Guide to Kardamyli

'To the south is Stoupa - where sub-marine springs pump fresh water into the bay. To the north, the great rift of the Vyros Gorge reaches the sea. And behind are acres of shady olive groves. Walkers and hikers are in their element here.'

Kardamyli is a typically Peloponnesian resort - that mix of history, a sun-splashed beach and the easy tempo of village life. It's seductive to say the least. We'll start with the past – in ancient times, this was one of the seven small towns offered by Agamemnon to Achilles. And then there's Old Kardamyli – its tower houses clustered round an 18th century church and tall bell tower. History aside, you've got a good range of shops and tavernas, and a bakery for fresh bread and pastries. But here's where Kardamyli adds an extra dimension. The great outdoors, Greek-style. The beach is a long pebble strand, stretching out from the north of the resort. And poised between the water's edge and the Taiyetos mountains, the village is the launch pad for hiking the gorgeous Vyros Gorge. Pack your walking boots to hike to the hamlet of Exohori, the single taverna in Tseria, the church and village of Ayia Sofia, and the two monasteries dwarfed by towering cliffs. The tracks and lanes are well mapped for fabulous days of discovery.

Find the cheapest late deals to Kardamyli leaving in the next six weeks.