Waiting for the Ancona Ferry at Patras

Leaving Diakofto we headed to Patras and our first stop was to a laundry.  Two machine loads later, all washed and dried, we parked up by the sea near to the port at Patras.  We are passing time at the moment, wandering around Patras, as we wait for the Cruise Olympia Ferry to take us across to Ancona.  It sets sail tomorrow (Friday) at 17:00 and gets us across to Italy on Saturday at 13:30 – a very long crossing! It’s a large ship though with plenty to do on board and we have booked a cabin, so will be sleeping for most of the journey.  Fingers crossed it's a smooth crossing, as I'm feeling a little sea sick just thinking about it.

Temperatures are dropping rapidly now and there is a covering of snow on the hills, so our winter fridge covers have gone on and our gas heating is working overtime. We can't grumble though, as up until 2 weeks ago we were sunbathing and swimming in the sea.

Snow on the hills of Patras

Patras is Greece’s third largest city, and has a large student population due to its university here.  The streets are vibrant and upmarket and it's all looking very Christmassy.  As we walk around the central streets there is Christmas music blasting out through loud speakers, playing the usual Christmas jingles – most of it in English!

Small Christmas market on the main square with Christmas characters.  Can you spot which one is Mel - ha ha!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas ,,,

Wherever you go in Greece, there is graffiti everywhere - on buildings, trains, walls, in fact anything that stands still long enough!  It appears that the only buildings that are not covered are those that are deemed sacred.  We haven't seen many that could be considered 'art' but we did like this piece drawn on the side of a building. 

Graffiti art in Patras

A steep walk out of the town, up a couple of hundred steps takes you to the medieval Castle of Patras.

The castle sits on the highest spot of the town, built on the site of the ancient Acropolis in the 6^th century BC by the Byzantine emperor.  There is a lot of restoration work that has been carried out but to be honest not a lot to see. Entry was free though and from the top you get a great view across Patras.

Top of Patras Castle

By the look on Mel's face, I would say he has seen enough old castles and ancient Greek ruins to last him a lifetime!

There were a couple of ancient Roman remains - a theatre and stadium that we came across but weren't worthy of a photograph, and in the words of Mel 'more old stones lying on the ground'.
We will be sad to leave the beautiful Peloponnese. We have have spent 52 fantastic days on the Peloponnese and a total of 69 days in Greece and have travelled a distance of 1,637 miles (2,619 kms). Last year we spent nearly 3 weeks in mainland Greece and fell in love with the country but for us the Peloponnese outshines it any day. Below is a map of the route (green Line) we have taken in Greece and the Peloponnese.  It includes our trip last year (blue line) as well, as we didn't get around to buying a new one.

Our route outlined in Green.  Last year's route in blue.

My next chat to you will be from Italy!

Sally x