2018/02/09 – Acient Corinth Greece

Friday 9th and Saturday 10th February

Our campsite for two nights: Camperstop, Ancient Corinth

Spent two wonderful days in this campsite which is run by a wonderful old Greek couple. They have created the campsite at the back of their home and provide everything you could want – water, power, shower and WC, grey and black waste disposal and Internet as well as a great undercover space to meet and mingle with other campers all for a mere €10 per night.

We certainly met some really interesting motorhomers here – Berndt and his wife are German but also speak Greek, French and excellent English and have been designated as Commandants of the campsite and interpreters for the old couple.

They have been living here for a couple of years now and have become Greek citizens. They have no immediate plans to return back to Germany as they disagree with what has been happening in Germany, politically, over the past few years (mainly the migration issues).

There was also an 85 year old Brit who is also in the process of obtaining Greek citizenship – very colourful character who is looking for a short term Bulgarian wife to assist his efforts to register and insure his motorhome in Bulgaria – then getting an instant divorce 😍 – all could be done from this campsite in Greece! He evidently has lost his British motorhome insurance and can’t leave the campsite until this happens – the Bulgarian marriage is the easiest way out???.

The township is only a km from the campsite – but all uphill. Not much more than a couple of streets to the main part of town with scattered homes and small farms and of course the ancient ruins making up the rest.

The Museum of Isthmia here is one of the most interesting we have visited in Greece so far and the internal security was just amazing.

Every room we entered was manned by a person who followed us through every inch of the museum. Evidently they had a very large theft some years ago (around 300 items) and through the FBI traced the thieves and lost artefacts back to the USA. This museum houses the rich excavation finds from all periods including finds from Prehistoric settlements, Roman statues, mosaic floors and murals.

The Temple of Apollo and the ruins surrounding it, were really worth the visit – a very large area in total and including an amphitheatre.

Stopped in the Main Street for a drink and chat with the locals before venturing back down the hill to the campsite. Lots of tavernas and eating places here as well as shops selling all replicas of Grecian pottery and statues.

Rained heavily through the night and continued on through the whole of next day so opted to stay on at the campsite until the weather cleared.

Sunday 11th February

Said our goodbyes to the old Greek campsite owners who insisted we take some of their home grown vegetables – broccoli, potatoes and a massive butternut pumpkin. They provide fresh fruit and veggies from their garden to everyone and stock the fridge in the communal area daily. They also provide their own olive oil and wine for purchase. Beautiful people and a really great campsite.

Headed off to Nemea around 30 kms away, only to find the Ancient Stadium and Ancient ruins including the Temple of Zeus, closed until further notice because they could no longer staff it. We still managed to get a photo of the temple through the fence.

This area is also renowned for wine growing with a few wineries open to sample some of their wines. Sampled a couple of good reds and a rose (not normally our preferred wine) – but this one was good.

From there we travelled to Mycenae one of the most ancient prehistoric Acropolis of the Peloponnese.

The Fortress here was built by the Mycenaean civilisation with the Lion Gates and the Cyclopean walls just breathtaking. The museum here included a treasure of pottery, tools and jewellery of this era.

A quick trip then back to Ancient Corinth to the top of the mountain overlooking this city (park4nite GPS 37.8899N – 22.8682E). Here the fortified Acropolis, Acrocorinthe is one of the largest and oldest fortresses in the Peloponnese. Its imposing walls belong entirely to the medieval period. Built before 1210 on the large plateau at the summit, stands the ruins of the temple of Aphrodite.

The view was absolutely breathtaking and it is possible to stay here for the night but as we had planned dinner in the town, (after all it was the Navigator’s birthday) we came down from the mountain and found a park close to the tavernas.

Our campsite for tonight: town Ancient Corinthe – (Park4nite – GPS 37.9076N – 22.8801E)

Not more than a carpark, but only a few metres from the towns tavernas, this campsite allows for overnight parking for cars and motorhomes.

Found a taverna with a fireplace raging – (that was what we needed as the temperature had turned quite cold) – so ventured in and had just the best night. Menus were in about 5 languages including English too (wake up to yourselves France) which helped because the owner didn’t speak English.

Sat beside four old Greek men who were just enjoying each other’s company (and the odd Ouzo) and soon we engaged in conversation with one of them who spoke English – he (Spiro) translated for the rest. We laughed a lot and had a super meal and soon our friends left in the dark on step through scooters. 10 minutes later Spiro came back with a bag full of freshly picked oranges from his garden – how special was that – this is the hospitality we have treasured here in Greece and it made for a great birthday night.

Monday 12th February

Decided to head back up the mountain to the summit this morning and have breakfast at Acrocorinthe. Quite a few cars already up here by 8am when the gates opened so after a beautiful breakfast including freshly squeezed oranges (compliments of Spiro) we headed up the million steps to the top. Really invigorating – started with coats, gloves and neck warmers and came back in short sleeves – did I say invigorating – meant exhausting!

Next we drove to see the submersible bridge at the Corinth Shipping Canal.

Only saw a couple of yachts go through whilst we were there – missed seeing one of the larger ships go through – so unbelievable though – what a buzz.