We wanted to see the southern part of Pelio, so we paid our bill and set off, calling in for supplies at the village of Kala Nera (Good Water?) just south of the campsite. The journey down was very pleasant with the hillsides and coast covered with olive groves. Looking at the thousands and thousands of olive trees and the sparse population, it difficult to understand how they harvest the crop.
The slopes of Mount Pelion, after which the peninsular is named, diminished as we travelled south and the landscape became more rounded. Just beyond Milina we passed a large very pretty bay with a large island across the entrance. Here was Camping Olizon, one of the campsites that we identified as possible stopping places. It looked very pleasant but we decided to move on to investigate more of Pelio. We drove through Trikeri and on to its port, Agia Kiriaki where we parked in a large car park above the bay looking down on the village. There were excellent views to the west where the mainland curls round forming the Pagasitic Gulf with Volos at its head in the north. To the south, Greece's second largest island, Evia, is very close. After having lunch looking at this view we retraced our steps north and then turned east to Plantania. This was a pretty village and the campsite was pleasant but, despite the fact that ACSI had it listed as opening on 1st June, it was closed and the gates padlocked. There was one more campsite further east shown as opening on 1st May, so we headed for that. The road down to Kastri Beach was narrow and the overhanging olive trees brushed the roof and sides of the van as we wound our way down. The gate of the site was open but there was no sign of activity. A faded handwritten sign told to us to enquire at the taverna, which we did and were directed to another building. Here they explained that they had only opened that day and that the site wasn't completely ready. We found another British campervan, the only other customers, and parked in a shady pitch not far from them. Brian and Sue had arrived a few days earlier and were told that the site was closed but they could stay if they wanted. Apparently the site had been quite busy over the weekend with Greek visitors, despite the fact that it was closed. Brian noted that they didn't seem to be doing much work to prepare the site for opening. There was no hot water and the toilets had not been cleaned – 'basic' is the best way to describe the facilities but at least we had electricity. We took a walk to investigate the area but it consisted only of a good beach, small hotel, small taverna and two houses – not a lot to keep us for more than one night.
We invited Brian and Sue over for a drink, moving swiftly into the van when we started to be eaten alive by mosquitoes. We had a very pleasant evening and Brian gave us a map of Romania after hearing that we intended to go there later. They had driven through there earlier in the year and had decided that they were unlikely to return.
Photos: A small bay on the way down to Milina; The beach at Kastri.
The slopes of Mount Pelion, after which the peninsular is named, diminished as we travelled south and the landscape became more rounded. Just beyond Milina we passed a large very pretty bay with a large island across the entrance. Here was Camping Olizon, one of the campsites that we identified as possible stopping places. It looked very pleasant but we decided to move on to investigate more of Pelio. We drove through Trikeri and on to its port, Agia Kiriaki where we parked in a large car park above the bay looking down on the village. There were excellent views to the west where the mainland curls round forming the Pagasitic Gulf with Volos at its head in the north. To the south, Greece's second largest island, Evia, is very close. After having lunch looking at this view we retraced our steps north and then turned east to Plantania. This was a pretty village and the campsite was pleasant but, despite the fact that ACSI had it listed as opening on 1st June, it was closed and the gates padlocked. There was one more campsite further east shown as opening on 1st May, so we headed for that. The road down to Kastri Beach was narrow and the overhanging olive trees brushed the roof and sides of the van as we wound our way down. The gate of the site was open but there was no sign of activity. A faded handwritten sign told to us to enquire at the taverna, which we did and were directed to another building. Here they explained that they had only opened that day and that the site wasn't completely ready. We found another British campervan, the only other customers, and parked in a shady pitch not far from them. Brian and Sue had arrived a few days earlier and were told that the site was closed but they could stay if they wanted. Apparently the site had been quite busy over the weekend with Greek visitors, despite the fact that it was closed. Brian noted that they didn't seem to be doing much work to prepare the site for opening. There was no hot water and the toilets had not been cleaned – 'basic' is the best way to describe the facilities but at least we had electricity. We took a walk to investigate the area but it consisted only of a good beach, small hotel, small taverna and two houses – not a lot to keep us for more than one night.
We invited Brian and Sue over for a drink, moving swiftly into the van when we started to be eaten alive by mosquitoes. We had a very pleasant evening and Brian gave us a map of Romania after hearing that we intended to go there later. They had driven through there earlier in the year and had decided that they were unlikely to return.
Photos: A small bay on the way down to Milina; The beach at Kastri.
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