• Introduction •
• Location •
• Accommodation •
• Courses •
• Excursions •
• Agenda •
• Organic Produce & Meals •
• Elaia S.A. •
• Prices & Contact •
• Newsletter 2011 (dutch) •

Location

Marathea is 10 kilometres from the picturesque harbour of Gytheion, in the middle peninsula of the southern Peloponnese.

The broad, quiet beach lies on a distance of four kilometers of the Marathea farm. Once each day our new bus commutes back and forth between beach and farm. Thus you can daily enjoy sun, sea and sand.

Surroundings
Marathea lies in the southern Peloponnese, in the region of Mani, 45km south of Sparta. Nature here is still unspoiled and invites you for walks and excursions to historical places. Mani lies in the province of Lakonia. It has a varied landscape with rough mountains, forested regions and a splendid coast line with views of the islands Kythira and Elafonissos. The landscape is crisscrossed by old Roman paths and strewn with towers and ruins. Walking between the olive trees, berry bushes and various herbs your senses meet the fragrant country of the Mani. While enjoying the view of the mountains with orchids, butterflies and tortoises you can hear in the silence thevoices of greek locals in the surrounding villages.

The landscape of Lakonia is dominated by two large mountain ranges: the Taygetos and the Parnon. In the plains and valleys between shade and sun there are countless foot paths. They run right across the Taygetos with breathtaking views of land and sea. In the Mycenian period Sparta and Lakonia played an important role in the mythology and history of the Peloponnese. During the classical and Roman period Sparta was one of the most important centres in the whole of Greece. The fame of Sparta spread all over the world. Indeed who doesn't know the name of Sparta? During the Byzantine and crusader era most of the castles in Lakonia were built, which developped into important centres in Greece. The landscape is dominated by the southern embranchments of the Taygetos range. From afar it reminds you of the back of a dinosaur which gradually becomes lower until it finally and irrevocably sinks into the sea. Everywhere on the lower slopes towers and ruins rise from the ground.