The final stop on our Greek Isles adventure was in the port of Katakalon, a town essentially created because the cruise ships stop there, with passengers disembarking to visit nearby Olympia, birthplace of the Olympics. Katakalon is on the Peloponnese peninsula on the southernmost part of mainland Greece (technically, it can be called an island as there is a narrow canal separating the peninsula from mainland Greece). The peninsula is also home to Olympia and Kalamata (known worldwide for its olives).
The actual site of the ancient Olympics was stunning…remarkable ruins set amongst cypress and olive trees. Our tour guide showed us photos of what each of the ruins was believed to have looked like in ancient times. There is something powerful about seeing ruins of buildings from nearly 3,000 years ago, and imagining of the people who have walked on the same grounds before you. The pictures don’t really do this site justice at all, but I will share a few so you can try to imagine.
The arch through which the athletes entered the stadium.
The starting line from the ancient stadium.
The museum at the site has some amazing artifacts and sculptures taken from the site of the original Olympics. It is mind-boggling to me that the ancient Greeks were able to create such beauty.
After our visit to Ancient Olympia, we stopped at a shopping village where they sell the local kalamata olives and olive oil. Of course, I couldn’t leave without sampling a few products and having a case of each sent home to me! (While olive oil can be purchased at the farm, they don’t ship to the US, so this was my chance to ship some of the fabulous Greek olives and oil home.)
We drove through gorgeous countryside literally filled with olive groves until we arrived at the Agriturismo Magna Grecia olive farm.
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The charming farm is literally a labor of love for the family who owns it – an Italian wife and Greek husband who welcomed us to their home as if we were family. We were welcomed with a glass of local wine (or ouzo, if preferred) and a snack. We learned how the olives are harvested and had an opportunity to walk around the property before our lunch of delicious Greek specialties and the opportunity to join in the traditional Greek dancing.
They sold homemade products from the olives and other fruits and vegetables grown on the farm…of course, I bought MORE olive oil!
This was a perfect ending to my own personal Greek odyssey…what a gorgeous and hospitable country! I can’t wait to go back!!
You have no idea how badly you have me wanting to go!!!!! How fun to visit a real live olive farm, and your pictures are amazing. I sure hope you are making a photo book! Enjoying seeing the trip through your pictures..enjoy the weekend!
So happy I found your blog on the Tablescaper link up. Looks like we have visited A LOT of the same places and even our blog buttons are similar. Love yours! Take care!
Brittany Ruth
To think that ancient people from whom we get so much of our language and culture walked these paths, Sandy! Sunny Greece….it was always my dream since childhood, to go there on my honeymoon! Anita
Oh Sandy! How kind of YOU to reply to me via Linkin….Now, how do I become a "reply" blogger? I am so bad with technology; I'm lucky I can load up photos and make a blog!
Your comment back to me means a lot to me. I wish I knew what I was doing wrong….but though it appears that I have a lot of comments, I have lost over half the amount I used to get, and it's dropping daily. I wonder, have I done something wrong? So your kind words came just at the moment when I sitting here wondering, "Why have I lost so many commenters?" But everyone is busy…as I am, but I guess I just enjoy corresponding!
ANYHOOO…thank you so much. Anita
This looks better than I could have imagined. You know I am jealous of the olive oil. I still have some from when we went to Eataly.
Sandy dear-I am finally catching up on my favorite blog reads and am just lapping up these gorgeous photos. What a fantastic adventure you have had. The photos speak for themselves. Greece is high on my 'must do' list. Next summer we will be in Portugal and Spain so perhaps Greece will be our next big trip after that.
Lovely posts Sandy and thanks for your sweet comments on Stylemindchic.
Happy weekend!
xx, Heather
Sandy,
Your Greek Isle adventures are truly making me want to lay in the sun! Is there something different about that area of the world? The blue is SO much bluer!! I've only been to Hydra on a long ago post college trip, so I'd love to visit every one of these beautiful islands.
Hope you're enjoying being home and the beautiful fall that is beginning to unravel. I'll be in your neck of the woods tonight..Le Peguin. Have you been yet?
As soon as my sweet husband gets those plane tickets done (pulling teeth), we'll set up our meeting to talk Italy!
xoxo Elizabeth
OK, it's decided. This weekend I'm sitting down with a pad and pen, a glass of wine and your blog and when I'm done I will have come up with my travel bucket list.
🙂
These pictures are so beautiful, I have never been to an olive farm, that must have been so interesting. I love Greece, have only been once but would love a chance to return.
Your photos are stunning!! I just visited all your Greek island posts. So, I'm totally caught now. What a trip! Such a feast for the senses. Now I really need to go to Mykonos and Santorini. And your day trips here were really stunning. We love olive trees. My husband's family used to have olive oil mills so they are connoisseurs for sure. ANd my parents brought us back a little olive tree years ago which we planted in our backyard and now is pretty big. I think it likes Texas weather. Nobody thought it would make it. We will be moving soon and of course will be bringing it along to the new house. Thanks for all these beautiful photos!!
Oh my goodness, WHAT
a trip you had, Sandy!
Isn't it amazing to walk
among ruins like that and
think of the souls that lived
there? They couldn't begin
to fathom the lives that we
live in the 21st Century, just
like we can't fathom the way
humans will live centuries
from now. Gives me chills!
The olive farm looked really
special. I love the dining
room and the property of
the farm itself–magic!
Thank you for your kind
and encouraging words on
my latest blog post. I feel
very lucky to count you as
a blog friend.
xo Suzanne
Oh Sandy, this is all so spectacular! I am so enjoying these pictures and your journaling. I never really wanted to go to Greece until I saw those instagram pictures you posted- all blue and white-unreal! I am loving reading about your travels. I have alot of catching up to do!
xo Nancy