to the |
| Argos, and my personal favorite, Naphlion with us. | | | | Byzantines around the sixth century AD. The Franks |
| Look, we can see a ship going through the isthmus of | | | | controlled the city for 200 years and then sold it in |
| the Corinth Canal. If we are lucky, we can also get a | | | | 1470. That same year, they built a fort on the small |
| glimpse of lowering the bridge into the water as the | | | | island in the center of the harbor called the Bourtzi. The |
| ships pass through. Did you know that St. Paul was put | | | | Venetians continued the fortification of the upper town |
| on trial by the Romans in Corinth? The Roman Baths | | | | and completed their work later that year. The new |
| are visible in Ancient Corinth plus there is a museum, in | | | | additions to the city surround the Church of Saint |
| the temple of Apollo (where St. Paul preached to the | | | | George which is a beautiful Venetian church. When the |
| Corinthians in 52 B.C). Corinth was influenced by | | | | Peloponessos falls to the Venetians, Naphlio becomes |
| Roman architecture. | | | | the capital. Unfortunately, the Turks take control of the |
| Did you know that the Peloponnese region grows | | | | city, destroy and loot it. They even kill almost all of its |
| some of the best olives and grapes in Greece? Our | | | | defenders. Naphlio became the center of activities |
| next stop is in Ancient Nemea which is surrounded | | | | which would result in the formation of Modern Greece. |
| with vineyards. Do your want some wine? Follow me. | | | | In 1823, it becomes the capital of the state which is |
| It is also where the ancient Nemean Games were held. | | | | then recognized as a world power in 1827. In 1862, |
| The city also has ancient fortifications for the viewing. | | | | there is a rebellion in Naphlio against the monarchy. |
| Continuing through a big forest of orange trees, we will | | | | Then, the capital is moved to Athens which makes the |
| reach Mycenae. The ancient city of Mycenae was | | | | city of Naphlio less important, but it continues to attract |
| discovered by Heinrich Schliemann in 1870. We will see | | | | visitors daily. |
| the Tholotos tomb of Agamemnon and then we head | | | | Palamidi in Naphlion is one of the best castles in |
| toward his palace where we will see the Cyclopean | | | | Greece. It was named after Nafphlios, son of |
| walls the Lions Gate, the tomb of Clytemnistra and the | | | | Poseidon, and home of Palamidis, their local hero of the |
| museum. | | | | Trojan War. He also was the inventor of weights and |
| Further east is Epidavros near the Saronic Gulf. It | | | | measures, lighthouses, and the first Greek alphabet. |
| hosts many orange fields and olive trees. It also boasts | | | | Palamidi was built on the hillside. It is six hundred years |
| about the ancient theater which was built in 4 B.C. and | | | | old and offers a breathtaking view of Nafplio ad the |
| is known for its great acoustic sound. The theatre is | | | | Argolic gulf. |
| used today by Greek actors who perform various | | | | Naphlio is also a wonderful place to stop for lunch and |
| ancient Greek plays. I actually heard an oratory by one | | | | to shop for souvenirs. The old town boasts the best |
| of the patrons. It was impressive. The Sanctuary of | | | | tavernas and night life. See, Naphlio is not just a tourist |
| Asklipeious and the beautiful museum are also well | | | | area. As you can read, it is steeped in history. |
| worth the viewing. | | | | Therefore, the best way to enjoy it is to spend a |
| Argos is the city of Ancient Greece, in the Northeast | | | | couple of nights here. My top two hotel choices are |
| section of the Peloponnese Peninsula which is three | | | | the Grande Bretagne, and the Afitrion, both in Naphlion. |
| miles inland from the Gulf of Argos, near modern | | | | The best eateries are Souvours and Elatos. They are |
| Naphlion. It was occupied from the early Bronze Age | | | | in front of the harbor. |
| and is mentioned in Homer's Iliad. Argos houses the | | | | We hope you enjoyed your tour of "Naphlio, and the |
| Heraeum temple, six miles (9.7 km) North of Argos, | | | | Hero of the Trojan War". We also hope you relished |
| was the principal center for the worship of the | | | | learning about Corinth, Nemea, Mycanea, Argos, |
| Goddess Hera. The Ancient Theater is another site in | | | | Epidavros, and Naphlio. We look forward to sharing our |
| Argos. Argos has produced important sculptors, | | | | next tour with you! |
| including Polyetus. | | | | |