Bourtzi

The Seabourn Encore, a luxury cruise ship built by Fincantieri of Italy for Seabourn Cruise Line, docked at Nafplio in the eastern Peloponnese, dwarfing the Bourtzi Fortress on Saturday. Sailing from the Ionian island of Corfu, the 210-meter ultra-luxurious ship carrying over 560 passengers, mainly British and American, disembarked at the port of Nafplio.

The island fortress of Bourtzi, a Venetian castle situated in the middle of Nafplio's harbor in the Peloponnese, will reopen to the public starting this Saturday, as announced on Thursday.

From the world-famous Voidokilia beach to the Methoni castle, Messenia has something for everyone

Bourtzi, located at one end of the port, was built by the Venetians in 1350

One of the most beautiful towns in the area of Argolis (in eastern Peloponnese) as well as one of the most romantic cities all over Greece, Nafplio was the first capital of the newly born Greek state between 1823 and 1834.

Drenched in history, culture, green landscapes and crystal clear beaches, the all-time favourite city of Nafplion has just been voted as the best city in Greece according to Culture Trip, an online media start-up with nearly nine million monthly readers, and global offices in London, New York, and Tel Aviv.

METHONI, MESSINIA

One of Greece’s most impressive castles, Methoni Castle, was built in the 13th century by the Venetians and became a major commercial and transportation hub in the eastern Mediterranean; the Lion of St Marc can be seen at the castle’s gate.

Leros is quiet and tranquil. The little seaside cafes are not crowded; there is a fresh breeze. It is nice to be away from Bodrum's maddening crowd and traffic, all so unbearable with late July's suffocating heat wave.

by Natasa Kremmyda