Oosterdam European Adventure, Katakolon, Greece...

The reflections were great for sail in today to the port of Katakolon... After a slow start, we finally found our guide and we left for a tour through the Greek countryside to Chlemoutsi Castle or in English Clermont Castle. Perched upon a hilltop overlooking the town of Kastro, the 13th century fortress was built by the Frankish Crusaders and once served as a defense along important trade routes. The castle was very nice and surprisingly intact with its impressive military style architecture and panoramic views of the plains of Elis and the Ionian Sea. Next, we drove to the 2000-year-old, Loutra Killinis Roman Baths…where we met a couple coating themselves in black mud dug from the ground before soaking in the water…. they said it was very therapeutic. We stopped next to see the Loutra Killinis Beach. Then we headed to the Arkoudii, a small seaside village. We stopped at Eleousa Monastery built in the 13th century. Driving the back roads of the Peloponnese region brought back memories of when I lived in Greece. Our last stop was Kourouta beach. Before we returned to the ship, we stopped in Katakolon for a Greek lunch of Gyros and Tzatziki.