Valetsiniko

 (Usual waiver applies to grammar, typos, spelling as I'm posting via a small phone screen on the hoof 🤭, click on the pics to zoom in),

Very cold today with a wind chill factor to the max!🥶. We decided to have a rest day. We  took a taxi 25 mins to our next stopping point on the trail. It would have taken us about 5hrs walking over several  hills but we decided to give our calves a break after five days of hill climbing.

Valtesiniko is perched on the side of a hill. The central square had a small food market, a coffee shop and a few taverna/restaurants.  It is known as the village of woodcarvers and there is a highly famed wood carving school there. We heard there was an old monastery 3k out of town that was pretty incredible. So on a rest day....we went for a walk 😄🏃.

We passed through a small farm yard to get to the monastery. 

The doggies could have licked you to death if you let them  and the goats were not in the least bothered.

The  turkey on the other hand put on a very good 'guard dog'  performance.

The old monastery, 1550,  was tucked into the side of the Kapsall Gorge. It was built inside a cave in the rock and is dedicated to St Nikolas of the Ascencion.

 

What an amazing place. So peaceful and quiet and beautifully cared for. 

The local taverna served amazing food and the staff were so lovely. You can imagine this little village is jumping in ski season.

We  hit the jackpot with our bed for the night. Lovely warm rooms and we were welcomed with coffee and mumma's home made apple strudel, delicious. Another most excellent factor was we could control the heating in our room....very important in the cold snap......8°C and low of 2°C overnight .(Same day last year was high 26°C and down to 9°C at night).

Petra & Elato Art Hotel, Valtesiniko, Peloponesse