Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Limeni Λιμένι
The tiny village of Limeni is 3km north of Areopoli on the southern flank of beautiful
Li-
meni Bay
.
If this little gem draws you in (warning: quite likely in fair weather), consider spend-
breakfast €120, ste €250; )
, Limeni's newest addition. The owner has beautifully con-
verted his family's 300-year-old tower house into 13 chic rooms with mod cons.
In a glorious location set out over water,
Takis
( 27330 51327; fish per 1kg €50-65;
lunch & dinner Apr-Oct)
lures in diners; it's the place for quality (if pricey) fish in the area.
But the result is good, according to modest Takis, 'because I love what I do'.
Diros Caves Σπήλαιο Διρού
These extraordinary
caves
( 27330 52222; adult/child €12/7; 10am-5pm Jun-Sep, to
3pm Oct-May)
are 11km south of Areopoli, and signposted near the village of
Pyrgos
Dirou
.
The natural entrance to the caves is on the beach and locals like to believe the legend
that they extend as far north as Sparta (speleologists have so far estimated the caves to be
around 14km; tourists enter to 1.2km, the first 300m on foot and the remaining section
by boat). They were inhabited in Neolithic times, but were abandoned after an earth-
quake in 4 BC and weren't rediscovered until 1895. Systematic exploration began in
1949. The caves are famous for their stalactites and stalagmites, which have fittingly po-
etic names such as the Palm Forest, Crystal Lily and the Three Wise Men.
Unfortunately, the half-hour guided tour through the caves is disappointingly brief
(and in Greek only, unless you are lucky) - it covers only the lake section and bypasses
the most spectacular formations of the dry area.
The nearby
Neolithic Museum of Diros
( 27330 52233; adult/concession €2/1;
8.30am-3pm Tue-Sun)
houses items found in the adjoining Neolithic
Alepotrypa Cave
.
Unfortunately, the cave itself is off limits.
Pyrgos Dirou to Gerolimenas Πύργος Διρού προς Γερολιμένας
Journeying south down Mani's west coast from Pyrgos Dirou to Gerolimenas, the barren
mountain landscape is broken only by deserted settlements with mighty towers. A right
turn 9km south of Pyrgos Dirou leads down to the
Bay of Mezapos
, sheltered to the east
by the frying-pan-shaped Tigani peninsula. The ruins on the peninsula are those of the
