In the latest episode of the travel documentary series Mission (Apostoli), Clelia Charissis takes us on a journey to Nafplio, one of the most beautiful cities of the Argolid peninsula, which has seen Greek history unfold up to the establishment of the modern Greek state.
Nafplio’s cultural trail stretches from prehistoric times to the Byzantine era, marked by the influences of Franks, Venetians, and Turks, and as a result, presents today’s visitors with a grand welcome.
According to Periklis Belitsos, one of the first enthusiastic supporters of the Mediterranean Yacht show, Nafplio, has become an undisputed international luxury destination in the global yachting calendar.
And so, in order to explore more, we set sail the next day for a full day sailing cruise in the Gulf of Argolis, with Elena Tassopoulou and her father Thodoris…
I have to admit that our research about the first capital of Greece, guided by educator Sophia Eleftheriadis Pitsaki (who stole the show), surprised even the locals, when during our meeting with Mr Rosis, a seasoned cheese maker, we were led to a spectacular gorge that would captivate any nature and wildlife enthusiast.

For Mr Rosis, his first memories are in the arms of his grandfather George Rosis, who in 1951 laid the foundations for the continuation of the traditional art of cheese-making in the modern facilities of Mount Arachneio of Argolis, where the inhabitants of the region are still mainly engaged in animal husbandry, agriculture and the harvesting of seasonal products.”

We are served the delicious traditional Goges “made from pure ingredients as in the old days” their high quality, similar to many of the other fresh pasta produced in the workshop of the Kollias family, Gnisio, is due to the pure ingredients derived from the plain, such as local fresh eggs and cow’s milk used along with flour and semolina in their daily production.

They say that from a place one discovers its people.
Our mission each time is to discover the place through its inhabitants.
If you personify the famous orange production of Argolis…in its face you will see a close-knit family…that of the entrepreneurs and producers living there… that hold inside them a deep regard for humanity, collaboration, the rural landscape, every small-scale farmer, and a commitment to excellence.

Alexandros Christodoulou, known for his passionate social initiatives, narrates his personal journey and how his diagnosis with “diabetes”, would inspire him to offer the highest quality oranges to produce juices “without added sugar”. He underlines that beyond its nutritional value, this citrus holds numerous benefits, making Greek soil rightfully proud of its “orange motherhood.”
Smiling, humble, spontaneous with a sense of humour and strong empathy…he takes us through the value of teamwork, gender equality and the inseparable relationship between small producers and how they do business.

“The mind is not a container to be filled, but a fire that must be lit.”
In the case of the Christodoulou family, that fire… “the spark of their vision”… ignites in its wake each and every one of us who seeks… the art of living a good life.
In the top five of the European agricultural production is the Greek tomato. The Greek producers of the Argolic plain, such as Mr Pitsakis, are going to great lengths, through the modern methods of greenhouses, to maintain their advantage by improving cultivation practices, on the one hand, and on the other, enhancing the export aspect of the product.

Giving the impression that it wants to hide from the human eye, perched on the roots of a bare rock is the beautiful monastery of Aghia Moni dedicated to the life-giving spring.
Inside the temple, the icon of the Manifested Christ has its own wondrous history. It was found in 1920, behind the sanctuary of the church by the Greek-American Theodore Rogopoulos, who arrived in Nafplio after a dream he had seen, bringing the icon to light.

Built by the bishop of Argos and Nafplio, Leon, in the mid-12th century, it is nowadays a hermitage, one of the few well-preserved examples of a Byzantine church inhabited by 10 hospitable nuns in whose faces one can see the meekness and the greatness of the human soul when it unties its bonds from human passions.
The conclusion of our wonderful trip to Nafplio where we stayed at the popular 3SIXTY , CASTELLANO and the new OPALSUITES… could not but find us around a table of the historic fish tavern-restaurant ARAPAKOS tasting their famous fish soup which along with other delicious flavors, are all firmly rooted in the authentic lineage of tradition, carried forward from George Arapakos to the present day by his children, Dimitris and Kostas.

*Mission (Apostoli) on STAR, is a travel, human centered documentary series that reveals the hidden beauties of Greece, highlighting the strong connections with the Greek Diaspora.
Television presenter, Clelia Charissis, travels with her team from cosmopolitan Corfu to majestic Crete, from traditional Drama to historic Nafplio, introducing us to people, nature, activities, traditions, summer scents, and flavors!
*Follow Clelia Charissis on Instagram @apostoli_mission
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