596.GreeceHow can you visit Greece and never set foot on an island? Easy.
Beginning in Athens, we bussed north to Kalambaka in the heart of the spectacular Meteora region of Thessaly. Then down to Delphi, crossing the Gulf of Corinth by boat to Diakofto. By train and bus we made our way to the seaside town of Nauplion - our base for exploring the ruins at Mycenae and Epidarvos. We pressed further south (by driving a "toy" rental car) into the depths of the Pelopennesian peninsula to chill out at the Bay of Limeni. The stone towers of Vathia were just a stone's throw (pun intended) from Limeni. But before turning back to Athens, we drove eastward to Monemvassia - a world heritage town cleverly huddled into the side of a mountain peninsula.
No islands. A few beaches. Startling landscapes strewn with ancient ruins, monastery-topped mesas and medieval forts and towns. Who needs islands? Well, maybe next time.
