Revive your senses and feel free in Peloponnese Greece
Villa Vager Mani is a majestic stone-built villas at the midpoint between Kalamata and Kardamili in Mani the Southern Peloponnese. It is a boutique Suites hotel born out of love for the locally, the unique landscape, for the open blue sky, the local fragrances of the lemon and orange groves, for the simplicity of its decor and love for the surrounding area. The area of Mani is well known for its beautiful lunar landscape, olive groves, rugged hills, blue waters, small seaside villages, traditional taverns and it’s no wonder it is considered one of the best places in mainland Greece to holiday as it combines Sea & Mountains: the Gulf of Messinia and the surrounding mountains, picturesque villages, gastronomy and history.
Starting our hike from the fortress of old Kardamyli we follow the trail of the ancient time called ‘’royal street’’ connecting Kardamyli with Sparta during ancient years. Walking on a pathway immersed in olive trees, pines and cypress trees. Visiting some of the traditional villages of the region, we walk through their narrow streets and alleys learning about their history. Byzantine churches, stone-built watchtowers, old fountains, olive and grain mills reveal the life of locals in the past. A blast of colors and aromas from wildflowers and herbs overwhelm us and bring us even closer to the natural environment. Just a breath away, mount Taygetos with its imposing peaks the magnificence of the mountainous nature is harmoniously combined with the allure of the sea as mount Taygetos is so close from the embrace of the Mediterranean.
A small break for a healthy picnic with traditional local delicacies gives us a good mood and additional energy.
Meeting time: 9:30 a.m.
Meeting point: Kardamyli square.
Duration: 5 hours including breaks
Difficulty: Easy, a few challenging parts
Suitability: Family friendly, Group friendly, Couples, seniors, Youth, Kids over 10 years old
Just a short distance from Kalamata, lies mount Kalathi rising up to 1300 meters. Visible from any side of the city, you can see it sometimes lost in the clouds. It is very rare for a mountain of such height to be sited so close to the sea and the city. On its slopes, picturesque villages smothered in green and even higher on its summit, forests of fir and pine trees with stunning views to the Messinian Bay and the city of Kalamata.
Our hike starts from the village of Ano Verga. We follow the trail ascending to the mountain’s highest peak. Along the way, we discover the ruins of a Greek settlement of the past century lost among olive trees, walnuts, mulberries and fir trees. The smell of the herbs, fragrant shrubs and wildflowers dominate our senses. Arriving at the highest peak at 1316 meters the view to the Messinian Bay and the city of Kalamata is breathtaking. We stop at an old threshing floor to rest and taste a homemade picnic of local delicacies and fresh fruits enjoying stunning views.
Meeting time: 9:30 a.m.
Meeting point: Ano Verga.
Duration: 4 hours including breaks
Difficulty: Easy, some challenging parts
Suitability: Family friendly, Group friendly, Couples, seniors, Youth
Our hike starts from the village of Altomira on the outskirts of the southwestern Taygetos. Biliovo is considered as one of the most well-preserved traditional cobblestone paths of Greece, unique in its kind, it is classified as a folk architectural monument. It was created by local artisans in the early 20th century in an effort lasted 25 years! It has been a vital boost for the local social and economic growth since it linked the higher with the lower villages of western Mani. While descending on its curly way of 75 turns, images from the past unfold when locals were passing through the path carrying water and goods from their fields to their houses with the help of patient mules. The natural environment around in and the elevation since in some parts the cobble path has been built on 70% slope, offer awesome views. While walking through the old path our gaze extends to all over Messinia lapped by the blue Mediterranean. From the villages of Mani and the city of Kalamata to Koroni and Cape Akritas. Midway we stop to rest and taste a homemade picnic of local delicacies and fresh fruits enjoying stunning views.
Meeting time: 9:30 a.m.
Meeting point: Kampos Avias
Duration: 4 hours including breaks
Difficulty: Easy, mainly downhill
Suitability: Family friendly, Group friendly, Couples, Seniors, Youth, Kids over 5 years
A half day hike at the longest gorge of mount Taygetos
Just 10km away from Kalamata, close to the core of Taygetos lies Ridomo gorge a geological phenomenon with interesting limestone formations, created by the effect of water rushing down from the mountains.
The gorge starts from the peaks of mount Taygetos all the way down to the beach of Santova just outside of Kalamata. At a certain point it becomes two meters narrow and 60 meters high. Walking through this part is a great experience.
Our hike starts from the rim near the village Vorio. We follow the path leading down to the rocky bottom. Walking the gorge uphill is a bit challenging as we scramble the huge boulders but very much rewarding as the views around us are truly magnificent. We make a few stops to rest enjoy a healthy picnic and admire the unique geological formations. We may spot some wild goats skillfully balancing on the almost vertical cliffs. Small waterfalls dripping down from high above, and partly those walls are decorated by evergreen ivy plants. After around 5 kilometers the rockiest part is over and the gorge gets narrower. Soon we shall find yourselves into a narrow corridor between vertical walls, listening the echo of our steps and almost able to touch both walls at the same time. This is the most impressive part of Ridomo Gorge.
Meeting time: 9:30 a.m.
Meeting point: Voreio
Duration: 5 hours including breaks
Difficulty: Challenging
Suitability: Family, Group friendly, Couples, Youth, Kids over 12 years old
We meet at Foneas beach, a few kilometers south of Kardamyli.
Kardamyli is a port village in the Mani nestled between the blue waters of the Messinian Gulf and Mount Taygetos.
After a short introduction to stand up paddle boarding where you will learn the basic paddling techniques, how to turn, stop and stand up until you grow confident on your board, we are ready to go. Starting at a slow pace, we shall practice our skills, stop occasionally to enjoy magnificent the landscape and take pictures. The perspective from a Paddleboard is unique, giving the paddler a different perception into the water where it is common to see the fish and sea turtles swimming below the surface. In addition, the view from on top of the water is equally impressive. The beauty of the imposing cliffs around the coastline is so breath-taking that you feel as if you’ve left the real world behind you. Soon we will be exploring hidden beaches, and paddle inside coves with turquoise water. We will be paddling into sea caves, swim into hidden caverns, enjoy gliding alongside the cliffs and for those who dare an option is a cliff jump into the water. Halfway we shall make a relaxing stop for swimming and snorkeling. Time to discover the richness of the underwater world. A delicious picnic is scheduled half way, sourced from farm-fresh, local producers carefully prepared by your guide.
Meeting time: 9:30 a.m.
Meeting point: Foneas Beach.
Duration: 4 hours including breaks
Difficulty: Easy
Suitability: Family, Group friendly, Couples, seniors, Youth, Kids over 5 years
Our trip starts from Kardamyli’s old harbor we paddle in warm crystal-clear waters, exploring hidden coves and impressive rock formations. We visit sea caves and discover idyllic beaches along the shoreline.
Kardamyli and Stoupa two villages in the Mani nestled between the blue waters of the Messinian Gulf and Mount Taygetos
Sea kayaking here is indeed one of our most popular tours offering an inch by inch exploration of the rich in images and diversity environment.
Will be exploring the coast at a relaxed paddling pace and your guides will reveal you some of the secrets of the area. Each little cove hides a special surprise such as hidden sea caves, rock gardens, cliffs with spectacular formation, hidden sandy and pebble beaches
Meeting time: 9:30 a.m.
Meeting point: The old customs in St. John’s harbor
Duration: 4 hours including breaks
Difficulty: Easy
Suitability: Family friendly, Group friendly, Couples, seniors, Youth, Kids over 5 years old
The gorge of Polylimnio waterfalls is a paradise on earth and one of the hidden gems of the Peloponnese. An easy hike combined with archery into one of the secret gems of the Mani region.
Polylimnio means many lakes and this is exactly what you discover. There are numerous fresh water lakes in many levels with aqua blue waters created by spectacular waterfalls. Water flows from one lake to another and the hiker can cross the gorge through a clear path, bridges, as well as metal aiding handles.
Suitability: Family friendly, Group friendly, Couples, seniors, Youth, Kids over 5 years old
We meet at the village of Haravgi where our hike starts towards the gorge. We walk into a magical but real natural paradise passing along lakes and spectacular waterfalls. Our hike will take up to two hours and it is suitable for kids as there is no significant altitude difference. Swimming into the lakes would be an option. A swim into the lake and under the waterfall will be extremely refreshing and the perfect reward. At the end of the hike we can enjoy a healthy picnic with traditional local delicacies and relax by the lake. Here your guide and archery instructor will assemble your bow and will set up the place for shooting. Your guide will advise you step by step on how to use your bow and arrows with precision and safety. At the end, we will celebrate your scores.
Meeting time: 9:30 a.m.
Meeting point: Haravgi village, Polylimnio parking area.
Duration: 4 hours including breaks
Difficulty: Very easy
This new historical boutique 4* Suites hotel offers four large suites (70 sq.m) ideal for couples and families alike. The four suites are named after their individual interiors and decor characteristics: the Boho, Blue, Jungle and Oriental Suites. All with Super King or King Size beds, modern bathrooms with both air conditioning.
The personalized service offered by the hotel’s owner, Nikolas and Marina Vager, will have guests returning for more of the same treatment either staying at the Villa Vager Mani or its sister property Villa Vager in the mountainous village of Levidi -Arcadia. Nikolas and Marina’s aim is for guests to feel ‘like home away from home’.
Breakfast is definitely the most important meal of the day, a great source of energy to start an exciting day full of experiences and new adventures! The high nutritional value and the quality of the MANI products, along with their traditional and experiential character, Greek breakfast’s special features.
Our breakfast never fails to pair the abundance of tastes and aromas with the values of simplicity, clarity and purity.
The hotel is situated only 15km from the sea town of Kalamata and the airport in the heart of Mani and only 2km from Santova Beach. Villa Vager Mani is 250km from the capital city of Athens for those wishing to explore the northern and southern Peloponnese making it a really great road trip with many experiences to be had along the way. It is 20 minutes from the picturesque village of Kardamili, once the home of Sir Patrick Leigh Fermor.
The hotel is in the village of Great Madinia. The village as its abundant neighbor of Old Madineia with their Arcadian names, have been designated as traditional settlements. In the summer, the climate is warm whereas the in the winter is mild. During spring and autumn the weather is especially good.
The hotel is only 70km from Costa Navarino and Pilos. Kalamata Town is approximately 15km from the hotel whereas Sparta is only 70 km. The nearest airport is in Kalamata about 16 km.
There are a number of sites to visit whilst staying in Villa Vager Mani including; the Diros Cave (one of the best stalactite and stalagmite caves in Europe, Mystras, Ancient Messini, Pilos, Costa Navarino, the Taygetos Pyramid, Kalamata Town, archaeological museum of Messinia in Kalamata make for really interesting and different venues.
Activities like sea kayaking, river trekking, rafting, cycling, canyoning, scuba diving, water sports- tubes, sea canoe, jet ski, pedal boats, water ski, full or half day cruise on a pirate ship, hiking, wall and rock climbing and mountaineering can be enjoyed locally.
LOCATION
– 250 km from Athens 2h 30min
– 280 km from Athens Airport 3h
– 16 km from Kalamata Airport 20min
– 125 km from VILLA VAGER Levidi Arcadia 1h 10 min
– 15 km from centre of Kalamata 15 min
– 25 km from Kardamili 30 min
– 80 km from Diros Caves 1h 20 min
– 90 km from Gerolimena 1h 30 min
– 70 km from Costa Navarino 50 min
– 65 km from Mistras 1h 20 min
– 80 km from Methoni 1h 15 min
– 70km from Pylos 1h
– 150 km from Monemvasia 2h
Luxury Holiday in Peloponnese Greece
Order on demand
Mani Peloponnese, Greece
5 NIGHTS + ACTIVITIES:
FROM 850 €
[cost per person in a double room]
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