Koroni Ancient Ruins, Peloponnese Peninsula, Greece

Today, the second part of Maggi's guest post on the Peloponnese Peninsula - after the sunny beaches it's time to visit a series of cultural places nearby...

This being Greece, ancient ruins are never far away and the Peloponnese has its fair share of these. Nestor's Palace is not far from Pylos, Ancient Olympia is about 3 hours drive. Mycenae, Ancient Corinth, Epidaurus and more are all within a few hours' travel although an overnight stay is best for some of these. The most famous sites inevitably get crowded, especially Olympia where you can find yourself getting caught up in one of the many tours.

Although some sites have roped off areas, it's still possible to get close to many monuments. Walk through the tunnel used by the original Olympic athletes or sit on the original seats at Epidaurus and you can feel the atmosphere. For reasons best known to themselves the Greeks changed the opening hours last year and many ancient sites closed mid-afternoon. It's always best to check before setting out, especially if you have a long drive.

Closer, and just as good in my opinion, is Ancient Messini – Ithaca. Unlike the other sites this is free and when you're tired of wandering over the ruins there's a nice cafe just up the hill where you can sit and look out over the valley.

If you prefer your ruins a little more recent the Byzantine city of Mystras near Sparta is fascinating. The road to Mystras from Kalamata twists up and down mountainsides–not for the faint hearted. It's hard to believe there can be several feet of snow on these hills in winter but the Peloponnese is also home to mountains and even a few ski resorts, a fact not known to many non-Greeks.

Turn away from the coast and you can follow roads leading to old villages and abandoned settlements. There's even the odd waterfall hidden away, a welcome sight in the middle of the hot, dry summer. Don't try this if you dislike getting lost though – Greek signposting is never going to win any awards for accuracy. Nor are Greek maps, but that's part of the adventure. Greek people are always willing to help you on your way, and asking directions can sometimes lead to an invitation to rest a while with a coffee or glass of wine.

A couple of hours' drive from Koroni puts you across on the Mani, still feeling as wild as it was a couple of hundred years ago. Or pay a visit to Agia Theodora at Vasta, a tiny church with 17 trees growing inside the walls. Look inside and there's no evidence of the trees at all, but they are definitely sticking out of the roof. Weird!

If you're looking for expensively appointed restaurants, noisy nightlife or lots of fashionable shopping this part of Greece will likely disappoint you. But if you want to explore unspoilt villages, quiet beaches, experience life going on in much the same way it has for years, or just relax in a friendly atmosphere, you're in for a real treat.

Maggi, I'm convinced! If I ever go to Greece, besides Athens and some of the islands, I'll surely pay a visit to your fantastic Peloponnese Peninsula. Once more, thank you Maggi from FaceDestiny & GreeceDonkeyDroppings for this fantastic insights on Greece.