Sparti (Greece)

Though Sparta was historically a great power, I found myself disappointed by the modern city. Nothing at all remains that testifies to the domination Sparta once had over the whole of the southern part of Peloponnese. The extent to which the city has today adopted all the trappings of modernity came as much of a shock to me as learning about the practice of eugenics in ancient Greece during Greek lessons.

The centre of the city is arranged along a wide main avenue. There are of course places to shop here, and hotels etc. I really loved the "yaourti me meli" that you can get in the city: yoghurt topped with good-quality local honey. Though not really possessing any particular charm of its own, Sparta is somewhere to come to in order to spend some time exploring local traditions when visiting Greece.

However, tourists tend to simply stop off at Sparta on their way to Mystras, which is a wonderful little place where you can explore and learn more about the Orthodox Church.