Over the last few years there have been a large number of studies that have highlighted the fact that children now spend a shorter amount of time outdoors and are less connected to the natural world. In contrast, research has also highlighted the many benefits that spending time outdoors in a natural environment can provide for kids.

Going camping, even if it’s just for one night is fun. A new environment, unfamiliar sights and sounds, other kids to meet and play with, a tent to help put up and sleeping under the stars all make for a fun-filled adventure.
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A sense of adventure is one of the qualities that ensures a life remains open and full of possibilities; promoting the positive outlook that underpins good mental health.

With more children spending time indoors than ever before, their environment, for many, is predictable, secure and closely monitored. Whilst stability is beneficial, spending time indoors and constantly stimulated won’t help a child to grow in confidence or develop resilience.
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Working out where to pitch, helping to put up a tent, finding the campsite shop and being sent to pick up supplies, dealing with adversity (broken poles, forgotten tent pegs, bad weather), by comparison are all great ways of building resilience. When children learn that they can effectively deal with adversity, they become more robust and confident individuals.


Having the freedom to play, explore and generally behave the way children should is one of the vital elements missing from modern life for many children. Parents rarely let their children out of their sight these days, preferring them to visit a friends house than giving them the freedom to play at the park unsupervised.
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Family-friendly campsites provide a safe, and relatively secure environment for children to play and explore in, giving them a sense of freedom. This freedom, combined with a more natural environment is a great way to boost creativity; instead of relying on a tablet or smartphone for entertainment, children use their imagination to play games and entertain themselves; something they typically don’t need to do when they’re at home.



There is compelling evidence to support the claim that many children are now suffering from ‘nature deficit disorder‘, with many being unable to identify the most basic flora and fauna. According to a recent survey, only 1 in 3 children were able to identify a Magpie; but I’m willing to bet that all of them would be able to correctly identify the McDonalds or Facebook logo.
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Spending time outdoors brings children closer to the natural world, and if they live in an urban environment, it is particularly important to ensure that a proportion of their free-time activities provide the chance to experience some of the wonder and beauty of nature.
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Developing a love and respect of nature is much easier to do if children get to spend time outdoors, and camping is an excellent way to immerse children in the natural world.
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So if you’ve never been, or if you are trying to find more ways of encouraging your children to spend time outdoors; why not lead by example and <u>take them camping</u>.



Over the last few years there have been a large number of studies that have highlighted the fact that children now spend a shorter amount...

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Why You Should Take Your Children Camping

If you are a fan of non-organized beaches with amazing crystal-clear water and exceptional natural beauty, then you definitely shouldn’t miss **Voidokoilia beach**.
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This beach is well-known for its unique semi-circular shape, resembling a horseshoe or for others, the Greek letter “omega” in its giant form.
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The name “Voidokoilia” obviously comes from the curvature that is formed by the bay, which looks like the belly of an ox (what voidokoilia means in Greek).
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It has got white sand, abundant vegetation, turquoise water and an impressive entrance of two rocky promontories, which constitute the landscape’s uniqueness.
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But before visiting this dreamy beach in the Peloponnese, there are certain key things you should be aware of:

Voidokoilia beach is located in Messinia, in the western side of the Peloponnese, almost 12 km away from the city of Pylos, in the northern part of Navarino bay. Its exact location is between the islet of Sfaktiria and the lagoon of Gialova and they are divided by a strip of sand dunes.
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In the southern part there is the medieval castle of Palaiokastro, which dates back to the 13th century and it was built by the Franks.
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Next to this beautiful beach, you can find Nestor’s cave. According to Greek mythology, God Hermes was born in a cave situated in Mount Kyllini. Before leaving the cave, Hermes stole Apollo’s (his half-brother) herd of oxen.
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Then Apollo asked his father Zeus to help him find his missing herd. Zeus instructed his son Hermes to give back the herd to Apollo. After that, Apollo was more careful guarding his herd and started hiding them in the cave of Nestor.
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Accordingly, the beautiful bay that was created next to the cave, inspired by the presence of oxen and was named after the belly of an ox, “Voidokoilia”.

The <u>location</u> of Voidokoilia Beach is ideal, because the authenticity of its natural landscape remains intact without becoming a cosmopolitan beach ruined by civilization.
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As aforementioned, Voidokoilia beach is located near the city of Pylos in the north of Navarino bay. In order to get there from Athens, you can either take public transport or rent a car to get to Messinia, in the Peloponnese, first.
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It takes about 2 and a half hours to reach Messinia from Athens by car. Then, you will have to use additional transportation to get to Voidokilia Beach.
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You can go to Voidokoilia beach via the village of Petrochori. It is in a remote location and the road to get there is narrow and you need to pay attention and drive carefully, especially during the months that it is particularly crowded (July- August).
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So, you should follow the Petrochori way and while moving on the road from south-Pylos to Gargaliani, you will go past Gialova.
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After a few kilometres, you must turn left at the road sign for Petrochori / Voidokoilia in the Koryfasion junction.
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Before arriving at a small junction, you will have the chance to drive through a curving road full of olive trees. After that you should turn left and then move on straight to the beach.
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When you finally arrive, just step out of the car and find your favourite spot on the beach.
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Keep in mind that there is no “official” car park with security etc in the area, so don’t leave any valuable objects in it, in case of it being broken into.

<h2>1. Costa Navarino</h2>
Costa Navarino is the top destination for luxury holidays in the Mediterranean and it is located in the southwest side of the Peloponnese in Messinia. Its uniqueness lies in the unspoilt seaside landscapes and the exotic views you can enjoy.
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There are also luxurious hotels with a range of activities and facilities and it is a world-class golf destination. The area's history goes back 4,500 years, so you might have the opportunity to visit several historical sights that reveal Messinia’s cultural past as well.
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<h2>2. Gialova</h2>
Gialova is a picturesque seaside village, located in Navarino bay. Its peaceful natural environment, enchanting beaches and romantic sunsets make Gialova a unique destination.
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The well-known Gialova lagoon, also named Lake Divari, constitutes one of the most significant hydro-biotopes in Europe.
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<h2>3. Methoni</h2>
Methoni is a seaside town on the tip of the western leg of the Peloponnese. Its landmark is the historical castle of Methoni, a 13th-century Venetian castle by the sea, that is the top tourist attraction.
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There are several traditional restaurants and hotels in the town and you can go to the castle on foot, as distances are mainly short.
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<h2>4. Koroni</h2>
Koroni is another popular town in southeast Messinia, where you can enjoy both stunning beaches and interesting historical sights.
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The castle of Koroni is a famous example of Venetian fortress architecture built in the 13th century and renovated by the Ottomans in the 16th century.
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<h2>5. Pylos</h2>
Pylos is a seaside picturesque town on the southwest coast of the Peloponnese, which is historically-significant and it was built in 1828.
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It is where the famous Naval Battle of Navarino (1827) took place and the victory of the allied forces marked the starting point of the liberation of Greek people from Turkish. Its harbor is one of the largest, but also safest harbors in the world.

<h2>1. Are there any facilities in Voidokoilia beach?</h2>
Since Voidokoilia beach is a non-organized beach, there are no facilities there, like canteens, sunbeds, toilets or umbrellas. Therefore, you should carry with you everything you may need for a day in the sun.
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<h2>2. Is Voidokoilia beach safe for children?</h2>
The bay’s extraordinary shape and position in the lagoon make the waters shallow, warm and fresh. Even when it’s windy, the beach is always calm and without waves, so it’s perfectly suitable for children if you have the necessary equipment with you.
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<h2>3. When is the best time of the year to visit Voidokoilia beach?</h2>
Although it’s a non-organized beach, Voidokoilia is a very popular and well-known beach for its remarkable shape, fine sand, turquoise water and beautiful natural surroundings.
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Its peak season is from early July until the end of August. During this season, the beach is crowded with both tourists and locals. If you want to enjoy a relatively quiet dip in the sea, then September is the highly-recommended month.
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<h2>4. Where to stay near Voidokoilia Beach?</h2>
There is a wide variety of accommodation options near Voidokoilia beach in Messinia. You can choose an all-inclusive resort, a villa, a private accommodation, a hotel or a campsite for caravans, camper vans or tents that suits your own needs.
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At  <u>Erodios Camping</u> in Pylos, you can Book a campsite, a caravan or a bungalow to stay with your family and friends and plan a memorable Peloponnese road trip!
Don’t forget to take a dip in the stunning sea of Voidokoilia!

If you are a fan of non-organized beaches with amazing crystal-clear water and exceptional natural beauty, then you definitely shouldn’t miss Voidokoilia beach.

Erodios Blog