Alternatives to Olympia for Katakolon???

[Executioner]

Does anyone have any suggestions for things to do other than go to Olympia at the Katakolon stop on a cruise? We did the whole Olympia experience last year and are looking for something else to do when the cruiseship stops their October.

 

Thanks for any input.

[Fafos]

Does anyone have any suggestions for things to do other than go to Olympia at the Katakolon stop on a cruise? We did the whole Olympia experience last year and are looking for something else to do when the cruiseship stops their October.

 

Thanks for any input.

The territory of Bassae: http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/3/eh351.jsp?obj_id=6664

 

is 12 kiliometres from village Andritsaina (about 60-65 miles from Katakolon, 2 hours) but the road is not so good..

 

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=%CE%A0%CF%8D%CF%81%CE%B3%CE%BF%CF%85-%CE%9A%CE%B1%CF%84%CE%B1%CE%BA%CF%8C%CE%BB%CE%BF%CF%85&daddr=%CE%91%CE%BD%CE%B4%CF%81%CE%AF%CF%84%CF%83%CE%B1%CE%B9%CE%BD%CE%B1%CF%82-%CE%9A%CE%B1%CF%81%CF%85%CF%84%CE%B1%CE%AF%CE%BD%CE%B1%CF%82&hl=en&geocode=FWB4PgIdeEFFAQ%3BFXT1OwIdvEBOAQ&mra=mi&mrsp=1,0&sz=14&sll=37.482827,21.902361&sspn=0.046519,0.077162&ie=UTF8&ll=37.498831,21.777649&spn=0.744136,1.234589&t=h&z=10

[lynnch]

There is also a nice beach bar on the other side of the hill from Katakolon called the kastro, great for spending a few hours. The beach is nicer than Katakolon's, they have a few umbrellas and a shower, it is usually pretty quiet in the daytime. About a 6-7 minute taxi ride.

 

There is also Chlemoutsi castle, about an hour or a bit less from Katakolon.

 

A few more ideas at: http://www.travelsingreece.com/trips/katakolon/

[auducky2]

We hired a private taxi to take us to Olympia, but after lunch, we're also planning on getting a tour of a winery that he said is 5km from the dock.

[Cruise4Sunshine]

We hired Andreas Stamos to give us a tour of the area. We did go to Olympia, since it was our first visit, but we were also taken to modern Olympia, a lovely town, the winery, saw some villas and a lovely lunch. http://www.taxikatakolo.gr/aboutme.html He spoke English wonderfully and made history come alive during the trip. He is good about answering e-mails.

[miross71@yahoo.com]

Based on forum recommendation we contacted Andreas Stamos( olympiataxi@yahoo.gr) for our tour on 13th August 2012.

 

We took time in arranging tour and in the end he was already taken for the date we were docking in Katakalon. Nevertheless he organised the tour through a friend and still he delivered beyond our expectations.

 

We were party of 10, two families with 3 kids in each family... we asked for a bus/van holding 10 people... at same price a big touristic bus (and a quality one at that) with about 50 sits was waiting with my name... price still was the same.

 

although we specifically agreed that guide was not included in the tour we were met by very kind lady (+ a bus driver) who was speaking good english. Along the way ferom katakalon to olypia she gave us basisc on greece, olympia, its history and myths...

 

when we came to olympia after buying tickets (organised by our "bus" lady, paid by ourselves) we entered the olympia "complex" where we hired a licencsed lady guide for 20 EUR (initially she asked for 30 but we were a small group so we negotiated)

 

in the end the entire tour for 10 people costed us 300 EUR (280 bus +20 guide in olympia) + tickets to site and museum. Pls. note that we felt personal touch and real hospitality... compared to ship excursion prices/service we were quite happy...

 

after we asked for a tip where to have some nice iced coffee and our bus-lady recommended a perfect caffee in olympia (very nice coffee+ great freshly squeezed juices), as an extra Andreas Stamos came to say hello and ask if everything was ok.... defintely beyond we would expect...

 

pls. note on dock at katakalon is a small duty free shop with quite nice prices... (offering nice choice of local olives and olive oil... ship crew was buying there "en masse" so i guess prices are good too)...

 

regards

miross

 

ps. since our promised it to our charming "bus lady" contact for our direct girl/bus company is http://www.travelcoaches.gr or mail: info@travelcoaches.gr

[paul929207]

Katakolon has a museum of ancient Greek technology and another of Greek musical instruments that we are planning to check out in October.

[tibertLM]

We just returned and had an amazing driver for the day. You need to check out this website and give George an email. taxikatakolon.com I booked with him way in advance and we emailed back and forth a little about what we wanted out of our day there. He is sooo accomodating. Before we even met we felt like we were friends. He even brought me roses from his own garden. Once you see if page you will see that George and his fellow drivers are always amazing and give fantastic service. There are lots of options other then the Olympia sites. You can see many of them on his website. He showed us around non-touristy sites and made us feel like we were with family. For two 20 somethings on their honeymoon that is a real task. I cant praise George enough and highly highly highly recommend you consider his services. If you need any other information please let me know! Laura

[bobalink]

We had a great day with George. He will customize your tour however you choose. Contact him and he will reply promptly.

 

In Katakolon/Olympia, Greece we have a new friend, George.

http://www.taxikatakolon.gr/

 

IMG_1931 by BobalinkToo, on Flickr