Lizzie’s Behind-the-Scenes Experience in Mythical Greece: Part Three
- Lizzie G. travels to Greece, shares what happens behind the scenes of a Road Scholar learning adventure and describes why this country, steeped in history, is a perfect fit for our 2026 Campus of the Year.
- Lizzie's travel journal concludes with an exploration of mainland Greece's most historic sites, including a Bronze-Age palace, a Venetian-era fortress, the first Olympic grounds and the Temples of Zeus and Apollo.
- Her route winds from Olympia up into the mountains, spectacularly ascending Mount Parnassus to the legendary sites of Delphi and the enchanting village of Arachova.
Hi there! I’m Lizzie from Road Scholar, and I’ve recently returned from an exploration of Greece — our 2026 Campus of the Year.
In Part Three of this three-part series, I continue to share excerpts from my personal journal to give you a peek behind the scenes of this incredible learning adventure — A Mythical Journey: Stories That Shaped Modern Greece.
And now, it’s time to crack open my journal for leg three, from Kalamata to Olympia and even higher — up Mount Parnassus!
Venetian fortress of Methoni.
Day 9
Today’s field trip starts with a drive up into the mountains of western Messenia. Our first stop is at the famous Mycenean Palace of Nestor — one of the best-preserved palaces of the late Bronze Age. Here we explore the Megaron — the residential quarters of the royal family of Pylos — and discover some more well-known beehive tombs.
Next, we drive to Methoni, which once served as a strategic location on the trade route between Venice and the Levant, to visit one of the most impressive fortresses of the Venetian era. The Venetians demonstrated advanced military engineering to create one of the most effective strongholds in the Eastern Mediterranean, and exploring these ruins — much of them still very much intact — is like walking through a fairytale of crumbling castle walls built on cliffs above the crashing waves of the Ionian. It’s a stupendous landscape that you could meander for hours, getting lost in the past.
We then head into the sweet little coastal town of Pylos for lunch at a harborside restaurant and the chance to walk around and explore the charming port. The plane tree in the middle of the town square was planted in 1880, and locals still sit in its shade playing backgammon. It’s a lovely spot where families gather, and it warms my heart to see the children playing, skipping and laughing with abandon.
This evening was our last sunset along the sea in Kalamata, and we enjoy our final strolls along the coastline promenade as we watch the setting sun cast its pink glow on the terraced cottages along the mountainside.
Pylos tree planted in 1880.
Kalamata promenade along the Ionian.
Day 10
After one final, peaceful, early-morning breakfast watching the waves roll onto shore and several cats sauntering by — cats are everywhere in Greece and well cared for by the locals — we say goodbye to Kalamata and begin the next leg of our adventure. This will be our longest road trip (seven hours in total), but we’re prepared, and we have plenty of magnificent landscapes to feast our eyes upon and delightful stops along the way to look forward to! All of us agree that this drive is totally worth it for what’s to come!
Olympia is our first stop, and we are awestruck just walking up to the place where the very first Olympic Games were held in ancient times. Following in the same footsteps that the athletes (and the crowds) walked to arrive at the Games gave us quite a perspective.
From 776 B.C. and for nearly a millennium, the Olympic games were organized at Olympia every four years. Messengers were sent all around the Greek world declaring a sacred truce so that the athletes could travel to Olympia to compete in the stadium. There are so many surviving relics to explore here, from remnants of ancient gymnasiums to the locker-room-style baths and benches. And then we walk through the entrance into the actual stadium where the athletes competed. We are standing on the same fields where those athletes competed. Priceless! As if this isn’t enough, we are also able to stand at the sanctuary of the Temple of Zeus — one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World!
Entering the original Olympic stadium.
In addition to this stupendous experience, we spend time inside the archaeological Museum of Olympia, which contains famous sculptures of Hermes of Praxiteles and the sculptural decoration of the temple of Zeus. It’s a gorgeous place. Afterwards, we walk to a sweet little village bordering Olympia to enjoy a picturesque outdoor lunch — this program is a feast of local dishes each and every day — before getting back on the road.
This next leg of our drive takes us into central Greece. We leave Peloponnese and again cross the Corinthian Gulf. But this time, instead of traversing the deep canal, we drive across a jaw-dropping and iconic bridge. The Rion-Antirion Bridge — officially known as the Charilass Trikoupis Bridge — connects the Peloponnese peninsula to mainland Greece. This is one of the world’s longest multi-span, cable-stayed bridges and the longest of the fully suspended-type bridges. It crosses the Gulf of Corinth near Patras and sure is a site to see!
Our first stop on the mainland is an authentic Greek bakery where we savor delicious confections before beginning the final leg of our road trip.
Valley of olive groves.
We pass through the picturesque port town of Nafpaktos — once the location of the Ottoman fleet in the famous navy battle of 1571, and begin slowly wending our way up along mountain cliffs towering over the sea. The astounding beauty is indescribable. But as we round some of those bends, we all silently count our lucky stars that we are in the trustworthy hands of our adept driver (thank you, George!). I wouldn’t have the fortitude to make that drive myself — another reason I’m grateful to Road Scholar for taking me to places I would never tackle on my own.
By the time we reach our lodge on the southern slope of Mount Parnassus, it feels like we can reach out and touch the 8,100-foot summit, but we’re actually only around 4,000 feet elevation. This ski lodge is more spectacular than I could ever have imagined, even in my wildest dreams. You see, the Anemolia Domotel Hotel is nestled between some of Greece’s most stupendous mountains, so each room’s balcony offers a breathtaking view. And with the crisp, cool air at this altitude, there are cozy blankets on comfy couches that just beckon you to curl up with a good book or your journal near the fireplace. After a jam-packed 12-hour day of travel and exploration, there’s nothing better than cuddling up and immersing yourself in these panoramic mountain views.
I pinch myself as I take in views as far as the eye can see, with olive trees carpeting the valleys of this magical mountain town called Arachova. I honestly can’t believe I’m here in a place I never would have dreamed I’d see in my lifetime. I have to thank Road Scholar for providing opportunities to visit such off-the-beaten-path, hidden gems that I’d never ever find on my own.
Mountainous Delphi
Day 11
Today we start off by visiting some spectacular exhibits at the archaeological Museum of Delphi, home of the famous Charioteer and sculptures of the treasury of the Siphnians and the Athenians. Then we delve into a lesson about Apollo, the god of divination, who possessed the gift of seeing the future, as we climb the same pathway — the ancient Sacred Way — that many Greeks of ancient times walked on their pilgrimage to receive sought-after prophecies from the oracles. The views from this height on the mountain are stupendous. We explore the many rich archeological treasures and temples that have withstood the test of time (and many earthquakes!). Even for those who aren’t up to making the steeper rocky climb all the way to the top of this ancient path, there’s plenty to see and experience even by just venturing a short way. It’s simply unforgettable.
After another delicious local lunch, we have a chance to stroll through the charming mountain town of Delphi, etched into the side of the mountain. Every cafe has a patio with jaw-dropping views from the cliffs all the way down to the sea.
Delphi Archaeological Museum
But the highest town on the mountain, Arachova, is even more spectacular. We head there before dinner to explore the town and its breathtaking architecture. These two small but magical mountain towns are nothing short of fantastical. The charming streets have you feeling like a princess in a castle high above the clouds, looking down over the world far below! Although I’m doing my best to paint a picture for you, the views are almost too glorious to explain! We end the evening with by enjoying a local meal at one last incredible restaurant in town, knowing that tomorrow our journey will be coming to an end.
Welcome sign to Arachova.
Day 12
Before we head back down the mountain back to Athens, we have one more, well, heavenly experience in store. On our way out of Arachova, we stop at their enormous “hashtag” sign (think of the Hollywood sign in California) to take a group photo with the backdrop of the village etched into the mountainside.
Then, it’s off to a monastery high up on this mountain. But it’s not just any monastery. It’s the most blessedly beautiful Monastery of Hosios Loukas in the tiny town of Distomo, a Byzantine monastery from the 11th century that was saved from a wildfire that destroyed everything around it. The church itself is a very important piece of Byzantine architecture, which is why this hallowed ground has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The mosaics and frescoes on the ceiling are mesmerizing, the views from this mountain spot are exceptional and there are a couple of little shops selling local homemade goods to help support the monastery (the nut and honey bars are yummy!), so taking home a small memento feels justifiable. What a wonderful way to bid farewell to Greece.
We ended the evening at another hotel in Athens, where our farewell dinner is held. We all say our goodbyes and toast our amazing group leader, Sophia.
Arachova mountain town steep steps.
UNESCO Monastery of Hosios Loukas.
Day 13
It’s time to fly home. Until next time, Greece! You’ll forever be in my heart.
Closing Thoughts
I’m hard-pressed to say you’d ever get more for your time and money than the unique, curated opportunities of learning and discovery found on this particular program. And keeping a written (and photo) journal was the best gift I could have given myself. Looking back, I realize that the experiences I was able to capture has allowed me to relive each and every moment — especially some of the smaller moments that I would have forgotten otherwise that ended up making this experience even more special. I didn’t even know I wanted to visit the Peloponnese peninsula and mainland Greece, and now it’s a country forever in my heart.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my love letter to our 2026 Campus of the Year. Here’s to enjoying the experiences as much as I have.
In case you missed them, here are Part One and Part Two of this three-part series. I sure hope you’ll explore all of the incredible learning adventures programs that Road Scholar’s 2026 Campus of the Year has to offer!
