Andritsena - Epikouros Apollon Temple

We are for the third day to Amaliada and we decide to visit Andritsena. The weather is splendid although where there is no sun it’s freezing. In fact, this is a problem that you can easily solve with the right equipment.
We thought to follow the road from Krestena to reach our destination, while in our way back, in the afternoon, we will pass from ancient Olympia. The route had everything…from national road……to dirt road. But let’s start from the beginning.
We woke up pretty early in the morning and without any delay we took the national road Patra – Pirgos. Shortly after, we turned left in the road to Krestena. The drive was exquisite, at the beginning through the woods which are full with pines and after, as the altimation was higher, through planes and firs. The road was narrow with curves. Our speed didn’t outrace 60 – 70 km/h. In our drive we met a beautiful village, called Kalithea, from which you can enjoy the view of the greater area.
After 47 km from crossroad of Krestena, we arrived at Andritesna. It’s about a beautiful and picturesque village. It reminds a lot of traditional villages Dimitsana and Stemnitsa. At Andritsena’s square we drunk our morning coffee and enjoyed the astonishing view. If happens to be in Andritsena at lunch time, you can taste of traditional food in one of many taverns that are there.
If you visit Andritsena you mustn’t forget to visit also Apollo’s temple, which is about 14 km away from the village. The temple has very good conservation; it’s the best in Peloponnesus and one of the best in Greece. The temple is under a special label in order to be protected from weather conditions. And we must say that the drive from the village up to the temple is very good.
After admiring the temple, we decided to return back home, so we left behind us Apollo’s temple and Andritsena and we took the road to Sekoula and Ancient Olympia. Until village Sekoula, the road was very narrow with too many curves that made us keep our maximum limit at 50 km/h. After Sekoula and having past the bridge of river Alfios, we found in front of us a crossroad. To the right it led to Dimitsana and to the left to Olympia and Pirgos. Our only choice was to turn left otherwise we would have taken the road from which we arrived here.
So, we decided to take the road to Olympia but after having done about 200 meters we stood in front of a surprise. The road was destroyed…it had no asphalt…so it was road only for dirt bikes! Sakis went crazy! Once again the Honda CBR had to become dirt bike. Fortunately the dirt road – with too many rocks – was only for 1300 m.
After having passed the villages Saint Ioannis, Liotis, Liodora, we arrived at the bridge of river Ladona and at the crossroad to Olympia – Tripoli. We turned left and followed the road to Olympia.
The route was really beautiful!! It was like a reward for what we have been through before. Although it was a road with many curves, we could move quickly through luxuriant vegetation and exceptional landscapes. In our way we met river Erimanthos which is confluent with Alfios. There, at the bridge, we stopped to rest and admire the landscape.
Our last stop was at the ancient Olympia. Unfortunately we were so tired that we couldn’t visit the exquisite museum but we promised to visit it in our next trip. The only thing we saw was the ancient stadium which was at the focal point –due to the Olympic games – few months ago!