Peloponnese tailor made tour including the Mani Peninsula

Environment

We depend on the sustainable natural beauty of the sites we visit which are an integral part of the experience for visitors. Our policy over the last 5 years in visiting these sites has been to highlight the nature of these special areas & this is something that is built into the normal commentary of our trips.

Both Nafpio & Monemvasia are set in coastal locations with rich ecosystems to explore & the guesthouses we stay at in both places have clean energy policies in place using recycling, solar water heating and participate in local programs on efficient waste management. These areas in the Peloponnese have a number of locally produced organic products such as the many varieties of olive & olive oils with related wood crafts & regional wines which are sold at local markets, & in both city tours we highlight these products to inform our guests on sustainable options for gifts & purchases they may decide to make.

In reducing our environmental footprint all vehicle transport is halted after reaching each location with walking tours of each city, and in the case of Monemvasia roads do not exist inside the city walls.

Community

Our focus is on the provision of an ‘Authentic experience’ which is rooted in ‘real Greece’ with all the best that has to offer. Our small tourism approach means we work more closely with local people in support of the community. We employ local tour drivers who speak excellent English and is employed over 12 months & not seasonally enabling him to have more permanency with family.

We work also only with family businesses in Nafpio & Monemvasia including all hotels which are small renovated guesthouses of traditional architecture. The restraints we recommend are also family run and supplied in the case of fish restraints, by small local fishermen catching with line and not net or other invasive non-sustainable methods. Similarly, they are supplied with agricultural produce produced by small scale local farmers typically using very limited machinery and automation.

An important aspect of the local economies in these areas are the hand craft based cottage industries in the categories of textiles, woodcraft & specialist foods. These will be found easily in the old town areas on our walking routes and are directly supported by foreign tourism which is essential in keeping many of these traditional crafts alive.