My daughter and I recently spent a week at the “Stone Retreat” in Vrousti. It is a wonderful place for those seeking peace and a glimpse of Greek village life. Chris, Rosa, and their daughter greeted us with a delicious assortment of local fruits and vegetables, olive oil, bread, eggs, and cheese. A trip to the market in Argos allowed us to gather what other food we needed.
The owner’s personal touch is seen everywhere at the Stone Retreat – carefully stacked stones make up the house and garden walls, beautiful curtains and wall art woven by Rosa adorn the walls and windows, the house is both tastefully decorated and quite functional. The house is a great retreat for a nap, but if you come in the summer as we did, the outside garden terraces will quickly become a favorite. The terraces were filled with the scent of lavender and there were figs, apples, and herbs to pick. This outdoor “room” has a great view of the valley spread before you. We awoke to the sound of goats’ bells, the crowing of roosters, and the braying of donkeys. Coffee and breakfast on the terrace prepared us for the day ahead. It was very easy to slow down and relax in this pleasant setting, soaking up a bit of sunshine on a beautiful Greek morning!
During our stay, we did manage to visit a number of the ancient sites that make Greece famous – Mycenae, Epidaurus, Olympia, Nemea, as well as the beaches near Napflion are all close by. You can reach most of the well-known sites in the northeastern Peloponnese by car within an hour or two. Olympia is a full day trip through the mountains for those who are comfortable with driving in Greece. The nearby village of Karya has traditional tavernas that serve very good food in a nice setting.
We enjoyed hiking along the many trails leading from the village. A good pair of hiking shoes/boots and long pants are recommended for the stony paths and the “holly” oaks that are found along the way. Chris and Rosa provided maps, a compass, and walking staffs that proved very helpful. We met several villagers tending their flocks along the trails and, despite the differences in languages, we enjoyed our meetings and the new friends we made.
We cannot begin to thank Chris and Rosa enough for their hospitality. We found Vrousti and the Stone Retreat to be a perfect place to stay. If you are seeking a relaxing vacation in this part of the Peloponnese, we commend both Chris and Rosa and the Stone Retreat to you with the highest praise!