The do-a-bit-of-everything is by far my favourite way of action. My daily combo this time included bird watching, hiking and historical sight-seeing around Voidokoilia, near Pylos in Greece.
Roughly an hour drive from Kalamata could be an excellent option for a daily trip, especially during summertime.
Pylos view from Palaiokastro
Divari Lagoon
Divari (or Gialova) Lagoon is listed as an Important Bird Area in Greece so a short stop to capture some flamingos was tempting. We grasped the opportunity but, sadly, I was not really prepared for the… meeting; my camera lens didn’t meet the prerequisites for that activity so photos are not quite sharp. Rumors say that if you are lucky enough you might met, also, the African chameleon in his only and unique European habitat.
Old Pylos Castle
Old Pylos Castle, also known as Palaiokastro, stands between Sfaktiria island and Voidokilia bay. It is dated back to 13th century and offers a magnificent view of the surrounding area. Not really a well preserved place so take some caution when you move around in it. We approached from south and left it moving northbound to visit Nestor’s cave at the foot of the castle. Hiking is easy enough and certainly worth taking it since the spot offers a unique view of the surrounding area!
Voidokilia
Voidokilia Bay has been recognised officially as “A Place of Particular Natural Beauty” and is one of the most captivating spots in Greece. In the shape of the Greek letter omega (Ω), its sand forms a semicircular strip of dunes. Perhaps, is also, one of the most photographed landmark in recent years since Costa Navarino boosted its publicity worldwide.
Gialova
An active and, nonetheless, interesting day should end with some self pampering. We had an exceptional lunch in Elia Restaurant and an espresso coffee shot in “Akti“; off-season visits are always rewarding, according to my experiences so far.
Buddy for my last hike there was Stratos, a former colleague of mine and obsessed photographer. I ‘d like to thank him for letting me to include his shot on this post!