Peloponnese

The Peloponnese is a peninsula and geographic region in southern Greece. The cultural riches and natural beauty of the Peloponnese can hardly be overstated. This peninsula – technically an island since the cutting of the Corinth Canal – seems to have the best of almost everything Greek. Ancient sites at Mycenae and at Pylos, the best preserved of all Greek theatres at Epidaurus and the lush sanctuary of Olympia. The medieval remains are scarcely less rich, with the fabulous Venetian, Frankish and Turkish castles of Nafplio, Methoni and ancient Corinth; the strange battle towers and frescoed churches of Mani; and the extraordinarily well-preserved Byzantine enclaves of Mystra and Monemvasia. Beyond this incredible profusion and density of cultural monuments, the Peloponnese is also a superb place for cycling.