cruise ship Oceana

Cruise ships arriving to Katakolon port in December 2011

Cruise ships arriving to Katakolon port in December 2011 are of course much less than the previous months, however, it should be denoted that even these few cruise ships are valuable for the tourist traffic in Katakolon, since most of them are large and luxurious cruise ships carrying thousands of passengers. Continue reading “Cruise ships arriving to Katakolon port in December 2011”

Great revenues for Katakolon from cruises

Although Greece is going through a terrible financial turmoil, it seems that Katakolon is getting great revenues from cruises this year.

It has been already stated that Katakolon has become the second busiest port of call for cruise ships in Greece after Santorini, and practice shows that indeed the cruises have seriously supported Greek tourism this year. Continue reading “Great revenues for Katakolon from cruises”

Luxurious cruise ships meet at Katakolon

Two of the most luxurious cruise ships of the world met at Katakolon port these days. The Nieuw Amsterdam and the Noordam of Holland America met at the port on July 24 and one of the passengers took some pictures of the “elegant” meeting. Nieuw Amsterdam and Noordam are among the largest and most luxurious cruise ships that sail the Mediterranean this season, carrying more than 2000 passengers … Continue reading Luxurious cruise ships meet at Katakolon

Caretta-Caretta sea turtles at Katakolon

A surprising birth at Katakolon was the news of the week for the thousands of tourists and locals of the area.

It is known that Katakolon beaches are sandy and hospitable for sea turtles, but a few days ago those who were close to Sykia beach at Katakolon saw tens of small sea turtles of the caretta-caretta species popping out of the sand and walking fastly towards… the village! Continue reading “Caretta-Caretta sea turtles at Katakolon”

Cruise ships arriving to Katakolon port in October 2011

Cruise ships arriving to Katakolon Port in October 2011 are once more expected to be plenty, bringing thousands of tourists to the Ionian coast of Greece.

The tourists arriving to Katakolo in October will have the chance to see the western parts of the Peloponnese peninsula in cooler, but very friendly and mild weather.

After all, October is a high season month for cruises in Greece and the Mediterranean, since it is not that hot, seas are quite calm and the overall conditions favor the excursions to Olympia or close to Katakolon. Continue reading “Cruise ships arriving to Katakolon port in October 2011”

Cruise ships arriving to Katakolon port in September 2011

September is expected to be a very busy month for the Katakolon port, since numerous cruise ships are calling there.

More than 3 large cruise ships, of at least 2,000 passengers each, will be mooring or anchoring at Katakolon every day in September 2011. Increasingly more ships from the largest cruise companies of the world choose the port of Katakolon as one of their destinations in the Mediterranean. Continue reading “Cruise ships arriving to Katakolon port in September 2011”

Cruise ships arriving to Katakolon port in August 2011

Although August is a month of slower tourist traffic for cruise ships in Greece, it seems that Katakolon port is maintaining the great rhythm it has been showing since the beginning of this tourist season.

Not only will it be receiving numerous cruise ships with thousands of tourists, but it will be the port of call for some of the most luxurious cruise ships in the world, such as the Queen Victoria and the Costa Favolosa.

Here is the list of cruise ships arriving in August 2011 to Katakolon port. Continue reading “Cruise ships arriving to Katakolon port in August 2011”

Special reception for cruise ships at Katakolon port

A special reception for cruise ships at Katakolon port has been organized by local unions and organizations of Ilia prefecture.

The reception of the cruise ships and their passengers will take place in order to thank the tourists for their preference in cruising in the Mediterranean and Greece and on the occasion of the arrival of the Costa Favolosa, the new cruise ship of Costa Cruises, which has set on its first cruise. Continue reading “Special reception for cruise ships at Katakolon port”

Cruise ships arriving to Katakolon Port in July 2011

Katakolon port is definitely one of the busiest ports of call for cruise ships this year, with more than 1million tourists arriving from different parts of the world.

If you are interested in booking a cruise to Katakolon and the Ionian Sea, or if you want to see which ships call at this port, you can check the following list of cruise ships arriving to Katakolon port in July 2o11. Continue reading “Cruise ships arriving to Katakolon Port in July 2011”

Low cruise prices for Katakolon

Cruise prices for Katakolon and other Mediterranean destinations are much lower in 2011 compared to previous years. Following the same path as the airfares in Europe, cruise prices of Mediterranean cruises have also dipped.

If looking for a cruise to the Mediterranean, you will be able to find prices as low as $71 per person per day in August – which is considered high season in south Europe.

If you consider that this price includes in boat hotel facilities, meals and entertainment you can just think how much money you can save this way.

Katakolon Cruises

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High Winds at Katakolon

The meteorological station of Pyrgos recorded high winds at Katakolon during the first months of 2011.

storm in katakolonActually there were three storm events just in Katakolon, with the speed of the wind going over 100km per hour.

According to the reports from the automated meteorological station of Athens at Pyrgos, there were winds of 133,6km/h at Katakolon port on January 28th, 2011. Continue reading “High Winds at Katakolon”

The Temple of Apollo Epicurius

Katakolon port is an excellent gate to the Temple of Apollo Epicurius, which is one of the most important Ancient temples in Western Greece.

Temple of Apollo Epicurius
Temple of Apollo Epicurius

The Temple of Apollo Epicurius was built between 420-400BC by Iktinos, one of the two architects of the Parthenon of Athens. The Temple of Apollo is located 80 km away from Olympia and 7km away from Figalia, on the rocky area of Bassai.

Continue reading “The Temple of Apollo Epicurius”

The torch relay of 1948 at Katakolon

Historical records show us that Katakolon played its role in the torch relay for the Olympic Games in 1948 that were held by London.

First of all, there was a huge debate on whether the torch relay should take place at all, since the second World War had just ended, and some people were expressing their concern on retaining the concept, since there were some links between the Nazi propaganda and the torch.

The Flame at Olympia 1948

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Funds for the development of Katakolon Port

The much awaited funds for the the development of Katakolon port will be soon given to the officials who will undertake the projects for the amelioration of the facilities at the port and the surrounding areas, according to the minister of culture, Mr Geroulanos, who has recently visited the cities of Patras and Pyrgos.

Continue reading “Funds for the development of Katakolon Port”

Archaeological Museum of Olympia

The Archaeological Museum of Olympia is one of the major museums in Greece, and an absolute must see when you disembark from your cruise ship to Katakolon port.

The Archaeological Museum of Olympia was completed in 1975 and the inauguration of the museum took place in 1982. A new archaeological museum to house the treasures of the Sanctuary of Olympia became inevitable with the damage from the 1954 earthquake and with the accumulation of so many findings from the excavations in Altis. The building was expanded and renovated for the Olympic Games of Athens in 2004, and many more exhibits were brought to the museum.

Archaeological museum of Olympia

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Museum of Olympic Games History in Olympia

If you decide to visit Olympia from Katakolon, you will probably visit the Museum of Olympic Games History in Olympia, one of the most significant museums in the world.

Museum of history of Ancient Olympics

The museum is located at the northwest part of the sanctuary of Zeus, only 400meters away from the center of Olympia, just a few meters from the bridge over River Kladeos, and the entrance to the main site of Olympia.

The entrance to the museum is free, and you will need approximately half an hour to explore it. Continue reading “Museum of Olympic Games History in Olympia”

Katakolon travel distances

If you intend to travel to Katakolon or if you are already at Katakolon with a cruise ship, you should probably know what are the travel distances between several places.

Usually the first destination from Katakolon is Olympia and its archaeological site, which is located 37km away from Katakolon port. The road is great though, so you will need approximately 20 minutes  to reach the site. In the case you choose to travel there by taxi or a rental car, you will need even less time. Continue reading “Katakolon travel distances”