Messolonghi – Carnival

Breakfast at the hotel followed by street photography in Athens in a carnival atmosphere with confetti, paper serpentines, costumes and street entertainment.

After lunch our next stop will be the Rio-Antirrio bridge near Patras where we will take the boat across the Gulf of Corinth to photograph this incredible feat of engineering.

For dinner we will eat in Nafpaktos and continue our journey to Galaxidi where our hotel is located.

The ’Moutzouromata’ at Galaxidi is a colourful chaotic celebration where people throw coloured wheat flour at each other. This festival marks the beginning of the Lent period of fasting in the Orthodox Church and is an opportunity for some fun before the introspection and detoxing begins.

It is really important to wear old clothes and have some plastic bags you can use to protect your camera equipment for ’Moutzouromata’ as the wheat flour gets everywhere and can stain clothing.

Lunch on the way back which on ’Clean Monday’ means a chance to sample some traditional fare such as; lagana (flat bread), taramosalata, chalva, olives and fresh delicious seafood which is allowed on ’Clean Monday’, but no fish.

Arrive at the hotel in Messolonghi and settle in. A wander around town and then dinner.

In the morning we will be taking a boat trip to explore the lagoons that dominate the landscape and are such an integral part of life here. This is a chance to photograph the incredibly diverse bird life that inhabits the area, and to see the lagoons from the perspective of the fishermen who have worked these waters for countless generations.

Back to Messolonghi for lunch.

In the afternoon we will be changing our mode of transport and rent bicycles to ride out to the island of Tourlida to photograph the traditional wooden fishermen’s houses called pellades which stand on stilts above the surface of the water.

We take a drive along a beautiful scenic route that includes the archaeological site at Plevrona. On a hill on the northwest side of Messolonghi a big part of the 3-kilometre long walls of Ancient Plevrona are still kept in a very good condition, specifically, the New Ancient Plevrona also known as Castle of Kira Rini (Lady Rini). In this impressive archaeological site you will have the chance to see a huge, natural 6-metre tall stone tank, part of the market, the ancient road and a wonderful ancient theatre with the great panoramic views of the sea on the west of Messolonghi.

We will see the island of Aetoliko. This tiny land mass is one of the most densely populated areas of Greece with a maze of ramshackle streets and houses to photograph and plenty of local life.

Afterwards we’ll visit the salt flats or “alykes”. These are the largest salt-pans in operation in Greece. Salt has played a crucial role in the history of civilisation and in Greece. In fact, in ancient Greece it was used as a commodity for trading slaves. It is said that the time held expression of “not worth his salt” came from this practice. Also, in ancient times, most civilisations were accompanied by myths, religious and magic rites involving salt and Greece was no exception. With tales of its usage during sacrifices and religious rituals, the history of salt is as exotic as is the amazing alykes, or salt marsh gardens that extend for miles on end in Messolonghi, Greece.

After dinner there will be a photo critique to give everyone a chance to get personalised feedback on their photographic results so far and to set some homework to do too!

A road trip to the traditional village of Katochi where we will admire the banks of the river Acheloos and then head into the wild and rugged landscape of Dioni in the far Western Greece. Stopping on the way to visit our friend Christos to get a glimpse into traditional life in a pellades complete with traditional Greek hospitality.

Morning to pack up, a leisurely lunch en route as we travel back to Athens

Goodbye dinner at the hotel and some free time in Athens for those that want to have a final wonder.

Final goodbyes and flights home.