DAY ONE – ATHENS ARRIVAL
The first day will be dedicated to guest arrivals at the four-star design hotel Periscope.
We will wait for you to check in and as soon as the group has gathered we will then enjoy a drink accompanied by stunning views of the Acropolis and Lycabettus on the hotel’s private rooftop bar. By the end of the evening, you will know all details concerning our Mani photography workshop trip. A delicious dinner will bring our day to a close.
DAY TWO – GETTING TO MANI
Rise and shine! It’s an early start today as we head off to Mani. The trip will be around 4 hours long and our final destination is Mani’s foremost history hotel, Kyrimai at the enchanting bay of Gerolimenas; where we will stay for the duration of our photography workshop in Mani. It’s a comfortable journey so once we arrive we can have a little rest at our hotel and have our first shots at the natural port with the charming stone-built houses reflecting in the calm blue waters. Later, after our dinner at one of the quaint taverns in the surrounding area, we will have our first meeting with the Greece Photo Workshop photographer/supervisor where we get the chance to discuss our aims, objectives and individual needs.
DAY THREE – A TRIP TO ANOTHER…WORLD!
An early start for a brilliant day! Armed with our cameras, we will head south. As far south as we can go in fact! Tenaro is the southernmost point of the Peloponnese and of the Balkan peninsula. An area veiled in mystery as the locals still support that it is from here that Hades, god of the underworld, would take people over to the next world. A once in a lifetime opportunity for landscape photography! The impressive stone-built towers of the village of Vathia, built on the hill looking towards the sea in fear of pirates are a photographer’s dream photo.
After our lunch, we go back to have some rest and it’s time to review our first f day.
DAYS FOUR AND FIVE – LACONIAN AND MESSINIAN MANI: BALANCING BETWEEN MYTHOLOGY AND HISTORY
Days four and five will be divided between Laconian and Messinian Mani. We will let our cameras do the talking as the photography workshop goes from village to village. Walking through the picturesque narrow roads, with the traditional stone-built houses and the small churches that go back as far as the 10th century, the opportunities for architectural photography are vast. In Messinian Mani, we will visit Riglia, Platsa, Thalames as well as the small fishing villages of Trachila, Agios Dimitrios, Agios Nikolaos and Stoupa. The Ancient Greek, Roman and Byzantine influence can be seen almost everywhere. In Lagkada lies a magnificent monastery with significant national historical value. In the small fishing village of Trachila the three-level cave provides a real photography extravaganza. Agios Dimitrios also boasts of having the biggest cave in Greece and it is said that it is from this small fishing village that Helen of Troy was taken by the Trojans. Finding inspiration for our photography workshop in a place where mythology walks hand in hand with history will not prove a difficult task. After all, it is not a coincidence that it was by the remarkable sandy beaches of Stoupa, at the shore of Kalogria, that Nikos Kazantzakis was inspired to create the immortal character Alexis Zorbas (Zorba the Greek).
Crossing to Laconian Mani we will find ourselves in the historic area of Oitylo – Karavostasi. Oitylo has been inhabited since Homeric times, and its traditional architecture is truly an experience to photograph. It is in Oitylo that the historical Medici family originated from. The beautiful village of Areopoli, with its narrow streets and truly remarkable churches, bustles with life. Areopoli played a significant part in the Greek Revolution. As we head down to the small gulf of Limeni our cameras are clicking away at the absolutely astounding view.
After all of this, you must be hungry! Don’t worry our afternoons/evenings will be accompanied by the delicious and aromatic Mani local cuisine, local wine and relaxing atmosphere coupled with a review of each day.
DAY SIX – KARDAMILI: MANI’S WELL KEPT SECRET
Today the day will be dedicated to the enchanting Kardamili.
Kardamili – first mentioned by the ancient Greek poet Homer – was the main port for the ancient city of Sparta. As you walk through fruit orchards and olive groves, from modern to old Kardamili, its long history flashes before your eyes. The temptation to capture the moment will be irresistible; the fortified tower houses provide a timeless architectural backdrop for our lenses as they gather around an 18th-century church. This magical seaside village, with its turquoise waters, found at the feet of the majestic Taygetos mountains, is also one of the best-preserved ecological areas in Greece. A photographer’s feast! Before dinner, and if time allows, we may also venture to a nearby village.
DAY SEVEN – THE “FAIR EYES” OF KALAMATA
Our last day in Mani and time to do something different! Kalamata, the town with the “fair eyes” (Kala Matia) is one of the most beautiful suburban towns in Greece and capital to the district of Messinia. It has a rich history and between the Castle area and the old town, we will get the chance to practice our street photography as we wander through its bustling with life picturesque streets. Mingling with the locals also means an opportunity for portrait photography, and there will certainly be some interesting faces to capture! Kalamata, of course, is well known for its olives and olive oil, so as we photograph we will not forget to stop, taste and buy, some of the exquisite local products.
After a rewarding lunch, we are ready to go back to Athens. Upon our arrival at Periscope in Athens and after a short rest we get ready for our last dinner together. We eat, talk and wish that we meet again soon at another Greece Photo Workshops photography trip!
DAY EIGHT – DEPARTURE FROM ATHENS
The day is all yours! Don ’t forget to check out! We wish you a pleasant journey and hope to see you soon!