Private excursion to Messolonghi Tourlida island Nafpaktos

Driving over the bridge Rion -Antirion (Charilaos Trikoupis bridge) which is the longest multi-span cable stayed bridge of the world with its 2,252 meters continuous and fully suspended deck,its foundations lay on a seabed that reaches 65 meters of depth. This is a world record for a bridge as well as their diameter of 90 meters making them, the world’s largest bridge foundations, it drives us to the capital of the prefecture Aitoloarkania, Mesologhi. Driving time 45 mins.

Mesolongi is a beautiful small-town famous for its sea lake, formed by the endings of two rivers and it is considered as one of the most virgin areas across Greece. We are going to visit the town of Messolonghi and its castle. The place where the heroic Exodus of Messolonghi against Ottomans that cost the lives of many Greeks took place, but it remained a reference point for the subsequent struggle for independence. The Garden of Heroes in the center of the town is a nice place to walk around, hosting tombs and statues of many heroes and people who died in the Exodus. It is dedicated to the heroes of the Greek Revolution.
We will continue to the Messolonghi lagoon, which is classified as a national park and protected by the Ramsar Convention and the Treaty Natura2000. It is a place of exceptional beauty and ecological value, rare flora while 280 species of birds find shelter, and incubate in it. The view of the lagoon around the island of Klisova with its chapel is charming.

The islet of Tourlida is in the lagoon, 5 km from the main town, within a natural setting of unique beauty and environmental significance. It is named after “tourlides”, a bird species that used to nest in its grounds. You will also admire the picturesque “pelades” – small wooden houses on piles in the water.

The stunning, in every aspect, Lagoon of Messolonghi, offers another treasure to this city: the salt. On your road to Tourlida you will meet one of the two salt lakes, Alykes, of Messolonghi. Alykes are huge square fields of sea water, from where salt will be collected once the water evaporates forming big white hills of salt. Messolonghi produces more than 90% of primary Salt in Greece. Visit the salt museum and you will be amazed!

Finishing, our trip to the west Greece we continue to Nafpaktos, one of a few cities in Greece that has survived for 30 centuries of history, imprinted forever on its monuments. Built at the foot of the Pindos Mountain range, it is embraced reassuringly by its mighty castle, whose walls reach down to the Corinthian Gulf. It is a picturesque city with neighbourhoods. We visit the Venetian harbour a meeting point for locals and where we’ll enjoy a walk in the shade of plane trees, with a view of the sea and the castle walls.

Starting at the harbour and walk along steepening cobbled streets, passing through neighbourhoods with gardens in bloom, the climb to the lofty fortress is a fascinating one. On the way, you will come across Botsaris’ Tower, an impressive 15th-century building serving as a museum, and the town clock dating from 1914. The castle itself, while acclaimed for its beauty, also represents one of the best-preserved examples of Venetian fortifications in Greece. The view from the top of the hill to the sea and the impressive Bridge of Rio-Antirio is unique. Finally, we will offer you ouzo with meze or refreshment to an equestrian club next to the sea until we return back to your hotel.