Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Post Office
(cnr Ermou & Arheou Theatrou)
Getting There & Away
BOAT
Kythira and Antikythira. Check the ever- changing schedule with Rozakis Travel (
Click
BUS
gios & Evrikleos)
is northwest along the waterfront, near Jande Café. Services run north to
Athens (€23.80, 4½ hours, six daily) or via Sparta (€4.30, one hour) and Tripoli (€9.70);
and south to Areopoli (€2.60, 30 minutes, four daily), Gerolimenas (€6, 1¼ hours, three
daily), the Diros Caves (€3.70, one hour, one daily) and Vathia (€6.80, 1½ hours, two
weekly).
Helpful staff will explain the best way to see some of the Mani from Gythio (return) in
one day. Getting to Kalamata can be fiddly; it involves taking onward connections from
either Itilo (€3.80, 45 minutes) or Sparta. There are only two buses daily (5am and 1pm)
except Sunday to Itilo (the 1pm bus may require a change at Areopoli). For Monemvasia,
change at Sparta.
Getting Around
Taxis can be found opposite the bus station.
Rozakis Travel
(
27330 22207;
rosakigy@otenet.gr
; Pavlou 5)
has cars for hire.
THE MANI Η ΜΑΝΗ
The Mani, the region covering the central peninsula in the south of the Peloponnese, is a
wild, rugged place. Greeks from elsewhere will tell you, so are its people. Such was the
formidable reputation of the inhabitants of the remote inner Mani that many would-be
occupiers opted in the end to leave them alone.
The people of the Mani regard themselves as direct descendants of the Spartans. After
the decline of Sparta, citizens loyal to the principles of Lycurgus (founder of Sparta's
constitution) chose to withdraw to the mountains rather than serve under foreign masters.
Later, refugees from occupying powers joined these people, who became known as
Maniots, from the Greek word 'mania'. For centuries the Maniots were a law unto them-
