before so we decided to make our way to Nafplion, two hours away by car, and
wait for the ships arrival two days later.
We stopped along the way to see the four mile long Canal of Corinth, built
between 1881 and 1893 and cutting across the Isthmus of Corinth. The rock
walls rise dramatically 285 feet above the water of the 70 foot wide canal.
The canal connects the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean
Sea.
Nafplion is a seaside town on the Peloponnesian Peninsula and from 1830 to
1834 was the first capital of Greece after overthrowing the Turks.
We arrived and checked into The Ippoliti Hotel, a former 19th century
neoclassical mansion - the suites in this beautifully repurposed building
were lovely with fireplaces and huge jetted tubs - good start for our time
away from the ship.
Upon arriving to this town which was originally built by the Venetians, one
first sees the promenade along the waterfront lined with cafes and views of
the Bourtzi fortress in the harbor. This fortress islet was built in 1473 by
the Venetians to protect the harbor from pirates. In the 1800's this is
where the executioners lived since it was considered bad luck for them to
live in the city.
We spent our time walking along the waterfront, one morning even discovering
the public beach area, hidden behind the city. The picturesque pedestrian
city streets were lined with restaurants and shops, and steep stairways
leading up the hillside.
We strolled through the streets, shopped, watched the people and did our
fair share of dining - the food was wonderful - before saying goodbye to
this lovely town and heading back to the ship. Hope to visit this place
again.
