The Mani region and the Diros Caves

For those of you who have some extra time in Greece, I recommend renting a car and driving through the southern most tip of the Peloponnessos called "Mani".

"The Mani is no longer quite the remote region that it once was, far away from Athens at the very southern tip of mainland Greece, and visitors have been quick to pick up on its rugged charms. To drive around the peninsula is to discover another very distinctive part of Greece, where tall, tower houses reach into the skies. These fortified houses were built to protect the families because of the feuds that went on in this wild west of a place for centuries. But don’t worry – they’ve calmed down a bit these days." - Taken from "Great Drives in Greece"

One of the highlights in this region are the Diros Caves (which are about an hour drive from Gythio).

"Located at the top of the Mani between the town of Pirgos Dirou and Areopolis the entrance is a few meters above the sea and a beautiful stone beach. When you arrive at the Caves you buy your 15 euro ticket at the booth and continue driving to the parking lot just outside the entrance. Try to get here early especially in the summer. When you enter the cave you will walk down a stairway to an underground lake where there are boats waiting. You are given a life-vest and then each boat gets a guide who uses poles to journey through the caverns and tunnels, which are eerily lit and adorned with stalactites and stalagmites, many with interesting names. You will pass through some sections just wide enough to allow your boat, where you have to duck your head and then enter into an enormous subterranean room where you can hear the voices of people on other boats in the distance. The air is a comfortable seventy degrees at any time of the year (so bring a sweater or light jacket if you tend to get cold)." - Matt Barrett's blog (He's very enthusiastic about the Diros Caves)

In "deep Mani"(interactive map link) you will see the arid, rugged landscape of its reputation. The deserted village, Vathia, is where the famous tower houses remain standing.
This part of Greece was never completely occupied by the Ottoman Empire and the families (clans) that built these houses had a reputation of being tough like the landscape. You can read more about the whole region of Mani and check-out interactive maps at John Chapman's site, "Mani: A Guide and History".
*I would recommend staying at Gythio as a base and exploring the region from there by rental car. There are lots of quiet beaches you can discover following the coast of Mani and great seafood!

MAY 6-Time Change!

So, I got a little too excited when I designed the invites for the Engagement Luncheon on May 6th and put the time at 11 AM. In retrospect, I realize this is a bit too early for most Sunday-morning-sleeper-ins (like myself) so we are going to push back the time to 12 PM (noon). Sorry for the confusion but I'm sure most people will appreciate the extra hour of sleep, right?
Can't Wait!

AND, please if you haven't sent in your RSVP please do that as soon as you can, thank you!

for the birds...

If there are any budding ornithologists out there, you may want to check out one of these Birdwatching Tours while in Greece. Who knew there are over 400 official Greek species! Just think, you could make your own "Winged Migration"!

Know your Traveler's Rights!

Taken from DailyCandy:

Go to airport. Check in. Discover flight has been canceled. (Canceled?)
Notice lines have tripled and agents have disappeared. Wonder how you’ll make it to bro’s wedding tomorrow.
Throw tantrum. Fake seizure. Down three-ounce liquor bottle in carry-on. (Crap. It’s shampoo.)
Then, as everyone else calls unavailable travel agencies, remember to declare Rule 240 — a nifty and little-known airline ordinance that spells out passengers’ rights in the event of delays, cancellations, missed connections, and other issues “within the control” of the airline.
Suddenly, you’re en route to Fresno.

Here’s the deal: If flight troubles are due to mechanical difficulties or airline incompetence, and another airline can get you to your destination sooner, the original airline is obligated to transfer you. No, this doesn’t include weather delays. But once the sky clears, the airline should book you on the next flight. All the big legacy carriers have a Rule 240 provision, but some low-fare flyers do not (like JetBlue, though we love their Bill of Rights).

And though it’s pretty dorky, you should carry a copy of the airline’s 240 rules. It’ll come in handy when employees don’t know — or don’t tell — about the policy. (You snooze, you lose.)
Unless, of course, you’d rather spend the night on the chairs at gate 115.

For more info and links to airline policies, go to mytravelrights.com.