Patra - mountain railway - Mega Spileo Monastery - Lutraki

The most interesting local entertainment is the historical railway from Diakopto village to Kalavrita in the mountains. The train runs through mountains of incredible beauty, in some places on the edge of the abyss. From the windows you can see picturesque gorges and cliffs, mountain streams and waterfalls. The height reaches 750 m above sea level. The train is called odondotO because it clings to the teeth on the rails to overcome steep slopes. Since you travel by car, you can take a train ride in this way: Option 1 All of you take the first train to Diakopto together, it is currently at 09.05 am. In about an hour you will be in the picturesque mountainous Calavrita. About 2 hours to explore the city and at 12.40 you go back to Diakopto. Plus, you'll see the mountain beauties together, minus not going to the Mega Spileo monastery. You can read somewhere that there is a train stop near the monastery, at the station Zahlooru, but in reality it takes about an hour one way to get to the monastery. Option 2 Passengers take the train to Kalavrita and enjoy the views from the train, while the driver takes the car to Kalavrita. In Calavrita, you meet, walk, and drive back together with the monastery stop. Option 3 No one rides the train, and you drive all the way to and from the monastery together. Make sure you check the schedule on the website Odondotos. The price of the ticket is about € 10 one way.

If you don't take the train, you can get to the monastery Mega Spileo (or Great Cave) by 10 am. It was founded in the 4th century and is the second oldest operating Christian monastery in the world (after the Monastery of St. Catherine on the Sinai Peninsula). The monastery houses a unique wax icon of the Virgin Mary by the Evangelist Luke, who miraculously survived several fires. In addition, the relics of many saints are collected here, and if you are lucky you can enter the vault. In the monastery museum you can see a small but very rich collection of books, icons and church utensils. In the monastery shop nearby you can buy its products: honey, jams, wine, herbs and stunningly delicious walnut turquoise.

You leave the Peloponnese, cross the Korif Canal again and enter the resort town of Loutraki. Loutraki, although administratively part of the Corinthian region of the Peloponnese, is no longer in the peninsula. Since ancient times the town has been known for its healing mineral springs. Drinking water flows in Loutraki literally everywhere - in the waterfall, in the springs in the park, and even from all water taps. The spring in the central park with the inscription "Iamatikon" is used as therapeutic. Loutraki water is indicated for diseases of the urinary system, liver, gallbladder, obesity, hypertension and diabetes. You are unlikely to feel the effect at one time, but still try it, maybe you decide to come to Loutraki for a longer time.

Have lunch at one of the taverns on the Loutraki quay and go sightseeing.

Photo stop by a local waterfall, small but cute. You can also visit it in the evening, when the waterfall is illuminated.

In the Geranium Mountains above the town of Loutraki, there are several monasteries. The most famous of them is the convent of Blessed Patapios. On the territory of the monastery there is a cave with the miraculous relics of the saint. From above there is a stunning view of the Corinthian Gulf and Loutraki. Keep in mind that there are almost 150 steps from the parking lot to the monastery.

A lovely blue lagoon 2 km long and 1 km wide surrounded by mountains. The lake is connected to the sea by a canal about 6 meters wide. Water is renewed by the tide every six hours and mixed with water from the thermal springs at the bottom. There is practically no wind. The water is purest and much warmer than in the city itself. The beach is sandy, the entrance is gentle. There are several taverns and cafes.

Loutraki is only 80 km from Athens Airport, so it is convenient to spend the night before your flight. Club Hotel Casino Loutraki is one of the largest casinos in Europe. The hotel also has a spa centre with an indoor swimming pool with mineral water, jacuzzi, sauna, hammam. The hotel is located by the sea, but not quite in the centre of Loutraki. Hotels in the centre of Loutraki are all small, category 2-3 stars. Choice is up to you.