Train tours

[Maik]

Visitors to Greece will as of next year be able to book train tour packages covering prime tourist destinations of the country, according to Greek daily Kathimerini.

The tours...  will include three primary destinations: the Peloponnese, southern Greece, Pelion in central Greece, and Kalavryta, western Greece.

Of particular interest is the tour along the historic gauge rack Diakofto–Kalavryta railway. It runs a 22km route from the village of Zachlorou to Kalavryta with a steam engine named “Moutzouris”, dating back to 1860, currently undergoing maintenance and expected to be running next month.

http://news.gtp.gr/2014/11/11/train-tour-packages-next-big-thing-greek-travel/


Rog organised a great day trip to Kalavryta a few years back - spectacular rail ride, well worth the visit.

[TonyKath]

Does the train still run to Sparta and Kalamata or did the line get the chop a couple of years back?  The decription in Kevin Andrews' journey in the early 50's in The Flight of
Ikaros is amazing.

Tony

[Maik]

Not sure, Tony. Last time I was in Kalamata was quite a few years back, station was still there but, if I recall, had been moved from the dock area to a little further back along the line. Seem to think the line got the Beeching treatment a few years back, here's a quote from Wikipedia:

Kalamata is served by a metre gauge railway line of the former Piraeus, Athens and Peloponnese Railways, now owned by the Hellenic Railways Organisation (OSE). There is a station and a small freight yard in the city, as well as a rolling stock maintenance depot to the north. There used to be a mainline train service to Kyparissia, Pyrgos and Patras, and a suburban service to Messini and the General Hospital. However in December 2010 all train services from Kalamata, along with those in the rest of the Peloponnese south of Corinth, were discontinued on economic grounds, and the train station is now closed. A previously disused extension line to the port is now a Railway Park, with old steam engines on display and a cafe in the old station building.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalamata#Transportation

[Colleywobble]

Some years ago we went on a day trip when staying on the Pelion on a beautiful old steam train. It was only a short journey but the scenery was spectacular as the Pelion is very steep and the journey clung to the mountainside. I think it had originally been used way back to bring quarried materials to Volos but this version used renovated beautiful old coaches in special woods and brass finishes .A day to remember! To anyone who has never been to Pelion its a lovely area and even boasts Skiing in Winter. Also not too far to travel to Meteora, another must do. Totally unspoiled and beautiful scenery, almost Alpine villages rich in every kind of fruit tree especially cherry and plums. In Autumn it is wonderful for the colour of the trees especially the Chestnut and Walnut trees. Beautiful  beaches on the Aegean side ,one was used in the filming of Mama Mia.

[TonyKath]

That seems pretty much like the chop to me, Maik. Shame.

Pelion sounds triffic, Colley.  Every now and then I have a think about going more off the standard tourist trail in Greece. 

We do "city breaks" occasionally.  It wouldn't be so easy with Greece given that flights would only really be possible to Athens not travelling on a package - although Monarch are moveing to scheduled only fllights next year.  Preveza would be good giving access to Yannina and Zagora.  Anyone got any suggestions for short breaks, (not beach) in Greece??  How easy would it be planning bus transport in advance or would it be better to hire a car. 

Tony

Tony

[Maik]

If you're in to Greek history and culture then an Athens city break might be highly enjoyable.

Or take the train to Kef!!

Made famous by the book and film Captain Corelli's Mandolin, it's easy to reach Kefalonia all the way from London in less than 48 hours, without flying.

http://www.seat61.com/Greece.htm#Kefalonia

Or you could maybe hop off a ferry at Igoumenitsa and hire a car for your stay in Zagori.

[Colleywobble]

We flew at that time to Volos and then by taxi to our resort St George ,a mountain village. It was with Tapestry who unfortunately went into admin. They did two centre  holidays .One week in Kefalonia one in Pelion. We stayed in a Renovated Merchants house which was out of this world. I had to lay on the floor in the main salon to photo the beautiful ceiling. It wasn't outrageous price and did include a hire car but it was a view of the totally unspoiled Greece. The lady in the local shop kept her large sheep in it overnight and on the shelves were items from decades back. Some bandages in brown paper wrapping and marked with a red cross looked like field dressings from the first ww. Locals rode donkeys and the old didn't know what to do when confronted in the road walking blithely along if they met a lorry or a car. They had been awarded EU funding to do up the roads and National Heritage funding to renovate local village houses as the style of building was very unusual ,not at all like Greek houses mostly made of wood with intricate carving and very unusual kind of shutters. I do hope that they havn't  spoiled it as it was such a lovely unspoiled area and very quiet and scenic.

[TonyKath]

Sounds great Colleywobble.  Was the sheep in residence when you were there?   

Tony

[Jolly Roger]

We went to Volos and the Pelion Peninsular a few years back. Unfortunately, being out of season, the railway was closed. But here is a picture of the railway, minus trains.



As Collywobble suggests, it is a very picturesque area and when we were there the trees were a golden colour, just like a UK autumn.
Makrinitsa is a particularly beautiful and interesting village perched on the hillside.



I was particularly disappointed not to have traveled the Peloponnese railways before they closed. There was a rumour that the Germans were going to buy it and re-open it, but apart from a section either side of Patras, it has fallen into decay.
As Maik says, the Diakofto to Kalavrita railway is a delight and highly recommended.

[Jolly Roger]

Visitors to Greece will as of next year be able to book train tour packages covering prime tourist destinations of the country, according to Greek daily Kathimerini.

The tours...  will include three primary destinations: the Peloponnese, southern Greece, Pelion in central Greece, and Kalavryta, western Greece.

Of particular interest is the tour along the historic gauge rack Diakofto–Kalavryta railway. It runs a 22km route from the village of Zachlorou to Kalavryta with a steam engine named “Moutzouris”, dating back to 1860, currently undergoing maintenance and expected to be running next month.

http://news.gtp.gr/2014/11/11/train-tour-packages-next-big-thing-greek-travel/


Rog organised a great day trip to Kalavryta



An earlier form of motive power at Kalavryta