My Greek Odyssey (Series 2)

Our journey begins in Athens, one of the oldest cities in the world. It's the birthplace of democracy, philosophy, modern medicine, mathematics, free speech & the power for you & I to vote for our elected officials. We start the odyssey by exploring this magnificent city, as well as delving into the foundations of the nations religion, told through experiencing the festivities of Easter.

This episode Peter leaves Athens & heads to Epidavros. Here he delves into the history and unique culture of the region. From there we make a quick stop at the little-known Moni Island, home to hundreds of peacocks. Our final port of call is Spetses, a place where life is lived outdoors, with the sun on your face & wind in your hair!

Spetses is best known for its maritime history & is the perfect place to learn about the nautical past of Greece. Peter also timed his visit with the spectacle that is the Spetses Classic Yacht Regatta. From here we cruise across to Hydra. From the donkeys walking the streets to the amphitheatre-like harbour with centuries old homes on the hillside, it's a special place that's trapped in time.

Hydra is one of the busiest ports in Greece. There's no denying the beauty of the place, or its unique attributes. In this episode we continue our exploration of the island and take part in the island's biggest celebration, The Miaoulia Festival. It includes boat races, concerts, cultural exhibitions & a finale like nothing you'll have seen before.

In this episode we head deep into the Argolic Gulf to Nafplio, the first capital of Greece after the War of Independence. It's a beautiful part of the country with a rich and colourful history. We also go inland to one of the oldest settlements on earth, Argos. From the ancient theatre and pyramid of Helinikon, to temple ruins, there are countless remnants from antiquity,

After exploring more of Monemvasia and the inland area nearby, we make my way to another tiny island that punches well above its weight, Elafonisos. It might only be 16 square kilometers in size, but it's a hidden paradise with a picturesque coast that rivals the prettiest places you'll come across. From there we arrive at the island of Peter's heritage - Kythira.

Our journey has now brought us to the island Peter's family came from, Kyhera. It now feels like a second home, but Peter is still far from being considered a local. Every time he returns he discovers new and fascinating things, and the places he's seen before have usually evolved a little. This is an intimate exploration of an island close to our hearts, providing a rare insight.

In this episode I'll be discovering more of the island paradise of my heritage, taking in places that I've never seen before, and revisiting old haunts to see how things have changed over the years. I'm then making my way to one of the most photographed places in Greece - Zakynthos. It's a place where the beauty of the beaches rivals any you'll come across in the Mediterranean.

In this episode my time in Zakynthos continues. First stop though, is a side trip to Pilos for a special dive. Then it's back to Zakynthos to learn about the famed nougat, before getting to know more about the poet Dionysios Solomos. I also catch up with a good friend and visit a self-sustainable farm. From there I head to the turtle sanctuary, before making my way to the island of Kefalonia.

As my time on Kefalonia continues, I'm going to explore the stunning Melissani Lake, a place of both myth and beauty. I'm also going to meet a couple of the locals who spend their days at sea, forging a living as fishermen. Plus, I'll be catching up with a friend & trying my hand as a beekeeper, as well as visiting one of the famed wineries that produces the famous Kefalonian Robola.

Now that I've arrived in Ithaki, it's time to explore what this ruggedly beautiful island has to offer. Because it is so tiny, it's easy to see a whole lot in a little bit of time. From here, my journey then takes me to Lefkada. It's a place full of myth and legend, dating back to antiquity. It's a busy tourist destination, but that hasn't taken away from its authenticity.

This episode sees me learning how the locals in Lefkada make their wine & I check out a remnant of the Cold War. This episode I also have a dream come true, when I visit Scorpios Island, once owned by Aristotle Onassis. Few have stepped foot on the island, let alone filmed it. From there we up anchor and head to Paxos, to show you a gem of the Ionian that most never visit.

In the last episode of the series I'm headed to Antipaxos, just a stones throw from its bigger neighbour, Paxos. Then I'm upping anchor & cruising across to Corfu, where I'll be exploring the far north of the Ionian Sea. The last island I'll step foot on for the series is Orthoni. I've left a lot to do in a little time, so get comfortable, because you won't want to miss a second of it!