Villa Stoupa 1 is located in the village of Stoupa itself, on the Western Mani Peloponnese Peninsula, Southern Greece. There is a new road that connects the airport to Kalamata, and is approximately fifty five kilometres, a one and a half hours scenic drive through the Greek countryside and coastline. The village itself is less than a 5-minute drive away, where you will find plenty of local provisions for your stay, welcoming cafes and bars, twenty restaurants and a church or two. There are two great beaches within the area, the nearest is Stoupa, and just over the hill is Kalogoria with inviting turquoise water and rich marine life, made famous by Nikos Kazantzakis and the film Zorba, the Greek.
The fishing village of Agios Nikolaos is just three kilometres from the villa, where you can delight in the charms of traditional Greek life. The village of Limeni is also well worth a visit, a thirty five kilometre drive from the villa. Renowned for its wild beauty and emerald waters, Limeni is an historic harbour town, where you can explore the recently restored 1762 Castle of Movromichalis. Limeni doesn’t have a beach but you can access the sea via steps or platforms from the rocks, then enjoy its unique ambiance in one of the many cafes and restaurants. The flourishing financial and cultural centre of the town of Aeropolis is a twenty five minute drive away. Famed for its tower houses built out of local stone, it has a new and old town, and an open-air market every Saturday. Reputed to the be the starting point of the revolution against the Ottoman Empire, discover its history in the Pyrgos Pikoulaki, the museum of Mani. Meet in Plata Athanaton, the central square, where you will find the Taxiarches Cathedral, a museum of religious artefacts, and the Byzantine Chapel of St John. Stroll down the picturesque streets, shop for souvenirs, sip an ouzo in a local café and watch the world go by. And if it’s nightlife you are after Aeropolis is the place to be.
The Mani Peninsula is famed for its food, most notably the local delicacy of glina or syglina, a smoked pork sausage, the wild herbs of thyme, oregano, and mint, and homemade honey naturally scented with pine or orange blossom from the indigenous flora. Kalamata claims to be the best olive oil in the world, and you can test this for yourself with a walking tour and tasting with a dedicated olive oil sommelier. The Maniots claim to be descendants of Mycean, Dorian, Spartan, Byzantine, Franks, Saracens, Italian, Venetian, and Ottoman cultures, all play a part in their local history. Take the car and discover the numerous castles and fortresses, churches and chapels, monasteries and ruins scattered throughout the coast and peninsula.
For those who fancy a more relaxing holiday the area is blessed with many beautiful bays and beaches, such as Neo Otilo or Itylo, where you can sunbathe on loungers with parasols. Whilst the more active can practice water sports at Vathy or Mavrovouni beach and jet ski in its deeper waters. Take a walk and trek one of the many nature trails to discover the area’s natural flora and fauna, and authentic Maniot village life. Follow in the steps of the author Patrick Leigh-Fermor to Kardamyli, where you can visit the home which inspired many of his books. And for film fans it is also the setting for the romantic comedy Before Midnight. Further afield make a cultural odyssey to the ancient towns of Argolis, Sparta, Mystros, Monemvasia, Diros, Olympia, Delphi, Meteora, and the Corinth Canal, where you will discover the world of Homer and the ancient Greeks.
