Start your small group tour at the arranged meeting point: the magnificent 13th century castle of Androusa, located in the heart of Messinia, just a 20 minute drive from Kalamata and 10 minutes from Ancient Messene. Begin with beautiful olive walks to provide as an overview of the amazing olive groves of Messinia. Witness the olive trees as the guide tells you about the history, the tradition, and the mythical stories of the castle olive trees. The olive grove is the next visit. Walk though the groves and marvel the perennial olive trees. Learn about the different varieties of olive trees in the area and discover the story of the Messinian land as recorded on the stems. In the center of Androusa Village, visit a unique olive oil press and mill, located there for more than 120 years. The fifth generation owner will explain the procedure of extraction, the storage, and standardization process of extra virgin olive oil. Next, join a tasting session, where a dining table is filled with the special blue olive oil tasting glasses ready for you to try. Taste the extra virgin olive oil of 'Koroneiki' variety and learn about its organoleptic characteristics. Learn to recognize the elements that define the extra virgin olive oil. Taste different varieties of Greek extra virgin olive oil, such us 'Manaki', 'Xalkidikis', 'Mavroelia', and evaluate their flavours. What about food? The extra virgin olive oil of different varieties is matched with traditional recipes including fruit, gourmet small dishes, as well as tzatziki, kalamata olives, olive paste, lalagia, pasto (smoked ham) and local cheeses. Enjoy a unique experience in the historic olive groves, and learn about the history, the soul, the tradition, and the gastronomy of Messinia.

Navarino Bay lies in front of the town of Pylos. It is a natural harbor where the island of Sphacteria stands as a wave breaker, protecting the bay from winds of the open Ionian Sea. The bay offers ideal conditions for Sea Kayaking trips, especially for beginners. The bay itself is a place of incredible natural beauty, with an impressive landscape, warm, crystal clear, waters and golden sandy beaches where sea turtles often return to lay their eggs. Sea kayaking here is a must definitely do without a doubt. Meet your guides at Divari beach just a few kilometers away from the charming village of Gialova. Your guide will brief you on paddling techniques, safety measures, and equipment. Soon we shall hop on our kayaks for a trip around the Navarino bay like never before. Heading west we paddle towards the imposing Rock, the islet located at the south side of the bay. The Rock is also a place of nesting and resting place for many species of birds. We admire its impressive natural stone arch and visit a few of its sea caves and galleries. Our next stop is the unhabituated island of Sphacteria. Here, we jump out of our kayaks, stretch our legs and walk to the island’s viewpoint for taking pictures of an idyllic landscape and for story-telling. A few minutes later we shall make a stop at a secluded beach for swimming and snorkeling, and why not some cliff diving for those who feel more adventurous. Here we shall also taste our homemade picnic of local delicacies and relax under the sun. After this energy pumped stop, we will paddle back to the starting point to end an amazing day in the tranquility of Navarino Bay.

Visit the Ancient Messene Archaeological Site, a must-see for any trip to the southern Peloponnese. Discover the Archaeological Museum of Ancient Messene and the ruins of this ancient Greek city, including its sanctuaries, public buildings, imposing fortifications, houses, and tombs. Discover countless mosaics, engravings, and restored buildings that will help you visualize the history of this impressive site. Take in the beauty of the mountains and the tranquil surroundings. Admire the dominating Ithome limestone, the site of the ancient acropolis and one of the largest theaters of the ancient Greek world, dating back to the 3rd century B.C.

Explore the Gulf of Navarino on an evening hiking tour with van pickup at your hotel in Kalamata. Learn about the facinating military history of the Gulf of Navarino from your guide. Look for local wildlife, swim at Voidokilia beach and have dinner in a Greek tavern.  Be picked up from the comfort of your hotel in the center of Kalamata and sit back and relax in the spacious and airconditioned van. Take in the stunning Greek countryside on way to the beginning of the hiking trail. Admire views of the  see the old Navarino castle. Start from from the bottom hill and make your way to the top at a leisurely pace. On Keep an eye out for migratory birds like flamingos, ospreys, and royal eagles that travel between Europe and Africa at the Gialova lagoon. Stop for a refreshing dip at the most photographed and well known beach in Greece, Voidokilia beach. Continue to the top of a hill where you can marvel at views of Voidokilia beach, Gialova lagoon, the city of Pylos and the Ionian sea. Have some fresh fruits while learning about the history of the area from 425 BC to today. Finish your tour with a authentic meal in a a Greek tavern right next to the coast before returning to your accommodation.

Trip Itinerary 8:00 AM - Sfaktiria island The route begins with the first stop at the port of Pylos to take the boat for the mini cruise to the island of Sphakteria , the most historic island of the Mediterranean. 12:30 PM - Castle of Pylos Niokastro Navarinou is a separate Ottoman castle-fortress in Pylos. You will have the opportunity to see its history and architecture through the walls as well as the archaeological finds that have been preserved to this day. 2:00 PM - Seminar and wine tasting The flavors of the wines you will taste will travel your palate and you will learn important things from the cultivation of the vineyards up to production and bottling. 4:00 PM - Palace of Nestor We will tour among the findings of the palace, the best preserved Mycenaean palace in Greece. 5:00 PM - Walk in the paved Gialova Our route ends with a beautiful walk in the seaside Gialova to relax and discuss what we saw and learned. We can sit down for an afternoon Greek coffee, ice cream or even a last swim. 6:00 PM - Return to the hotel

Be accompanied by a local Greek guide to visit several food shops. Meet and speak with local shop owners and have the opportunity to taste traditional food and learn about the Greek food culture.  Listen to Greek myths and stories about food that will deepen your knowledge about this beautiful country. Taste food ranging from bread products, olives, pies, meat products, to sweets. Enjoy your lunch at a local souvlaki restaurant.

Take a thrilling half-day hike through the Ridomo Gorge in southern Greece and explore majestic, untamed nature with a guide. Marvel at the distinct and colorful geological formations, and try a traditional Greek coffee. After pickup at your hotel in Kalamata, transfer to Ridomo Gorge in an air-conditioned van. Upon arrival, prepare for the adventurous 11-kilometer circuit with an energy-boosting coffee at Socrates's cafe, and relish the taste of the Greek coffee Socrates specializes in. Then, set off on your hike to see the best of the Ridomo Gorge, a 25-kilometer gorge that begins in the heart of Mount Taygetos. For the first 2 kilometers, follow a gravel road to the bottom of the gorge. For the next 5 kilometers, climb up the gorge until reaching a manmade cobbled road. Admire the unique morphology of the gorge and take in its aesthetic wonders. During the hike inside the gorge, you might have to use your hands to cross some boulders. For the last 4 kilometers, take another way back to the starting point from the top of the gorge, again on a gravel road. This way, during the hike you'll both cross the most beautiful piece of the canyon from the bottom and enjoy the panoramic views on the way back. After the hike, you will be taken back to Kalamata for drop-off at your hotel.

Hike the traditional stone-built path from Sotirianika to Altomira on this guided hike on the Biliovo Hiking Trail. Take in breathtaking views of the majestic nature of the Messenian Gulf. Keep your energy up on your day trip with the included coffee, water, and snacks.  Enjoy the convience of being picked up from your accommodation in the center of Kalamata. Relax on the drive in the comfortable van to the Biliovo Hiking Trail in Sotirianika. Walk along the 100-year-old paved path to the village of Altomira on the outskirts of Taygetos. Follow your guide around 83 turns which skirt steep cliffs. Stroll along with at a leisurely pace with minimal inclination. Keep an eye out for local wildlife like birds and lizards. Stop for some refreshments at Altomiraspings before heading back to your accommodations.

Wander through Section Four of the Peloponnese’s Menalon Trail in southern Greece on a guided hike. Head out of Kalamata in the comfort of a van to reach the trailhead. Once there, follow your mountain guide through quaint villages, deep canyons, and more as you explore the stunning Greek landscape. Leave Kalamata behind as you sit comfortably in your van and head towards one of the Menalon Trail's sections. This mountain hiking path spans 75 kilometers and runs through the legendary Arcadia in the heart of the mythical Peloponnese. Immerse yourself in a diverse landscape of rugged mountains, canyons, and verdant valleys. Follow the trail as it passes through picturesque villages, such as Elati and Vytina — one of the most striking sections of the trail. Descend from Elati to the riverbed of the Milaon River and pass under the hill where the acropolis of the antique city Methydrion was located. Throughout your whole trail, pass through a dense forest full of fir trees. Stop to smell this intense and calming aroma en route. After a small break for a few dives in the crystal clear waters of the river, reach the village of Vytina — the gem of Menalon. Here, take your time to do some shopping and taste local delicacies before your van picks you back up and brings you back to Kalamata.

A 3-hour olive oil tour and tasting experience that includes a visit of a small village, a walk through an olive grove and an olive oil tasting workshop. Where Join us for a 3-hour tour of the wonderful land of Messinia and its perennial olive trees. You will visit an olive grove located in a small village 50km (31 mi) from Kalamatai n Messinia region, Peloponnese, towards Pylos coastal town, just 10' away from Costa Navarino resort. The Olive oil experience The Olive oil tour and tasting experience is the outcome of a local couple for olive oil, nature and the land of Messinia. Their dreams found a home in a small village in Messinia, in their olive grove and the flavour of extra virgin olive oil. Nowadays, their mission is to introduce visitors to the wonderful world of olive oil and help them get a taste of Messinia. Part 1: Arrival at the grove - Warm welcome Visit a beautiful olive grove of a small village, located in the west of Messinia, just 10 minutes away from Costa Navarino Bay and Nestor’s Palace. It is the ideal backdrop to unravel the history, tradition and ancient myths of this historical place. The owners will welcome you with a homemade Greek local breakfast while the olive experience is enriched with a video presentation about the history of olive and olive oil! Part 2: Olive Harvest or Olive Grove Olive harvest (available only in October) – You’ll walk through the olive trees and meet local families as they harvest their own trees. You’ll enjoy the experience of a lifetime either by handpicking olives and placing them directly in a basket or by picking them using a net. Olive grove( April - October) – Experience a guided 30-minute relaxing stroll by the locals through perennial olive trees. During your walk, you’ll get acquainted with different varieties of olive trees in all shapes and of all ages. Part 3: Olive Oil Tasting (April - October) What follows is an interactive olive oil tasting workshop by an olive oil lover! The tasting session includes 3 different varieties of extra virgin olive oil, focusing on sensory tasting, defects and positive traits. Part 4: Light local lunch Get a taste of traditional, local food, such as lalagia (savoury or sweet looped ribbons of dough), pasto (cured pork), Kalamata olives, local cheese and enjoy a homemade local lunch!