Instead of waiting for the snow to melt in the more "typical" European kayaking destinations this March or April, jump on the ferry and head over to Greece. Whether you crave discovery through a road trip or the ease of staying at a riverside campground (complete with shuttle!), Greece has Whitewater for you. Christain Zicke takes us through beautiful canyons and deep gorges with friendly, accessible Class ll-IV Whitewater, and of course, on a tasting menu of local delicacies.
It's the middle of March, and the sun is shining over the snowy Erymanthos Mountains when the "Hellenic Spirit" reaches Patras, the most important port on the Peloponnese Peninsula in southwest Greece. Soon, you'll be released into a unique Whitewater destination—one of the most interesting in Europe, with dozens of rivers providing deep canyons, stunning nature, and, best of all, Whitewater for everyone.
The typical Greek chaos of good-humored shouting and whistling and the intoxicating scents of fresh bread, tyropita (pastry with cheese or spinach), and bougaza (sweet pastries with cream, sugar, and cinnamon) welcome you ashore. Your first task is finding a bakery. Enjoying the local delicacies is the second-most important part of a trip to Greece and comes close to the pleasure of paddling itself: Greek cuisine may not reach the finesse of France's haute cuisine, but it is simple and delicious. It's impossible not to enjoy tasty tzatziki, a piece of goat cheese, or grilled souvlaki seasoned with the incredible herbs from the surrounding mountains and fields at a cozy
