Yialova Things to Do

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Or Gialova Lagoon, this wetland seems to go under a few different names. It is now an area of Special Scientific Interest and is a Natura 2000 site. It is at the north end of Navarino Bay, and is separated from the sea by the long, thin Divari Beach, better known as Golden Beach. At the far end, Paleokastro sits atop a hill almost touching Sfaktiria islands. Over the headland is Voidokilia Bay.

The lagoon water is brackish, with two rivers flowing in and is a popular place for walking, cycling and bird watching. There are quite a few tracks around the lagoon, but cars are not really allowed access to some. There are also fish farms near the concrete bridge.

The sandhills here are home to the elusive and rare African Chameleon, as well as Loggerhead turtles and a huge variety of birds. There is a nature trail of a couple of kilometres with signs telling you what to look for and explaining what is growing. I actually saw some small turtles or large terrapins in the ditch here and managed to get a photo before the shy creatures sunk beneath the murky water.

The old pump house here has big plans of becoming a visitors' and educational centre, for the benefit of both locals and tourists.

There is strictly NO CAMPING allowed, of any form and I believe fines are handed out to the disobedient.

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Although we had visited Methoni Castle a previous year, we decided one dull, wet day to pay a re-visit as we really hadn't done it justice before.

Amazingly, this place is free admission but opening hours can be a little variable. We struck it lucky , it was open and it had stopped raining!!

The castle is to one end of the village of Methoni and there is a car-park. If you are visiting on a hot day, take plenty of water with you, as it's a fairly extensive place. We probably spent a couple of hours or more, exploring and admiring the stormy sea views. The waves were fairly crashing aainst the unguarded castle walls, you could fully understand how the sea's action was eroding the place away.

As far as I can remember, all parts are accessible, some easier and safer than others.We really felt as though we had seen everything by the time we left, which coincided with the arrival of the rain once again.

If you are in the area, do not miss this castle.

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We've visited Finikounda over a number of of years and I have to say, things are a-changing. The English holiday company Kosmar have discovered this place and each year, they have more accommodation available. The tavernas are all in English and the day of our visit this year, the Liverpool v Milan match was being advertised on big screens everywhere. Having said all this, it's still a nice seaside village (out of peak season as it's a favourite with Greeks as well). There are a fair selection of cafes and tavernas, mostly on the sea front and harbour area. There area few gift shops, English newspapers are available (ohdear!) and bakers, butchers and mini-markets.

The beach is long and sandy, mainly, with tavernas immediately behind, so not much privacy. There are more beaches to either side of Finikounda, all easily accessible.

The village's streets are narrow and a nightmare to drive through. Parts seem to be one way but this doesn't seem to be enforced and it's a confusing little place to get into and onto the waterfront. There is parking at both ends of the village, one park being on the quay, down a very steep ramp.

We had a drink here at the Dionyssos taverna which was advertising whole spit roasted lamb for that evening. Oh, how I wished we were in Finkounda that night!! I watched the preparation of the lamb and managed to video some of it. Our host was a vey friendly young man who helped us find out which channel the football was on, that evening. The cost of two beers and a coke should have been €5.20 but we were let off the .20 lepta. As of yet, we have still to have a meal in Finikounda. Although it is catering more and more for the tourists, we still have a soft spot for the place.

Accommodation seems plentyful and there are a number of campsites based on many of the beaches around Finikounda.

Finikounda is about a 45 min. drive from Gialova. Take a look at my Finikoundapage.

This was another lovely expanse of sand and shingle, north of Marathopoli. Each time we had a look at this beach, it was petty rough so we never actually ended up on it. It also seemed to have collected a huge amount of weed. It did seem popular with the greeks, who arrived in droves after the peak heat of the day.

There were a few apartments etc. dotted about the area but there didn't seem to be a focal point to the place.

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Gialova's beach extends as far round to the north as Golden Beach and to the south as far as the eye can see, but only accessible on foot. It is a mixture of sand, shingle and pebble with the more popular area being just in front of Zoe hotel and restaurant. This has shade from Tamarisk trees and boards to walk across.The sea has some stones and pebbles upon entering but becomes sand quickly.The water becomes deep gradually but is not a shallow bay, like Golden Beach, or at least it isn't by Zoe's, the only place we swam in Gialova. Obviously, the further you walk, the fewer people you will encounter, although the camp sites, Erodios and Navarino Bay are situated at either ends.

Further round to the south, the beach is narrow with some new development scattered about behind.There are also old holding tanks from the wine factories along here, as is the new development for the golf complex, where the land is being cleared.

We didn't intend to visit the archaeological museum at Chora, nor Nestor's Palace but decided as they were so close, we'd better make the effort.

After "doing" Nestor's Palace, we headed for Chora. It was pouring down and the roads were flooded. We took the wrong route into the town and just could not find the museum. Finally, after returning to the main road we took the second turn into Chora and bingo!!, we were signposted practically all the way. The town was absolutely chaotic, the world and his wife had taken to their cars to avoid getting wet. The streets were jammed, traffic was backing up in all directions and we just wanted out!! Eventually we found the museum, which coincided with the arrival of a school trip, but only a small party.

The displays in the museum were fascinating and in three rooms, with many relics from Nestor's Palace featuring strongly. There were frescoes and the most tiniest, intricate jewellery, beads and buttons. Jars, pottery, weapons, everything was displayed neatly with explanations in English as well as Greek. To be honest, I am not really a museum person, butI have to admit, for a small museum, I was very impressed. Others I spoke to said it was the best small museum they had ever encountered.

There are a couple of custodians who follow people about making sure everything is in order. I asked about photography. It is allowed but not with flash.

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A wonderful harbourside small town, about a ten minute drive from Gialova, Pilos is the capital of this region, Pilia. It's population is around 2,560.

The enormous main square, Platia Ton Navarhon, is shaded by huge plane trees, surrounded by cafes and bars, just set back from the quayside. This is where the locals like to be seen and heard and it can be quite a noisy place on busy days!!Restaurants line the quayside on two sides.

The harbour is in two parts, the marina part more for pleasure craft and some fishing boats, as you get to the bottom of the winding hill into Pilos and the other is the main harbour full of fishing boats and small ferry boats that make trips to the nearby islands of Sfakteria. This was at one time,one island, now split by the sea's action, into four small islets. They guard the harbour, which is western Peloponnese's deepest natural habour.

The boat trips take you to see the monuments for those sailors killed in the famous Battle of Navarino, (1827). during the War of Independence.The English,French and Russians fought the Turks in a truly fierce battle, resulting in 53 ships being sunk, and over 6000 men being killed, mainly allies.The different nationalities monuments are on seperate islets. I believe you can also see some of the wrecked ships close to the island, under water.

For more info have a look at my Pilos page.

http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/87f23/6647c/

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Navarino harbour is guarded by two castles, Neo Kastro in the southeast, accessible from the town ad Paleokastro, in the northwest which you must walk to from either Voidokilia beach or Divari beach. Admission for Neokastro is €3 and it's open Tues. - Sun, 8.30am - 3pm. There are great views out over the bay from it. Paleokastro is free to enter but is in a precarious state!

The harbour was also the site of one other famous battle, in 425BC. The Battle of Pylos during the Peloponnesian war when the Spartans were captured.

Pilos is simply a great place to while away a few hours, have a drink, do a little shopping, take a look at the castle and then settle down to the serious affair of lunch at one of the excellent eateries.

Have a look at my Pilos page.
http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/87f23/6647c/