I got up early to tackle the steep climb up the eastern foothills of the Taygetus Mountains, whose peaks rise to over 2500 m, to reach the former Byzantine ‘great city’ of Mystras in time for sunrise. Soon, the sun’s first rays illuminated a magnificent scene: the ruined city and the Laconian plain with the famous city of Sparta on the Greek Peloponnese peninsula. The Taygetus Mountains offer numerous impressive hikes, which can now be combined with medieval history and culture – impressive frescoes and buildings have been preserved or restored – as well as enjoying Greek hospitality.