The Olymics are approaching, not long ago th torch was lit accompanied by triumphant pictures of Seb Coe on the news and a text from my friend "you seen the pics of the torch on fire in Olympia? We've been there!" Yes that's right folks, Olympia was an unexpected stop on our interrailling trip last summer. So here's my review...

"Unexpected?" I hear you ask? But why? Well we ended up having to take a detour in Greece as there was a fair bit of Rioting in Athens at the time, and we ended up taking the ferry from Venice to Patras where my dad had offered to pick us up. So my advice starts here. If you ever happen to get on the ferry from Venice to Greece be prepared. Interrail passes get a 'free' deck pass but you have to pay port taxes that fluctuate during the year, we paid 42 euros in July, not bad for 36hours. But don't think it will be a quiet journey. In the summer it is essentially a

festival camp on a boat. There is lots of drinking and rowdiness all the time. My advice is to just embrace it, grab a bottle of wine from the shop, and make some friends, there are people from all over the world on the ship, we befriended an american couple and danced the night away and lazed in the pool all day. A welcome break in a trip that had been full of extensive sightseeing.

A few tips though: food is a bit pricey, but the portions are massive for you can easily share a plate of pasta, it may be useful to pack up a few things for breakfast too. Word of warning though, if you have an tendency to be sea sick I wouldn't recommend alcohol. It can have ehm messy consequences!

The ferry docks in Patras at about 5am so when my dad had decided a quick trip to Olympia, which was sort of on our way home, was a good idea, we wern't so sure, we just wanted to sleep. However we arrived at about 7am, just as we were all getting hunger and The little village of Olympia seemed a lot more appealing!

We had breakfast in one of the hotels on the main street (Hotel Ilis) and it was good, a wonderful spread of hot and cold, continental and English. Plenty of tea and coffee too. Greece may not be able to keep their accounts in order but by gosh they make good food!

The Olympic site opens at 8am most days, and that really is the best time to see it. There is hardly anyone around, the coach parties haven't arrived and the searing heat hasn't hit yet. Plus walking through the tunnel into the first stadium is something you won't forget in a while.

But the Olympic site isn't just all about ruins, they do make up a large part, and so they should, they are arguably the most important relic of sporting history. But there is also a good museum and a nice park and a small cafe within the ancient site. Plus a few more souvineir shops in the town itself.

Olympia is well worth a visit if you're even remoelty interested in Anchient Greece, and there is reduced enty for young people. Bargain!

Key Facts

• Accessible by a trian station at Olympia, nearest big city is Pygos.
• There are many hotels and a small youth hostel, but I couldn't find that on HostelWorld. Its more suited to a day trip.
• Best Time to Visit; Anytime of the year, but get there early to avoid crowds.
• Cake Rating; Untested, I'm sure you could find some somewhere though!