On the road to the Peloponnese, I passed stunning hidden beaches and the wild beauty of the Kalamas Delta—an unexpected wonderland of water and wildlife. But a sudden patch of trash in the heart of nature snapped the spell.

A spontaneous stop in Marano Lagunare leads to a peaceful overnight spot, an encounter with traditional fish farming, and a walk through the pristine wetlands of the Valle Canal Novo nature reserve—home to elegant flamingos and quiet ecological wonders.