By Catherine Tsounis
Taking a bus tour offers visitors a glimpse of the real Greece. On a previous summer tour with Kapogiannis Travel, guided by Kostula Kapogianni, we explored the southeastern coast of Laconia in the Peloponnese, heading toward the port of Pounta. The members of our local group were warm and welcoming to visitors from the United States—helpful, kind, and eager to share their region.
The Evrotas River had dried up, revealing the rugged beauty of the landscape. We saw the Taygetus Mountains of Laconia, the highest in the Peloponnese, rising in the distance. Along the coastal road, a Byzantine church among cypress trees, vineyards and traditional Greek homes were viewed.
We passed through a modern village with clean streets, free of graffiti or homelessness. A storefront displayed a sign promoting an educational program for the care of dogs. Beautiful gardens filled with flowering bushes lined the way. Our bus road took us through the towns of Agios Georgios, Megali Spilia, Viglafia, and Elika. As we approached the port of Pounta, the blue sea appeared before us—an enjoyable ride that revealed the serene coastal charm of Laconia.
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