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Kardamyli is the centre of our trip where we will be staying for ten nights in the Vardia Hotel.  There will be a mixture of workshops, knit activities, sightseeing, meeting people, delicious traditional food, music, fun, relaxation, and of course, the legendary warm Greek hospitality.

snaps from our research trip

Kardamyli is a beautiful unspoilt village with a beach of azure crystal clear waters, surrounded by ancient olive groves. It enjoys the most stunning sunsets over the Messenian Gulf.  In the distance the lower slopes of snow-capped mountains carpeted in spring flowers stretch down into the wild Mani. The village benefits from many excellent restaurants, traditional cafes, independent boutiques, and local shops.  No chain stores here!  It is a great centre for hiking with many local trails.

Vardia Hotel is considered to be one of the best in the Mani.  Each room has its own individual shaded stone terrace enjoying fantastic panoramic views over the mountains and sea.  All accommodation has ensuite bathrooms.  Rooms are either studios (one room) or apartments (separate bedroom and sitting room). Breakfasts and some lunches (on workshop days) will be at the hotel.  Dinners will be at local restaurants in Kardamyli or elsewhere on the day excursions.

Butterfly on valerian	One of the local cat population	Mermaid in Koroni taverna

PROGRAMME
The itinerary is provisional and we shall be adding more detail in due course. We are delighted to  welcome Carol Meldrum as our guest designer.  Carol is well-known for her knitted iconic figures and we are hoping she will show you how to knit your own Greek God or Goddess!

We plan to include some traditional Greek music and dance, and visits to local artisans and an olive oil factory/museum. We shall alternate days staying in Kardamyli with day excursions to various not-to-be-missed places. We shall be accompanied by an expert guide John Chapman on our days out who will introduce you to many aspects of the culture, history and ways of life, past and present, in Mani.

Day 1
		We will meet you late morning at Kalamata Airport off the Easyjet flight from London Gatwick Lunch at a local taverna we know well in Verga Arrive in Kardamyli late afternoon and settle into Vardia Hotel Drinks reception, followed by pre-dinner talk on Life in Mani Dinner in local taverna
Day 2
		Morning knit workshop with Jean: Twists & Turns: traditional Greek key patterns Afternoon free  Short walking tour of Kardamyli old town before delicious dinner in one of the local restaurants
Day 3
		Day excursion to Ancient Messene. Set amongst tranquil olives, with a majestic ampitheatre, temples, fountains and walls, it is one of the best preserved classical cities in Greece Lunch at Ithomi taverna with panoramic views over the ancient site Afternoon free with independent dining  in Kardamyli
Day 4
		In the morning Jean’s second workshop: Empty Circles: using holes to decorate your knitting Show and Share after lunch Rest of the day free with independent dining in Kardamyli
Day 5
		Visit Kalamata on market day.  Enjoy the buzz of the city, check out the yarn shops, visit the wonderful museums or just watch the world go by from your café table In the evening we shall have traditional music and dance with dinner in the village of Thalames
Day 6
		Stitch & Bitch over morning coffee with the locals in seaside Stoupa Lunch at Voula's taverna renowned for her traditional Maniot cooking.  She will also demonstrate traditional bread-making, olive oil soap making and silk growing Afternoon workshop with Carol Meldrum: Alpha, Beta, Zeta - Intarsia monogram bag Dinner in a Kardamyli restaurant
Day 7
		Day excursion to Mystras  After a coffee stop high in the spectacular Taigetos mountains, we shall explore the medieval streets, palaces, monasteries and churches of what was once the cultural centre of Byzantium. Rare frescoes, dramatic setting and totally compelling Lunch in Mystras village A quick stop at the Olive museum in Sparta and then the scenic route back to Kardamyli via the port of Gythion where you will be able to dine in one of its famous fish tavernas
Day 8
		Carol’s second workshop:  Floral Fancy – Fair Isle gadget case Afternoon free. This is the weekend of the annual Kardamyli Jazz Festival so there will be lot of music to enjo around the village if you fancy that Knittng clinic before dinner in the village
Day 9
		Day out into Deep Mani A boat trip round the amazing Pirgos Caves Lunch in sleepy port of Geroleminas Then the fortified tower houses of Vatheia, its inhabitants renowned for vendettas and piracy, and the wild rugged mountain landscape is truly awe-inspiring and unforgettable
Day 10
		Day excursion to the charming town of Koroni with its picturesque Venetian castle and tranquil convent   Lunch on the harbour Knit Review in early evening before our last dinner in Kardamyli taverna with traditional music
Day 11
		Morning free After lunch the coach will leave for Kalamata, where we will have an early farewell dinner in the Marina. After dinner the coach will take you on to the airport for your evening flight back to London Gatwick

Check out our tours with previous clients on

PRICE
GBP2095 (USD3665) per person in twin or double studio room
Apartment (with separate sitting room) supplement GBP100 (USD175) per person
Single occupancy supplement GBP250 (USD440)
Deposit
GBP500 (USD875) payable on registration, with the balance to be paid 60 days before departure
5% discount for non-knitters
Price includes
*Accommodation in twin or double rooms
*All breakfasts, six lunches, nine dinners
*Workshop tuition
*Admission to places on itinerary
*Coach travel
*Guides

If you are a single traveller happy to share a twin room we will be able to match you up with a room mate.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

GETTING THERE 
There are convenient flights by EasyJet from the UK to Kalamata.  We recommend that people travelling from North America should fly via London.  If you fancy a few days in Athens or elsewhere in Greece before the tour we can arrange to pick you up at Athens airport.  There will be a supplementary charge for this: please ask.

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Knitting in Mani	Mani fresco	Kardamyli taverna